zug mainz tourist

8 Best Things To Do In Zug: All The Must-See Places

Staying in Zug, Switzerland, and you need ideas on what to do in town? Then you’ve come to the right place because this detailed guide to the best things to do in Zug covers all the top attractions in the city and more!

The best tourist attractions, the most iconic landmarks, and even the most popular places just outside the town are all covered in this guide. Keep reading to see what Zug is best known for and plan your itinerary for this beautiful city in Switzerland!

Table of Contents

Facts About Zug

Zug is the largest town in the canton of Zug and its capital. It’s situated on the shore of Lake Zug and surrounded by beautiful nature, which is just one of many appealing things about this city.

One fun fact about this town is the story behind its name. If you speak German, it is a little odd because Zug means “train”. However, how Zug got it’s more interesting than that!

The name of the town originates from the fishing vocabulary of the Middle Ages, in which Zug referred to one’s right to pull up fishing nets, or in other words the right to fish.

Weird, huh?

Zuger Kirschtorte is a staple local recipe originating from this charming town and is one Swiss dessert you need to try if you visit. I’m very serious about this – you wouldn’t leave Paris without eating at least one croissant, and you definitely shouldn’t leave Zug without eating at least one (pound) of Zuger Kirschtorte.

Zug is just 25 minutes away from Zurich by train, which makes it one of the most popular day trips from Switzerland’s financial capital. Whether you’re staying in Zug for a while or visiting it on a day trip from one of the other cities, you’ll have a great time here!

Explore The Zug Old Town

 Few Swiss cities have an old town with a history as rich as Zug’s. The medieval Zug Altstadt has a history of more than 800 years, with many buildings that date back to the Middle Ages.

Zug’s old town is an excellent example of how architectural styles changed over time in Switzerland. Although the city boasts many buildings constructed in the Middle Ages, other eras have left their marks on the town, and you can quickly notice these on a tour of Zug’s cobbled streets of the old town.  

Climb any tower or viewpoint in the town and you’ll immediately notice the unique medieval roof style. It dominates the skyline of Zug, and it is overshadowed only by the spectacular Zytturm Tower.

Zytturm – The Elegant Clock Tower

• Address : Kolinplatz, Zug
• Monday – Friday: 8 am -12 pm, 1.30 pm – 5 pm
• Tower Key is available from the police station during opening hours

The Zytturm Tower , located on Kolinplatz, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Zug. The clock tower was originally built in the 13th century by Hans Felder. For many years, it functioned as a fire lookout tower. It is currently 52 meters tall but has changed significantly over time.

 Like the Zytglogge in Bern , the Zug Zytturm is renowned for its impressive astronomical clock, which was added to the tower in 1574. The internal mechanism was updated in 1955, which means it is still running like clockwork!

Like all astronomical clocks, It has a variety of indicators, including

• the hour, minute, and second hands
• weekdays and months
• a lunar phase indicator
• a sun showing the zodiac
• a leap year indicator in the shape of an S

Interestingly, there are also eight cantonal coats of arms on the east side of the tower, which represent the original eight cantons that formed Switzerland. Zug was one of the last two to join the confederacy at the time, and you can see its white/blue/white coat of arms at the far end.

You can climb to the top of the tower to get a stunning panoramic view of Zug. It took me around 5 minutes to do, and I recommend you do it if you have the time. The only complication is that you have to go into the police station to get the key.

Zug Castle – Museum Burg Zug

• Address: Kirchenstrasse 11, 6300 Zug
• Tuesday-Friday 2-5 pm
• Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
• Adults: CHF 10
• Teenagers (up to 25yrs): CHF 6
• Children (up to 16yrs): Free

The Zug Castle is situated just outside the old town of Zug, and it’s another landmark that cements how rich the history of this beautiful city is. The castle dates back to the 13th century, and it is considered a heritage site of national significance.

The appearance of the castle has changed many times over the years. Many different families owned it until ownership was finally handed over to the municipality of Zug in the mid-20th century. The castle was then renovated, and a permanent collection of the Zug town museum was placed inside.

The museum collection inside the castle boasts a different exhibit in every room, which tells you about the city of Zug through the years. Discover the impact French mercenaries had on the town, the history of the ownership of the Zug Castle, what a chemist’s shop looked like in the 18th century, and so much more!

It’s worth noting that Museum Burg Zug often hosts special exhibits temporary exhibits in addition to its permanent collection.

Kunsthaus Zug – Discover Modernism

• Address: Dorfstrasse 27, 6301 Zug
• Tuesday – Friday: 12 – 6 pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 10 am – 17 pm
• Adults: CHF 15
• Students & Pensioners: CHF 12
• Children (up to 16): Free

Kunsthaus Zug is an art museum just across the street from Zug Castle. It’s the perfect museum in town for art lovers, particularly those who enjoy Viennese modernist paintings.

The museum has a significant collection of many German masters, including Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka, Gerstl, and others. But there is a lot more to the museum, too. Its collection includes a wide range of Swiss Surrealism and Fantastic Realism, regional artists , and many others.

Kunsthaus Zug often hosts temporary exhibitions, so it’s worth revisiting the museum. The temporary collections stay on display for months at a time, and you can always check what their latest exhibits are on the museum website.

Stroll Along The Lake Zug Promenade

The beautiful town of Zug is situated on the shore of Lake Zug, so a lakeside promenade walk is an absolute must, no matter how long you’re staying in town. It’s the best way to experience this wonderful town and enjoy scenic views of the tall mountain peaks.

Don’t miss out on the Zug Voliere – it’s between the shore and the entrance into the old town, and it’s one of the most popular attractions in the area. The aviary is free to visit, and it’s home to all sorts of pretty birds, from the snowy owl to the scarlet ibis.

If you’re traveling in Zug with kids, this is an attraction you shouldn’t miss because the little ones will love the sight of beautiful tropical birds.

Explore Zug’s Surroundings

Zug is well-connected to other major cities and towns in Switzerland by train, and if you’re staying in the area for a while, you should plan to explore the city’s surroundings. Zurich and Lucerne are 20-30 minutes away from Zug by train, and they’re both beautiful cities worth visiting.

Lucerne is surrounded by spectacular mountains, including Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus, which can be seen from most places in town. The city’s most famous attraction is Chapel Bridge, a long wooden footbridge adorned with beautiful paintings. It’s free to visit and you can walk across it whenever you want. Do it, and you’ll discover a historic landmark in this city, which has managed to withstand the test of time and fire. Plus, the views of River Reuss and Lake Luzerne from the bridge are quite spectacular.

Zurich is considered the financial capital of Switzerland, the center of Crypto Valley , and it’s the most populous city in the country. It’s home to a plethora of landmarks and attractions, both natural and man-made. Lake Zurich and Mount Uetliberg can be explored on a day trip from Zug, along with the staple old town landmarks like Grossmunster, Fraumunster, the Rietberg Museum, the Zurich Opera House, and many others!

Related Reading

15 best swiss cities to visit (not just the popular ones), enjoy lake zug.

The lakeside location is one of the best things about the town of Zug, especially if you visit in the summer. You can have heaps of fun on the water, whether you prefer swimming and sunbathing or you’re one to rent SUPs and kayaks.

You will find beaches and swimming areas in Zug, but you’ll want to explore those outside the city limits if you would rather avoid the crowds. Zug’s public beaches can get crowded during the peak summer season, but they rarely get so crowded that you’re forced to bump towels with other beach-goers.

Most beaches on Lake Zug offer a variety of fun water activities to visitors. You can usually rent SUPs, kayaks, and paddle boats on the monitored beaches, plus there are a bunch of secluded areas where you can have a small slice of paradise all to yourself.

Head Up Zugerberg Mountain

Zugerberg Mountain is Zug’s local mountain that can be easily accessed by public transport from the town. The forested summit is very popular with outdoor lovers who visit Zug, particularly hikers who want to discover the mountain’s many scenic trails.

Although Zugerberg is not on everyone’s radar, the views across Lake Zug to Rigi and Pilatus, as well as the other distance peaks, is worth the ride up. When the slopes of Zugerberg are covered with snow in the winter, the hiking trails remain accessible to snowshoers for epic winter hiking experiences.

In addition to a vast network of hiking trails, Zugerberg is also very popular for mountain biking. There’s a very popular MTB trail that runs down the mountain and is bound to give you a proper adrenaline rush. I have not had the chance to try it yet, but I hiked up beside it recently and watched a few guys coming down. It looks amazing.

Paragliding is another popular thing to do in the area. You can enjoy scenic views of the town and the lake while flying over them – what’s not to love about that experience?

Map of Things to See in Zug

Frequently Asked Questions

Is zug worth a visit.

Zug is undoubtedly worth a visit on a day trip. With its stunning lakeside location and historic old town, Zug has a lot to offer. Most people only know it for being a tax haven, but you should head there at least once to see for yourself.

Is Zug beautiful?

Zug is a wonderful Swiss city situated on the shores of the alpine lake of Zug, with stunning mountains like Rigi, the Grosser Mythen, and Pilatus making for a breathtaking background. On top of that, it has a lovely historic town center that is a joy to explore.

What is Zug Switzerland known for?

Zug is known for being a tax haven for businesses in Switzerland. As such, a lot of foreign and local companies are headquartered there. With high salaries and a great lakeside location, it also has a fantastic quality of life.

Do people speak English in Zug?

Although the majority of people in Zug speak German or Swiss-German, there is a large proportion who speak English. It is estimated that more than 10% of the local population speaks the languageZ

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Our Free Swiss Tips Guide

Popular destinations, important pages, on social media, travel planning, certified swiss travel expert.

At the station

Advice and support, departure and arrival, replacement service.

• Bicycle parking
• Bicycle garage

Shopping and eating

Luggage lockers, equipment for accessibility, mobility service.

Yes, please register in advance by calling 030 65 21 28 88 (local rate)

DB Information

Lost property office, mobile service staff, db reisezentrum, db reinigungsteam, feedback and contact, discover more content.

Celebrate diversity during Pride Month 2024

DB Bahnhof live

Bicycle services at the train station

Home » Travel Guides » Germany » 15 Best Things to Do in Mainz (Germany)

15 Best Things to Do in Mainz (Germany)

Germany’s wine capital, Mainz was founded by the Romans on the left bank of the Rhine and has more than 2,000 years of history. Looming over the Altstadt’s romantic warren of cobblestone streets is the huge Romanesque cathedral, burial place for centuries of ruling Prince Archbishops.

The city’s museums have Roman artefacts discovered beneath the city, like a small armada of 1700-year-old warships now kept in an industrial locomotive shed. In the 1430s the Mainz citizen Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, and the museum dedicated to him has two of the remaining editions of the Gutenberg bible. Mainz also puts on a big-time carnival, and its televised parade on Shrove Monday pulls in hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Mainz :

1. Mainz Cathedral

With a millennium of history in its walls, Mainz’s immense sandstone cathedral radiates religious and political power.

The design is still mostly Romanesque from the High Middle Ages, but there’s also some Gothic and Baroque design in the chapels and roof.

The interior has the largest set of funerary monuments to Prince-Archbishops in the former Holy Roman Empire.

These monuments represent all phases of European art history, from Gothic to Baroque, as well as the Medieval revival styles of the 19th century.

In the Kettelerkapelle.

In the High Middle Ages six German monarchs, from Agnes de Poitou in 1043 to Heinrich Raspe in 1246 were crowned in the cathedral.

Be sure to see the treasury, rich with centuries of religious art.

2. Gutenberg Museum

The Gutenberg Museum was inaugurated in 1900 on the 500th anniversary of Johannes Gutenberg’s birth, and in 1927 moved into the delightful Renaissance townhouse, “Zum Römischen Kaiser” across the way from the cathedral.

There are quite a few wonders to wow visitors in its galleries, including two of the 29 remaining copies of the Gutenberg bible, the first work that Gutenberg published.

You can also see the earliest known example of woodblock printing, produced in Japan in 770, as well as other highly valuable works printed in the 15th century.

One is “Peregrinationes in Terram Sanctam”, an illustrated travel memoir from a trip to the Holy Land, printed in 1483.

The largest of the four squares around the cathedral, Markt is on the north side and developed with the cathedral in the 10th century.

There’s a market trading here on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday mornings.

You can also go in for a closer look at some of the monuments on the square: The Marktbrunnen (Market Fountain), is a highly ornamented Renaissance fountain, donated in 1526 by the Elector of Brandenburg.

In front of the cathedral is the Gotthardkapelle, a Romanesque palace chapel ordered by Adalbert of Mainz in 1137. Lastly, the Heunensäule is a sandstone column in the centre of the square.

This is one of 42 that was carved for the reconstruction of the cathedral after it burnt down in 1009 but never used.

Only eight are known to survive today in different spots around Germany.

4. Stephanskirche

Atop the highest hill in the old city, Stephanskirche was founded in 990 and has mostly Gothic architecture from the 1300s.

A later extension was the beautiful Gothic cloister, added in the 15th century, with marvellous vaults on its south wall.

And although the style of the building is much as it was in the Middle Ages, the church has come through a difficult 200 years: In 1857 an explosion destroyed the Baroque facade, while the church and its western belfry were only restored in the 1970s after taking damage in the war.

