Among the greatest cities to visit in Europe as a couple, Frankfurt is unfortunately often overlooked.
That’s a real shame! Goethe’s birthplace is a city of poetry and literature as much as it is a commerce powerhouse, with both old-style magic and 21st-century gadgetry up its sleeve.
Today, let’s take a better look at what Frankfurt has to offer in this travel guide specifically tailored for couples.
No matter whether you’re taking a detour on a larger pan-European adventure or just mapping out the basics of a weekend getaway, I am sure you will enjoy the following tips and recommendations on the best and most romantic things to do in Frankfurt for couples.
Table of Contents
1. Take a stroll through Palmengarten
Among the most romantic, swoon-worthy spots in Frankfurt, the Palmengarten has always been my favorite.
In the simplest and most traditional manner, it’s an eye-watering collection of countless flowering plants, many native to Central Europe but far more exotic species imported from the world over.
The Palmengarten is spread out across dozens of hectares, much of it outdoors (and beautiful to walk through in the summer).
If you would like some recommendations from someone who’s been almost too many times (no such thing!), consider the cactus garden, the flower house, and the (seasonal) butterfly exhibition.
2. Enjoy a night at the opera
Frankfurt’s opera house was already legendary in the 1800s, hosting many premieres that shook the world of music. Sadly, the original building was destroyed (like much else in the city) during wartime bombing raids.
Fortunately for us, a decision was made in the 70s to rebuild the majestic hall in all its glory and then some.
Today, it has recouped its title as one of the world’s most popular destinations for lovers of the European classical canon – and the gorgeous neo-gothic architecture is a marvel to behold all by itself!
3. Shop all day long at the Zeil
Let me get one thing very clear: if either of you two has a problem with overloading credit cards, consider avoiding Frankfurt’s inner city.
Specifically, don’t dare venture anywhere near the Zeil, Frankfurt’s infamous (and infamously long) shopping boulevard.
The Zeil is not only the beating heart of the city, where thousands go every day to mingle and hang out – it’s also its absolutely densest point, loaded with opportunities for shopping, eating out, as well as sightseeing.
Not everyone might count a day spent in fitting rooms and extravagant malls among their favorite couple activities, but for those that do, this is the golden ticket.
4. Cross Eiserner Steg (and add a lock)
The Eiserner Steg is a historic iron bridge spanning the Main and connecting Frankfurt proper with Sachsenhausen, the neighborhood on the southern bank of the river.
What makes it so special and the reason why I consider it one of the most romantic spots in Frankfurt is not just the amazing view. The main attractions behind the Eiserner Steg are the thousands of padlocks attached to it, symbolizing the unending bond of countless lovers that have crossed the bridge over the years.
Similar traditions exist in different countries — in fact, nobody has been able to quite trace where the practice originates from.
Opinions also differ on whether it represents the peak of kitsch or a heart-warming symbolism.
What’s clear in any case is that the Eiserner Steg continues to be a hugely popular spot for lovers from around the world – all the more reason to go see it for yourselves!
5. Have some tea at the Chinese Garden
Tucked away in a corner of the Frankfurt inner city that is a haven for expats, but gets surprisingly little attention from tourists, the Chinese Garden is an incredibly peaceful and beautiful place to spend a morning or afternoon.
An incredibly well-manicured oasis close to other parks and picturesque areas within the area, the Chinese Garden is one of the best places in Frankfurt to go out on a date with your other half.
6. See world-class art at the Staedel
Frankfurt is home to a number of great museums, but the one I would recommend above all – and in my opinion, one of the best places in Frankfurt to visit for couples overall – is the Staedel.
One of Germany‘s (and Europe’s) largest and most significant art galleries, the Staedel presents a world of painting, sculpture, and countless other kinds of artistic artifacts from many time periods and places of origin.
Consider taking a guided tour with your partner to really get the most out of the experience!
7. Enjoy a sax solo over some wine at the Jazzkeller
Nothing sets the mood for a candlelit dinner better than some cool jazz.
The Jazzkeller is Frankfurt’s top jazz bar (take it from me, I have been to all of them), and has been a favorite date destination for couples for literal generations.
The place opened only a few years after the end of World War Two, and in that time has hosted legends ranging from Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald and beyond. Not only does the Jazzkeller excel in the live music department — the menu isn’t shabby, either!
8. Take a cruise along the Main
The river Main (pronounced “mine” by the way, not like “main” in English) cuts through Frankfurt’s heart, shaping its skyline, economy, demographics, and urban planning. In other words, it’s an inseparable part of the city’s character.
Many other towns and smaller cities exist along the Main, and you can book a river cruise to explore Frankfurt’s extended neighborhood in the slowest, most romantic way of all.
How far up or down the stream you go is really up to you! Theoretically, you could follow the river all the way up to and beyond the point where it flows into the Rhine, one of the largest rivers on the continent which continues through most of France and the Netherlands and finishes in the North Sea.
Of course, most will keep it short and simple with a more compact roundabout tour of Frankfurt and its periphery. This keeps the journey under a few hours, allowing you to reserve the rest of the day for other fun activities.
