Things to do & places to visit in Hesse, Germany

Home to Frankfurt (or Frankfurt am Main), Germany's fifth-largest city, Hesse is the country's financial heart. The Rheingau wine region (famed for its Rieslings) stretches along the Rhine coast, and includes such favorite tourist towns as Rüdesheim. The mountains of Wasserkuppe and Grosser Feldberg both offer many adventure options. Hessenpark, an open-air museum in Neu Anspach with a collection of over 100 historically reconstructed buildings and more than 200 animals, is a family favorite.

Hesse #6 destination in Germany 2023. The average rating score is 4.33 based on 72.6k traveler reviews, of 1.740 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Berlin, current date and time: Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 4:31.

Hesse Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

63°F - 44°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Moderately chilly with a gentle breeze

Feels like

24%

Chance of rain

96.0 millimeters

Amount

12.6 mph

Wind speed

73%

Humidity

15.4

Daylight length

5:37 AM

Sunrise

9:03 PM

Sunset

44%

Cloud cover

Jacket

What to wear

Top things to do (32)

Top destinations in Hesse 100

See more 88 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Exit Games (293 reviews)
- Amazing!
Wednesday: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Exit room's / escape game finally in Northern Hesse! The new leisure and team event is here: A team, up to 6 players, 60 minutes. You make it to solve all the puzzles? Logical thinking, combining, communicate with each other and some skill you will need. Each team-member counts and brings its strengths. We challenge you. Because that's exit gaming - switch off and have fun together. Grab your friends, colleagues or family and come around! We are looking forward to you. See more..
4.5 Romer (6.387 reviews)
- German Fairy Tale looking buildings
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

The site of Frankfurt's city hall since 1405, this historic building remains the defining symbol of the city's historic past. See more..
4.5 Main Tower (3.814 reviews)
- Stunning views of the city and surrounding area!
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Lookouts

The Main Tower is one of the highest buildings in Frankfurt. Climb to the top of this 200-meter high building (take an elevator for the first 190 meters and walk the last 10) for incomparable views of the city. See more..
4.5 Cathedral of St. Bartholomew (Dom St. Bartholomaus) (2.636 reviews)
- Gorgeous Cathedral.
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

This historic cathedral served for 300 years as the site of coronation for Holy Roman Emperors. See more..
4.5 Stadel Museum (2.545 reviews)
- Great visit - would recommend
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums

Considered the city's finest art museum, the Stadel holds a fantastic collection of works from the 14th century through the present day. See more..
4.5 Palmengarten (2.069 reviews)
- A wonderful experience
Spent 1-2 hours Gardens

Frankfurt's beloved botanical gardens are home to 50 acres of tropical trees, orchids and ferns. See more..
4.5 Niederwald Monument (Niederwalddenkmal) (1.366 reviews)
- Great Hike
Monuments & Statues

This majestic statue, over 30 feet tall, sits atop Rüdesheim's National Monument. See more..
4.5 Senckenberg Natural History Museum (Naturmuseum Senckenberg) (1.306 reviews)
- Fun for all.
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Natural History Museums • History Museums

Fantastic display of dinosaurs from tiny trilobites to t-rex. In addition o the main attraction, there is also a floor dedicated to stuffed animals. Visitors of all ages would enjoy this museum. See more..
4.5 Old Opera House (Alte Oper) (1.191 reviews)
- Beautiful building
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Operas • Architectural Buildings

Destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944, Frankfurt's beautifully reconstructed opera house was reopened in 1981. It's now a major venue for concerts and operas. See more..
4.5 Bergpark Wilhelmshoehe (876 reviews)
- Beautiful and fascinating place
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Parks

Am 23. Juni 2013 hat die Kommission der UNESCO in Phnom Penh, Kambodscha, entschieden, den Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in die Liste des Kultur- und Naturerbes der Welt aufzunehmen. Die circa 560 Hektar große Welterbestätte ist der erste Bergpark weltweit, dem diese Ehre zuteil wird. Die UNESCO zeichnet die Anlage damit als herausragendes und einzigartiges Zeugnis europäischer Bau- und Gartenkunst aus. Die Anfänge der Gestaltung gehen auf die 1680er Jahre zurück. Der Park erstreckt sich vom monumentalen Herkulesbauwerk über die 350 Meter lange Kaskadenanlage hinunter zum Schloss Wilhelmshöhe und darüber hinaus. Die gartenkünstlerisch gestaltete Anlage gilt als eine der größten Europas und bildet ein einzigartiges Kulturdenkmal. Das Schloss Wilhelmshöhe im Park diente bis 1866 den Landgrafen und Kurfürsten von Hessen-Kassel, später den preußischen Königen und deutschen Kaisern als Sommerresidenz. See more..
4.5 Kleinmarkthalle (814 reviews)
- Market
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Flea & Street Markets

