I hadn’t planned to fall in love with Frankfurt.
It was meant to be a stopover—a brief pause between more “exciting” cities on my Europe itinerary. But what I thought would be a day of quiet wandering turned into one of the most surprising adventures of my journey. And it all began with a bright red Hop On Hop Off Frankfurt bus, idling near the Hauptbahnhof with promises of discovery.
9:00 AM – Römerberg: Stepping Into the Past
The first thing I saw as I hopped off was the timbered beauty of Römerberg. Cobbled streets kissed by early morning light, couples strolling hand in hand, and the gentle sound of footsteps on stone—it was like walking into a living painting. I snapped a photo of the Town Hall and stood silently in front of the Fountain of Justice, feeling like I was standing where history itself took a breath.
I listened to the bus audio earlier. It told me emperors had once been crowned here. It didn’t need to say more—my imagination did the rest.
10:00 AM – St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral: Touching the Sky
The Hop On Hop Off Frankfurt bus came again right on schedule. A few stops later, I disembarked at St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, the red sandstone marvel with a towering spire. I climbed. Every aching step up the narrow staircase rewarded me with a richer view, until at the top, all of Frankfurt spread out beneath me. The old quarter, the shimmering skyline, the River Main weaving between it all—it was the perfect chaos of time.
11:30 AM – Palmengarten: Nature in the Middle of a Metropolis
The next stop brought contrast. Palmengarten, lush and unexpectedly peaceful. I wandered through glasshouses filled with tropical trees and exotic blooms. There were children laughing by the water, a violinist playing under a gazebo, and the distinct scent of jasmine in the air. It was a pause from the steel and stone—a secret garden hiding in the centre of the city.
1:00 PM – Lunch at Kleinmarkthalle: A Culinary Crash Course
Hungry now, I rode toward Kleinmarkthalle. The moment I walked in, I was overwhelmed—in the best way. Colour, noise, the aroma of grilled sausages, baked pretzels, sweet Turkish delights. I joined a queue, not knowing what I was ordering, and ended up with Handkäse mit Musik. A local beside me raised an eyebrow, nodded in approval, and explained the dish’s quirky name.
“This one sings after lunch,” he winked.
We clinked glasses of Apfelwein, Frankfurt’s proudest pour, and I felt like a local for a moment.
2:30 PM – Museumsufer: Where Frankfurt Paints Its Soul
The bus rumbled along the Museum Embankment, or Museumsufer. I hopped off at the Städel Museum, which had caught my eye in the brochure. Inside, time slowed. I stood before a Rembrandt, my feet hurting but my heart entirely still. Then a Monet. Then Kirchner. Art from across eras, all housed in a single river-facing space.
The embankment offered more—film, Jewish history, communication, architecture—but one museum was enough for my afternoon. I sat on the river wall, watching the reflections shift.
4:00 PM – Sachsenhausen: Apple Wine, Cobblestones, and Music
The final stretch led me to Sachsenhausen, a district I'd been told was 'lively'—which was underselling it. The cobbled streets here hummed with chatter, the scent of pork roast and sauerkraut drifting from every open door. I found a small tavern, ordered another Apfelwein, and listened as a band played traditional German folk. An older man invited me to clap along. I did.
There’s a warmth in Sachsenhausen that doesn’t announce itself. It waits to be found—around a corner, behind a curtain, in a glass.
6:30 PM – Reflections from the River
As the sun dipped, I returned to the banks of the River Main. A cruise boat passed slowly, cutting golden ripples through the water. I stood still, watching Frankfurt light up, one bridge at a time.
I realised something: this city doesn’t shout. It whispers. It invites. And if you take your time—if you let the Hop On Hop Off Frankfurt tour carry you from one story to the next—it tells you everything.
Things to do in Frankfurt? More than I ever imagined.
I came expecting glass towers and left with a notebook full of memories. Frankfurt had been a stopover. Now, it’s a favourite chapter.
And it all started with a bus ride.
