Beyond the banking towers and old town, Frankfurt hides cultural treasures and local neighborhoods most tourists never discover.
Frankfurt's Secret Side: Beyond the Skyscrapers
Frankfurt's banking reputation masks a city rich with culture, riverside life, and neighborhoods that reward exploration. These five spots reveal the Frankfurt that locals love—where world-class museums meet apple wine tradition.
1. Museumsufer (Beyond the Highlights)
Everyone knows Frankfurt's museum embankment ranks among Europe's finest. But beyond the famous Städel, the smaller museums reward curiosity. The Film Museum, the Architecture Museum, the Applied Arts Museum—spending a day hopping between creates a cultural education no single institution can provide. The Saturday flea market adds treasure hunting.
Perfect for: Museum lovers willing to go beyond the obvious. Design and architecture enthusiasts. Saturday visitors combining culture with flea market browsing.
Skip if: You only want the Städel highlights. The embankment requires a full day to appreciate properly. Some smaller museums have limited hours.
2. Sachsenhausen Apple Wine Quarter
Frankfurt's traditional apple wine (Apfelwein) culture survives in this neighborhood's old-school taverns. Wooden benches, communal tables, and locals who've drunk here for decades create atmosphere the tourist restaurants can't match. Wagner, Dauth-Schneider, and Zum Gemalten Haus serve Handkäs mit Musik and other Frankfurt specialties.
Perfect for: Those seeking authentic German tavern culture. Foodies wanting traditional Frankfurt cuisine. Visitors who appreciate drinking where locals actually drink.
Skip if: You need tourist-friendly service. Traditional Apfelwein taverns can feel unwelcoming until you're recognized. The acquired taste for apple wine and Handkäse isn't for everyone.
3. Palmengarten
One of Europe's great botanical gardens hides in Frankfurt's Westend. Greenhouses spanning climatic zones, historic palm houses, and seasonal gardens offer escape from urban Germany. The tropical houses in winter provide warmth when Frankfurt's cold feels relentless. Locals picnic in summer; tourists rarely venture here.
Perfect for: Plant lovers and garden enthusiasts. Families needing green space. Winter visitors seeking warmth.
Skip if: Botanical gardens don't excite you. The location in Westend requires deliberate travel. The outdoor gardens are weather-dependent for appeal.
4. Kleinmarkthalle
Frankfurt's indoor market serves locals who actually cook. While tourists photograph the reconstructed Römerberg, this market hall offers produce, meats, cheeses, and prepared foods that reveal German market culture. The upstairs wine bar pours local varieties. The ethnic food stalls reflect Frankfurt's diversity.
Perfect for: Foodies wanting to see where Frankfurters shop. Those seeking quick, quality lunch options. Wine enthusiasts discovering German varieties.
Skip if: You need English-speaking vendors. The market is functional, not staged for tourists. Weekend mornings can be crowded with serious shoppers.
5. Höchst (Frankfurt's Old Town Alternative)
While tourists crowd the reconstructed old town, this western suburb preserves genuine medieval buildings that survived the war. The castle, the half-timbered old town, and the Bolongaro Palace offer history that Frankfurt's center can only simulate. The journey west reveals neighborhoods the tourist maps ignore.
Perfect for: History enthusiasts wanting authentic medieval architecture. Those interested in what Frankfurt lost in WWII. Photographers seeking half-timbered buildings without reconstruction.
Skip if: You're satisfied with the Römerberg reconstruction. Höchst requires S-Bahn commitment to reach. The neighborhood can feel quiet compared to central Frankfurt.
Discover Frankfurt with Local Insight
Frankfurt rewards those who look beyond the banking district. A travel advisor who knows the city can help you navigate to experiences like these—and find the restaurants and taverns where tradition matters more than tourist convenience.