This is the World's Best City and Airport for Layovers

Jan Johannessen
18 minutes ago
5 min read

If you find yourself with a connecting flight and a decent window between planes, stopovers can offer more than just transit — you can turn what could be lost hours into meaningful travel memories. And some airports are better than others.

According to All Clear Travel Insurance's 2025 ranking of the world's Best Stopover Cities, Frankfurt takes the crown. The ranking is based on walkability, transit time from the airport, cost of one-night hotel stays, distance between major attractions, number of onward flight destinations, and typical daily tourist spending. Frankfurt had a top Stopover Score of 78.3/100.

The Top 10 Layover Cities, according to All Clear Travel Insurance

Frankfurt, Germany (Score: 78.3)
Doha, Qatar (75.4)
Atlanta, United States (74.5)
Copenhagen, Denmark (74.2)
Warsaw, Poland (74.2)
Dublin, Ireland (73.1)
Vienna, Austria (72.9)
Baltimore, United States (72.8)
Amsterdam, Netherlands (72.7)
Zurich, Switzerland (72.7)

With just 15 minutes from the airport to the city centre and a tightly packed old town, with a bit of planning, you can feasibly spend several hours exploring and still make your onward flight with ease. Turn between-flight minutes into meaningful wanderings, coffee stops, and culture bites. Here are 10 must-sees and do:

Römerberg & the Old Town (Altstadt)

The historic heart of Frankfurt — a postcard-perfect square framed by reconstructed half-timbered façades and the ornate Römer, the city hall since 1405. Wander through cobbled alleys that survived or were faithfully rebuilt after WWII, and admire the Fountain of Justice in the centre. The nearby Paulskirche, St. Paul's Church, birthplace of Germany's first parliament, adds historical depth to your stroll. Cafés spill into the square, making it perfect for a quick coffee before your onward flight.

Address: Römerberg 26, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Website: frankfurt.de

Frankfurt Cathedral

This Gothic masterpiece once hosted the coronation of Holy Roman Emperors. Its 95-metre tower rewards climbers with panoramic views of the skyline and the River Main. Inside, red sandstone columns rise to vaulted ceilings, and fragments of medieval stained glass shimmer softly in the light. Don't miss the cathedral museum downstairs, which traces the site's 1,200-year history.

Address: Domplatz 1, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Website: dom-frankfurt.de

Eiserner Steg

This elegant 19th-century pedestrian bridge connects the Old Town with Sachsenhausen and has become a local symbol of connection. Thousands of love locks glitter along its railings, and its central location offers one of the most iconic photo ops in the city — the skyline of glass and steel rising above the Main River. Stop for a few moments to watch riverboats glide by or cross at sunset for the golden view back towards the Altstadt.

Address: Eiserner Steg, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Website: frankfurt.de

Main Tower Observation Deck

Frankfurt's only skyscraper open to the public is a must for first-time visitors. The Main Tower soars 200 metres high, and from its outdoor platform, you can see the Main River winding through the city, the forested Taunus hills beyond, and even planes taking off from Frankfurt Airport. Inside, a restaurant on the 53rd floor serves lunch with a view if you have more time to spare.

Address: Neue Mainzer Str. 52–58, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Website: maintower.de

Alte Oper (Old Opera House)

Destroyed during World War II and painstakingly rebuilt in the 1980s, the Alte Oper is now one of Frankfurt's most prominent landmarks. Its grand Neo-Renaissance façade opens onto Opernplatz, a lively square where locals sip espresso in outdoor cafés. Even if you're not attending a concert, step inside the foyer for a glimpse of marble staircases and chandeliers — a nod to Frankfurt's cultural rebirth.

Address: Opernplatz 1, 60313 Frankfurt am Main

Website: alteoper.de

Kleinmarkthalle

A feast for the senses — and perfect for travellers short on time. This indoor market dates back to 1879 and remains the go-to place for local flavours: try the famous Frankfurter Würstchen, regional cheeses, or freshly made "Grüne Soße" (a herby green sauce) over potatoes or eggs. You can eat standing up at one of the food counters or grab artisanal gifts to take with you. Open until late afternoon.

Address: Hasengasse 5–7, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Website: kleinmarkthalle.de

Sachsenhausen & Apfelwein Taverns

Cross the river to the cobbled streets of Alt-Sachsenhausen, where ivy-clad taverns pour the region's iconic Apfelwein (apple wine) straight from stone jugs. Try Wagner's or Atschel, both local institutions. Pair your drink with hearty dishes like pork schnitzel or Handkäse mit Musik (a marinated cheese speciality). The area feels worlds away from Frankfurt's skyscrapers — a glimpse of traditional Hessen life within walking distance of downtown.

Address: Schweizer Strasse, 60594 Frankfurt am Main

Website: frankfurt-tourismus.de

Palmengarten (Botanical Garden)

This 19th-century botanical garden is one of Europe's oldest, home to 13,000 species from every climate zone. Step inside the tropical palm house or wander the rose gardens and greenhouses filled with orchids and cacti. If your layover allows for a longer stop, it's an oasis of calm just 10 minutes from the central station by U-Bahn. Ideal for travellers needing a nature reset after a long-haul flight.

Address: Siesmayerstr. 61, 60323 Frankfurt am Main

Website: palmengarten.de

Goethe House & Museum

The birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's most celebrated writer, has been meticulously restored to reflect the appearance of an 18th-century bourgeois home. The rooms display original furniture, manuscripts, and portraits, offering insight into how the young Goethe lived and wrote. The adjoining museum expands the story with exhibits about his work and its impact on European literature.

Address: Großer Hirschgraben 23–25, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Website: goethehaus-frankfurt.de

Museumsufer

Frankfurt's Museum Embankment stretches along both sides of the River Main, featuring more than a dozen world-class museums within walking distance. Art lovers should head to the Städel Museum (German and European masters from Rembrandt to Richter) or the Museum of Modern Art (MMK) for bold contemporary works. For lighter entertainment, the German Film Museum offers interactive exhibits about cinema history. It's easy to combine two or three in a matter of a few hours.

Address: Schaumainkai 17, 60594 Frankfurt am Main

Website: staedelmuseum.de

Practical tips for the layover

Getting there:

The airport-city-centre ride is highly efficient. From Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to the central station, it takes about 13-15 minutes by S-Bahn or regional train from Terminal 1.

Ensure you have sufficient buffer time to return, clear any transit formalities, and reach your gate on time.

Choose attractions clustered close to each other (Römerberg, Eiserner Steg, Main Tower) to minimise transit within the city and maximise experience.

Try local food:

Such as Apfelwein, Frankfurter Würstchen, and regional "Grüne Soße" (green sauce), which make quick but authentic meals.

Storage:

Luggage lockers and staffed storage are available in Terminal 1, Area B, Level 1.

Minimum layover time:

6 hours for a short city walk; 8 hours if you want to explore multiple sites.

Transit note:

If your luggage is checked through and your passport/visa permits entry, you can treat this as a "mini-city break" rather than simply waiting in the airport lounge.