Things to do in
Hessen

Our most recommended things to do in Hessen

Frankfurt: River Main Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary

1. Frankfurt: River Main Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary

The 50- or 100-minutes boat trips depart from Eiserner Steg. The boat leaves every hour. You have can choose between either 50 minutes downstream or 50 minutes upstream or 100 minutes (combination of both sides). Sailing towards Griesheim, see the urban areas of Frankfurt towards the Western harbor. Here you have a wonderful view of the skyscrapers of Frankfurts Financial Center or you can enjoy the museums along the embankment, for example the Städel. The ship will turn around before the Griesheim lock. Departures at 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM. Sailing towards Offenbach is upstream the river. Sail past the beautiful embankments of the river main towards the Eastern harbor of the city. You can see the district Sachsenhausen and its museum embankment. You will have the chance to get off at "Gerbermühle", a historic landmark to Frankfurt's poet Goethe. Departures at 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM. The 100 minutes cruises are usually available between 11 AM and 4 PM, every hour. (subject to change) All tours are accompanied by commentaries in English and German.

Frankfurt: 1-Hour Panorama Boat Cruise on the river Main

2. Frankfurt: 1-Hour Panorama Boat Cruise on the river Main

Discover Frankfurt's beauty on a 1-hour Main River cruise. Admire modern skyscrapers, historic landmarks like the cathedral and Eiserner Steg bridge, all while enjoying insightful commentary. Relax with a drink from the bar (to be purchased separately) and capture scenic photos as you sail under charming bridges. Unveil Frankfurt's essence from a unique perspective. This cruise offers a unique perspective on Frankfurt's vibrant blend of past and present - easily accessible from Frankfurt´s old town.

Auschwitz-Birkenau: Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

3. Auschwitz-Birkenau: Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

Visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp on a guided tour with a WWII expert. Explore the history of this infamous complex and learn about the tragic events that took place in it. See the original barracks in which prisoners were held to fully understand their situation. Meet your guide near the museum entrance, receive your entrance ticket, and go through security to join your group. Pass through the famous "Arbeit macht frei" gate to enter Auschwitz I, where your guide will show you around the original preserved site and explain its touching history. After a short break, visit the second camp in Birkenau, where mass murders were carried out as part of the Nazi "Final Solution to the Jewish Problem".

Rhine Valley Castles: 1.5-Hour Boat Tour from Rüdesheim

4. Rhine Valley Castles: 1.5-Hour Boat Tour from Rüdesheim

Experience a castle tour in the Middle Rhine Valley, where fine wines from ruby red Pinot Noir to shimmering golden Riesling are grown. Discover one of Europe’s oldest trade routes along former toll castles and robber barons' nests, where Victor Hugo, Goethe, and Heinrich Heine are onboard in spirit. Explore beloved places of the Middle Rhine Valley that inspired the poets who created Rhine Romanticism. This section of the Rhine, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, is home to more castles than anywhere else. Admire Rheinstein Castle, Reichenstein Castle (Trechtingshausen), the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle, and the fabled Mouse Tower of Binger Loch. See the Nahe river flow into the Rhine and marvel at Klopp Castle before continuing on to the Niederwald Monument with the Germania and the Niederwald Temple in Osteinpark. Let the myth of the Rhine Romanticism enchant you. Admire the red wine region of Assmannhausen with its famous Pinot Noir vineyards as well as the flourishing town of Bingen with the beautiful Rhine park of the 2008 horticultural show and Rüdesheim with the famous Drosselgasse.

Frankfurt: Hop-on Hop-off Day Skyline or Express City Tour

5. Frankfurt: Hop-on Hop-off Day Skyline or Express City Tour

Enjoy a sightseeing tour through Frankfurt aboard a comfortable double-decker bus. When the weather's good, the roof of the bus stays open, letting you take in a clear view of the most beautiful buildings and parks in the city. Get to know this bustling metropolis in a whole new way as you listen to commentary in 10 languages. Hop on or off the buses as often as you like at any of the stops along the route, sprinkled throughout the city's most interesting areas. Learn about Frankfurt's main attractions while on the bus, or explore the city's beautiful sights at your own pace. Take a trip through the bustling city center (Express City Tour) or along Frankfurt's famous skyline (Skyline Tour), both available for one just one price. Stops: Paulskirche - Römer - Goethe-Haus - Main Tower - Alte Oper - Palmengarten - Senkenbergmuseum - Messe - Hauptbahnhof - Museumsufer - Eisener Steg - Alt Sachsenhausen - Untermainkai - Mainkai - Zoo Frankfurt - Hauptwache. You can get on or off at any of the 16 stops as many times as you please with the 24 hour hop-on hop-off ticket.

