8 Unusual Attractions in Frankfurt You Probably Haven't Heard About

8 Unusual Attractions in Frankfurt You Probably Haven't Heard About

April 11, 2025

Frankfurt am Main is not just a financial center and modern skyscrapers. This city hides many fascinating places you didn't even suspect existed. In this article, we'll take you on a tour of 8 unusual attractions that will make you see Frankfurt in a whole new light. From mysterious gardens to intriguing museums, each of these places has its own unique history and character. Get ready to discover hidden gems that will delight adults and children alike. It's time to get off the beaten path and explore the true heart of Frankfurt!

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Oases of greenery in the heart of the city

The first point of our trip is the Frankfurt Palmengarten, a true oasis of greenery in the heart of the city. Established in 1868, this botanical paradise impresses with a variety of plants from all over the world. You can find it at Siesmayerstraße 63, 60323 Frankfurt am Main. You can get here easily by streetcar line 16 or bus line 36, getting off at the 'Palmengarten' stop. The garden is open daily, and an entrance ticket costs about €7 for adults (as of 2023).

At the Palmengarten, an extraordinary journey through different climate zones awaits you. We especially recommend visiting the Tropicarium, where you will feel like you are in a real jungle. This place is ideal for families with children - the little ones will be delighted to see how bananas or cacao trees grow. Remember to bring comfortable shoes - you're in for a lot of walking!

If you dream of a moment of relaxation, be sure to visit Bethmann Park. This hidden gem, located at Friedberger Landstraße 8, 60316 Frankfurt am Main, is a true oasis of calm. The park is open all year round and best of all - admission is free! Get here by taking the U4 subway, getting off at the 'Merianplatz' station.

Bethmann Park impresses with its Chinese garden, which will take you to a completely different world. Children will be delighted by the koi carp pond and the dense bamboo groves. It's the perfect place for a family picnic or a quiet walk away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Be sure to bring your camera - the beautiful pavilions and bridges are the perfect backdrop for souvenir photos.

For lovers of fairy-tale atmosphere, we recommend a visit to the Märchenbrunnen, or Fairy Tale Fountain. You can find it on Willy-Brandt-Platz, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, right next to the Opera House. It's a magical place where characters from Brothers Grimm fairy tales come to life. The fountain is accessible all year round, and looks most beautiful in the evening when it is illuminated. It's the perfect place for a family stroll and telling fairy tales to the kids.

Each of these places offers a unique perspective on Frankfurt, showing that this city is not just about business and skyscrapers, but also places full of charm and history. Be sure to check current opening hours before visiting, especially during the winter season when some attractions may have altered hours of operation.

Travel through time through Frankfurt's museums

The next leg of our journey through Frankfurt's unusual attractions are the unique museums that will take you on a fascinating journey through the history and culture of this city.

Let's start with the Goethe House, located at Großer Hirschgraben 23-25, 60311 Frankfurt am Main. This birthplace of one of Germany's greatest poets is a real gem for literature lovers. The house is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and an admission ticket costs about 10 euros for adults (as of 2023). You can get here easily on the U4 or U5 subway, getting off at the 'Dom/Römer' station.

A fascinating journey back in time to the 18th century awaits you at the Goethe House. You'll see authentic furniture and everyday objects from the period, as well as manuscripts and first editions of the poet's works. For children, there are special tours and workshops that introduce the figure of Goethe in an accessible way. Be sure to book your tickets in advance, especially during the summer season when the place is very popular.

Another spot on our map is the Historical Museum Frankfurt, located at Saalhof 1, 60311 Frankfurt am Main. This modern museum offers a fascinating journey through the city's history from the Middle Ages to modern times. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and an admission ticket costs about 8 euros for adults (as of 2023). Get here by taking the U4 or U5 subway, getting off at the 'Dom/Römer' station.

At the Historical Museum Frankfurt you'll find many interactive exhibitions that will interest both adults and children. Especially recommended is the model of modern Frankfurt, which allows you to see the city from a completely new perspective. For the little ones, there are special educational paths and workshops that make history a fascinating adventure.

The last but equally fascinating place on our list is the Klingspor Museum, located at Herrnstraße 80, 63065 Offenbach am Main. This unique museum is dedicated to the art of books, typography and calligraphy. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and admission costs about 6 euros for adults (as of 2023). Get here by S-Bahn lines S1, S2, S8 or S9, getting off at 'Offenbach (Main) Marktplatz' station.

Fascinating exhibitions showcasing the evolution of writing and printing await you at the Klingspor Museum. It's the perfect place for art and design lovers, but also for children, who can take part in calligraphy workshops or create their own books. The museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, so be sure to check the current program before visiting.

Each of these museums offers a unique perspective on the history and culture of Frankfurt and the surrounding area. Be sure to plan enough time for each of them - you can spend several fascinating hours in each. Before visiting, check the current opening hours and ticket prices, as well as the possibility to book online, especially for children's workshops, which are often in high demand.

Natural treasures on the edge of the city

To conclude our journey through Frankfurt's unusual attractions, we invite you to discover the natural treasures hidden on the outskirts of the city. These places will allow you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

The first of these places are the Schwanheimer Dünen, unique sand dunes located in the Frankfurt area. You can find them at Höchster Weg 70, 60529 Frankfurt am Main. This place is accessible all year round and best of all - admission is free! You can get here by taking bus line 51, getting off at the 'Schwanheim Mitte' stop.

Schwanheimer Dünen is a true natural wonder - it's the only inland dunes in Hesse, formed more than 10,000 years ago. A fascinating ecosystem with rare plant and animal species awaits you on an area of about 58 hectares. For families with children, there are special educational trails that tell the history and nature of the place in an accessible way. Remember to bring comfortable shoes and water - you're in for a lot of walking on sandy terrain!

If you're looking for a place for a longer walk or bike tour, be sure to visit the Frankfurter Stadtwald, or Frankfurt City Forest. Covering an area of about 3,800 hectares, this vast forest is the true green heart of the city. You'll find the entrance to the forest at a number of locations, but we recommend starting from a point at Carl-von-Weinberg-Park, 60528 Frankfurt am Main. The forest is accessible all year round, and admission is free.

Frankfurter Stadtwald is the perfect place for a family picnic, biking or bird watching. Within the forest you will find many marked trails of varying difficulty, so there is something for everyone. There are numerous playgrounds and nature trails for children. If you're lucky, you may even encounter wild boars or roe deer!

Finally, it is worth mentioning Niedwald, a smaller but equally charming forest located in the Nied district. This place is ideal for a short walk or jog. Here you'll find quiet paths along the Nidda River, which are especially beautiful in early spring, when wild garlic blooms.

Each of these places offers a unique opportunity to get in touch with nature without leaving the city. These are ideal destinations for weekend family trips or solo excursions for nature lovers. Remember to bring appropriate footwear, water and snacks. For Schwanheimer Dünen and Frankfurter Stadtwald, it's also a good idea to bring binoculars for birdwatching.

Before setting out on a trail, always check the weather forecast and current information on trail availability, especially after heavy rainfall. For the Frankfurter Stadtwald, it's also a good idea to consult the trail map available on the Frankfurt city website.

These natural attractions of Frankfurt show that even in the heart of a big city you can find oases of peace and wildlife. These are perfect places to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and recharge your batteries in nature.

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