Frankfurt am Main travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Bethmännchen
Small marzipan cookies with three almond halves, a Frankfurt Christmas tradition; sold at Kleinmarkthalle bakeries and at the Römerberg market.
Where: Kleinmarkthalle, Hasengasse 5-7; Römerberg Christmas market
Bembel and Gerippte
Blue-and-grey stoneware jug and ribbed glass for Apfelwein; typical price from about €20 (~$23.00).
Where: Kleinmarkthalle; gift shops on Schweizer Straße, Sachsenhausen
Grüne Soße kits
Packets of seven herbs or jars of ready-made green sauce.
Where: Kleinmarkthalle; weekly markets at Konstablerwache and Berger Straße
Höchster porcelain
Hand-painted figurines and tableware by the manufactory founded in 1746, from about €30 (~$34.50).
Where: Höchster Porzellan Manufaktur, Palleskestraße 32
Frankfurter Würstchen
Pork sausages in vacuum jars, sold as travel-friendly gifts.
Where: Kleinmarkthalle, Hasengasse 5-7
Handkäs and Apfelwein
The local sour-milk cheese and bottled Apfelwein; check airline limits before packing.
Where: Kleinmarkthalle; supermarkets at the Hauptbahnhof
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Kleinmarkthalle
Covered market since 1879 with stalls selling Frankfurter Würstchen, Handkäs, Grüne Soße kits, cheese, bread and wine. Cash is useful at small stalls. Website kleinmarkthalle.de.
Where: Altstadt, between Zeil and Römerberg
Hours: Typically Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM, Sat 8AM-4PM; closed Sunday
Römerberg Weihnachtsmarkt
One of Germany's oldest Christmas markets, spread over the Römerberg and neighbouring squares; Glühwein costs about €4-5 (~$4.60-5.75) plus mug deposit.
Where: Altstadt, Römerberg
Hours: 2026 listed as 23 November-22 December; Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-9PM (confirm on frankfurt-tourismus.de)
Flohmarkt Museumsufer
A Saturday flea market on the Sachsenhausen bank with stalls of antiques, books, records and bric-a-brac; bargaining is normal.
Where: Museumsufer, Sachsenhausen bank
Hours: Typically Saturdays about 9AM-2PM; confirm current dates
Konstablerwache Wochenmarkt
Open-air market with fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread and flowers; the Saturday market is the larger.
Where: Innenstadt, east end of Zeil
Hours: Typically Thu and Sat 8AM-8PM; confirm schedule
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Zeil
The main pedestrian high street with department stores, high-street chains and MyZeil.
Best for: Fashion chains and electronics
Fressgass and Goethestraße
Delicatessens, wine shops and luxury boutiques between Opernplatz and Hauptwache.
Best for: Gourmet food and designer fashion
Berger Straße (Bornheim)
Independent shops, cafes and Apfelwein taverns on a long local street.
Best for: Boutiques, books and local life
Sachsenhausen (Schweizer Straße)
Taverns, vintage shops and everyday boutiques south of the Main.
Best for: Souvenirs and apfelwein gifts
Europaviertel (Skyline Plaza)
Modern district with a large mall and rooftop garden.
Best for: Rainy-day shopping and views
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
MyZeil
Large central mall under a glass funnel facade.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM
Skyline Plaza
About 170 shops, restaurants and a free roof garden.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM
Hessen-Center
Suburban mall at the U7 terminus.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM
Nordwestzentrum
Suburban centre with a weekly market.
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30AM-8PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices in shops are fixed; do not haggle in stores or malls.
Bargaining is accepted at the Flohmarkt Museumsufer: offer about 70-80 percent of the asking price politely.
At the Christmas market, prices are fixed; the mug deposit (about €3-4 / ~$3.45-4.60) is refunded when the mug is returned.
Ask 'Geht da noch was?' (Is there still room on the price?) at antique and second-hand stalls.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Overview: German retail runs on fixed prices, receipts and strict opening hours.
Items:
- Custom
- Sunday closure
- Description
- Shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays; only shops at the Hauptbahnhof, Frankfurt Airport and petrol stations stay open.
- Custom
- Cash still matters
- Description
- Many Apfelwein taverns, market stalls and small shops accept only cash or a German girocard; carry some euros.
- Custom
- Deposit (Pfand)
- Description
- Bottles and cans carry a €0.08-0.25 deposit; return them to supermarket machines for a voucher.
- Custom
- Tax-free shopping
- Description
- Non-EU visitors can reclaim VAT (19 percent) on purchases over about €50 with a form from the store; get it stamped at airport customs before check-in.
- Custom
- Bags
- Description
- Plastic bags cost about €0.20-0.50; bring a cloth bag for market shopping.