From Frankfurt: Rhine Valley Day Trip

6. From Frankfurt: Rhine Valley Day Trip

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rhine Valley, with its vineyards and picturesque towns and villages. See the mighty medieval castles – the area has the highest density of such buildings in the world. Marvel at the stunningly beautiful "Lorelei-Felsen," or Siren's Rocks, and enjoy fantastic views over the valley from the Niederwald monument. In the summer you can ride on the Assmannshausen cable car down into the valley (optional), have lunch in a marvelous restaurant on the banks of the Rhine (included), and then take a wonderful Panorama boat trip to St. Goarshausen, past the famous Loreley. Try fine wines on location in a small tavern and or just lose yourself in the picturesque little town of Rüdesheim. Please note that the tour will only stop at Rüdesheim if time allows.  In winter time it may be possible that steamers do not operate in case of bad weather or water conditions. In this case, you will visit a castle instead. You'll travel back to Frankfurt by bus when the tour is finished and will be dropped off at the meeting point.

Frankfurt: New Old Town and Highlights German-Language Tour

7. Frankfurt: New Old Town and Highlights German-Language Tour

Get to know Frankfurt on this guided tour in German language. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the quarter’s winding laneways and experience the past and the present of Frankfurt's new old town. With its recent reconstruction, Frankfurt has managed to bring part of its colourful history back to life. Meet up with your city guide and other participants at Römerberg. There, in front of the "Römer", Frankfurt's city hall, you will begin a walk through the new Old Town, a unique district of Frankfurt. In addition, more highlights such as the Cathedral, St. Paul's Church, Eiserner Steg (iron footbridge) and Museum Embankment with views of the Frankfurt skyline await you during the tour.

Frankfurt: TimeRide VR Time Travel Experience Ticket

8. Frankfurt: TimeRide VR Time Travel Experience Ticket

Travel back in time to the vibrant, everyday life of Frankfurt in the 19th century. Use virtual reality to adopt the role of a venerable merchant, just as if you had been there yourself. During your time-traveling experience, you will accompany the fictitious businessman, Theodor Riedel, through Frankfurt’s history at three exciting stops.  Start at the grocery store and learn about the trading city during the colonial period. Immerse yourself in the store's hustle and bustle, learn about the fragrant spices and exotic goods, and admire the shop's interior. Then, make a visit to a private library. Learn about the ideas and ideals of the local citizens in the setting of a family's study.  Finally, take the virtual reality carriage ride, the highlight of your journey back in time to 1891. Board the carriage with Theodor Riedel and experience the charm of the flourishing trading city. With your VR headset, enjoy a 360° panoramic view of medieval half-timbered buildings and sublime Wilhelminian-style architecture. Along your virtual journey, you will also accompany Theodor on his own personal day of fate: find out if he can save the family’s legacy or if he will lose everything. Whether ruin or triumph, uncover the answer on your journey through time.