The windows in the choir, famed for their blue tones, were redesigned by Marc Chagall between 1978 and 1985, and there’s nothing to compare to them in Germany.

The church also has some Medieval fittings like an altar table from the 1200s and a sizeable tabernacle from the beginning of the 16th century.

5. Kirschgarten

One of the prettiest scenes in Mainz is this small rectangular square enclosed by tall half-timbered houses.

The square itself dates back to before 1329, while its houses are from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

One, Zum Aschaffenberg is the oldest preserved half-timbered house in Mainz, built around 1500. In front of another fine old house, Zum Beimburg you can find the remains of a stump: This isn’t actually a cherry tree as it is often claimed to be (Kirschgarten means cherry orchard), but an almost petrified oak.

At the centre, bordered by a restaurant terrace, is the Kirchgartenbrunnen, a fountain that has only been here since 1932 and is made with red sandstone repurposed from broken ornamental structures on the Theodor Heuss Bridge.

6. Schillerplatz

A grand tree-lined square, Schillerplatz was already a public plaza in Mainz’s Roman era and was used as a marketplace in the Middle Ages.

The square is fringed by regal palaces in the Baroque and Rococo styles housing state government offices.

There’s a bronze statue of the poet and playwright Friedrich Schiller, put up on his 100th birthday in 1859. But the square’s most striking monument is the nine-metre-high Mainzer Fastnachtsbrunnen, which commemorates the famous carnival celebrations that take over the square on Shrove Monday.

This fountain is a postcard favourite and is decorated with more than 200 bronze figures from Mainz history and local folklore.

7. Rheinufer

If you’re in the mood, you can walk beside the Rhine for hours, from Mainz’s Neustadt in the north to the railway bridge that marks the southern limit of the city in the south.

In summer you won’t have to take more than a few steps before coming to a Biergarten with riverside views, an ice cream stand, or long lawns where you watch one of the world’s great rivers flow past.

On the Stresemann-Ufer beside the Altstadt there’s a lovely perspective of the cathedral, as well as pieces of public art and a remnant of the city’s Baroque fortifications at the red sandstone Templertor.

8. Augustinerkirche

Built between 1768 and 1771, the Catholic Augustinerkirche is a Baroque masterpiece unaffected by the Second World War.

Above the portal on Augustinerstraße look for the group of sculptures depicting the coronation of Mary between Augustine of Hippo and his mother Monica of Hippo.

As the church was funded by wealthy patrons, the interior has almost overwhelming Rococo decoration, glinting with gilded stucco and dramatic frescoes glorifying the life of Augustine of Hippo.

The church’s organ from 1773 is one of the few created by Johann Heinrich Stumm to make it to the 21st century, but there’s also one piece that looks a little out of place: In a niche between the southern side altars is an image of Maria with Child, carved in 1420 and brought here after its church burnt down in 1793.

9. Landesmuseum Mainz

A museum of archaeology, art and culture, the Landesmuseum Mainz has a collection that begins in prehistory and comes right up to the 21st century.

The attraction is in a Baroque former barracks building that was given a modern glass annexe in 2010. If you love Gothic and Renaissance art there’s much to uncover, like a cycle of paintings of Mary by Master of the Housebook, as well as works by Hans Baldung Grien and a stunning painting of Mary with Child by Lorenzo di Credi.

A highlight in the medieval department is a gold and enamel fibula dating to 1000, depicting an eagle an encrusted with sapphires.

The Baroque collection has refined pieces of furniture, like a Rococo writing desk designed by master craftsman Peter Schuß, adorned with gilded carvings and dainty walnut and cherry wood marquetry.

10. Museum of Ancient Seafaring

In the early 1980s the well-preserved remains of several Roman war ships from the 4th century were found during construction work by the Rhine.

These five vessels are the core of this museum’s exhibition and are from two different designs.

There are also full-sized replicas to show what these boats would have looked like 1700 years ago.

There are also models illustration the many types of craft that navigated the Rhine in Roman times, as well as riveting artefacts like a ship’s bronze bow spur from the 200s.

The location also deserves mention as the museum is in the vast former repair hall of the Hessische Ludwigsbahn railway, dating to 1870.

11. Heiligtum der Isis und Mater Magna

When the Römerpassage shopping mall was being built in the late-1990s workers happened upon a sanctuary devoted to Isis and Cybele that had been used until the 3rd century.

A small but diverting museum was later set up in the basement of the Römerpassage around the ruins.

There’s a raised glass walkway, allowing you to look down into the remnants of the sanctuary, which is labelled with information boards.

Along the walls are glass cases full of the interesting finds made on the site.

Among them are some of the hundreds of clay oil lamps discovered here, as well as animal sacrifices, curses inscribed on lead tablets and statuettes of Mercury and Venus.

12. Holzturm and Eisenturm (Wooden Tower and Iron Tower)

The main vestiges of Mainz’s defensive wall are two towers a few hundred metres apart on Rheinstraße.

Both were raised in the 1200s and have a Late Gothic design from the early 1400s.

The pair were damaged in the war but were restored in the 1961 to celebrate Mainz’s 2000th anniversary.

These lofty buildings were used as gatehouses, watchtowers and prisons.

The wooden tower held one of the most famous outlaws in German history, Schinderhannes, who was locked up here after a spree of daring robberies and an escape from jail.

Following 15 months in prison he was guillotined by the French authorities in 1803 in front of a crowd of 40,000.

13. Mainzer Fastnacht

Carnival season in Mainz begins on 11 November and continues right the way through to Shrovetide in February or March.

There are small events happening throughout this time, but the everything ramps up for the days leading up to Ash Wednesday.

Shrove Monday is definitely the day to be in the city, so long as you don’t mind crowds, as 500,000 spectators line the streets for the Rosenmontagszug parade.

There are almost 10,000 participants in the procession that snakes past the sights in the Alt Stadt.

The parade in Mainz is famous for its wit, and floats carry enormous satirical set pieces with an irreverent take on world affairs.

14. 1. FSV Mainz 05

Even though they were playing amateur football just 30 years ago, the local football team has been a constant presence in the Bundesliga since 2010. In 2011 the club moved into the new 34,000-capacity Opel Arena, which is a superb place to watch a football match, with high tiers and a cacophonous noise created by 15,000 standing fans.

The club also infuses local carnival culture into matches: Whenever Mainz score they play the Narrhallamarsch, which is the signature tune of the Mainzer Fastnacht.

If you can’t catch a match but want to see inside the stadium there are multilingual 90-minute tours on Fridays at 17:00, taking you around the dressing room, dugouts, corporate hospitality boxes and the conference room.

15. Spundekäs

If you fancy trying something local, Spundekäs is as authentic as it gets in Mainz.

This is a smooth cheese paste, partly made from quark and seasoned with pepper, salt and sweet paprika.

When you order Spundekäs it will normally come with chopped onion sprinkled on top and with crackers and mini pretzels on the side for dipping.

The perfect match is Riesling or Müller-Thurgau wine, from the surrounding Rheinhessen region.

Another cheese that is a bit more challenging is Handkäse, which is often marinated in vinegar and has a powerful aroma.

15 Best Things to Do in Mainz (Germany):

• Mainz Cathedral
• Gutenberg Museum
• Stephanskirche
• Kirschgarten
• Schillerplatz
• Augustinerkirche
• Landesmuseum Mainz
• Museum of Ancient Seafaring
• Heiligtum der Isis und Mater Magna
• Holzturm and Eisenturm (Wooden Tower and Iron Tower)
• Mainzer Fastnacht
• 1. FSV Mainz 05

• 1.1 Tourist information
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 2.5 By boat
• 3.1 Public transportation
• 3.2 By bike
• 3.3 By e-hailing
• 4.1 Museums
• 8.1 Food Markets
• 8.2.1 City centre
• 8.2.2 Around the main train station
• 8.2.3 South-west Mainz
• 8.3.1 International
• 8.4 Splurge
• 9.2 Beer gardens
• 10.1 Budget
• 10.2 Mid-range
• 10.3 Splurge
• 11 Stay safe

Mainz is the capital city of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany . Mainz is notable as a transport hub, for wine production, and for its many rebuilt historic buildings. In 2019, it was home to about 219,000 people.

Once the episcopal seat of the influential Prince-Electors, the "civilized" origins of Mainz date back to around 38 BC, when the Romans built a citadel here, named Mogontiacum . It was founded by the Roman general Drusus, brother of emperor Tiberius and father of emperor Claudius, at the strategic confluence of the Rhine and the Main; it shortly became the provincial capital of Germania Superior. Drusus died while campaigning beyond the Rhine, in the summer of 9 BC; his body was brought here to be mourned, and a massive funeral monument dedicated to him was built. The so-called 49.992222 8.274167 1 Drususstein still stands (although unclad of its marble) inside the citadel of Mainz.

The city's location at the confluence of the Rhine and the Main rivers is ideal for trade, something reflected by the artifacts kept in the Landesmuseum, that show there have been settlements here since 300,000 BC.

The most logical starting point is the Dom, the Cathedral of St Martin and St Stephan, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, when the farmers' market is open. Although the cathedral was actually started in 975, most of what is seen today was built from the 11th to the 13th centuries. At the Dom und Diözesanmuseum in the cathedral cloisters, you can truly witness the opulence and wealth controlled by the Church in Mainz.

Mainz is also the home of the man identified by Time Magazine as the most important individual in the last millennium, Johannes Gutenberg, who most Westerners regard to be the inventor of the moveable type printing press (though the Chinese had actually preceded him by centuries).

Mainz is also the home of the music publisher Schott Music.

Tourist information

• Mainz tourism website

From Frankfurt International Airport ( FRA  IATA ), the local train S8 towards Wiesbaden stops at Mainz Hauptbahnhof (or optionally Mainz Römisches Theater ). The train runs at least every 30 minutes daily, and takes around 30 minutes to get the Mainz. Also regional trains towards Koblenz and Saarbrücken stop in Mainz. Both options share the same local tariff, regional trains are faster and somewhat more convenient. Cologne/Bonn Airport ( CGN  IATA ) is served by a direct ICE connection and from low cost hub Frankfurt-Hahn Airport ( HHN  IATA ) there is a direct shuttle bus connection.

Mainz has several train stations. The biggest and the only one in which InterCity and InterCityExpress trains stop is 50.001436 8.259119 1 Mainz Hauptbahnhof ( main station ), it is on the western edge of the city centre and works as a general hub for local traffic. Flixtrain serves the city.

Nightjet , the Austrian Railways' sleeper train , runs twice a week from Brussels via Mainz to Vienna , Munich and Innsbruck . It calls at Frankfurt airport, Würzburg and Nuremberg where it divides: one portion runs via Linz to Vienna, the other via Munich to Innsbruck. In 2020 it doesn't run in July and Aug, but it's expected to be year-round from 2021.

Another noteworthy station is 49.993726 8.277766 2 Mainz Römisches Theater ( Roman theatre ), south of the centre, but it is only served by regional and commuter trains. Both are served from Frankfurt , about 45 minutes away, by S-Bahn line S8.

As of 2019, the cost of a single ticket on the Regional train (S-Bahn line S8) to Mainz Hauptbahnhof from the Frankfurt International Airport was €4.95.

Behind the Rhine bridge there is the station Mainz-Kastel with S-Bahn line S1, S9 and Stadt-Express SE10 from Frankfurt to Wiesbaden.

Mainz is ringed by the A60 from Bingen / Rüsselsheim and the A643 and A671 from Wiesbaden , at the northern end of the A63 from Kaiserslautern .

• A61 from Koblenz
• A66 from Fulda
• A3/A67 Frankfurt am Main

When parking in Mainz if you use your EC debit card or a credit card in the entrance and exit machines instead of pressing for a pay at machine ticket you will get 10% discount on the parking fee. Alternatively taking a ticket from the machine on entrance allows 4 people to travel for free on buses and trams in the city.

50.000435 8.258504 3 Mainz intercity bus station

A number of long range buses (including Flixbus) serve Mainz, usually halting at Hauptbahnhof . The station is also a hub for local bus traffic, serving the surrounding countryside and Wiesbaden.

From Frankfurt Hahn Airport for those arriving with Ryanair, there is a direct bus service to Mainz roughly every 90 minutes. The ORN bus stop which services this route is just outside the main train station's police department. The service takes approx. 60-70 min.

A number of companies offer river cruises, typically leaving from Cologne or Koblenz and terminating in Mainz (and vice versa). The KD Rhine River Cruise Pass [dead link] offers a cruise of the Rhine river around all the way to Cologne with the possibility of stops along the way.

The centre of town is accessible on foot from Mainz Hauptbahnhof. There are signposts and maps throughout the city centre, or you can pick up a map from the DB information desk in the station.

• The day ticket for Mainz and Wiesbaden cost €6.50 (Bus, Tram, S-Bahn and Regionalbahn). The Single-Ticket cost €2.70. ( MVG , RMV )
• Some good offers to explore the surroundings include the Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket [dead link] , offering unlimited travel in local trains for up to 5 persons inside the states of Rhineland-Palatinate , Saarland and Wiesbaden . The ticket costs €24 - 44 per day (as of 2015) if bought via automat or internet, or €26 - 46 if bought at a ticket stand and is available at all train stations. For Hessen (including Mainz, but not the rest of Rhineland-Palatinate) exists the otherwise similar Hessenticket , costing €34 per day.

