Day trip from Frankfurt to Mainz: history, wine and the charm of the river

If you’re staying in Frankfurt, Mainz is a great destination for a day trip, right on your doorstep. The capital of Rhineland-Palatinate is just a short train journey away and boasts an impressive cathedral, a picturesque old town, excellent wine and festivals throughout the year that are famous far beyond the city’s borders. We’ll show you what the perfect day in Mainz could look like and why Frankfurt is particularly well-suited as a starting point for this trip.

Frankfurt as the ideal starting point

Frankfurt am Main is a major transport hub with excellent connections, making it the ideal base for a trip to Mainz. From Frankfurt Central Station, you can reach Mainz by regional train in around 35 to 40 minutes, with services running several times an hour and no need to change trains.

For overnight stays, there are two a&o Hostels in Frankfurt to choose from, both offering affordable and hassle-free accommodation:

• a&o Hostel Frankfurt Galluswarte: Just a few minutes’ walk from the station of the same name, with good connections to the city centre and the main station.
• a&o Hostel Frankfurt Ostend: Situated in the up-and-coming Ostend district, close to the banks of the Main and offering a relaxed atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle.

Both hostels offer affordable rooms for solo travellers, couples, families and groups, and are an excellent base from which to explore the region around Frankfurt – in keeping with the a&o philosophy: travel should be affordable for everyone and without hassle.

Sights in Mainz

Mainz Cathedral
The heart of the city is undoubtedly St Martin’s Cathedral in Mainz, one of the most significant Romanesque church buildings in Germany. Its imposing towers have dominated the city’s skyline for over a thousand years. A tour of the interior is well worth it, if only to see the numerous funerary monuments to the Archbishops of Mainz.

The Old Town
Surrounding the cathedral lies the Old Town, with its narrow lanes, colourful half-timbered houses and cosy squares. The Kirschgarten and the market on Liebfrauenplatz are among the city’s most beautiful spots. Those who enjoy a leisurely stroll will find small shops, wine bars and street cafés here.

Gutenberg Museum
Mainz is the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of printing with movable type. The Gutenberg Museum, situated directly on Liebfrauenplatz, displays, amongst other things, two precious original Gutenberg Bibles and offers a fascinating insight into the history of printing technology.

St Stephen’s Church and the Chagall Windows
In St Stephen’s Church, the artist Marc Chagall created vibrant blue stained-glass windows during the final years of his life; these are regarded as one of the city’s hidden gems. Admission is free, though a donation is welcome.

The Citadel and the banks of the Rhine
Perched above the city is the Mainz Citadel, a former fortress offering sweeping views over Mainz and the Rhine. Afterwards, it’s well worth taking a stroll along the banks of the Rhine, past the Theodor Heuss Bridge to the Winterhafen, where numerous pubs and restaurants invite you to linger.

Annual events

Mainz is known for its lively calendar of festivals:

• Mainz Carnival: From early January until Ash Wednesday, the city is transformed into a colourful carnival kingdom. The highlight is the Rosenmontag parade, one of the largest parades in Germany, with hundreds of thousands of visitors lining the streets.
• Mainz St John’s Night: Every summer, this festival commemorates Johannes Gutenberg. Music, fireworks, a market and numerous stages feature in the programme around the cathedral and the old town.
• Mainz Christmas Market: From late November until just before Christmas, fairy lights and wooden stalls transform Cathedral Square and the market into an atmospheric winter wonderland. The view of the illuminated cathedral in particular makes this market something special.

Culinary discoveries

Mainz lies at the heart of the Rheinhessen wine-growing region, Germany’s largest wine-growing area. Anyone who enjoys wine tasting should visit one of the numerous wine bars or book a tasting directly with a local winegrower. The Kupferberg Terrassen, home to a historic sparkling wine producer, also offer guided tours including tastings.

A staple of the regional cuisine is Spundekäs, a spicy cheese spread traditionally served with pretzels. This goes perfectly with a glass of dry Riesling from the region, best enjoyed in one of the quaint pubs in the old town.

Suggested itinerary

• Early Morning: Travel by regional train from Frankfurt Central Station to Mainz
• Morning: Visit Mainz Cathedral and take a stroll through the old town
• Lunch: Stop off at a wine bar for some Spundekäs and a glass of Riesling
• Afternoon: Visit the Gutenberg Museum and see the Chagall stained-glass windows in St Stephen’s Church
• Late afternoon: Stroll to the citadel and along the banks of the Rhine
• Evening: Return journey to Frankfurt and a cosy evening at the a&o Hostel in Frankfurt

Conclusion

Mainz combines impressive history, the relaxed charm of the Rhine and a rich culinary scene all within a compact area. For anyone staying in Frankfurt, the city is a worthwhile and easily accessible destination for a varied day trip. With an overnight stay at the a&o Hostel Frankfurt Galluswarte or the a&o Hostel Frankfurt Ostend, the trip can also be arranged particularly affordably, without compromising on location or comfort.

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