Frankfurt Card: Experience Frankfurt at the Best Price

9. Frankfurt Card: Experience Frankfurt at the Best Price

Museums Discount 100 % • Anne Frank Educational Centre • KlangRaum at DIALOGMUSEUM Discount 50% • Archaeological Museum • Caricatura/Museum of Comical Art • Cathedral Museum • German Film Institute and Museum • Eintracht Frankfurt Museum • ExperiMINTA ScienceCenter • Frankfurt Art Association • Frankfurt Bible Experience Museum • Frankfurt Icon Museum • Frankfurt Museum of Modern Art • Goethe-House+German Romanticism Museum • Historical+Young Museum Frankfurt • Jewish Museum+Museum Judengasse • MGGU-Museum Giersch of Goethe-University • Museum for Communication • Museum of Applied Arts • Museum of World Cultures • Photography Forum Frankfurt • Porcelain Museum in Frankfurt Kronberger House • Struwwelpeter Museum Reduced admission • Liebighaus Skulpturensammlung • SCHIRN KUNSTHALLE FRANKFURT • Senckenberg Museum of Natural History • Städel Museum Theatres and Concerts (redeemable only on site) • Alte Oper–15% discount only for events organised by the Old Opera House • Oper Frankfurt–15% discount only on single ticket price, excluding premiers • Papageno Music Theatre–20% discount • Schauspiel Frankfurt–15% discounts only on single tickets and regular prices • The English Theater–25% discount only on single ticket price Adventure and Leisure • David Lloyd Clubs Frankfurt Skyline Plaza–20% discount on Day Ticket • Eco Kart Frankfurt–100% discount on the racing licence • Fraport Visitor Center–20% discount on adult tickets (coupon code needed) • MAIN TOWER (visitor platform)–20% discount on regular prices • Palmengarten Frankfurt–50% discount on regular adult and child prices • Schwarzlichthelden Minigolf–2 for 1 discount on regular price (redeemable daily until 6 p.m.) • TimeRide–20% discount on regular tickets with discount code: FFMCard • Zoo Frankfurt–day ticket available at the current group price Tours • Guided Walking Tours (@ #visitfrankfurt)–20% discount on adult tickets • Airport Tour „Starter Tour“–20% on adult tickets (coupon code needed) • Primus Linie–20% discount on adult tickets for the Frankfurt Sightseeing Cruise • KD Schifffahrt GmbH–20% discount on panoramic cruises in Frankfurt • Red Doppel decker busses (Frankfurt Sightseeing GmbH)–20 % discount on Skyline Tour (redeemable at the bus driver) • Mysegtour – Segway Tours Frankfurt–20% discount on City Tour and Maintour • Terranova&FrankfurtBikeTour–20% discount on the 2,5-hour city tour by bike and on rental bikes Restaurants • Apfelweingalerie–20% discount on all purchases • Apfelweinkontor–10% discount on the range • LifeDeli at Jewish Museum–2 for 1 discount on “Israelisches Frühstück” (redeemable between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.) • Naschmarkt am Dom–10% discount on food and beverage Shopping • Galerie Brücke 54–20% discount on all purchases • Hessen Shop (Kleinmarkthalle)– 10% on the range (books excluded) • ODLO (MyZeil)–20% discount on the range • Peggy Sue Vintage–10% discount on purchases of € 20,00 or more • Wertheim Village–10% discount at 50 participating brands

Frankfurt: EXPERIMINTA ScienceCenter Entry Ticket

10. Frankfurt: EXPERIMINTA ScienceCenter Entry Ticket

Book your entry ticket to Frankfurt's EXPERIMINTA ScienceCenter and embark on a journey of discovery where more than 130 experiment stations from the fields of physics, mathematics, technology, and computer science invite you to try things out. Discover the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) thanks to the center's nine thematic areas, including "Fast and Slow" (movement), "Strong and Weak" (power), or "Economical and Wasteful" (energy and environment). Think and awaken your inventive spirit as scientific phenomena and mathematical correlations become vivid and spontaneously comprehensible through experimentation. Try experiments and experience phenomena that are often only theorized about in school. Become a little researcher by resting on the fakir bed with hundreds of nails, play the violin on the singing iron plates, or watch one of the monthly science shows. From fire tornadoes to ice-cold soap bubbles, there's something for everyone here.

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What people are saying about Hessen

Overall rating

4.3
(5,572 reviews)

It was Fantastic! Our tour guide Michael is so knowledgeable and so passionate for sharing the insightful and helpful information to us! He made our trip much more valuable and memorable !

Great but I signed up for an e bike and on the day there was only a regular bike. The guide was wonderful- Anaricka. Great way to see the sights of Frankfurt.

Super nice tour along the small towns on the Rhine from Bonn to Linz and back. Very entertaining. Would love to do it again.

It was great! Anita was very personable and knowledgeable.

Better if a longer cruise time 75 minutes not enough.