Public transportation

The Deutsche Bahn site provides excellent maps, timetables, and route guidance for getting around Mainz via the city's extensive bus and light rail systems. Google maps shows the locations of tram and bus stops in Mainz. If you click the tram or bus symbol, you will get the name of the stop as well as a list of routes serving that stop. The local transit operator (MVG - Mainzer Verkehrsgesellschaft ) has a website in German.

The local transit operator offers a bike rental system, with stations all around the city.

Cost: €1.40 per 30 minutes

Map of available bikes: http://mobil.mvg-mainz.de/stationen-karte.html [dead link]

Registration: https://www.mvg-mainz.de/mainzigartig-mobil/mit-mvgmeinrad/registrierung.html

You have to activate your account in their office, which is in front of the main train station.

By e-hailing

Uber and Free Now cover the city.

• 50.007187 8.266373 4 Christuskirche ( Christ Church ), Kaiserstraße 56 , ☏ +49 6131 234677 . Italian renaissance on the Rhine.  
• Altstadt ( Old town ), Augustinerstraße and Kirschgarten .  
• River Banks . Lots of restaurants and (night) clubs.  

• 50.001009 8.276995 7 City Hall ( Rathaus Mainz ), Jockel-Fuchs-Platz 1 , ☏ +49 6131 120 . The city hall was built in the early 1970s by Danish architects, who used many tons Swedish marble for the façade. Considered modern at the time it was built, the city hall is not very popular today – many consider it too monumental, some even ugly. From the extensive city hall platform there is a beautiful view on the Rhine promenade and the river.  

• 50.006594 8.276757 11 Theodor-Heuss-Brücke ( The Rhine Bridge ) ( between Mainz and Mainz-Kastel ). This is one of three Rhine bridges that connect Mainz with Wiesbaden and the state of Hesse . Like almost all other German Rhine bridges, the former bridge had been destroyed in World War II. The bridge was rebuilt in the early 1950s and named after the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany, Theodor Heuss. Kastel, a former Mainz suburb and several other villages on the right side of the Rhine, has been separated from the city after the war, as the Rhine was the border between the French and American occupation sectors. Even today, Kastel, Kostheim, Amöneburg, Ginsheim, Gustavsburg and the other former suburbs consider themselves part of Mainz, although they are administered by Wiesbaden and Hesse.  
• 50.0054 8.2506 12 Old Jewish Cemetery . Together with sites in Speyer and Worms related to the Jewish history in the region, this cemetery used as a final resting place since the 10th century has been listed by UNESCO in the world heritage list . ( updated Aug 2021 )

• 50.001229 8.268005 16 The Sacred Site of Isis- Mater Magna , Römerpassage 1 . M-Sa 10:00-18:00 . A few years ago, when a shopping center now named Römerpassage ("Roman Shopping Way") was built, the construction workers found the remnants of what used to be a temple in the Roman city of Mainz. So, nowadays, you can visit this site inside the shopping center. It's surrounded by a quite interesting exhibition about the religious purpose of the Isis site. Free of charge .  
• 49.998409 8.27471 17 Bischöfliches Dom-und Diözesanmuseum Mainz , Domstraße 3 , ☏ +49 6131 253 344 . Cathedral museum & treasury, church art.  
• 50.003898 8.270879 19 Naturhistorisches Museum ( Museum of Natural History ), Reichklarastraße 10 , ☏ +49 6131 122646 .  

• Walk around the town. It's a beautiful place to walk around and see the sights.
• Go and explore the outdoor town market on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at the cathedral. On Saturdays, local winegrowers sell their wines to visitors of the market. In the last couple of years this has become some kind of a tourist attraction. If huge crowds are no problem for you, you can have a lot of fun here (wine is sold until 16:00).
• Visit the small but very pretty Altstadt (old-town) of Mainz. Located just behind the cathedral with a beautiful baroque church and a number of well preserved Fachwerkhäuser (Medieval style houses) to be seen.
• 49.983955 8.224328 1 1. FSV Mainz 05 ( Opel Arena ), Isaac-Fulda-Allee 5 . Go to see a football match of the Bundesliga-club in its new stadium.  
• OPEN OHR Festival – in May, Zitadelle Mainz, an alternative youth festival with some (mostly local) music acts and political or creative workshops and movie presentations. A three day ticket costs around €25.
• Mainz Midsummer St. John's Night Festival - Johannisnacht [dead link] – in June
• Carnival in Mainz . Late February - early March 5.  
• 49.995243 8.244545 1 Johannes Guteberg Universität ( University of Mainz ), Saarstraße 21 , ☏ +49 6131 39 0 . The student body is around 36,000.  
• 49.988125 8.228112 2 Fachhochule Mainz ( University of Applied Science ), Lucy-Hillebrand-Straße 2 , ☏ +49 6131 6280 .  

To take in most of the typical main shop name walk north east from the market square to Am Brand then west along Stadthausstraße to Römerpassage .

For more individual shops, explore the Altstadt around Augustinerstraße and Kirschgarten .

Out of town supermarkets can be found in the Gutenberg Center in Mainz-Bretzenheim.

If you want to bring some wine or food from the region, your best bet is the farmers' market on the squares next to the Dome. It is held Tu F Sa from 09:00 to 14:00.

Mainz has two culinary specialities, both types of cheese. Spundekäse is local cream cheese whipped with cream into a soft paste, served with chopped raw onion and pretzels — the taste is mild and it goes great with beer. Handkäse is a sour milk cheese with a pungent aroma, most often served mit Musik , or marinated in vinegar and oil, then sprinkled with caraway seeds, resulting in a bizarre, firm, gelatinous mass that most people find to be a bit of an acquired taste — and the "music" refers to the flatulence it tends to cause!

Food Markets

• 49.999451 8.273441 1 Wochenmarkt Mainz Domplatz ( Farmer's market ). Tu F Sa 09:00-14:00 . A big farmers' market in the Old Town. Some of the stands also sell fast food. One of them, a local fish farm's stand, has really good fish bread rolls. You can also buy really good plums (they are locally grown around Mainz), sometimes the price gets especially cheap after 1pm when the vendors want to get rid of their rests. ( updated May 2022 )

City centre

• 49.996238 8.275684 2 Best Worscht in Town , Augustinerstraße 11 , ☏ +49 6131 88 62 110 . M-Th 11:00-20:00, F Sa 11:00-22:00 . This place is known for its good Currywurst with home-made bread and 9 different sauces. You can also choose how spicy you want your Currywurst. But be cautious, it can be really spicy - it is best to start low! In Frankfurt, there are also several Bestworscht locations. Currywurst €4.10 . ( updated Jul 2022 )
• 50.000731 8.271073 3 Restaurant Brauhaus zur Sonne , Sonnengäßchen 2 . German cuisine ( updated May 2022 )
• 49.997571 8.267787 4 Zur Andau , Gaustraße 77 . German dishes ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.001797 8.266699 5 Die Waffel , Lotharstraße 24 . An Afghani restaurant ( updated May 2022 )
• 49.999104 8.268892 6 Souperie , Große Langgasse 6 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 49.999912 8.267037 7 Pizzeria Kiara , Welschnonnengasse 1 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.002511 8.270695 8 City Döner , Hintere Flachsmarktstraße 10 . ( updated May 2022 )

Around the main train station

• 50.00165 8.259438 9 Meenzer Worschtstubb II , Bahnhofplatz 1 , ☏ +49 6131 1432772 . Sausage and fries ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.003481 8.255003 10 "Bei Helga" , Mombacher Str. 37 . German dishes ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.00177 8.262122 11 Restaurant Grillstube Damaskus , Gärtnergasse 30 . A Syrian restaurant ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.001244 8.261695 12 Tarz Döner , Bahnhofstraße 8 . ( updated May 2022 )

South-west Mainz

• 49.967619 8.228264 13 Gutenberg center , Haifa Allee 1 ( Just off the A60 - Mainz-Lerchenberg ). In the shopping centre is a German Imbiss, small Asia Imbis, Turkish Imbiss, Chinese self-service restaurant, a Subway and German bakery. Across the road you will find McDonalds, Burger King and KFC. ( updated May 2022 )

• 49.997542 8.279986 14 Am Holztor , Holzstraße 40 , ☏ +49 6131 5547700 . Traditional small wine tavern with good selection of wines and beers, servers excellent Schnitzel and Chicken dishes. English menu available. Friendly service. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.996766 8.275239 15 Augustinerkeller , Augustinerstraße 26 , ☏ +49 6131 222662 . Classic German Gaststätte with pictures of old scenes in Mainz. Good typical German food, menu includes English translations. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.99615 8.273949 16 Zum Goldstein , Kartäuserstr. 3 ( hidden in a side street of the Altstadt ). Very pleasant beer garden raised of the street providing a little quite in the centre of town. Reasonably good but not outstanding food. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 50.001541 8.261461 17 Bullys Burger , Parcusstraße 8A , ☏ +49 6131 6193934 . Very small on the separation island of the main road. But do not let that put you off the best burgers and fries in town. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.958965 8.214401 18 [dead link] Gaststätte Berghof , Marienborner Bergweg 33 ( near ZDF Lerchenberg ), ☏ +49 6131 330268 . Good choice of German and Austrian dishes. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.995257 8.273466 19 Eisgrub-Bräu , Weissliliengasse 1a, , ☏ +49 6131 22 11 04 . Open until 12:00, Kitchen until 11:00 . This cavernous ice cellar has brewed its own beer since 1872 and is still packed most nights. They brew two beers (pale and dark) that they sell in a variety of sizes including flights and larger 3L table taps. They have a classic, but well executed, menu of classic German foods like meats, sausages, and spätzle. They also have an English menu with vegetarian options clearly marked. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.972492 8.151974 20 Tower One , Am Finther Wald ( at Finthen ), ☏ +49 6131 5545030 . Good food. A destination for aircraft fans. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.995149 8.279646 21 Kamin ( Flammkuchen Restaurant ), Kapuzinerstraße 8 , ☏ +49 6131 6277887 . Very good selection of Flammkuchen ( updated Jan 2023 )

International

• 49.997066 8.274163 22 Gusto , Augustinerstr. 55 ( in Frankfurter Hof ), ☏ +49 6131 1 44 90 49 . Italian. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 50.004589 8.264839 23 Indian Palace , Schießgartenstraße 12 , ☏ +49 6131 225622 . Excellent Indian restaurant ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.995057 8.277532 24 Indian Tandoori , Neutorstraße 19 , ☏ +49 6131 6271880 . Very good Indian restaurant. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.995405 8.277259 25 Ban Thai , Neutorstraße 18 , ☏ +49 6131 220122 . Good Thai restaurant. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.968061 8.24073 26 Asia World , Am Schleifweg 15 ( Bretzenheim ), ☏ +49 6131 3331249 . Chinese, Japanese and Mongolian dishes. Lunch time all you can eat buffet. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 50.010949 8.260485 27 Punjab Tandoori Restaurant , Wallaustraße 52 , ☏ +49 6131 8862544 . Very good Indian and Pakistani food. Friendly efficient service. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 50.00135 8.26932 28 Thai Country , Emmeransstraße 32 . Very good Thai food, fresh ingredient, no MSG used. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 50.010607 8.266824 29 Geberts Weinstuben , Frauenlobstraße 94 , ☏ +49 6131 611 619 , fax : +49 6131 611662 , [email protected] . With an excellent wine list (heavy on German wines), Geberts offers excellent versions of traditional regional favourites, including handkäs-Suppe (cheese soup) and wildschwein (wild boar). They are closed for three weeks during the summer, on Saturdays, and at lunchtime on Sundays. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.982751 8.168087 30 Atrium Mainz , Flugplatzstraße 44 ( Mainz-Finthen ), ☏ +49 6131 491 0 , fax : +49 6131 491 128 , [email protected] . The restaurants in the hotel are called Adagio and GenussWerkstatt. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 49.998693 8.268228 31 El Chico , Kötherhofstraße 1 , ☏ +49 6131 238440 . Very good steakhouse ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 50.000167 8.275703 32 Heiliggeist , Rentengasse 2 , ☏ +49 6131 225757 . Church renovated into an up-scale bistro, they offer an abbreviated, but very creative menu that goes with an extensive wine list, including wines by the glass, that enable you to experiment wines from around Germany. Good outdoor seating. Beer quality not the best. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 50.0077 8.253788 33 Patagonia , Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring 74 , ☏ +49 6131 2106660 . Excellent steak house with Chilean dishes. Good service. Quality but casual restaurant. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• 50.005931 8.259587 34 N'Eis - Das Neustadteis , Gartenfeldpl. 12 , ☏ +49 6131 4870677 . Very popular (i.e. expect a long line) with some novel tasty flavoured ice creams. ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.0107 8.2664 1 Hafeneck , Frauenlobstr. 93 , ☏ +49 6131-4801977 , [email protected] . Tu-Sa 18:00-01:00 . neighborhood bar that manages to simultaneously cater to football fans, local hipsters and an endless streams of niche musicians ranging from the Whiskey Rabbi to Vicky Vomit. The kitchen (open 17:00-23:00 daily) also serves up huge salads, a few German classics like schnitzel, plus giant savoury pancakes ( Eierpfannkuchen ) with unusual fillings, many of them vegetarian — try the Hades to add some spice to your life. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 50.0024 8.2644 2 [formerly dead link] Good Time and Alexander the Great , Hintere Bleiche 18a and 8 , ☏ +49 6131 9716660 . M-Th 17:00-04:00, F Sa 17:00-07:00, Su 18:00-04:00 . Popular Hard Rock pubs quite close to the main railway station. They serve mead in horns and play anything from Death Metal to classical music (depending on the day of the week). ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 50.009 8.26445 3 Beim Budiker , Raimundistraße 13 , ☏ +49 6131 6069739 , [email protected] . M-Th 17:00-01:00, F Sa 17:00-02:00, Su 17:00-midnight . ( updated Aug 2022 )