Kleinemarkethalle, a local market with independent stakeholders selling produce, nuts and spices, cheeses, meats, plants, breads, coffee and more. Certainly pay this place a visit, try a few things and buy some more to take with you. Schreiber in the Kleinemarkethalle is popular and rightly so. Serving up pork or beef says sausage, served with a roll and mustard, they’re the perfect snack. See more..
4.5 Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett (795 reviews)
- A unique and different museum
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

First German Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments. Discover and enjoy: About 350 mechanical music instruments out of 3 centuries. Experience an eventful 45-minute tour with music. Tours are available in 9 different languages. We are situated in the Bromserhof, a knight's manor of the 15th century. Just above the Drosselgasse in Rudesheim am Rhein. Opening times: From March 1st onwards the museum is open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. every day. From 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. only on request. Reservation required. Minimum amount of 4 visitors. Visiting Siegfrieds Mechanical Music Kabinett is only possible with a guided tour since we operate the instruments for you. See more..
4.5 Hercules Monument (770 reviews)
- Spectacular monument, a must see if on Kassel
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monuments & Statues

Grandiose 18th century monument, perfectly lined up with the city's main road part of a larger assembly. The monument is governing the hilltop and here is the beginning of the spectacular "waterpark", a huge representation of the Grand Orient French fraternity. It is a masterpiece, sublimely depicted with perfect symbolism of all main stages, crowned with the Human as the dominating figure on the top pf the pyramid. See more..
4.5 Museumsufer (720 reviews)
- my trip to museumsufer
Speciality Museums

Culture pure in Frankfurt. Dozens of museums open their doors, shows, workshops, art, music speciality handwork is on view all along the river on both banks. A yearly extravaganza ending in a massive firework show. Don't miss the dragon boat racing and, of course, plenty to eat and drink, this is, after all, in Germany.For a non-mainstream music entertainment I always go to the RadioX stage (below the Holbein foot bridge), always something new and interesting to hear. See more..
4.5 Seilbahn Rudesheim (706 reviews)
- Beautiful!
Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Trams

Excellent experience! Though you can drive up the mountain to get to Neiderwald, or walk, take the gondola instead! The ride takes you over the vineyards and you get a wonderful view of the Rhine. The gondola feels very safe. It is just built for two, you sit facing each other (so one person is facing backward). It is open air so make sure to be warm enough for the journey. I went in September and the weather was perfect. My boyfriend is very afraid of heights but he felt very safe sitting in this gondola. The ticketing kiosk is tucked in the shops/restaurants district but there are signs the entire way to get there. Once you are up at the top, you can walk around to the temple, and the statue, the forest and the other "ruins." There is also a food and beverage stand for beer and bretzels but they do close earlier than the last tram back. You could also walk down from there but it is lovely to take the gondola back down. So worth the trip! See more..
4.5 Die Nerobergbahn (665 reviews)
- A fun day out for family
Trams

This cable car ride provides visitors with a picturesque view of the town of Wiesbaden. See more..
4.5 Deutsche Bank Park (635 reviews)
- Decent New Style Ground..
Spent 1-2 hours Arenas & Stadiums

The Deutsche Bank Park stands on the site of its great predecessor – the legendary Frankfurt Waldstadion. It forms an integral part of German sporting history and has always been the focal point of life in the region. The Waldstadion has gone through many changes in the past and has now, at the start of the new millennium, been completely refurbished and given a new strategic concept. The fantastic sportsmen who have played here and the spectacular football matches that have taken place are never to be forgotten.The new arena was built for sports, concerts, business events and all kinds of large gatherings. Depending on the event, it can hold up to 55,000 spectators – multi-functionality is an important aspect. The exact circumference is 860 metres; the length is 210 metres and the width 190 metres. No pillars obstruct direct view onto the pitch and the front rows are only a few metres away from the edge of the field. See more..
4.5 Kloster Eberbach (533 reviews)
- Amazing History & Storied Wines
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Architectural Buildings • Wineries & Vineyards • Convention Centers

This 12th-century monastery has produced wine for the past 800 years. See more..
4.5 Mainkai (532 reviews)
- Lovely thing to do here
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Scenic Walking Areas

This was the best way for us to experience and get a sense of Frankfurt. A simple self guided walking tour that you can tailor to your inspirations. See more..
4.5 German Film Museum (531 reviews)
- The home of film
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

The DFF – Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum is a leading international film heritage organization. We preserve and share film culture with a worldwide public, uniquely combining museum, cinema, archives and collections, festivals, digital platforms, research and digitization projects and numerous educational programs. See more..
4.5 Fulda Cathedral (489 reviews)
- Feels Good
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Religious Sites

