While it’s widely regarded as Germany’s financial hub, don’t be fooled into thinking Frankfurt isn’t worth exploring.
Germany is safe for female and male solo travellers, and Frankfurt is a safe place to travel alone, welcoming those looking for a little fun and adventure. Here’s a rundown of what to do in Frankfurt alone.
Kleinmarkthalle: Foodie Heaven For Solo Travellers in Frankfurt
Located in Frankfurt’s historic centre, Kleinmarkthalle is a bustling indoor market offering over 60 stalls of fresh produce, regional delicacies, and international treats. From handmade sausages and cheeses to exotic spices and pastries, this iconic market is a paradise for food lovers. The lively atmosphere makes it a must-visit culinary hotspot.
Much like London’s iconic street markets—such as Borough Market’s gourmet food stalls or Portobello Road’s vibrant mix of antiques and street eats—Kleinmarkthalle blends tradition with global flavour, which makes it an ideal stop for travellers seeking authentic bites and cultural immersion.
Go Solo At Städel Museum
Divided into three captivating sections—Old Masters, Modern Art, and Contemporary Art—the Städel Museum in Frankfurt showcases over 700 years of European creativity. From Botticelli and Vermeer to Monet, Renoir, Picasso, and Richter, its collection spans iconic masterpieces and groundbreaking modern works. Founded in 1815 by banker Johann Friedrich Städel, the museum houses more than 3,000 paintings, 660 sculptures, and over 100,000 drawings and prints. Located along the scenic Museumsufer (Museum Embankment), it’s not only one of Germany’s most prestigious art institutions but also a cultural cornerstone of the city.
Whether you’re admiring Rembrandt’s dramatic brushwork or exploring digital installations in the contemporary wing, the Städel invites you to experience art at your own rhythm. Solo travellers will especially appreciate the rooftop terrace with panoramic city views and the museum’s tranquil garden café, perfect for unwinding after a day of artistic discovery. And if your journey through Germany continues further, do not miss Berlin’s Museum Island and Munich's Villa Stuck, both showcasing treasures from ancient civilisations to 19th-century masterpieces.
Frankfurt Flea Market
Set against the backdrop of Frankfurt’s shimmering skyline, the Schaumainkai Flea Market offers a vibrant and eclectic experience for locals and visitors alike. Held every second Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the tree-lined banks of the Main River in Sachsenhausen, this open-air market is a treasure trove of vintage finds, antiques, books, clothing, furniture, and even bicycles. With the scent of fresh pastries and apple wine in the air, it’s the perfect place to browse, barter, and soak up the city’s dynamic atmosphere.
The market’s proximity to Frankfurt’s Museum Embankment adds cultural depth to the outing, making it easy to pair a morning of treasure hunting with an afternoon of gallery visits. Much like Prague’s flea markets, known for their sprawling layout and Bohemian curiosities, or Lille’s Grande Braderie, Europe’s largest flea market with over 10,000 vendors, Frankfurt’s Schaumainkai market blends local charm with international flair, offering travellers an authentic, character-rich experience.
Alone in Frankfurt’s Old Town
Nestled between Frankfurt Cathedral and the historic Römer Square, the DomRömer Quarter is a remarkable urban revival project that brings the city’s medieval charm back to life. Reconstructed between 2012 and 2018, this area—often referred to as Frankfurt’s “new” old town—features 35 buildings, including 15 faithful reconstructions of pre-war structures and 20 new builds designed in traditional style. The quarter’s cobbled lanes, romantic courtyards, and timber-framed façades evoke the spirit of the city’s past, making it a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers.
Independent travellers will especially enjoy exploring the district at their own pace, browsing artisan boutiques, sampling local fare, and visiting cultural landmarks like the Stadthaus am Markt, which houses archaeological remains beneath its foundation. Just steps away, Frankfurt’s city centre offers a dynamic contrast, with modern skyscrapers, bustling shopping streets like Zeil, and cultural institutions such as the Goethe House and the Museum Embankment.
Visit St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral
Rising boldly above Frankfurt’s modern skyline, the Imperial Cathedral of St. Bartholomew—built from red sandstone in the 13th century—remains a striking Gothic landmark and the city’s largest religious building. Its 95-meter tower, accessible via 328 steps, rewards climbers with sweeping views of the Main River and surrounding rooftops. Inside, the cathedral holds rare relics, including fragments of St. Bartholomew’s skull and the grave slab of King Günther von Schwarzburg, a 14th-century anti-king of the Holy Roman Empire.
Adjacent to the cathedral, the Dommuseum offers deeper insight into Frankfurt’s ecclesiastical and imperial heritage. Visitors can explore medieval liturgical vestments, gilded monstrances, and archaeological finds—including funerary objects from a Merovingian child’s grave dating back to the 7th century. The museum’s cloistered setting adds to its contemplative atmosphere, making it a meaningful stop for history enthusiasts.
Check out Goethe House and Museum
No visit to Frankfurt is complete without stepping into the birthplace of literary icon Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Located on Großer Hirschgraben, the meticulously restored Goethe House offers a vivid glimpse into 18th-century bourgeois life, showcasing the rooms where Goethe lived, learned, and penned early masterpieces like The Sorrows of Young Werther and Götz von Berlichingen.
Visitors can explore the family’s dining room, music salon, and study, complete with original furnishings and a standing desk that reflects Goethe’s writing habits. The adjacent Goethe Museum, operated by the Freies Deutsches Hochstift, features an impressive collection of paintings, prints, and sculptures from the Baroque to Biedermeier periods, highlighting the poet’s connection to the visual arts.
Together, the house and museum form a cultural landmark that brings Goethe’s formative years and creative legacy to life.
Keen to explore more destinations on your own? Check out our travel blogs to discover the best European cities for solo travellers and a comprehensive solo traveller's guide to western France.