Frankfurt 1-day itinerary

Start at Römerberg, Frankfurt's medieval heart, a square of half-timbered houses dominated by the Römer (city hall) with its stepped gable facade. The square was meticulously rebuilt after WWII bombing destroyed 95% of the old city. Walk through the DomRömer Quarter and its 35 reconstructed historic buildings, including Haus zur Goldenen Waage. Visit the Kaiserdom (Imperial Cathedral, free) where Holy Roman Emperors were crowned.

Cross the Eiserner Steg (Iron Bridge) to the Museumsufer, the "Museum Embankment" with 13 museums along the south bank of the River Main. Visit the Städel Museum (€16) for Old Masters through contemporary art: Vermeer, Rembrandt, Monet, and Richter. Then cross back and ride the elevator to Main Tower's observation deck (€9, 200m) for Frankfurt's best skyline view. Lunch at Kleinmarkthalle, a food hall with 60+ stalls.

Cross to Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt's cider quarter. Walk through the cobbled lanes around Schweizer Straße to an Apfelwein (apple wine) taverna: Wagner, Dauth-Schneider, or Adolf Wagner (no relation). Order a Bembel (blue-patterned jug) of Apfelwein (€2.50/glass) with Handkäs mit Musik (marinated cheese with onions) and Grüne Soße (Frankfurt's signature green herb sauce with eggs). This is peak Frankfurt.