We are flying into Frankfurt at 10am on November 30th on our way back to the USA from Spain. We are coming with the intention of going to the Christmas Market in Old Town. What should we see/do during the day? I Love getting suggestions from travelers more than reading a guidebook.
Things we'd love to find:
-attractions
-local food we must try
-restaurants
-views
-towers we can climb
-churches
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Frankfurt, Germany
9205 posts
It is a Sunday, so stores will be closed as well as Farmers Markets. That said, the Christmas market will be in full swing. Since that is the 1st weekend, it may be really crowded in the evening.
Towers to climb would be the Kaiserdom. If the weather is nasty, they don't let you climb up there. Cost is 3 €, but the view is cool. A free viewpoint would be the top of the Zeil Gallerie and here you get a great view of the Christmas market. The Main Tower costs 6.50, but the view is really stunning. Another nice view is the Flemings Hotel next to the Eschenheimer Turm guard tower. Ride the Pater Noster to the top for a very unique view of the city, and enjoy a glass of wine as well as the view. The adventure of the Pater Noster is fun and special.
My recommended churches are the Kaiserdom, Alte Nikolai, and the Liebfrauen church. They will all have concerts, etc. going on that evening, but they don't have the schedules posted yet. Also recommend visiting the Karmeliter Cloister to see the largest religious wall paintings N. of the Alps. Painted between 1513-1521, they are my favorite "secret" gem. Hoping Rick puts this special spot in his 2015 book. Entry is free, from 11-1800 on Sundays.
Frankfurt menu item to try is a Frankfurt Schnitzel. This is a schnitzel with Frankfurt Green Sauce on it. The cold sauce is made with 7 herbs and joghurt/sour cream. If you like sour cream and chives on baked potatoes, you will like this. They probably are not selling this at the Christmas market though. The best potato pancakes are sold right behind Haus Wertheim and the Historic museum. The best bratwursts are right across the street from the Eisener Steg bridge. Feed the leftover brotchen to the sea gulls along the river or up on the bridge. Bring a love lock if you want, to put on the bridge. Party area for glühwein is over by the Pauls Kirche where all of stands selling the hand-crafted items are, or in front of the U-bahn entrance for the U-4 or U-5. Hot applewine is a must too. Don't like booze, get a Kinder Punsch. You pay a deposit for your mug, so you can keep it or get your money back.
My favorite restaurants in Frankfurt would be either Dauth Schneider or Atschel. Both are in Sachsenhausen, about a block from each other.