Day Trips from Frankfurt: The Best Day Trips Around Frankfurt

Frankfurt is located on the banks of the Main River, is the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang Goethe, and is the headquarters of the European Central Bank.Between skyscrapers and ancient alleys, it is a small German town waiting to be discovered. Surrounded by fairy-tale castles and breathtaking landscapes, it is a great starting point to find an authentic and characteristic Germany, exploring how the surroundings and the identity of a place change while being enchanted by it.Here are the best day trips that will lead you to discover the wonderful surroundings of Frankfurt.

Picturesque and charming, this city lies just a few kilometers from Frankfurt.Rich in alleys and half-timbered houses with Rococo-style facades, it winds around the Marktplatz, where the popular market is still held, under the shadow of the beautiful cathedral, with Romanesque architecture, where the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were once crowned.Do not miss the street leading to St. Stephen's Church, lined with windows designed by Marc Chagall.

Enriched with tree-lined avenues and ancient churches, this town is definitely a little gem to visit.Beautiful is its Marktkirche, a Lutheran church built between 1853 and 1862, characterized by 98-meter tall towers that make it the tallest building in the city. Do not miss the Stadtschloss (now home to the parliament of the state of Hesse), which dates back to the early 1800s, where Wilhelm II used to spend his stay, and the Warmer Damm park: a charming 19th-century English-style garden, enhanced with a pond, animals, and lush vegetation.

Characterized by a medieval historic center, cobblestone streets, and green surrounding hills, this town is enchanting. In its now-ruined castle is the world's largest wine barrel, which could hold up to 221 liters of wine.The Pharmaceutical Museum is very interesting. The city's university is also one of the oldest German universities.

Photo by Pedelecs. It is a suburb noted for its ancient cobblestone streets and colorful little houses. It is famous for porcelain manufacturing and for its fairy-tale castle, which was the residence of the archbishops of Mainz.Since 1957, every year in mid-June for four weeks, the Castle Festival takes place, during which numerous cheerful events, a jazz festival, and colorful fireworks are held.

Photo by Torsten Maue. Coblenz is an ancient town with 2,000 years of history, still characterized by courtyards and stately buildings, alleys, and castles. From here, you can embark on one of the many boats departing from the city dock for a romantic trip to discover the Rhine Valley.The Rhine Valley has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most scenic places near Frankfurt. Perfect for exploring by boat, it is a continuous succession of medieval towns, vineyard-rich countryside (this area produces Riesling wine), and fairy-tale castles.The Loreley Rock (named after a legendary figure from Germany): a slate cliff, 132 meters high, located in the middle-upper Rhine Valley, near the town of St. Goarshausen, offering an impressive view.

The city is rich in charm and medieval art, it is one of the most beautiful in Bavaria.Founded in the 10th century, it was partially destroyed by bombing in 1945 and was rebuilt after the end of the Second World War.Do not miss its Marktplatz (market square), where Rathaus, the town hall, is located, which has the curious characteristic of being built in two different architectural styles: Gothic and Renaissance.Very interesting are the Baumeisterhaus: the former residence of the city architect, dating back to 1596, and the Jakobskirche (St. James Church): in late Gothic style, consecrated in 1448.An original stroll along Herrngasse (noblemen's street): a typical Bavarian avenue, with shops and colorful houses rich in flowers.

Photo by A.Savin. An elegant little town, famous for being the setting of "The Gambler", one of Dostoevsky's most beautiful novels.Characterized by an ancient and famous Casino, dating back to 1838 and even defined as "the most beautiful casino in the world", it is rich in parks and gardens, among which the most important is the Rosengarten: a beautiful garden of fragrant roses.A visit to the Brahmshaus (the museum dedicated to composer Brahms) and the Russian Orthodox chapel, dating back to 1882 and entirely decorated in Byzantine style, is a must.

One of the most beautiful towns in Hesse, characterized by ancient half-timbered houses with gable roofs and alleys and streets leading to the wonderful cathedral, which dominates the entire city.Must-see the Diocesan Museum, which displays sacred art objects, a deposition from the 15th century, and a reliquary from Constantinople, and the Alte Schiftsvikarie and Haus Bruckengasse, two of the oldest houses in the city. On the facade of the second, a striking representation of the seven deadly sins. Of course, a visit to the aforementioned Cathedral, an artistic masterpiece from the transitional period between Romanesque and Gothic dating back to the 13th century, is a must.

It stands on the right bank of the Main River and is considered the Nice of Bavaria. It is a town full of art and culture; famous for its Pompejanum: dating back to 1849 and inspired by the House of Castor and Pollux in Pompeii.Enchanting are the castles of the town: Johannisburg, a Renaissance masterpiece and symbol of the town, houses a valuable library containing incunabula, engravings, and paintings, and the Schönbusch Castle: dating from the 18th century and surrounded by a beautiful English garden, it was the summer residence of the prince-bishop.

Located on the banks of the Fulda River in northern Hesse, Kassel is a wonderful "fairy-tale" town, so much so that it is home to the Brothers Grimm Museum, where they lived for thirty years of their lives.Its Wilhelmshöhe Castle is precious, nestled in a charming hilly landscape, housing one of the most important collections of Rembrandt paintings and the famous Apollo of Kassel.Do not miss the ruins of the Löwenburg: a Gothic building from the 1800s and the Hercules statue: a copper statue that has become the symbol of the city.