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Hessen Culture & history

Our most recommended Hessen Culture & history

From Frankfurt: Rhine Valley Day Trip

1. 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.

Auschwitz-Birkenau: Fast Track Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

2. Auschwitz-Birkenau: Fast Track 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".

Frankfurt: EXPERIMINTA ScienceCenter Entry Ticket

3. 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.

From Rüdesheim: 1.5-Hour Boat Cruise with Wine Tasting

4. From Rüdesheim: 1.5-Hour Boat Cruise with Wine Tasting

Embark on a journey with famous names of history onboard a Rhine ship and enjoy a cruise along one of Europe’s oldest trade routes, passing by former toll castles and robber baron nests. Victor Hugo, Goethe, and Heinrich Heine are onboard with you in spirit as your guides to the most beautiful places, through which the Middle Rhine Valley becomes the source of the Rhine Romanticism. This section of the Rhine 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. Explore the village of Assmannhausen, which is known for its red wine, as well as the flourishing town of Bingen and the world-famous Rüdesheim. Along the way, taste four wines under the expert guidance of a Rüdesheim winemaker, enjoy fresh pretzels, and take a souvenir glass home with you.

Frankfurt: Skip-the-Line Main Tower & Old Town Private Tour

5. Frankfurt: Skip-the-Line Main Tower & Old Town Private Tour

There is no better way to admire Frankfurt’s skyline than from the observation deck of the 4th tallest skyscraper in Germany. You will have the best time with a Private Guide who will point out all the important landmarks. Enjoy the breathtaking views with live commentary on Frankfurt’s history. During the 2-hours tour, you will see the outside of the Frankfurt Cathedral with its Gothic-style architecture and Renaissance frescoes. The guide will lead you through the charming New Old Town towards the historical Römerberg with its characteristic line of timber houses, the iconic 15th century Römer town hall, Old St Nicholas Church and Fountain of Justice. You will also pass by St Paul’s Church, which is an important memorial to the start of German democracy. The main attraction of this tour will be the Main Tower, located in the bustling banking district. We provide skip-the-line tickets to give you a better experience. Visit the observation deck on the 55th floor to get the best views of Frankfurt’s impressive skyline. You will see the tallest skyscrapers in Germany, the magnificent Old Opera, the whole of Old Town with the Frankfurt Cathedral, and the Dreikönigskirche on the other side of the Main River. This is the best place to see all of Frankfurt’s highlights at once and take amazing photos. Choose the 3-hours option if you'd like to visit the inside of Frankfurt Cathedral. You will discover its important role as the religious counterpart of the royal palace and admire its stunning interior. There are vaulted ceilings, intricately carved altar backdrops, statutes, painting and stained-glass windows.

From Frankfurt: Heidelberg & Rothenburg Full-Day Tour

6. From Frankfurt: Heidelberg & Rothenburg Full-Day Tour

Two of southern Germany's most charming communities offer a look at the country's medieval charm. You'll see the romantic city of Heidelberg and the historic town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Your journey begins with a morning tour to Heidelberg. Tour the famous Heidelberg Castle for a look at the long courtyard, the mighty terrace, and one of the largest wine barrels in the world, and then take a walk in the city's medieval center to marvel at the Old Bridge, Karl's Gate, the Church of the Holy Spirit, and the House of the Knights, as well as the oldest university in Germany. Next, follow the Romantic Road into the uplands of Bavaria for a visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the best-preserved medieval town in Germany. High above the Tauber River valley, the picturesque old lanes and the castle garden give you a look at the elegance of another era. See the wood-carved altar of St. Jakobs Church and marvel at half-timbered houses, the city gates, and the mighty Renaissance Town Hall. In the afternoon, take some leisure time to explore the town on your own. Look for the local delicacy called a "Schneeball," a fried dough ball with many different toppings before you meet your group for your journey back to Frankfurt.

Frankfurt: Day Trip to Eltz Castle

7. Frankfurt: Day Trip to Eltz Castle

Visit the perfectly-preserved and beautifully-located castle, which has been inhabited by the same family since its construction. Admire the unparalleled architecture and the original furnishing dating back over 8 centuries. Tour rooms and halls that contain hundreds of years' worth of cultural history. Admire the festive knight's hall, the medieval kitchen, exquisite furniture, wall hangings and paintings as well as fascinating weaponry and armor. The treasury in the cellar vaults houses a precious art collection with over 500 exceptional pieces. Stop in a restaurant right on the banks of the river in the enchanting Rhine Valley on the way back and enjoy a delicious dinner before returning to Frankfurt.