Beer gardens

• 49.995457 8.28362 4 Mole-Biergarten am Winterhafen , Victor-Hugo-Ufer ( On the Rhine opposite the Main ), ☏ +49 6131 221990 . Watch the ships go by with a beer and a snack. ( updated May 2016 )
• 49.986911 8.295511 1 Jugendherberge Mainz (Youth Hostel) , Otto-Brunfels-Schneise 4 , ☏ +49 6131 85332 , [email protected] . Beautifully located between the river Rhine and the People's Park with two bus stops nearby.  
• 49.994488 8.279962 2 Ibis City Hotel , Holzhofstraße 2 , ☏ +49 6131 2470 .  
• 49.996478 8.26212 3 Novotel Mainz , Augustusstraße 6 , ☏ +49 6131 9540 .  
• 49.989905 8.289546 4 Favorite - Parkhotel Mainz , Karl-Weiser-Straße 1 , ☏ +49 6131 8015-0 .  
• 50.003174 8.275405 5 Hilton Mainz , Rheinstraße 68 , ☏ +49 6131 2450 .  
• 49.995864 8.280727 6 Hyatt Regency Mainz , Malakoff-Terrasse 1 , ☏ +49 6131 73 1234 , [email protected] . Incorporates Fort Malakoff, Mainz's 19th-century castle, into its 21st-century architecture. It's the only 5-star hotel in Mainz on the river Rhine.  
• 49.982951 8.167872 7 Atrium Hotel Mainz , Flugplatzstraße 44 , ☏ +49 6131 4910 . ( updated Apr 2017 )
• 50.000735 8.275781 3 Tourist Service Center ( Touristik Centrale Mainz ), Brueckenturm am Rathaus ( on the bridge between Am Brand and the town hall. ), ☏ +49 61 31242 888 .  
• 49.990153 8.250149 4 St. Hildegardis-Krankenhaus ( Hospital ), Hildegardstraße 2 , ☏ +49 6131 1470 . Has walk-in emergency area.  
• 49.993298 8.258325 5 Universitätsmedizin ( University Medical Center ), Langenbeckstraße 1 .  
• Bacharach in the Middle Rhine Valley is an extremely well-preserved medieval town right next to the Rhine river, with a castle, which is now a youth hostel, overlooking the town. Trains from Mainz to Bacharach at least hourly, takes about 40 minutes.
• Bingen am Rhein
• Darmstadt , 30 minutes by train RB
• Frankfurt , take the S-Bahn S8 from Hauptbahnhof or S1, SE10 or S9 from Mainz-Kastel.
• Heidelberg is an hour away by train
• Continue down the most scenic part of the Middle Rhine Valley towards Koblenz .
• Oppenheim , 20 minutes by train RB
• Wiesbaden is just across the Rhine, take the S8 (13 min), the train RB (11 min.) or Bus linie 6 (30 min).
• Worms , 45 minutes by train

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• UNESCO tag to be fixed
• Has custom banner
• Has map markers
• Articles with dead external links
• Has mapframe
• Maps with non-default size
• See listing with no coordinates
• Do listing with no coordinates
• Articles with formerly dead external links
• Articles needing translation from German
• Guide cities
• Guide articles
• City articles
• Has Geo parameter
• Rhenish Hesse
• All destination articles
• Pages with maps

Navigation menu

10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Mainz

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Mainz, capital of the Land of Rhineland-Palatinate and an old university town, lies on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the River Main (hence its name). One of the oldest cities in Europe, Mainz can trace its roots back to the 1st century AD, when the Romans built a fortress here.

Mainz is known the world over as Gutenberg's city, where the first movable metal type printing press was created. Thanks to this important heritage, Mainz has retained its importance as a hub for some of Germany's oldest publishing houses.

The city also has a rich cultural history, and is home to a number of internationally-renowned festivals, including the Mainz Carnival (Mainzer Fastnacht). This popular 19th-century carnival draws crowds of up to half a million spectators over the winter months.

To learn more about these and other fun things to do in this historic city, be sure to read our list of the top tourist attractions in Mainz, Germany.

See also: Where to Stay in Mainz

1. Church of St. Stephan

2. mainz cathedral, 3. the gutenberg museum, 4. marktplatz, 5. museum of ancient seafaring, 6. mainz state museum, 7. st. augustine's church, 8. roman-germanic central museum, 9. the iron and wood towers, 10. mainz botanical garden, where to stay in mainz for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions in mainz, mainz, germany - climate chart.

The 14th-century Gothic Collegiate Church of St. Stephan ( St. Stephan zu Mainz , or Stephanskirche) can trace its roots as far back as AD 990. It was then that a church was ordered built here by the leaders of the Holy Roman Empire. After major damage during WWII, it was rebuilt exactly as it was - except for its beautiful windows, which had been irreparably damaged.

The replacement windows you see today were designed by artist Marc Chagall, and consist of a series of nine tall stained-glass windows representing scenes from the Old Testament. The effect is stunning as the predominantly blue glass bathes the light sandstone walls in soft color.

Begun in 1973, the windows were completed in 1985, only months before Chagall's death at age 98. Other notable features of the interior are its 13th-century altar table and a large early 16th-century tabernacle.

Address: Kleine Weißgasse 12, 55116 Mainz

Standing tall in the center of Mainz is the spectacular six-towered catholic Cathedral of St. Martin and St. Stephen (Mainzer Dom). Mainz Cathedral ranks along with the cathedrals of Speyer and Worms as one of the supreme achievements of Romanesque religious architecture on the Upper Rhine. While construction was started in AD 975, most of the building dates from the 11th to the 13th centuries.

Highlights of a visit include the chance to view the many tombs and monuments of once powerful princes and archbishops, as well as many centuries-old religious artworks.

The Cathedral Museum is also worth visiting. Among its fascinating collections are numerous artifacts and documents relating to the building's rich history. (Visitors are invited to participate in regular mass services.)

Address: Markt 10, 55116 Mainz

At the northeast corner of the Domplätze in Mainz is the Gutenberg Museu. Set in the beautiful old Zum Römischen Kaiser house dating from 1664, the museum is dedicated to the world of printing and is the largest of its kind in the world. This important attraction, in fact, takes its name from Johannnes Gutenberg, the inventor of the moveable metal type printing technique that revolutionized publishing in the 15th century.

The museum's important collections include printing equipment and printed materials, as well as a copy of the famous Gutenberg Bible. There's also a faithful reproduction of the original printing house, where visitors can try their hand (literally!) at traditional typesetting. Of particular interest is a collection of printed material from smaller publishing houses.

Self-guided English-language audio tours are available, and there's a well-stocked gift shop on the premises.

Address: Liebfrauenplatz 5, 55116 Mainz

Official site: www.gutenberg-museum.de/index.php?id=29&L=1

The central square of Mainz, in front of the cathedral, is known as the Marktplatz, or marketplace. Surrounded by beautiful painted and half-timbered buildings, it's among the most picturesque spots in the city.

Attending the market here on Saturdays is one of the popular things to do in Mainz. The square comes alive with colorful stalls selling fresh produce and flowers, as well as locally made products and crafts.

A wonderful time to visit is in December, when the square is filled with the bustling Mainz Christmas Market. During the festive season, more than 100 booths line the square, and the shopping experience is accompanied by carol singing and other entertainment. And in good weather, cafés spill out onto the plaza, with beautiful views of the cathedral.

With a focus on the art of sailing through the centuries, the Museum of Ancient Sefaring (Museum für antike Schifffahrt) in Mainz is a wonderful learning experience for all ages. Opened in 1994, this boat-themed tourist attraction introduces visitors to six full-scale replicas from various periods of history, from simple paddleboats to larger Roman galleons.

Other highlights include letters and documents related to the life of Roman sailors tasked with guarding the Rhine, and numerous models of seafaring vessels.

Address: Neutorstraße 2b, D-55116 Mainz

The Mainz State Museum (Landesmuseum Mainz) dates back to 1803, when Napoleon donated a large personal art collection to the city. Now located in the old stables of the former Electoral Palace, the collection has grown to include many fine antiquities and artworks from across Europe. The prehistoric collection features a 25,000-year-old statue and stone age tools.

Other highlights are its medieval department, with items made of ivory and many old paintings, as well as its Renaissance and Baroque collections, with works from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy.

Address: Große Bleiche 49-51, D-55116 Mainz

In the Altstadt, Mainz's old city center, the 18th-century St. Augustine's Church (Augustinerkirche) might escape your notice, as it is sandwiched between other buildings. Step inside, though, and you'll be astonished at the ornate Baroque interior.

The highly decorated altar and the organ are impressive, but the crowning glory is the church's magnificent ceiling. Intricately painted biblical scenes are bordered by golden scrollwork frames, and the surrounding interior is richly carved and decorated. The celestial effect is heightened by the large windows, which flood the interior with light.

Undamaged in the bombings that destroyed much of its surroundings, the church is a rare surviving relic of prewar Mainz.

Address: 55116 Mainz

Just downstream from the Theodor Heuss Bridge is the old 17th-century Electoral Palace. This attractive red-painted edifice is now home to the Roman-Germanic Central Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum). Founded in 1852, the museum deals with German history as far back as the Stone Age and features collections of prehistoric and Roman antiquities, as well as material from the early historical period.

Its broad collections are displayed in two major exhibits: the Roman exhibition, focusing on the military expansion of the Roman Empire and its dealings with other cultures, and including a replica of a Roman organ; and the Late Antiquity and Early Medieval Period, which deals with Roman relations with Pagan religions and Christianity.

Also of interest are the Römersteine , the remains of a 1st-century Roman aqueduct near the university.

Address: Ernst-Ludwig-Platz 2, D-55116 Mainz

In Rheingoldstrasse are two old towers that once formed part of the town's fortifications. The oldest of these, the Eisenturm (Iron Tower), was built in 1240 and took its name from the former Iron Market (Eisenmarkt) held nearby. Built as a watchtower and gateway into the city - it also served as a prison - it's now used for art exhibitions and community events.

Holzturm, the Wood Tower, was named after the wood stored next to it on the banks of the Rhine, and was a more recent addition. Its current Gothic appearance harks back to the 15th century. It also served as a watchtower, and today is home to a variety of community groups.

Covering nearly 25 acres, Botanischer Garten Mainz - the Mainz Botanic Gardens - is part of the University of Mainz . Created in 1946 on a former military training ground, the garden now includes 8,500 species of plants, from regional species to tropical varieties housed in a series of greenhouses. Highlights include a large arboretum and an alpine garden (tours are available).

The city also has numerous other attractive green spaces, including the town center itself, with many of its old city squares transformed each spring with countless colorful blossoms. A little further afield, between the suburbs of Mombach and Gonsenheim, the Mainzer Sand nature reserve has a collection of interesting steppe flora.

Address: Anselm-Franz-von-Bentzel-Weg 9 b, D-55128 Mainz

Official site: https://www.botgarden.uni-mainz.de/

We recommend these convenient hotels in Mainz near the Rhine River and the Old Town:

• Hyatt Regency Mainz : This 5-star luxury hotel overlooks the Rhine River and features a light-filled restaurant, a day spa, an indoor pool and sauna, and a modern gym.
• Hilton Mainz City : Popular for its mid-range pricing, this 4-star hotel is located near the central train station and boasts modern room decor and a restaurant with an outdoor courtyard.
• TOP Hotel Hammer : This 3-star hotel features sleek furnishings, double-glazed windows, and an excellent breakfast.
• Ibis Mainz City : A good choice of budget hotel, Ibis Mainz City is set in a convenient location, with tea- and coffee-making facilities and multilingual staff.

More on Germany

THE 10 BEST Mainz Tours & Excursions

Mainz tours.

