Old Town Charm and Riverside Life: A Weekend Well-Spent in Frankfurt

There’s something pleasantly disarming about Frankfurt. One of Europe’s busiest airports, it’s the kind of place many travellers just fly in and out of. But its gleaming banking towers and beautifully rebuilt old town make this a rather special city that’s well worth a trip in its own right.

At just over two hours flying time from Dublin to Frankfurt, you could find yourself by the Liffey in the morning and the Main River in the evening, watching the sunset from a laid-back tavern or high-end cocktail bar. Here’s how we’d spend a relaxing weekend in Germany’s unofficial capital.

Friday Evening: Sachsenhausen and Ebbelwoi

Frankfurt Airport sits just 15 minutes from the city centre by S-Bahn, which means you can really hit the ground running.

Check into your hotel or Airbnb and head straight to Sachsenhausen — the neighbourhood on the southern bank of the Main river — for your first taste of the real Frankfurt.

Sachsenhausen is Frankfurt’s most characterful neighbourhood and a great place to get to grips with a beloved local tradition: Ebbelwoi, the tart, slightly sparkling apple wine that Frankfurters have been drinking for centuries. It’s served cold in a traditional blue-grey Bembel jug, poured into ribbed glass tumblers, and accompanied by simple, hearty food.

Zum Gemalten Haus on Schweizer Strasse is one of the oldest and most atmospheric taverns in the city. Order a jug of ebbelwoi, a plate of handkäs mit musik (a sharp local cheese dressed with vinegar, oil, and onions), and a schnitzel if you’re hungry. The locals are friendly, the atmosphere is warm, and you’ll probably make new friends before the evening finishes.

Saturday morning: The Römerberg and the new Old Town

The Römerberg is Frankfurt’s central medieval square and one of the most photographed spots in Germany. The gabled facades of the Römer town hall have been rebuilt with extraordinary care, and the Altstadt — a 35-building quarter of reconstructed medieval streets that reopened in 2018 after decades of restoration — is the result of one of Germany’s most ambitious urban projects. It’s really quite incredible to see, so well worth stopping for a while to soak in all the rich detail mixed among the timbers. If you want to learn more about the history of the region, consider a walking tour — a great way to meet new people while you learn.

Then head east to the Dom (cathedral) and climb the tower for sweeping views over the old town rooftops and the distant skyline. On a clear day, the contrast between ancient spires and modern glass towers is uniquely Frankfurt and makes for some great photos to share online or send back home.

If tummies are starting to rumble, move onto the Kleinmarkthalle, Frankfurt’s beloved indoor market, just a few minutes’ walk from the Römerberg. There you’ll find three floors of stalls selling regional cheeses, smoked meats, fresh bread, and local wines. Go early on Saturday — it gets busy fast, and for very good reason. Don’t forget to bring a backpack so you can fill your boots with delicious German snacks for the flight home.

Saturday afternoon: The Museumsufer

The Museumsufer — Frankfurt’s museum embankment — stretches along both banks of the Main and contains more cultural institutions per kilometre than almost anywhere in Germany.

The Städel Museum is the standout: a collection spanning seven centuries with works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Botticelli, and Monet. Allow two to three hours if you have a regular appreciation for art — more if you’re a dedicated fan.

In the late afternoon, you could rent a bicycle at one of the stations along the river and cycle west towards the Nizza gardens — a riverside park full of palm trees and fig trees that feels genuinely Mediterranean on a warm afternoon. Named after the French city of Nice, it’s a wonderful place to sit by the river and people-watch for an hour or two.

Saturday evening: Dinner and a view

If you’re hoping for a traditional dinner, try Metropol on Weckmarkt in the Altstadt — it offers reliable modern German cooking in a relaxed, convivial setting.

Afterwards, take the lift to the top of the Main Tower observation deck (it’s 200 metres up, and the only publicly accessible skyscraper viewpoint in the city) for a final look at Frankfurt by night. With the banking district shimmering below and the river glowing in the dark, it makes for a spectacular scene.

Sunday: Grüneburgpark and a slow farewell

Once you’ve grabbed a coffee and pastry, Grüneburgpark is a great place to spend Sunday morning — a broad, beautiful park in the Westend neighbourhood where Frankfurters hang out with kids, play with their dogs, and generally relax over the weekend.

Pick up supplies from the Kleinmarkthalle if you’re there early enough, then find a patch of grass and dig into an ad-hoc picnic. With 52% of the city dedicated to green space, you’ll never be far away from nature in Frankfurt.

It’s worth taking a walk back through the banking district before you leave: The contrast — between Frankfurt’s shiny skyscrapers and cobblestoned streets — is the thing you’ll remember most.

Frankfurt is one of Germany’s most underestimated cities, offering excellent food, rich history, and relaxing riverside walks. Plus, it’s only two hours away from Dublin, with regular flights connecting Ireland, the UK, and the USA with Germany.

The next time you’re thinking about planning a weekend escape, skip the traffic or long-haul travel: Book a quick, easy flight to Frankfurt and start a couple of days of rest and relaxation fast.