Heidelberg and Rhine Combination Tour from Frankfurt

8. Heidelberg and Rhine Combination Tour from Frankfurt

Explore romantic Heidelberg and the Upper Middle Rhine Valley on a delightful combination of a city tour and river cruise. Admire some of Germany's most charming sights, from the medieval castles in one of the country's most beautiful cities to a ride on a classic steamer. Your day starts with a ride south from Frankfurt to the picturesque city on the river Neckar. Tour the famous Heidelberg Castle for a look at the long courtyard, the mighty terrace, and one of the largest wine barrels in the world, and then take a walk in the city's medieval town center to marvel at the Old Bridge, Karl's Gate, the Church of the Holy Spirit, and the House of the Knights, as well as the oldest university in Germany. Next, the tour takes you into the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its remarkable scenery and medieval structures. Admire the mighty castles, villages, and charming little vineyards, and then board a Rhine steamer for a voyage downriver from Kaub to the town of Assmannshausen. Once you're back ashore, stop to sample the local wine in a local tavern and enjoy a delicious dinner in a restaurant by the riverbank before the time comes for your return to Frankfurt.

Hohenzollern Castle: Full-Day Tour from Frankfurt

9. Hohenzollern Castle: Full-Day Tour from Frankfurt

Journey into the mountains of the Swabian Alps to visit one of the most remarkable fortresses in Germany. This day trip takes you through the charming woodland in the south of Germany, on a journey filled with history and stories from the height of the House of Hohenzollern. Depart Frankfurt for the drive south into the forests of Baden-Wurttemberg. Get an outstanding look at the isolated peak of Hohenzollern as the mountain rises over the countryside, crowned by the majestic 19th-century castle that stands atop its peak.  As you step onto the castle grounds, your guide will explain how an earlier fortress built on this mountain lent its name to the family dynasty that would rise to rule the kingdom of Prussia and become emperors of Germany. Reflect on 1,000 years of heritage, from Friedrich I to Wilhelm II, as you explore the mighty ramparts, courtyard, and towers. Take spectacular photographs of the surrounding lands. Next, follow your guide into the grand halls and exquisitely furnished rooms, where old paintings, porcelain, and works of gold and silver rest among artifacts from the Hohenzollern dynasty. Take a look at a uniform that belonged to Frederick the Great and the crown of Kaiser Wilhelm II before you depart for your journey back to Frankfurt.

Romantic Road Ticket Würzburg - Rothenburg o.d.T. with wine

10. Romantic Road Ticket Würzburg - Rothenburg o.d.T. with wine

Take a trip down an authentic German holiday route. Sample locally-made wines, and explore local landmarks in the company of a guide in historical costume. Begin your trip outside Würzburg main station. Board your air-conditioned coach, cross the River Main, and head for the vineyards of the Tauber Valley. Cruise past Bad Mergentheim and the wine town of Markelsheim as you enjoy your journey. Alight at Weikersheim to meet your guide in historical costume. Be led through a renaissance castle and park, designed in the style of Versailles. Encounter Röttingen, regarded as Germany's first European city, and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, claimed to be the most romantic city in Germany. Taste 3 different wines from the Markelsheim winegrowers' cooperative. Start with a welcome glass of Secco on the journey out, then enjoy a Müller Thurgau or Silvaner white as you drive along the vineyards in the Tauber Valley, and a glass of red on your way home.

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What people are saying about Hessen

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 128 reviews

The tour is amazing! Mikle our guide is absolutely the best! He gave us so much interesting information, I just have to plan another visit to Frankfurt to try everything he was talking about! The restaurant where we stop for a dinner is so interesting, I have never saw interior like that!!!! Food was not my taste, but I will definitely recommend to visit this place for drink and wonder around. You can easily spend few hour in the restaurant exploring all little things they collected and displayed. Boat ride was amazing! I didn’t want it to stop!

This is an easy day trip and I would definitely recommend it! Since we were a small group of about 12, we were able to stop along scenic spots for photos and to enjoy the sights. Our guide Michael was funny and wonderful too. The wine tasting part was not so impressive but it was not the highlight of the trip anyway so that was ok.

Począwszy od komunikacji z biurem obsługi klienta, poprzez podróż w super komfortowym autokarze skończywszy na zwiedzaniu z przewodnikiem, który swoja wiedzą imponował wszystkim uczestnikom, oceniam tą atrakcję na 5*. Jestem pod ogromnym wrażeniem.

Excellent trip. Our guide Michael was entertaining and knowledgeable. The boat cruise was outstanding, especially since we had the boat to ourselves! And the castles were spectacular. I would recommend this trip to all!

From start to finish everything went as I expected.