12 Best Day Trips From Frankfurt, Germany - Updated 2024

Ruth Alexis
Ruth Alexis 
Updated
| 4 min read

Frankfurt is a German city in the heart of the country and a major financial hub of the region. It is well connected to many smaller towns and great places of attraction in Germany, making it the perfect starting point for day trips around the country. So, while you have put up at one of the stunning hotels with free parking, you can enjoy your time strolling on the quaint streets of Cologne’s city center to the picturesque Rhine Valley. Also, many great places of interest are just a short drive or train ride away from Frankfurt. If you are looking for a unique day trip from Frankfurt, Germany, on your next vacation there, below are the amazing places that you should definitely check out. So, book accommodation in one of the beautifully done serviced apartments, and in the meantime, scroll below for the best day trips from Frankfurt, Germany.

1. Büdingen

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Hoch die Hände, Wochenende! Habt ihr Pläne in Frankfurt und RheinMain? Foto&Copyright: @hallo.leipzig - wir hoffen, dir hat es im schönen Frankfurt gefallen! !B

Posted by Frankfurt Rhein Main on Friday, January 6, 2023

Büdingen is a charming town in the German state of Hesse, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and quaint atmosphere. A trip to Büdingen takes you back as you explore the narrow streets lined with timber-framed houses and wander through the old town gate and walls.

One of the main attractions in Büdingen is the impressive castle, which dates back to the 12th century and has been beautifully restored. The castle’s tower offers a stunning view of the town and the surrounding countryside. Additionally, visitors can stroll through the castle’s courtyard and explore its interior.

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2. Rothenburg ob der Tauber (from USD 145.3)

day trips in frankfurt | rothenburg ob der tauber

A short getaway from Frankfurt to this stunning medieval town in Bavaria is a must.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a well-preserved and popular destination for travellers seeking a taste of traditional Germany. Visitors to this gorgeous town will be in awe of the picture-perfect cobbled streets and half-timbered houses that look like they’ve come straight out of a fairytale.

One of the must-visit attractions in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the town’s impressive castle, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Additionally, visitors can explore the town’s numerous museums and galleries, including the Medieval Crime Museum and the Christmas Museum.

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From Frankfurt: Rothenburg ob der Tauber Wine Tour

Duration: 10.5 hour

3 reviews

3. Strasbourg (from USD 347.0)

Have the best day trip from Frankfurt by train to Strasbourg. It is yet another quaint town close to Frankfurt that is worth a visit. Tourists starting off their journey in Frankfurt can take a cruise through the Rhine River to get to Strasbourg, or, alternatively, take a short train or car ride there. Some key places of attraction to visit in Strasbourg include Palais Rohan, a majestic 18th-century palace that now houses many great works of art, Grande Île, a picturesque island in the centre of Strasbourg known for its quaint bridges and tranquil waterways, or the Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art for some unique avant-garde works of art.

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Strasbourg Sightseeing Private Guided Walking Tour

Duration: 2 hours

15 reviews

4. Heidelberg (from USD 400.0)

Consider keeping Heidelberg in your one-day itinerary of Frankfurt. Heidelberg is a riverside town in southwestern Germany known for its gothic church towers and chic cafes. History buffs can look forward to visiting the ruins of the Heidelberg Castle, taking a walk through the iconic 1788 Old Bridge, or enjoying an expansive view of Heidelberg from one of the tall spires of the Church of the Holy Spirit. For travelers with children, the Heidelberg Zoo and the Marktplatz, a festival-like marketplace selling a wide variety of toys, street food, and local produce are definitely worth a visit.

Tip from Content Creator

Heidelberg Heidelberg Heidelberg

Heidelberg, which is around an hour's drive from Frankfurt, is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. The picturesque landscape and architecture surrounded by hills inspired poets and artists of romanticism and still fascinates millions of visitors from all over the world today. But there’s more to Heidelberg than romanticism.

- The first evidence of human life in Europe was found in Heidelberg.

- The bicycle was invented by a Heidelberg University alumni.

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Private and Customizable Half-Day Tour of Heidelberg

Duration: 3 hours

15 reviews

5. Mainz (from USD 394.0)

Mainz is a German city on the Rhine River known for its quaint, cobblestone streets and medieval market squares. Fans of gothic architecture will rejoice upon coming to Mainz, as there are many beautiful cathedrals and castles scattered around Mainz’s city center, such as the Mainz Cathedral and St Stephan Castle.

