We are being sent to Frankfurt and Stuttgart on a trade trip in early December. I'm aware of the Christmas markets and automotive museums but I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for interesting sites they've discovered in these two cities. We are arriving a day early and leaving a day later and we'll have a good amount of time around trade activities to see the sites. We're foodies and really enjoy modern art. Thanks!
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1389 posts
Frankfurt has a great public transportation system. The street cars and buses can get you anywhere in the city. I'm no resident, but I would recommend a visit to the Sachsenhausen region for the culture, shops, bars/cafes and Äppelwoiwirtschaft. Have a dinner out at a Äppelwoiwirtschaft with some Green Sauce (Grüne Soße ) and Apple Wine (Äppelwoi). https://www.eichkatzerl.de/ I visited the Städel Museum that has modern art on display in the lowest floor (basement). Honestly not my taste though, but might be what you are looking for. https://www.staedelmuseum.de/en
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33851 posts
You can get a great walking tour of Frankfurt a.M. from FrankfurtOnFoot, and there are good tours of Stuttgart available too.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9222 posts
The Modern Art Museum and the Städel are worth a visit. Not sure what will be at the Schirn in Dec. but their exhibits are usually quite good too.
The Klein Markt Halle is a must. Depending on the day of the week, visit one of the fantastic Farmers Markets. The Konstablerwache on Thur. and Sat. , Schiller Str. by the Stock Exchange on Fri., Höchst on Tue. Fri. and Sat, but just from 07:00 to 13:00.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1528 posts
We liked Stuttgart, especially during the Christmas Market Season. It was heavily damaged in WWII and rebuilt. For us the best touristy type sight was a day trip to Esslingen am Neckar to see their many beautiful buildings and the Medieval Market.
Posted by
898 posts
I agree. The farmer's markets are worth visiting.
These wilkitravel pages may be useful. They have a good variety of attractions to choose from.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Frankfurt
https://wikitravel.org/en/Stuttgart
A walking tour is an efficient way to see a lot in a short time. If you have a little extra cash, a custom tour might be even better.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/frankfurt-on-the-fly-a-long-layover-allows-for-a-walking-tour-of-the-german-city/2017/12/21/ff7c2ce8-de9c-11e7-89e8-edec16379010_story.html?
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
137 posts
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
Stuttgart is not a city that receives a lot of international tourism (since much of the city was rebuilt in a modern style after WWII, unlike other similarly-damaged cities like Munich) but that is starting to change, especially as the Christmas market (and nearby ones) are becoming justifiably famous.
The Stuttgart market is one of the largest contiguous Christmas markets in Europe, and is famous for it's richly decorated stalls and rooftops. It's stretches from the Koeningstrasse in front of the Schlossplatz (just a 5 minute walk from the main train station) to beyond the Marktplatz (city hall).
15 minutes away by train is the medieval city of Esslingen, which boasts a regular market and a medieval Christmas market that is the best of it's kind I've seen. In the other direction is the baroque market of Ludwigsburg, a city built around a beautiful palace, the "Swabian Versailles."
All 3 of these markets are very different in flavor and are really enjoyable. It's worth visiting Esslingen regardless due to the incredible middle ages architecture, and similarly touring the Ludwigsburg schloss (English tours once daily in the winter) is wonderful.
In addition to the auto museums, Stuttgart has a wonderful art museum, the Staatsgallerie, which has a managable number of impressive works from the middle ages on, presented in a thoughtful and interesting way. The State Historical Museum has recently renovated and presents artifacts from prehistory onwards.
One of my favorite things to do is simply to go to a Weinstube or Besenwirtschaft and enjoy fantastic Swabian food and wine. I can heartily recommend Weinstube Heslach (outside the city center, but worth it), Weinstube Froelich, or Weinstube Kiste. Reservations needed at all.
Please feel free to PM me if you'd like personalized recommendations!
As for Frankfurt, it has a nice market, great walking tours with Frankfurt on Foot, amazing museums (i've only scratched the surface of them myself) and cozy Apfelwein pubs where you can enjoy the city's famous green sauce.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main
1 posts
You should definitely visit the Christmas market at the Römer in Frankfurt at the beginning of December. In addition to "Quetschemännsche", small figures made of nuts, prunes and raisins, you should also drink Feuerzangenbowle. Both are typical Hessian / German specialities.
In Frankfurt, a visit to the newly built Old Town is certainly worth seeing.