• Cultural Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Private Tours
• Walking Tours
• Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
• Scenic Railroads
• Literary, Art & Music Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Small Group Rheingau Vineyards Tour with Castles and Abbeys

2. Exclusive Wine & Food Tasting in Historic Cellar | Mainz Old Town

3. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Cathedral and Old Mainz

4. Rhein Castles & Regal Riesling. Tasting wine along the Rhein

5. Wiesbaden and Mainz Small-Group Day Trip from Frankfurt

6. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Roman Mainz

7. Urban Adventure Game in Mainz with an app

8. Frankfurt - Mainz Premium Day Trip by Boat with Sightseeing & Wildlife, F&B

9. Mainz Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

10. Self Guided Secrets of Mainz Exploration Game

11. 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Gutenberg Museum Mainz

12. Mainz - Historical Tour

13. Grand Cruising - tatsing the best wines of the Rheinvalley

14. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Jewish Mainz

15. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Gutenberg and Mainz Cathedral

16. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Chagall Windows and Old Mainz

17. 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: Chagall Windows in Saint Stephan’s Mainz

18. 2 Hour Private Guided Family Walking Tour in Mainz

19. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Heavenly Mainz

20. Private Transfer from Mainz to Prague With a 2 Hour Stop

21. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Gutenberg and Old Mainz

22. Mainz Self Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game

23. Half-Day Private Tour from Frankfurt to Mainz by Train

24. Private Guided Walking Tour in Mainz

25. Frankfurt to Mainz Private Excursion with public transportation

26. Mainz Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Tour

27. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Gutenberg's Mainz

28. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Chagall Windows and Mainz Cathedral

29. 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: Modern Mainz

30. 2 Hour Private Guided Tour: Landesmuseum Mainz

What travelers are saying.

A Guided Tour of Mainz

Disclosure: This guided tour of Mainz was a collaboration with  mainzplus CITYMARKETING GmbH   and Tourismusfonds Mainz e.V. ,  however all editorial and opinions are my own. For more information about visiting Mainz, head to the Mainz Tourism Board website .

A (very) brief history of Mainz

There are a few things a first-time visitor might like to know about the city of Mainz. Situated where the river Rhine ( Rhein ) meets the river Main, it was founded by the Romans in 1BC, when it began its long and successful history as an important centre for trade. In the 1500s, the city was home to Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the movable type printing press. Mainz’s university is named after him, and the Gutenberg Museum is home to one of the few remaining Gutenberg Bibles – one of the earliest major works printed using his technique.

Mainz has changed hands between the Germans and the French a number of times throughout its history, and French influence can be seen in some of its architecture and town planning. On the other side of the border, the city goes by its French name, Mayence . Mainz was bombed heavily towards the end of World War II and around 80% of the city was destroyed, but a small cluster of charming medieval buildings remain, as well as the imposing, 1000-year-old St. Martin’s Cathedral and a scattering of Roman ruins that include an amphitheatre and parts of an aqueduct.

Surrounded by the gently rolling vineyards of Germany’s largest wine region, Rheinhessen, Mainz is known as Germany’s wine capital. The steep hill by the main train station is home to several layers of historic wine cellars, and the city’s wonderful collection of rustic wine taverns are cosy spots to hole up in during winter. Come summer, wine stands pop up around the town centre and there are also wine festivals aplenty.

Mainz’s reputation for partying doesn’t end there, however: along with Cologne and Dusseldorf, it’s one of Germany’s most famous carnival cities, and various riotous celebrations take place here throughout the “fifth season” (11 November until Ash Wednesday the following year). Costumed revellers gather in Mainz in their thousands for the German carnival highlight, the Rose Monday parade.

A guided tour of the city

Just before Christmas, I was invited to tour the city with Lothar Schilling, a hugely knowledgeable guide who was born and raised Mainz. (Scroll to the end for more information about how to book.) Having lived in the neighbouring city of Wiesbaden since 2010, and having worked for several years in Mainz and visited my in-laws regularly in one of its suburbs, I thought I knew quite a lot about the city, however Lothar very quickly showed me that I had an awful lot left to learn. He gave me a thoroughly entertaining tour and showered me with information about pockets of Mainz that I had never really explored, his facts and historically accurate tales peppered with nostalgic anecdotes from his own life.

Mainz Altstadt (Old Town)

Lothar and I met in the south of the city at one of Mainz’s two train stations, Römisches Theater, which is named after the Roman amphitheatre ruins next to which it’s located. After passing the  Museum of Ancient Seafaring , which is directly next door to the station – a lovely building that was once an engine house and then a market hall – we first explored the southern part of the city.

Strolling through the cobbled streets of the Altstadt , we took in a handful of noteworthy sights. The small Kirschgarten square is lined with the most charming of half-timbered buildings, all but one of which is original. Amongst the others is Mainz’s oldest house, the Haus   Zum Aschaffenberg (the House of Aschaffenberg, pictured top), which was built around 1500.

Just round the corner back on Augustinerstraße is a tall, very narrow building from around 1780 that has a Louis XVI-style pink façade. It’s known as the Haus Zum kleinen Elefanten – Little Elephant House – and though Lothar couldn’t tell me how it got its name, he did suggest, with a twinkle in his eye, that it might have something to do with its wonky-looking top floor.

Halfway down Augustinerstraße, the old town’s main thoroughfare, is the gorgeous church of St Augustin. Behind the heavy wooden doors in its pretty baroque façade is an extraordinary rococo-style interior, with extraordinary altars, an original painted domed ceiling and a beautifully-preserved organ.

The narrow backstreets on either side of Augustinerstraße were remarkably peaceful given the activity going on in the rest of the city, and they’re well worth exploring for their half-timbered buildings, charming independent shops and a number of intriguing historic sites. Amongst others, Lothar pointed out the Haus zum Stein (House of Stone), a romanesque residential tower that retains some of its original architecture from the 13th century and wouldn’t look out of place in Tuscany. We also wandered down Fischergasse, a narrow street that was once the city’s fishing quarter: inscriptions of fishmongers’ names are still visible on the front of several buildings; to their rear, it’s also possible to see how part of the medieval city wall was integrated into them.

After passing a couple more Roman remnants and skirting the Christmas market on the market square, we wandered over City Hall Bridge to take a look at the rather controversial City Hall. Designed by Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen, it was formally inaugurated at the end of 1973, and hasn’t proved particularly popular since. From our spot on the bridge, however, we could also see the tiny, pale green wine tavern where I would later have dinner .

Mainz Neustadt (New Town)

We walked back through more of the old part of the city, passing the State Theatre (pictured towards the top of this post) and stopping for a stiff drink at the Christmas market at Schillerplatz . Afterwards, Lothar led me across a broad, green boulevard – Kaiserstraße – and into Mainz’s new town. Rebuilt directly after World War II, the area is considerably less charming than the old town architecturally speaking, but no less interesting to explore.

The Neustadt is home to another chunk of the old town wall and a number of interesting monuments. As a neighbourhood popular with the students of Mainz’s university, there are bars and cafés aplenty. It was here that Lothar shared some wonderful memories from his childhood, pointing out, for example, the building he’d grown up in and the site of the old dairy he was sent to to collect milk from as a small boy.

We attempted to go for lunch at Möhren Millieu , a small, relaxed café that serves seasonal vegan food, but even at 14:00 there was no room for us to sit. Instead, we headed round the corner to Gasthaus Grün , a simple but welcoming spot that offers employment opportunities to locals with mental illnesses and learning disabilities. The food here – I had a pancake stuffed with feta and spinach, Lothar an enormous salad – was freshly made, tasty and inexpensive, and the service efficient and friendly.

After we’d eaten, Lothar walked me a short distance to the New Synagogue. Mainz’s Jewish community is one of the oldest in Europe, first mentioned in around 900BC. The website of the New Synagogue’s architect, Manuel Herz , shares a succinct overview of their history, stressing that “almost no other city have Jews been persecuted so often throughout history, and have still time and again attempted to build up a Jewish community”.

The first synagogue to be built here in 1912, the Main Synagogue, was destroyed during Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass, 9 November, 1938). The New Synagogue was erected on the same spot in 2010, its form is taken from the letters of the Hebrew word השודק, meaning holiness or blessing. Though it’s not possible to visit the inside of the building, it’s worth seeking out for a look at its striking exterior and the sobering ruins of the former synagogue that stand before it.

This stop was the last on my tour – one I’d highly recommend – and where I said goodbye to Lothar. From there, I headed off to explore to Mainz’s Christmas markets and then on to enjoy a delicious festive dinner – all of which I’ve written about in my post about Christmas in Mainz . If you’d like to see more impressions of my day trip to Mainz, I also shared my trip in my Instagram Stories (link directly to highlight – you don’t need to log in to view it).

Further information

Getting to mainz.

Mainz’s main train station, Mainz Hauptbahnhof , is served by InterCity Express (ICE) trains as well as regional (RB and RE) and local S-Bahn services from destinations including Frankfurt and Wiesbaden. From Frankfurt Airport (FRA), the journey time to Mainz Hauptbahnhof is around 25 minutes. Regional and local trains also pass through Mainz Römisches Theater train station in the south of the city.

Train tickets and seat reservations can be booked up to three months in advance on the multilingual Deutsche Bahn website *.

Getting around Mainz

Mainz is very walkable and has a pedestrianised centre, however there is an excellent network of buses and trams that run frequently around the city.

A 48-hour  mainzcardplus (11,95€ single or 25€ for up to five people) includes free travel within the Mainz-Wiesbaden tariff zone as well as free admission and various discounts to the city’s sites, leisure facilities and at some shops. It also includes a free guided tour of the city.

Guided tours of Mainz

I was shown around Mainz by brilliant local guide Lothar Schilling, who has been running tours in both German and English for ten years. You can book guided tours of Mainz, focusing on various different themes, through the Mainz tourism board .

*Denotes an affiliate link. If you make a purchase after following this link, I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for helping me keep this site running!

You may also like

Frankfurters! Support Your Local Apfelwein Tavern

The Weekly Shop: pork, apples and gluten-free treats

Frankfurt Layover Guide (Scott’s Cheap Flights)

Comments cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

Sprungmarken

• Inhalt anspringen
• Navigation anspringen
• Suche anspringen
• Fußbereich anspringen
• Aktuelle Sprache: Deutsch

• Stadtführungen
• Stadtrundfahrt

Sekundärnavigation

• Themenführungen
• Barrierefreie Führungen
• Mainz selbst entdecken

Stadtrundfahrt mit dem Gutenberg-Express

Einsteigen bitte - heißt es täglich ab 10:30 Uhr alle 70 Minuten am Gutenberg-Platz. Dann startet die Touristik-Bahn ihre Runde durch Mainz: vorbei am Dom, runter zum Rheinufer bis zur neuen Synagoge in der Mainzer Neustadt und zurück zum Ausgangspunkt.

Aus- und Zustieg

Die Fahrt können Sie an zehn Stellen unterbrechen und wieder fortsetzen. Steigen Sie beispielsweise an der Haltestelle  St. Stephan aus und bewundern Sie die berühmten Chagall-Fenster. Oder statten Sie dem Gutenberg-Museum einen Besuch ab.

Wissenswertes zu den Sehenswürdigkeiten erfahren Sie auch bereits während der Fahrt auf Deutsch, Englisch und Französisch.

Samstags und sonntags fährt eine zusätzliche Bahn über die Zitadelle.

Informationen zum Gutenberg-Express im WWW

• Zur Website der Touristik-Bahn
• Barrierefreiheit
• Datenschutz

Tourist’s guide to Zug – the richest city in Switzerland

The city of Zug (Switzerland) is the administrative center of the canton of Zug, which is located in the central part of the country, only 23 km from Zurich. Zug is famous for its low taxes, which is why the most favorable conditions for the development of international business are created here. However, tourists are not attracted by signs of numerous foreign companies. For many centuries, the city has preserved the atmosphere of mystery and the Middle Ages, picturesque landscapes and numerous attractions.

Photo: Zug (Switzerland).

Related entries:

• Rhine Falls in Switzerland – the most powerful waterfall in Europe
• Tourist’s guide to Lucerne – a city by the mountain lake of Switzerland
• Tourist’s guide to Thun – city and lake in Switzerland
• What is interesting about Schaffhausen in Switzerland

general information

The miniature size of the city (only 33.8 square kilometers) does not prevent Zug from remaining the richest settlement in Switzerland for several years. In terms of income, the small town is ahead of Geneva and Zurich. However, Zug’s luxury is not conspicuous, it is restrained. The Swiss are modest; locals are not used to wasting money. However, if you look closely, there are more elite cars on the streets of Zug, people are dressed in expensive clothes and shoes.

The city of Zug is famous for its beautiful promenade and picturesque sunsets, because the sun sets right on Lake Zug. In the public domain there is a zoo located on the promenade, families with children come here to relax. Nearby there are mountains, hiking routes of different difficulty levels are laid to the peaks.

Historical excursion

The first mention of this settlement in Switzerland appeared in 1242. The first name of the settlement is Oppidum (“Small Town”). After a hundred years, the city was renamed Kastrum, which means “Fortress”.

The modern name Zug reflects the main industrial direction in the city – fishing. The name is borrowed in the Old German dialect and means “pull”.

The city of Zug in Switzerland was founded by the Cybourg dynasty. A good geographical location was crucial in the economic development of the village. Quickly enough Zug turned into a large shopping center, merchants and merchants gathered here.

