Ultimate Mainz Guide

Mainz is an amazing day-trip from Frankfurt. The student city is super charming and full of surprises. Packed with history and beauty, its sights and buildings will leave you wanting to explore more.

This guide is your ultimate resource for planning the perfect day trip from Frankfurt to Mainz. It covers everything you need to see, from famous attractions to hidden treasures, packed into a perfect one-day itinerary. Get ready to discover why Mainz might just be the BEST day trip from Frankfurt!

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Is Mainz worth visiting?

Short answer: yes! Mainz has heaps of history, from Roman ruins to being the city where Gutenberg invented the printing press. Apart from that and being nicknamed “wine capital”, Mainz is simply stunning. But I’ll let the pictures in this post speak for themselves.

What is there to do in Mainz? The top 10 things to do in Mainz:

Gutenberg Museum

If you’re interested in printing and the history of books, then the Gutenberg Museum is a must-visit. It  explores the life and work of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. You’ll be able to see a replica of Gutenberg’s printing press, learn about the development of printing techniques, and experience a live demonstration. The entry fee is 5 € (3 € with a student ID) and the museum is bigger than I had anticipated. Make sure to check out the section on printing in Asia!

St. Stephen’s Church

This stunning church is one of the oldest in Mainz. Step inside to admire its beautiful Chagall stained glass windows, that are world-famous. On a sunny day, the blue from the windows is mesmerizing.

Mainz Cathedral

Officially called the Cathedral of Saint Martin (Dom St. Martin), this massive Gothic masterpiece is almost 1,000 years old. Head inside and don’t miss out on the tranquil courtyard!

Roman Theater

The Roman Theater in Mainz (ancient Mogontiacum) was excavated in the late 1990s and is just one part of Mainz’ Roman history. It is located right next to the “Roman Theater” station and used to be the largest Roman theater north of the Alps, with an estimated capacity of ten thousand people. On one side, the seating has been reconstructed using metal to showcase what it used to look like.

Mainz Citadel

The Citadel is an impressive fortress overlooking the city of Mainz. The citadel was built in the 16th century and served as an important military outpost for centuries.

St. Peter Church

My local friend’s favorite church is easily recognizable by its two towers. The inside is absolutely stunning too, and I generally suggest you hop into every church you come across in Mainz, because I have not once been disappointed. Just be warned, there are a lot of them.

Holzturm (Wooden Tower)

This historic watchtower stands guard near the banks of the Rhine. Unfortunately, you can’t climb to the top, but it is worth a short stop either way.

Rhine Stroll

Take a break from sightseeing and enjoy a relaxing walk or bike ride along the scenic Rhine River. Soak up the fresh air, admire the beautiful views, and watch the boats go by.

Gautor

This pretty sandstone gate was once part of the medieval city walls. “Gau” is colloquial for horse, so its name literally means “horse gate”. If you pay close attention, you’ll be able to tell why.

Fastnacht Fountain

Celebrate Mainz’s carnival spirit with this quirky fountain. Over 200 bronze figures come together in a showcase of costumes, characters, and the city’s love for Fastnacht (German Carnival).

What is the best itinerary for one day in Mainz?

I created this one-day itinerary based on the top things to do in Mainz. You will never need to walk for more than 10 minutes between sights, apart from the stroll along the Rhine. Check out the itinerary on the map:

How to get to Mainz as a day trip from Frankfurt

It’s super easy! Trains run between Frankfurt and Mainz all the time, and the ride is only about 30-45 minutes. Hop on S8 towards Wiesbaden or catch a regional train from the main train station (lines RE 2, 3, 4 or 14). If you’re arriving by S8 you have the choice between getting off at the roman theater or Mainz main train station, although I would suggest the roman theater as a starting point for city exploration.

Is Mainz walkable? Getting around Mainz

Totally! Mainz is a pretty compact city, and most of the sights are within walking distance of each other. Plus, walking is a great way to soak up the atmosphere and hidden gems. There are many cute streets and buildings I only stumbled upon because I was walking.

If your feet are sore (mine definitely were, but I also walked around in circles a few times), you can always fall back onto the well-developed bus network within the city.

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