How to Spend a Layover in Frankfurt

Three years ago I had a layover in Frankfurt between volunteering in Thailand and sailing in Croatia. I had no idea what to do in the airport for 8 hours, so I placed my bag in storage and took the train into central Frankfurt. Unfortunately, I was there at 6 am, so nothing was really open.

And then there was the fact that I was freezing in the sundress I had worn in muggy Thailand. But alas, I found myself in the Romer area, the tourist central of the city that is exactly what you expect Germany to look like.

This time around, my visit to Frankfurt was planned. After spending a month hopping around Portugal, Austria and other parts of Germany, I spent a few days in Europe’s financial hub before flying home. I also planned to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest book trade show, with my press pass.

Since the fair was going on, every hotel and hostel was booked solid, restaurants had long waits and everything was generally overpriced. After an overwhelming day at the fair, I wanted to see the “real” Frankfurt, if it even existed.

While most of the recommendations I received I ignored (10 euro for the art museum? Really?), there were a handful I would do again if I was wondering how to spend a layover in Frankfurt.

Saturday Flea Market

On Saturday, I woke up early to explore the flea market over the river at the Sachsenhausen Bank between the bridges. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but what I found was a whole lot of stuff. It ranged from random knicknacks from people’s houses to potentially bootleg items to antiques. It operates every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm and some days during the week.

Romer

As the first place I ever visited in the city, I knew I had to return to see if it was how I remembered it. While what we see was re-built in 1955 after the destruction of World War II, it’s still worth checking out. You will find plenty of tourist shops and overpriced restaurants, but there are also a handful of boutiques off the main square.

Last Century Modern has all sorts of quirky gifts and Branco Azul sells wares from Portugal. Grab a booklet for more information (German only).

Apple wine in Sachsenhausen

Appel wine (apfelwein) is the beverage of choice in Frankfurt and there’s no better place to try it than in Sachsenhausen. The apple wine tastes like a more potent, less fizzy cider. It went to my head very quickly, but was no less delicious. You can visit two of the oldest cider houses, Zum Gemalten Haus and Wagner.

Churches

Why yes, there are dozens of churches in the Aldstadt of Frankfurt, as you will find in most European cities. The biggest reason to visit them is that they are a free activity. The Dom St. Bartholomaus is the first one you will see, as it’s the most imposing over the Romer square.

It was another casualty of the war, but has been restored to its former glory. Alte Nikolaikirche is a neighboring church known for its Gothic sandstone sculptures. Pick up a “Historic Tour of Frankfurt’s City Churches” brochure for more information.

Main Tower

As the highest skyscraper in Frankfurt, visitors can go to the top of Main Tower to overlook the city on the Viewing Terrance or even have dinner at the restaurant. It costs €5 for a standard adult ticket to the tower.

How would you spend a layover in Frankfurt?