3 Dope Days in Deutschland: Frankfurt Itinerary

As we embarked on our latest escapade through Europe, we couldn't wait to experience all that Frankfurt had to offer. Our journey had been full of surprises and excitement, and we knew that our time in Frankfurt would be no different.

After exploring the picturesque cities of London, Barcelona, Predeal, Brașov, and Bucharest for ten days, we were ready for one last adventure. Frankfurt was our layover back from Romania, but we didn't want our trip to end just yet. So, we decided to extend our layover and stay in this beautiful city for four more days!

Day 1: Römerberg Old Town Center, Alte Brücke Bridge, Frankfurt Cathedral

Our hotel, the Moxy City Center, was in the perfect location to explore all that Frankfurt had to offer. The city was well organized, and we had no trouble getting around.

The RMV (Rhein Main Verkehrsverbund) train system was top-notch, and it was a breeze to visit the different attractions.

Our hotel was a perfect base camp for our adventures. We enjoyed the hotel's cool vibe and modern design, and it was the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploration. We also loved the local cuisine, and we indulged in some of the city's famous dishes like Apfelwein (apple wine) and Frankfurt sausages, "Frankfurters!"

As we explored the city, we were captivated by its unique charm and overwhelming beauty. We visited the iconic Frankfurt Cathedral, the Römerberg, and the Goethe House. We even took a boat tour of the Main River, where we soaked in the sweeping views of the city and its skyline.

We kicked off our Frankfurt adventure with a leisurely stroll through the city's downtown area, where we stumbled upon the charming Römerberg Old Town Center. The sight was nothing short of breathtaking, and it felt like we had stepped right into a movie set.

Just a stone's throw away, we came across the Iron Footbridge (known as the love lock bridge) Alte Brücke river, which offered us spectacular panoramic views of the city. It was a romantic walk. The bridge is covered with locks left from lovers past.

We highly recommend it, especially if you're lucky enough to have warm weather. If you're feeling extra adventurous, we suggest taking a boat tour to get an even more spectacular view of the city.

The Frankfurt Cathedral was a quick walk away, and we couldn't resist stopping by to marvel at its beauty.

Since we wanted to venture out to the Rhine River and Heidelberg, we decided not to visit many of the city's museums this time around. That said, there are plenty of museums worth visiting if you're in the mood for some cultural exploration.

Some of our top picks include the:

Our time in Frankfurt was nothing short of extraordinary. The city's rich history, stunning architecture, and lively culture had left us in awe. Overall, our time in Frankfurt was an adventure of a lifetime.

There was so much to see and do, and we can't wait to go back and explore even more of this vibrant city.

Day 2: A Train Ride Along the Rhine River (Bingen & Mainz)

Visiting Germany’s wine country along the Rhine River was on the top of our bucket list, and we were determined to see it, despite it being early January, which isn't the best time to visit. We were craving a change of scenery and some good wine, so we set out on a mission to make our dreams a reality.

And in Germany, you can do this while taking public transportation!

At first, navigating the RMV train system was a bit challenging, but once we got the hang of it, it turned out to be a much quicker and enjoyable way to get around. We were able to purchase a multi-stop pass at a very reasonable price, which was a much better option than the expensive guided tours that cost upwards of $150 to get to drive up the Rhine River.

We took the S8 (Rhine-Main S-Bahn) Train along the Rhine River to the towns of Bingen & Mainz.

To get started, we headed to the Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof station to purchase our tickets and board the train.

We highly recommend downloading the Citymapper app, which was a lifesaver and helped us to switch trains at the right stops seamlessly.

Upon arrival at the river town of Bingen, we were mesmerized by its beauty and knew that we had made the right decision. Being in wine country, our first stop was at Zollamt, where we toasted delicious whites; Grauburgunder (Pinot Grigio) and Rieslings, along the calm waters of the River.

Although the boat tour was not available during our visit, we highly recommend booking it, as it's highly rated and allows you to city-hop while taking in the amazing scenic views. We could see why so many people rave about it, and we were a bit envious that we couldn't experience it ourselves.

On the train back we stopped in the town of Mainz for dinner. We walked along the holiday decorated streets to the Heunensäule square that looked like Christmas.

(Frankfurt IG Story)

We had a delicious traditional German dinner at Wilma Wunder.

The Rhine River was a dreamy and unforgettable experience that we will cherish forever.

Day 3: Heidelberg Castle & Town

Out of all the incredible experiences we had on our trip, visiting Heidelberg, its magnificent castle, and it's Christmas decorated town were hands down my favorite parts of Germany. Looking back, I wish I had known better and stayed the night at this enchanting place.

Heidelberg Palace is an absolute must-visit! Just a quick taxi ride from the train station, the grounds are immaculate, and the views are simply breathtaking. We were delighted to discover the palace offers wine tasting on the premises, serving some of the most incredible wine we've ever tasted.

(Check out this tour for more information)

From the bar, you can even catch a glimpse of the Heidelberg Tun Großes Fass (the largest wine barrel in the world!) - it's truly a sight to behold. (58,574 gallons!)

website

After exploring the castle, we decided to take a cable car to Heidelberg market square, it was absolutely stunning. One day wasn't nearly enough time to see everything, but we managed to take in as much as we could.

Centered around the Church of the Holy Spirit, Heidelberg Marktplatz is filled with incredible restaurants, shops, and delectable desserts that are simply irresistible.

Be sure to indulge in the german’s love of french fries at Frittenwerk. Or enjoy a rich, delicious mini bundt cake at Conditorei-Café Schafheutle.

We dined, took countless pictures, and then headed back to Frankfurt on a train that felt like a 5-star experience.

Heidelberg was a treat in and of itself, and we're already looking forward to going back and exploring more of this wonderous part of Germany.

A Return Adventure...

Visiting small towns like Heidelberg made us realize that these tucked-away towns offer a unique and remarkable experience that can't be found in the city. So, on our next trip, we plan on spending more time exploring outside the larger cities, as the more local culture and architecture are truly outstanding. Included in that list will be Rothenburg which we couldn't experience on this trip although we still did the research.