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Private Tour: Mainz History and Sights

Duration: 3 hours

1 review

6. Felsenmeer

Das Felsenmeer 10
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ludwig Bickel used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Felsenmeer, or “sea of rocks”, is a place of attraction located in Lautertal, just a short drive away from Frankfurt. While hiking along the Felsenmeer, travelers will get a chance to marvel at the expanse of small rocks and large boulders scattered all around the dense evergreen forest. A kiosk at the top of the hill sells drinks and local snacks so you will not have to worry about feeling hungry or thirsty at the halfway point through your hike.

Felsenmeer

Address: 64686 Lautertal, Germany

Website: Felsenmeer

Opening hours: Mon - Sun (open all day)

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7. The Rhine Valley (from USD 153.0)

The Rhine Valley is one of Germany’s most beautiful natural places of attraction. A beautiful river known as the Rhine River flows through the valley. At the Rhine Valley, you can look forward to taking a scenic cruise, where an experienced guide will take you through the journey and point out many interesting historical buildings or cultural landmarks along the way, such as the majestic Drachenfels Castle and the quaint town of Boppard.

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Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise

Duration: 7 hours 45 minutes

763 reviews

8. Mainz Cathedral (from USD 207.0)

Mainz Cathedral is located in the market square of the city of Mainz, Germany. Mainz is a short 45-minute journey from Frankfurt by car. The cathedral is a 1000-year-old Roman Catholic church built in a Romanesque and baroque style. For tourists who wish to enjoy the classic architecture of the church or take a picture with one of its many beautiful glass-stained windows, you might want to visit the church at a non-mass timing, as the church can get crowded during mass.

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Wiesbaden, Mainz Tour from Frankfurt with Train Ride

Duration: 8 hours

7 reviews

9. Saalburg Museum

Saalburg Museum is a Roman Fort located in the quaint village of Bad Homburg, Hesse, Germany. Since 2005, the Saalburg has been a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, and it now attracts thousands of tourists every year. At the Saalburg Museum, you can look forward to understanding more about the daily lives of the Romans in the 19th century through artifacts and other archaeological findings.

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Frankfurt to Roman Fort and Ronneburg Castle Full-Day Tour

Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes

10. Baden-Baden and the Black Forest (from USD 239.0)

Baden-Baden is a spa town bordering the iconic Black Forest. For travelers looking for a short respite from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Frankfurt, a short trip away to Baden-Baden might be the perfect day trip for you. A wide range of spa hotels and private spa accommodations are available, many of which line the beautiful Oos River for some great views. While at Baden-Baden, visiting the Black Forest is a must. The Black Forest is well known not just for its dense, evergreen forests, but also for its picturesque lakes and beautiful waterfalls. There is a wide range of outdoor activities to do at the Black Forest, such as hiking to the Triberg Waterfalls or boating through the glacial lake of Titisee.

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Black Forest and Baden-Baden Day Trip from Frankfurt

Duration: 10 hours

40 reviews

11. Cologne (from USD 14.0)

The bustling city of Cologne is just a short drive away from Frankfurt and is packed with many interesting cultural landmarks and great shopping and dining options. While in Cologne, you can take a picture at the gothic Cologne Cathedral, enjoy learning about chocolate at the Cologne Chocolate Museum or visit the Museum Ludwig, which houses a wide collection of Picasso’s works.

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Cologne Sightseeing round-trip Cruise

Duration: 1 hour

10 reviews

12. Wurzburg (from USD 19.0)

Wurzburg is a German city that is a one and a half hour drive from Frankfurt. After a long drive from Frankfurt, travelers can refresh themselves with a bottle of local wine served in a unique Bocksbeutel bottle, a local wine bottle with a flat and round shape. After that, many great tourist attractions await, from the medieval Old Stone Bridge to the recently renovated Würzburger Cathedral. Busy travelers or families visiting with young children can choose to take a full-day guided tour of the city, which will bring tourists through many of the key places of attraction in Wurzburg without any hassle or planning time.

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Würzburg Old Town Walking Tour (in English)

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Many great choices for day trips

Considering there are many places to visit in Frankfurt, Germany, alone, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to planning day trips from this city. Be sure to check out the aforementioned best day trips from Frankfurt before your next vacation here.

Frequently asked questions about day trips from Frankfurt


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Ruth is a freelance writer and novelist who loves snuggling, skating, and all things matcha.

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