I stayed in Fulda for one night as business trip. Friends mentioned to visit Cathedral and I could table to visit inside and move around in our area with car felt nice and you can feel something wonderful. I would, we felt vibration. You guys know, what I mean. See more..
4.5 Institut Mathildenhoehe (486 reviews)
- 'Must see' in Darmstadt
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • History Museums

Not only the Russian Chapel, but the Jugendstil [Art Deco] houses in this area - all easily to be visited on a short walk - is a MUST SEE in Darmstadt. This is one of the world's (yes indeed) most important places to study Jugendstil [Art deco]. Not to forget the 'Hochzeitsturm' (marriage tower) and the exhibition halls with changing exhibits of art and culture. From the city abt. 15 minutes walk. From 'Mathildenhoehe' to 'Rosenhoehe' (see there for details) just another 10 minutes walk. For sure the most important spot in Darmstadt for any (foreign) tourist. I know what I am talking about - I am living here :) See more..
4.5 Russisch-Orthodoxe Kirche der Heiligen Elisabeth (482 reviews)
- A must see in Wiesbaden!
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

This impressive 19th-century Russian Orthodox church was built for the niece of a Russian czar who died at the age of 19. See more..
4.5 Berger Street (Berger Strasse) (436 reviews)
- must go for lunch and dinner
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The street is very long... and along it you will find any type of restaurant from the more traditionnal to the most modern... the Apfel Wein is a must go, it is a traditional tavern with great food and the setting is authentic. See more..
4.5 Limburg Cathedral (410 reviews)
- Beautiful Romanesque Cathedral
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The Cathedral in Limburg am Lahn is well worth a detour from the A3. Beautifully situated above a small old-town, with scenic views of the Lahn River, this Cathedral is a flamboyant late Romanesque design with many distinctive details. The exterior painting of the building is very colorful and the interior stone arches and galleries are a delight to see. While not covered with statuary, there are several superb stone carvings inside. The nativity scene is creative and includes running water in a small stream, live goldfish, and a carved elephant that is part of the wise men’s caravan. There is no entry fee. There is limited parking near the Dom and a W/C at the bottom of the plaza. See more..
4.5 Neroberg (409 reviews)
- Top sight of the city and amazing Russian Orthodox church
Historic Walking Areas • Nature & Wildlife Areas

I was in Frankfurt recently on a quick stopover and decided to checkout nearby Wiesbaden. It was easier to get to than I thought. (Just take a S1, S8, or S9 train from Frankfurt main train station - it takes less than an hour). I'm so glad I did. The Neroberg is a fantastic mountain with a view over the city, plus there's an amazing little Russian Orthodox Church at the top (complete with icons and a very old priest...). The story behind the chapel is sad - a bit like the Taj Mahal I saw it while on an English-speaking walking tour and our guide was great. I'd recommend the tour and this sight in particular, to anyone. See more..
4.5 Schloss Wilhelmshohe (407 reviews)
- Schloss Wilhelmshohe
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Castles

This museum has one of the best collections of Dutch Golden Age paintings. It's been long on my list to visit. The third floor dedicated mainly to Hals and Rembrandt. There are two small portraits by Hals listed as property of State Art Collections Kassel but this time they were on display at Wilhelmshohe, nice surprise. See more..
4.5 Frankfurt Christmas Market (401 reviews)
- Simply fabulous!
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Cultural Events

Frankfurt has one of the oldest and largest Christmas Markets in Germany that has been running since 1393. It is a traditional winter market full of festivities, with Christmas carols and church bells ringing, and of course the giant Christmas tree, located in the scenic old town centre, decorated with thousands of lights, ribbons and bells. The market attracts more than 3 million visitors per year with more than 200 stalls to keep them busy. Many of the stalls sell classic wooden toys, rocking horses, dolls and decorations; others focus on delicious Christmas specialities like mulled wine, roast chestnuts, grilled sausages and gingerbread, filling the air with wonderful yuletide aromas. Don't miss out on the historical merry-go-round, lit up and decorated with wooden carved horses. It starts at the end of November and carries on through December. See more..
4.5 Messe Frankfurt (393 reviews)
- World-Class Venue for Expositions
Spent More than 3 hours Convention Centers

I attended FormNext 2021 in November. Everything about the event was truly professional. They were using 2G standard (vaccination required, but no masks), which greatly enhanced the exposition. The person checking for vaccinations was more thorough than any of the airlines or immigration officers. Signage was as if this venue was dedicated to the event. Moving sidewalks quickly get you from the entrance to the exhibit hall. See more..
4.5 Römerkastell Saalburg und archäologischer Park (389 reviews)
- An Authentic Roman Fortress in the depth of Germany
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites

Reconstructed Roman fort and archaeological museum See more..