In the first half of the 16th century, the settlement was controlled by the Habsburg dynasty, during this period the settlement was solidly strengthened, a fortress was built, which served as the military headquarters for the army of Leopold I of Habsburg.

Interesting to know! The emblem of Zug depicts a crown resembling a fortress wall, which is a symbol of the rule of the Habsburgs.

The predominant language in Zug is the Swiss dialect of German. It is spoken by almost 80% of the total population of the city. About 5% (foreigners) speak Italian.

Attractions and entertainment

Photo: Zug city (Switzerland).

Familiarity with the richest city in Switzerland is best to start from the promenade. It is better to come here in the evening to admire the beautiful sunset and take a walk along the most beautiful street of Zug. Numerous alleys adjoin the embankment, where colorful, ancient houses have been preserved. Pedestrian streets can be walked endlessly while admiring the sights. The real symbol of the city is the clock tower, the museums of Zug are especially interesting – African, Prehistory, Sykhov, Tile production. There are many art galleries in the city.

Zug Lake is located in three regions – Zug, Schwyz and Lucerne. The landscape and geographic location of the lake are ideal for walking on foot, either by bicycle or on roller skates. Many tourists after an active vacation go on a cruise along the lake.

There is a navigation company on the lake, which offers tourist trips on four ships of different capacities. One of the boats received a prestigious award at the international design competition. On each ship, tourists are offered delicious treats that are prepared right on board.

On a note! You can purchase a thematic tour – on a pirate ship, a wedding cruise, a dance cruise. Children with great pleasure go on a dessert cruise.

During the trip, the ship makes several stops, during which passengers can go ashore and take a walk, there is a stop in the center of the lake, from here the city of Zug looks especially fabulous, especially in the evening when thousands of lights are lit.

Ships depart from Monday to Saturday from 8-00 to 18-00 (in the winter, from October to April, until 17-30). A day ticket costs 39 Swiss francs.

Children under 6 years old travel for free. Every Saturday, children from 6 to 16 years old travel for free accompanied by adults.

This attraction is considered a landmark in the city of Zug. Representatives of ruling families lived here. When in 1352 the settlement became part of the Confederation in Switzerland, the castle became private property and for several centuries was used as a residence for high-ranking families. For more than a century – from 1979 to 1982 – the palace was reconstructed, after restoration, the attraction was included in the list of historical monuments not only of the city of Zug, but also of Switzerland.

The palace is located in the Old Town, where the fortress wall was previously located. Even today, the attraction looks majestic and menacing.

Interesting fact! Historians have still not reliably established the author of the Zug Castle. Only the construction time is 11th century.

Initially, the palace was the estate of the Cyburg family, then the palace was owned by representatives of the Habsburg dynasty, and since 1352 the castle became a private property. Since 1982, the palace opened after a large-scale restoration in a new quality – today it is the Zug Castle museum. The collection clearly and colorfully demonstrates the history of the development of the city of Zug from a small fishing village to a world-famous shopping center.

Among the exhibits are statues, unique furniture, armor and weapons, paintings. Visitors in each room are told interesting facts about the development and history of the city.

The museum can be visited at: Kirchenstrasse 11. The attraction is open daily except Monday:

• from Tuesday to Saturday – from 14-00 to 17-00;
• Sunday – from 10-00 to 17-00.

The cost of a full ticket is 10 Swiss francs, student and for pensioners – 6 francs. Admission is free for children under 16 years old .

Good to know! On the first Wednesday of every month, admission is free for everyone.

Amazing nature is another attraction of the city of Zug. You can see it in all its glory only in one way – by climbing the funicular to the Zug mountain to a height of almost 900 meters. The rise takes only 8 minutes, and the bus number 11 to the lower station.

Loving couples come here in the evening to meet the sunset in a romantic atmosphere.

Good to know! The funicular route to the top of the mountain is included in the Swiss Pass coverage area.

At the top of the Zug mountain laid tourist routes with a length of 80 km. On the way there are cozy restaurants. If you wish, you can buy a tour and take a walk in the surroundings with a guide who will tell you many interesting facts about the city and its history. From the top offers an amazing view of the lake. Tourists who have been here, say that the surface of the lake when viewed from the mountain, as if attracted.

Strolling the streets of the city, be sure to visit the church of St. Oswald. This is a unique architectural structure built in the Gothic style. The construction of the church began in the second half of the 15th century. Inside the temple is richly decorated, the central place is an organ decorated in the Baroque style. In the evenings, you can visit an organ music concert.

The list of modern attractions of the city of Zug in Switzerland includes the central railway station. In the evening, it looks more like a light show, as the building is highlighted in bright colors.

Another attraction is Holgrot Caves, inside there are beautiful underground lakes. Numerous stalactites and stalagmites are highlighted, creating a sense of magic and fairy tales in the caves.

Annual entertainments in Zug

Every year in late February or early March, a festival is held in the city. One of the character’s name is Gret Schell – this is a local resident who became famous for taking her drunk husband home in a basket.

In the summer, a lake festival takes place in Zug – a fun holiday with rich treats, orchestra performances and colorful fireworks.

In December, a fabulous Sunday happens in the city. On this day, locals tell fascinating stories to children on all squares.

The Christmas market is a fabulous event. At this time, the scent of cinnamon, needles and mulled wine is floating over the city, funny music sounds and you can buy handmade souvenirs.

Prices for food and accommodation

Zug is known for several delicious delicacies. Be sure to try in local restaurants trout caught in Lake Zug. Grilled fish and served with vegetables and white sauce.

On a note! The peak of the catch is in November.

Zug’s regional product is cherry. A variety of dishes and drinks are prepared from it, and the cultivation of cherry trees in the city of Switzerland was included in the list of traditions of mankind according to UNESCO.

A full meal in an inexpensive restaurant will cost from 20 to 30 CHF per person. Lunch for two in a mid-range restaurant will cost from 80 to 130 CHF.

Also in Zug there are no problems with fast food restaurants and eateries. A meal in a fast food restaurant (like McDonald’s) costs between 12 and 18 francs.

Beer in the restaurant costs from 5 to 8 CHF, coffee – from 4-6 CHF, and a bottle of water – from 3 to 5 CHF.

It offers travelers about three dozen hotels, inns and apartments. Accommodation prices in Zug can not be called low-cost, for a simple hotel room you will have to pay a minimum of 100 euros (118 CHF), for a 3 * hotel room – from 140 euros (165 CHF).

How to get to Zug from Zurich

The easiest way to get to Zug from Zurich is by train. The journey takes 25 to 45 minutes. Ticket price – from 14 to 20 francs, depending on the class of car.

Trains leave every 15 minutes. Flights with the letter S are of suburban importance, they stop at each station, respectively, travel longer. The fastest train is 46-Y.

Trains going to Zugo, Lugano, Locarno and Italy follow Zug. You need to exit at the Zug station.

Taxis are a comfortable but expensive way. You can order a transfer, in this case you will be met at the airport or will arrive at the hotel. The cost of the trip is about 140 euros.

Another affordable way to travel is by renting a car. The journey takes about 25 minutes, and gasoline will cost from 3 to 6 euros.

Interesting facts about Zug

• Do you like sweets? Then a very special reason to visit Zug – its sweet attraction is the cherry pie created by Heinrich Hene. It was this dessert that Zug glorified throughout the world. The best cherry pie is served at the Speck Patisserie.
• Zug is a densely populated city with a little more than 29 thousand people, almost 33% of them are foreigners. In the city there are about 125 nationalities.
• The wall thickness of the powder tower is 2.7 meters.
• It is in Zug that the action of the legendary novel “The Night is Tender” by the famous writer Scott Fitzgerald takes place.
• The best way to move around the city is on foot, the Zug is compact and easy to walk from one edge to another.
• Buying souvenirs is best in the tourist center Wunderboks or in the supermarket Zugerland.
• The clock tower is a bright landmark of Zug in Switzerland, it can be recognized by the blue roof of the tiles. To go inside, just go to the tourist center and take the key.

Zug (Switzerland) is a small and sweet town that conquers with its leisurely, measured and sophisticated luxury. Here, the spirit of the Middle Ages reigns, which gives the city a special charm and unique atmosphere.

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Home » Destinations » Europe » Germany » Awesome Things To Do in Mainz, Germany (+ Our Tips)

Awesome Things To Do in Mainz, Germany (+ Our Tips)

Links in this article may earn us a little money if you book/ order stuff. More here .

There Are Lots Of Great Things To Do In Mainz, Germany!

Have you ever been to Mainz, Germany? Ever heard of it before? If you aren’t German, the chances are pretty low that you’ve ventured into this small city.

That said, there are some awesome facts about Mainz – like the massive Mainz cathedral dominating the old town skyline! If you are travelling to Germany for the first time , Mainz just might make your “to see” list.

We wandered through Mainz while on a shorter trip of the surrounding area that included the northwest of Bavaria. 

If you are exploring the area, you might be looking for things to do in Wiesbaden , things to see in Aschaffenburg , and/or things to do in Frankfurt. We like all these places – and we plan on covering Frankfurt soon!

Now, we didn’t have a TON of time in Mainz – we only had a day. But we made the most of our time to check out a few points of interest, photograph the pretty sights, and get a general sense of the city. 

It would have been handy if we had a Mainz tourist map – but we just went about our wander using Google Maps on our phone. So, let’s chat about what there is to see and do in Mainz, Germany!

Table of Contents

Top Things To Do In Mainz, Germany

Okay, now that we have chatted about places to stay and how to get around, let’s cover exactly what there is to do and see!

Again, we only wandered around for a few hours to get a sense of the city so we didn’t have the chance to dive into anything too deeply.

It was more of a scouting trip between Wiesbaden and Aschaffenburg and we plan to go back to the area soon! Of course we’ll update this article accordingly.

Wander the Old Town

One of the first things you should do is head right for the old town. German old towns are known for their colourful buildings and stunning architecture – and Mainz did NOT disappoint.

The buildings on the main square (shown above and below) are really pretty. There are restaurants and cafes lining the bottoms for that classic “coffee in the square”.

There are also lots of side streets that have other shops and attractions (like the cathedral and museum listed below). One thing that we are super sad about is the fact the Mainz has a gorgeous Christmas market in the old town and when we went they were JUST setting it up.

So, we might be back in the next few weeks – or maybe next year. There are just so many German Christmas markets to choose from!

Explore the Mainz Cathedral

Originally founded in the 10th century, the Mainz Cathedral is a stunning cathedral that sits proudly in the old town. Even for German standards, the building is gorgeous.

Over the centuries, the structure has been added to – which is why you might notice a variety of different architectural styles represented. In fact, the stone was toned red to match the surrounding buildings as recently as two centuries ago.

The cathedral was heavily damaged during World War II bombing in 1942 but has since been restored. We didn’t get a chance to go inside but we’ve seen photos and it’s lovely. Frankly, we were lucky enough to see it from the outside but you really can’t miss it!

Address: Markt 10, 55116 Mainz

See a Show at the Staatstheater

While you are wandering downtown, you might notice a red monolithic looking building standing with glass on top. This is the main theatre in Mainz!

The Staatstheater, as it’s called in German, was opened in 1833 and actually houses two theatres that are connected inside. If you want to see a performance, you can check out the official website here.

Address: Gutenbergplatz 7, 55116 Mainz

Visit the Gutenberg Museum

If you are interested in learning about the history of print and literature, why not stop by the Gutenberg Museum?

This museum was founded in the early 1900s as a way to pay tribute to Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press that modernized printing in Europe!

The museum actually has two 15th century “Gutenberg Bibles” – which were among the first books ever printed in modern history! If you want to plan a visit, check out the official website for the Gutenburg Museum here .

Address: Liebfrauenplatz 5, 55116 Mainz

Admire the Church of St Stephan

We were walking along up the hill from old town when we saw a colourful tower in the distance. Intrigued, we wandered down a beautiful side street and this is what we found – the Church of St Stephan. This Baroque-style building actually replaced the Romantic-era styled one in 13th and 14th century.

The church features stain glass windows designed by the master artist Marc Chagall. If you want to attend a service or just want to look around, you can learn all about the times and opening hours at the official website in English .

Address: Kleine Weißgasse 12, 55116 Mainz

Find the Many Fountains

If you walk around enough, you will definitely notice this too: there are loads of fountains around Mainz, and they are all really cool or pretty.

The one above is right across from the Cathedral in the old town main square. It is called the Marktbrunnen, and is beautifully designed.

Located in a small square/parking lot outside a school called Ballplatz, this is called Drei-Mädchen-Brunnen – meaning literally “Three Girls Fountain” in English.

Fittingly, school was just out of session and so the area was filled with kids and their backpacks heading home from school.

Finally, there is the Fastnachtsbrunnen. Completed in 1967, this fountain, located in Schillerplatz, has over 200 bronze sculptures that are meant to celebrate the joy in life and the spirit of carnival in Mainz.

There are probably many more fountains around so if you go and find more please tag us any way you can because we want to hear about it!

Go Find the Römertor + Alexanderturm

Given that Mainz was settled by the Romans 2000 years ago, we thought there would be a deeper connection to that part of the city’s history.

