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Frankfurt event weekends: what to do between sessions

Skyscrapers, apple-wine taverns and the Museum Embankment, beside one of Europe's busiest fairgrounds.

Events we cover in Frankfurt

12 Feb 2027*Ambiente
Frankfurt, GermanyTrade show 24 Jun 2027*IRONMAN European Championship Frankfurt
Frankfurt, GermanyEndurance 20 Oct 2027*Frankfurt Book Fair
Frankfurt, GermanyTrade show 29 Oct 2027*Frankfurt Marathon
Frankfurt, GermanyMarathon 5 Mar 2028*Light + Building
Frankfurt, GermanyTrade show 12 Sept 2028*Automechanika Frankfurt
Frankfurt, GermanyTrade show

Arriving

Frankfurt airport (FRA) has S-Bahn trains to the Hauptbahnhof in 12 minutes.

Where to stay

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Hauptbahnhof	Near trains and the Messe.
Mid-range	Sachsenhausen	Apple-wine taverns.
Splurge	Opernplatz and the Main	Luxury towers.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Motel One Frankfurt-Messe
Mid-range: Hotel Nizza
Splurge: Hotel Frankfurter Hof

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Full day · Low walking

Rhine Valley day trip

Rüdesheim and castles.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Heidelberg day trip

Castle and old town.

See times and prices

Evening · Food · Nightlife

Apple wine tour in Sachsenhausen

Ebbelwoi and green sauce.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Main Tower and city tour

Römer and the skyline.

See times and prices

Where to eat

Kleinmarkthalle Market hall
Apfelwein Wagner Apple-wine tavern

With kids

Senckenberg Natural History Museum.

Rainy-day backups

Städel Museum.

Free things to do

Römerberg old town square.
Museum Embankment on Saturdays (some free).

Getting around

U-Bahn U4 serves the Messe; S-Bahn to Festhalle/Messe.
Deutsche Bahn ICE trains link the big cities; the Deutschlandticket covers all local and regional transport for a monthly fee.
Trade fair and event tickets often include free local transport: check yours.