9. Pay the Christmas Market a visit (if you can)
If you’re lucky enough to have the time to see Frankfurt during the holiday season, take the chance! Not only is Frankfurt’s Christmas Market one of Germany’s finest but the celebrations also breathe some magic into the air of the Old Town and inner city, transforming it with countless lights and attractions that are a sight to behold.
If you’ve ever felt the need for an authentic pretzel, want to hunt for some Christmas-themed souvenirs, or even if you feel fine just admiring the views, Frankfurt’s Christmas Market is one of the best places to spend some time with your beau during the season of giving.
10. Don’t miss out on Berger Strasse magic
I previously mentioned the Zeil as the end-all, be-all for shopping in and around Frankfurt.
While that’s accurate, there is a different, less prominent street full of gems that any self-respecting Frankfurt resident will be familiar with, yet is scarcely talked about internationally.
The name is Berger Strasse, and here you will find countless smaller boutiques and local businesses, including weekly markets selling fresh produce.
These co-exist alongside some terrific cafés and underrated restaurants and bars.
My top recommendation is the Baguette Jeannette, a cutesy French café that can best be summed up as “a slice of Paris, à l’Allemagne”. Sure, the illusion is never perfect, but what you do get are the best croissants on this side of the border!
11. Relax and unwind
Did you know that urban, dense, bank-filled Frankfurt happens to be situated in the middle of a green valley that has won awards for some of the cleanest air worldwide?
It’s true! The Main-Taunus region is wonderful for the lungs and heart, so much so that the outskirts of Frankfurt proper is a chock-full of elegant spa towns. Some even offer thermal baths, courtesy of the unique geology of the valley!
If you and your partner feel up to this kind of treat, consider reserving a calm afternoon (or better, a whole day) for a stay at any of these oases of relaxation.
12. Discover Heidelberg together
There are many towns not far from the inner Frankfurt area that are popular choices for day trips. Popular date ideas include a getaway along the Rhine to the Black Forest, or even all the way to Strasbourg in French Alsace.
Others choose to go by land to nearby Mainz or Wiesbaden, renowned for their wonderfully preserved architecture and Old World feel.
Any of these are great choices, but I believe one place, in particular, deserves attention as the best day trip destination for couples in Frankfurt, and that’s Heidelberg.
Heidelberg is only a small town, but don’t be fooled. This quaint, old-fashioned place with its narrow timber houses is actually home to one of the world’s most prestigious public universities!
Everything about Heidelberg, from its young student population to the old-fashioned feel of the inner city, doesn’t just contrast itself: it’s also a perfect mirror image of the modern, bustling Frankfurt. A half-day trip is highly recommended!
13. Try a glass of Apfelwein
Going on a little crawl for the best drinks the locals can offer is not an unpopular traveling-together-as-a-couple activity by any means, and Frankfurt is a great place to do so for sure!
Whether you would like to sample the best Hessian beer (be prepared for an eye-watering variety of brews) or some of the local wines grown in the Taunus valley, Frankfurt offers plenty.
However, there is one beverage that I see far too few foreign visitors trying out, and it’s a shame because it’s something you won’t get anywhere else!
It’s called Apfelwein, or Äbbelwoi in the Frankfurter dialect, and it’s a type of strong alcoholic apple cider. One of the most famous symbols of Frankfurt, it’s often served on public holidays or at barbecues and family gatherings.
Apfelwein is definitely not to everyone’s taste – but that’s not as crucial as you might think! More than just a drink, Apfelwein is a part of the city and its culture and can often be a surprisingly direct ticket to making some local friends.
That, and the faces you and your partner will be making at your first sip (good or bad) will surely be memorable!
14. Get a taste of the Fressgass
Speaking of sensory delights, there’s another neighborhood in Frankfurt that I would consider criminally underrated for how little coverage it receives in English-language media abroad.
The Fressgass is a long, surprisingly busy tree-lined boulevard that stretches from the old Opera house all the way to the finance hub of Frankfurt’s downtown, branching many times along the way. It also happens to be one of the best places you can go for a romantic evening walk, a full stomach, or an empty wallet (harsh, but unfortunately true).
The name Fressgass is a funny one by itself. Gass is Frankfurter or Hessian dialect for alley, whereas Fress comes from fressen – a German word for “eating” that can only be applied to non-human animals. In that sense, many translate it as “grazing alley”, though the actual tone is quite a bit more vulgar than that.
Given the name, you would expect Fressgass to be all about restaurants and fine dining. That’s partially true, but the street has grown immensely over the centuries and is now so much more than that.
Here, you won’t just find some of Frankfurt’s best places to eat out in the form of countless streetside cafés and fancy restaurants, but also countless high-end fashion stores and outlets for every name brand ranging from Apple to Tesla, from Dolce & Gabbana to Yves-Saint Laurent.
Expect appropriate prices, naturally. But if you and your sweetheart can afford to, a stroll through Fressgass can be a real experience that shows off Frankfurt at its best!
Conclusion
And there you have it! I hope that I managed to spark some inspiration with these fun things to do in Frankfurt for couples and I bet you will enjoy your trip immensely – it’s a wonderful city to see together!
Of course, there are tons of places to see and things to do in and around Frankfurt that I couldn’t possibly have covered in a short guide like this. That’s where you come in: where else have you been in Frankfurt together, and what did you enjoy the most? Tell us in the comments!