So, we set out to see the old ruins. We wanted to see the old wall/gate called the Römertor.

Turns out, the ruins are in a residential complex which clearly states that it’s private. However, there is a tourism sign with a huge explanation and diagram of what the old wall/gate at that location looked like.

So, we were confused and underwhelmed – but still kinda cool to see that they didn’t just cover this over completely – which they easily could have done!

If you exit the residential compound near the Novotel Mainz , you will find the Alexanderturm – which is an old tower that is now on the grounds to a restaurant, Kupferberg Terrassen!

We didn’t eat there but it looked great, has medieval cellars, and the reviews are really good. You can check them out if you need food up on the hill or you book the Novotel!

Address of the Römertor: Kästrich 61, 55116 Mainz

Things to Consider When Visiting Mainz

Mainz isn’t a tiny village, but it is also not a major city like the massive port city Hamburg . It’s a smaller city with a population of just over 200,000 people.

Mainz is located where the river Main and the Rhine – the two famous German rivers – meet. This significance has made Mainz a hub for trade and industry for (not kidding) two millennia when the Romans settled it.

You’ll find loads of ways to get to Mainz, public transportation once you are in Mainz, and plenty of places to stay the night if you’d like to spend a bit more time in the city than we did! We’ll briefly cover some of these topics below.

How to Get to Mainz

It’s actually pretty easy to get to Mainz. If you are driving, take any of the A60, A63, A643 or A66. We got to Mainz on the S-train from Wiesbaden, but you could also get to Mainz from Frankfurt. 

If you’re travelling from Frankfurt or another nearby city to Mainz, use this website to  plan your journey  by train. 

If you are coming from a place farther away, the train is usually also a good option, but instead of using the local transportation website use the  DB Website to plan your journey .

Alternatively, depending on where you are coming from, you could also take a bus to Mainz. You can check the bus connections on the  Flixbus website .

In theory, you could also take a boat on a river cruise from a larger city like Cologne which would be kinda fun – but most people use the train or drive.

Getting Around in Mainz

Once you’re in Mainz, the city is actually pretty walkable. The centre from the train station to the river is flat with one hill where we explored an old tower (see below).

If you aren’t keen to walk about, there is an extensive bus system that goes all over the city. There is also a street train (tram) system that we saw shuttling by.

Here is a link to the main transit website Mainzer Mobilität . It’s in German, but it might be helpful.

Where to Stay in Mainz

If you are considering spending a night or two in Mainz then you have plenty of places to choose from.

Mainz has a great mix of modern and beautiful old hotels in the city centre, along with rented apartments for a longer stay in the city. You can check here for hotels/accommodation in Mainz.

If you are set on visiting and sleeping there, you might want to stay right in the centre – in which case you can stay in the building on the photo!

This is The Osteiner Hof at Schillerplatz square . In there you can find beautiful apartments you can rent for a stay in Mainz. From there it is just a 5-7 minute walk to the Cathedral and the Old town!

And there you have it – some great things to do and see in Mainz, Germany! Again, this is just a sample. There are so many more churches, museums, and beautiful green spaces – include all along the river – which we just didn’t get a chance to see.

So, consider this your Mainz teaser trailer that we will add to in the future! If you stop in Mainz, let us know what you think!

As always, Happy Mainz Waddlin’, -L&E

• Compare flights on Skyscanner
• Check for Hotel Deals or Book A Hostel
• Get A Rental Car (depending on the destination)
• Research plug types and possibly get a travel adapter
• Go over our packing list

Related Articles

If you are looking for other Germany posts – along with helpful German phrases to know – we’ve got a whole Germany Series going:

• Castles and Wine are the way in Würzburg
• Explore the famous Veste Coburg… in Coburg
• Visit the Western Spa City of Aachen
• Beautiful Places in Germany Recommended by German Bloggers

Pin it for later!

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Destinations

Privacy policy

Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure

Terms of use

© 2024 Creativlier Media Inc.

Guided Tours & Experiences

Sidewalk Safari | Part-time Travel Blog

18 cool things to do in mainz on a winter workcation.

Getting To Mainz

Mainz is just a 30 minute train ride from Frankfurt Airport, the largest airport in Germany. 

Frankfurt Airport is a major hub of Lufthansa and thus you can easily get flights to Frankfurt from around Europe and beyond (from Asia, Africa, North America, and South America). 

For us, Frankfurt is just a 2 hour flight from Dublin and therefore an ideal location for a long weekend workcation in Germany.

Note that local trains from Frankfurt Airport to Mainz are a little confusing. The ticket machine asked if we wanted to go via Russelheim or Frankfurt. 

S8 seemed like the only choice running every 30 min. Then saw RE3 to Saarbrücken which stops in Mainz Hbf. The ticket cost about 5 EUR for the 30 min ride.

We also learned that Google Maps only has S-Bahn data which likely explains our confusion when we were comparing Google Maps to what we were seeing on the schedule board at the Frankfurt Airport train station. 

Fortunately, Mainz is a relatively small city and is easy to just walk around once you are there. If you do want to avail of public transportation, download the  RMV Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund app  on Android or iPhone.

Where to Stay in Mainz

Things to do in Mainz at a Glance

• Walk around the Mainz Christmas Market Before Opening Time
• Shop Römerpassage
• Tour Mainzer Dom
• Pick up a Sweet Treat at Dom Confiserie
• Explore the Gutenberg Museum
• Watch the Sunset over the Rhine River
• Warm up with a Glass of Wine
• Channel Your Inner College Student and Grab a Kebab
• Drink Gluhwein at the Christmas Markets
• Appreciate the Chagall Windows at St. Stephan's Church
• Grab a Bracing Outdoor Coffee
• Have Dinner at the Christmas Market
• Go on a Mainz Door Hunt
• Eat Lunch at the Mainz Christmas Market
• Look for an Edgy Exhibit like the Mystery of Banksy
• Take a (non-Christmasy) Photowalk in Mainz
• Stroll along the Rhine
• Check Out St. Christoph's Church

Things to do in Mainz in Detail

1. walk around the mainz christmas market before opening time.

The Mainz Christmas markets open at the end of November. We timed our visit to arrive the day before the Christmas markets opened. 

We had a fantastic time walking around Mainz Old Town on the afternoon we arrived taking pictures before the crowds descended. 

We were very happy to resume our tradition of visiting a different city in Germany each year for the Christmas markets! 

If you arrive later in December, you can recreate this experience by taking a photowalk in the Mainz Christmas markets in the morning before they open.

2. Shop Römerpassage

The area around Römerpassage in Mainz is full of festive decorations in November and December. Römerpassage is a good option to warm up a bit on a winter walk in Mainz. 

We enjoyed self-service sandwiches for lunch at a local bakery near Römerpassage. The prices felt like such a bargain after our last trip to Norway ! 

We got 2 sandwiches, a coffee, and a bag of cookies for less than 10 EUR. Römerpassage is a great destination if you need to get some Christmas shopping done on your winter workcation. 

Fun fact: you'll find the ruins of an ancient Roman temple below the shopping center.

3. Tour Mainzer Dom

Mainzer Dom (The Mainz Cathedral) dominates the landscape of the city and is free to enter. Definitely make time to check it out. 

I loved how the light played off the stained glass. This 1000 year old cathedral also features a spectacular organ and a small below ground crypt. 

Mainzer Dom is even more impressive from the outside both day and night!

4. Pick up a Sweet Treat at Dom Confiserie

Dom Confiserie is located in the shadow of Mainzer Dom and offers some amazing treats to eat in or takeaway. 

We picked up a chocolate covered marzipan log and some walnut marzipan confections local to Mainz to enjoy back at the hotel when I needed a break from work.

5. Explore the Gutenberg Museum

The Gutenberg Museum is the most famous Mainz tourist attraction and so we took a self-guided tour. 

Quick history refresher: Johannes Gutenberg was a German inventor who democratized reading by bringing printing to Europe via the moveable-type printing press at the tail end of the Middle Ages. 

For just 5 EUR per person, we saw countless historic books including intact Gutenberg Bibles. Less than 200 were made and less than 50 have survived intact since the 15th century. 

The Gutenberg Museum features four storeys of exhibits. The first two storeys have English subtitles, the top two storeys, not so much. 

The Gutenberg Museum also featured an exhibit on the history of printing in Asia and a modern art exhibit in the ground floor. 

I highly recommend the Gutenberg Museum as a must-go thing to do in Mainz.

6. Watch the Sunset over the Rhine River

In winter, the sun goes down early in Mainz. Head to the Rhine to watch the sunset. I'll admit that I got a bit distracted by the elegant buildings and doors along the way. 

There is a promenade and park along the river. Dress warmly and go for an evening stroll.

A Medieval Wooden Tower (Holzturm) caught our eye as we were walking along the Rhine and we headed toward it. 

A section of what I imagine is the Medieval city wall stands out among the neighboring apartment blocks.

7. Warm up with a Glass of Wine

Time for a glass of local wine at Vinotheka Moguntia. We tried a dry Riesling and a Rivaner. Just 3.50 EUR for a pour advertised to be a very generous 200 ml. 

Our glass was filled to the brim. We enjoyed Vinotheka Moguntia so much that we popped in again for another 3 EUR glass of local wine the next night. 

This time we tried a Silvaner and a Halbstrocken Dornfelder. The Christmas Market closed at 8:30 pm so we waited for the crowds to clear before heading back to the hotel.

We enjoyed the twinkling lights on our walk back from Mainz City Centre to our hotel near the Hauptbahnhof (about 20 min). We stopped to pick up a bottle of Organic wine at the supermarket. 

Just 4.99 EUR for a Landlust Dortfelder and Spätburgunder blend. This area of Germany along the Rhine River cultivates some great wines at even better prices!

8. Channel Your Inner College Student and Grab a Kebab

There is a kebab shop on almost every corner in Mainz, something we don't get as easily in Dublin. That's dinner sorted! 

We enjoyed a takeaway kebab and a glass of wine at our hotel. The kebab only cost a fiver and was so filling!

9. Drink Gluhwein at the Christmas Markets

The Christmas markets in Mainz opened at 11 am sharp the day after we arrived. We took a break at lunchtime to visit the Christmas market on Schillerplatz. 

Potato pancakes with applesauce (Reibekuchen mit apfelmus) plus weisser glühwein (hot white wine) was the perfect midday treat for our winter workcation.

10. Appreciate the Chagall Windows at St. Stephan's Church

Another cool thing to do in Mainz is stopping to see the Chagall stained glass windows at St. Stephan's Church. St. Stephan's dates back over 1000 years. Much of the church was destroyed during World War II. 

Marc Chagall was convinced to do the windows of the church despite the fact that he was born into a Hasidic Jewish family. The Chagall windows in Mainz feature amazing blue colors! 

The pipe organ and cloister courtyard are also worth a look.

11. Grab a Bracing Outdoor Coffee

On a workcation, it's important to do things in smaller, bite-sized chunks. We took time out and enjoyed cake and coffee at Baristaz Coffee Heroes including a slice of an elegant Mozartkuchen!

12. Have Dinner at the Christmas Market

In winter life centers around the Christmas markets in Mainz and, as you can see, so did our workcation. We ate currywurst with glühwein for dinner at the Mainz Hauptbahnhof Christmas market. 

All the tables were taken and we were having trouble finding a spot. The glühwein seller saw us struggling and kicked out someone who hadn't bought from him to make room for us.

We loved the beautiful Christmas lights and glitz at the main Mainz Christmas Market. It was a bit crowded so we decided not to stay long. 

We made sure to nab some roasted chestnuts before leaving. It's important to have a beverage when you eat chestnuts since they can be quite dry and cough-inducing if you aren't careful.

The vendor made fun of me because he thought I said mit "apple juice" when I actually said "apfelmus".

13. Go on a Mainz Door Hunt

My regular readers know that I absolutely love doors and find the beauty in this architectural expression wherever we go. Mainz did not disappoint in the door department. 

One of my recommended things to do in Mainz is to go on a door hunt. Wander around the heart of the city and snap the prettiest doors you find. 

I even spotted one door featuring bird-inspired street art painted on a garage. A garage door is still a door, in my opinion, especially when it's beautifully decorated.

14. Eat Lunch at the Mainz Christmas Market

On the second day of our workcation in Mainz, we worked for a few hours in the morning and then went out to the Mainz Christmas Market next to Mainzer Dom. 

Here we ate the best potato pancakes of the trip so far. Pay for a token, then pick up your portion! Reibekuchen appear to be a Mainz Christmas market specialty. This batch of reibekuchen had an excellent crispy finish.

Browsing further, we opted to eat a Christmas market classic: sausage! We ordered a Rindswurst and a Thuringer sausage which is uniquely flavored with caraway seeds. 

We also picked up some chili almonds as a snack for later while working.

Don't limit yourself to just Christmas market food in Mainz. We discovered cheesy bread with pumpkin seeds and a donut filled with vanilla pudding at a local bakery near the Christmas market.

 I love trying local treats when we travel; another advantage of a workcation.

