Start your week by exploring Frankfurt with a leisurely walking tour. Walk through the city's old town, Römerberg, and see its iconic architecture like the Gothic-style Frankfurt Cathedral and the Main Tower - a towering skyscraper in the downtown area that provides panoramic views of the city skyline from its observation deck.
The Goethe House Museum, the birthplace of Frankfurt's renowned author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, showcases his life and achievements. Later, visit the Städel Museum to see its vast collection of classical modernism and contemporary art.
Take a train trip from Frankfurt to Heidelberg, a charming town known for its Baroque architecture and one of Europe's oldest universities - Heidelberg University. Visit the Heidelberg Castle and stroll through the town's medieval streets while enjoying the scenic views of the Neckar River.
Begin the day by visiting the Kologne Cathedral - a UNESCO World Heritage Site world-famous for its Gothic-style architecture with starkly detailed stained-glass windows. Later, head to the Cologne Zoo, home to more than 10,000 animals from 700 different species.
Indulge in a mouth-watering visit to the Chocolate Museum will immerse you in the history and production of chocolate. Later, take a stroll through the Rheinauhafen harbor area, once a vast port area that has now been transformed into a modern entertainment and cultural hub.
Explore Frankfurt's zoo - a historic zoo that offers visitors the opportunity to see exotic animals, and gardens filled with botanical species. Later, take a trip up the Main Tower Observation Deck, one of the most visible landmarks in Frankfurt and offers a panoramic view of the skyline.
Stroll along the scenic south bank of the river Main, discovering the impressive Museumsufer. Experience 13 different exhibitions that showcase sculptures, paintings, and other art pieces from different periods. Afterward, visit Sachsenhausen, an ambiance neighborhood where traditional apple wine taverns serve local specialties such as Green Sauce and Handkäse with music and entertainment.
Public transport is an ideal way to explore Frankfurt and Cologne. Both cities have reliable tram, bus and train systems that connect numerous places. Daily tickets costs €6-7, and Two-day tickets cost €10-11 depending on the location.
If you have more time, consider heading to other cities, such as Berlin and Dresden, which are well-connected to Frankfurt. You could also visit the Deutsches Museum in Munich, one of the largest science and technology museums in the world. If you have less time, you could visit the Frankfurt and Cologne Christmas markets, which open from mid-November to early January and are true gems for the holiday season.
The two most significant airports in Germany are Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN). Frankfurt Airport, located about 12 km southwest of central Frankfurt, is the main hub for Lufthansa and connects to over 300 destinations worldwide. Cologne Bonn Airport is about 20 km southeast of central Cologne, and is served by major airlines such as Ryanair and Eurowings.