15. Look for an Edgy Exhibit like the Mystery of Banksy

When we visited Mainz, there was an unauthorized Banksy exhibit on. We paid 18 EUR to enter The Mystery of Banksy  which was located on the top floor of a local artisan's market. The exhibit was pretty pricey and I was left wondering who would get the money.

Allow at least 90 minutes to tour The Mystery of Banksy . There were many works on display including classic stenciled pieces, full-blown art installations, painted over canvases, and 3D objects like a case of Di-faced tenners featuring Princess Diana. Even the WC on-site was decorated.

This is yet another advantage of basing yourself somewhere for a workcation. You can pretend you are a local and take advantage of time-bound exhibits like this one.

16. Take a (non-Christmasy) Photowalk in Mainz

Winter in Mainz isn't only about Christmas cheer. Look beyond the Christmas markets and explore the other sides of Mainz by taking a photo walk. 

Keep an eye out for vintage neon signs and shopfronts which make for amazing photo compositions. You may spot some cool street art as you are out and about as well. 

We chanced upon Kurfürstliches Schloss which is situated near the Rhine on our Mainz photowalk. The schloss features absolutely fabulous architecture. Of course, it was the door that caught my eye.

17. Stroll along the Rhine

The Rhine River in Mainz sports a tree-lined path for walking, cycling, our running. The Rhine River promenade is lovely for a stroll even in November. 

We discovered some interesting stone panels along the Rhine near the Hilton Hotel in Mainz. The figures pictured on the panels were quite jaunty.

18. Check Out St. Christoph's Church

Another bite-sized thing to do in Mainz on a workcation is explore the remains of St Christoph Church. The first reference to a church here dates back over 1000 years. 

The most recent church was destroyed during WWII. Learn about the history of the church and Mainz' fate during the war in colorful panels with pictures and short English translations.

Summing Up Our Workcation in Mainz

Did you enjoy this post about things to do in mainz on a workcation sharing is caring....

FOLLOW SIDEWALK SAFARI PART-TIME TRAVEL BLOG$type=social_counter

• twitter|14.8k|followers|follow
• instagram|10.3k|followers|follow
• pinterest|4k|followers|follow
• facebook|835|likes|like

Featured In

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

• mainz STORE / Tourist Info

• Guided city tours
• General offer

Take a drive around Mainz

With the historic bus through mainz.

Fancy a bus ride? On the road with the historic bus. Mainz has gained another attraction. The 637 model (articulated bus) has been taking interested guests through the city to places worth seeing since September 2018. This offer has been made possible through the cooperation between Traditionsbus Mainz, mainzplus CITYMARKETING GmbH, and the guest guide association Mainz.

The 637 model drives to historical and interesting sites in the city centre and in Mainz districts up to the Laubenheimer Höhe with a distant view of Hessenland and Mainhattan. Mainz tour guides accompany the guests and explain the sights during the journey. The journey in the bus can be booked for public tours as well as for individual tours with mainzplus CITYMARKETING GmbH.

Duration : 2 hours Price : 17€ per person Minimum number of participants 15 people, max. 39 people

Combined tour followed by a tour in your own coach

A one hour tour in your own bus through Mainz followed by a tour of the old town or the cathedral. Depending on the size of the group, additional guides may be required for the tour.

Duration: 2 hours Price:  105€ for 1 hour, 140€ for 2 hours

Short tour in the group's coach

The route can be coordinated individually with the tour guide. We recommend the drive through the Große Bleiche, past the State Museum, the Church of St. Peter and the Electoral Palace, and over the Theodor Heuss Bridge.

Duration : 1 hour Price : 105€

The tram ride

Experience Mainz by tram and learn many interesting and surprising facts about the sights along the way!

The tram travels to historical and interesting sites in the city centre and in the districts that are connected to the rail system.

The tram from 1984 with its 54 seats is still in regular service and runs to Lerchenberg and back.

Duration : 2 hours Price : 17€ per person

Accessibility

Monday - Friday: 09:00 am - 05:00 pm

E-Mail:  gaestefuehrung(at)mainzplus.com

Terms and Conditions

mainzplus CITYMARKETING GmbH acts as a broker and is not the provider of the actual website Service.

Gästeführerverband Mainz e.V.

• mainzplus CITYMARKETING - a one-stop service:
• Jobs and Career
• Privacy Policy

Main navigation

Db is a national partner of uefa euro 2024™: we will take you to the games in an eco-friendly way..

DB Ticket EURO 24 for stadium visitors

Travel by train to the UEFA EURO 2024™ European Football Championship venues for 29.90 euros (2nd class).

Interrail Pass EURO 2024

As a stadium visitor, receive a 25% discount on your Interrail ticket if you are travelling from another European country.

Fan BahnCard 25

Save 25% on rail travel for 3 months with the Fan BahnCard and get a free one-year extension if Germany wins the European Championships.

One team. For the climate.

Our clear goal is to support the aims to have the most sustainable UEFA EURO 2024™ of all time. That's why we want to make our contribution on this.

More for the climate.

Achieving Germany's climate protection goals requires a sustainable decarbonisation of mobility - and what is more sustainable than travelling to the stadium by train? Travellers on our long distance trains in Germany are already using 100% renewable power. The European Championships are therefore the perfect opportunity not only to support your favourite team, but also to do something good for the climate.

nachhaltigkeit.deutschebahn.com/en

More for Europe. More for people.

In summer 2024, we will be hosting the whole of Europe in Germany. Obviously, we will welcome our visitors - right in the heart of Europe. We want to make the journey pleasant and smooth - across borders.

Join our Team DB UEFA EURO 2024™ is a major challenge that we are proud to be tackling with our entire Team DB. We want to share this special feeling with you - because team spirit is very important to us. What is important to you? Join our team and land your job at Deutsche Bahn. db.jobs

Services and travel information for all host cities

Host city Berlin

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what Berlin has to offer .

Host City Munich

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what Munich has to offer .

Host City Frankfurt am Main

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what Frankfurt has to offer.

Host City Cologne

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what Cologne has to offer .

Host City Hamburg

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what Hamburg has to offer .

Host City Leipzig

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what Leipzig has to offer .

Host City Stuttgart

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what Stuttgart has to offer .

Host city Düsseldorf

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what Düsseldorf has to offer .

Host City Dortmund

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what  Dortmund has to offer .

Host city Gelsenkirchen

Plan your journey in a climate-friendly way by train and find out here how to get to the venue and what Gelsenkirchen has to offer .

9 things to know before going to Norway in 2024

Mar 18, 2024 • 6 min read

These insider tips will help you plan the Norway trip of a lifetime © Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

Norway is a wonderful country to experience as a first-time visitor – an efficient and extensive transport network, incredible attractions, breathtaking scenery and relaxed locals all add up to the trip of a lifetime.

But there are still some things that are good to know in advance. For example, Norway is one of the most expensive countries on the planet, so money-saving tips will make all the difference to your travel budget.

Another major influence on your trip will be  the flow of the seasons ; the differences can be extreme and will have a major impact on what you plan to do while you're there, both in terms of climate and strange Arctic phenomena such as the midnight sun and the northern lights .

Here are nine things you need to know to ensure a wonderful trip to Norway.

1. Outdoor activities are seasonal so plan carefully

Seasons are everything in Norway. Each long summer day might feel like it lasts forever, but the window for many activities rarely lasts longer than the June-to-August (sometimes just July-to-August) periods. This especially  applies to hiking – Norway’s intensely beautiful Besseggen Ridge Trail, in Jotunheimen National Park , can draw 30,000 hikers in just two months.

Some trails remain open beyond summer, but you run a serious risk of extreme weather rolling in with very little warning while you’re out there. Cycling just about anywhere, and white-water rafting on the Sjøa River, are also strictly summer-only.

Winter sports like skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding have a similarly narrow opening, although dog sledders can sometimes take a summer ride on a sled with wheels. It all means that planning is essential, and local tourist offices are an excellent resource for knowing what’s possible and when.

2. Eat well on a budget

Prices for a meal in Norway can be eye-wateringly high: in a decent restaurant, a main course for Nkr500 is somewhere close to the norm. Thankfully, the best Norwegian cooking is almost always worth it, but keep these sorts of prices for a special occasion, or even just dinner. 

Most Norwegian hotel buffet breakfasts are extraordinarily good, overflowing in generous proportions, and – best of all – usually included in your room rate. Take full advantage and you may well not need to eat again until the evening. If, on the other hand, you’re hungry again by lunchtime, many cafes have cheaper lunch specials and lighter meals, or you could plan for a picnic with food sourced from a supermarket and its delicatessen.

Snacking at fish markets, or with one of the hot dogs sold at every Norwegian petrol or gas station, could also fill you up without sending a torpedo through your daily budget. Saving money on other meals will make that dinner bill a little less painful.

3. Buy train and bus tickets online

Norway's transport network is efficient and extensive. If you’re traveling by rail, you’re in for a treat with some of northern Europe’s most scenic rail journeys . But whatever you do, don’t pay full fare: Norwegians rarely do. On almost every route, Norwegian state railways  set aside a limited number of discounted (minipris)  tickets. How much you pay has everything to do with how early you book, so start planning as soon as you have firm dates for your trip, even if it’s months in advance. Of all the bus services on offer across the country, Lavprisekspressen is known for its rock-bottom fares along major routes – book online and book early.

4. Join a hotel loyalty scheme

The overwhelming majority of Norwegian hotels belong to a hotel chain, or at least to some more loosely affiliated groupings. Joining one of their loyalty programs is always free, so choose as many as you like. Better still, join one and then find hotels along your route that belong to your program. The best such programs have a simple offer: the more nights you stay – just how many varies from one chain or program to the next – the more free nights you get as a reward for your loyalty.

Another option that is becoming increasingly common, especially in cities, is budget hotels. Before it was just the hostels (vandrerhjem) that promised reasonable prices, but increasingly, slick hotel-hostel hybrids like Citybox  and  Smarthotels  provide respite from the sky-high room rates.

5. Bring a sleeping mask in summer

Let’s face it, Norway’s midnight sun (which can mean 24 hours of daylight for months on end) and polar night (the same, but with endless darkness) can be confusing or frustrating. At first, it can be exciting to walk alongside a beautiful fjord in brilliant 3am sunshine and there is considerable novelty to eating lunch under a night-dark sky. But how do you sleep in summer? Many hotels, particularly in Norway’s north, have heavy-duty, light-blocking curtains, but bring a sleeping mask in summer to ensure you get some shut-eye.

6. Norwegians are tolerant, but always be considerate

Norwegians are pretty relaxed about most things, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more tolerant nation of people. In cities in particular, the guiding principle seems to be to have a good time as long as you’re not hurting anyone. In rural areas, it’s slightly more complicated, but only slightly. There are always exceptions, but Norwegians in small towns and remote areas tend to be more socially conservative. Loud and loutish behavior is rarely welcome in such places, and if you have an all-night party in a small village, you’ll have misread your surroundings and taken Norwegians’ famous tolerance too far.

7. Driving will take longer than you expect

Many of Norway’s roads are engineering marvels, taking you places no road should go. Norway has the longest tunnels in the world and curvaceous bridges that render water obsolete as an obstacle, and car ferries take care of the rest. So rare are potholes, that people take photos of them. Just don’t expect to go very fast.

Part of that has to do with the terrain. It’s also because, apart from a short distance on either side of major cities, freeways are as rare as potholes. Throughout much of the country, especially in summer, you’ll share the road with trucks and campers with only semi-regular overtaking lanes to ease the frustration. Count on slowing down, enjoying the view, and averaging no more than 60km/h (37mph) on most journeys, longer if you stop along the way.

8. Take basic safety precautions

Norway is an extremely safe place in which to travel, possibly even one of the safest in Europe. Like any large modern city, pickpockets are always a possibility in popular tourist areas, especially Oslo and around the Torget area of Bergen . Here and elsewhere, keep your valuables hidden, and never leave them visible in an unattended car. As long as you’re sensible in ways such as these, you and your personal belongings may well be safer in Norway than they are back home.

9. Watch the weather

Watching the nightly weather bulletin with rapt attention isn’t some quirky little pastime in Norway: it could just save your life. Even in summer, wild weather can roll in without warning, which is fine if you’re curled up next to a roaring fire, less so if you’re hiking in Hardangervidda or Jotunheimen, or snowmobiling in Svalbard .

Whenever you’re heading out into any Norwegian wilderness, wise precautions include always carrying warm wet-weather gear, as well as emergency water and food. And always let someone (either your hotel or the local tourist office) know where you’re going and when you expect to be back.

This article was first published Jul 25, 2023 and updated Mar 18, 2024.

Explore related stories

Destination Practicalities

Mar 30, 2024 • 4 min read

Who wouldn't jump at the chance to visit the Emerald Isle? Here’s how to check if you need a visa before setting off on your Irish adventure. 

Mar 20, 2024 • 8 min read

Mar 18, 2024 • 5 min read

Mar 14, 2024 • 8 min read

Jan 19, 2024 • 11 min read

Dec 27, 2023 • 8 min read

Dec 1, 2023 • 6 min read

Oct 27, 2023 • 5 min read

Oct 24, 2023 • 9 min read

Aug 3, 2023 • 7 min read