IS MAINZ WORTH VISTING? A CITY GUIDE.
On a summers day in Germany, we finished walking the Rheinsteig – a long-distance trail. Shortly after the conclusion of our hike we found ourselves (exhausted and hungry) in the city of Mainz.
After a few days of wandering around and exploring, we found that we both had a soft spot for the city. A mix of trendy bars and liberal locals, set against the backdrop of the charming old town and the river Rhine.
Is Mainz worth visiting?
Mainz often flies under the radar when people plan their trips to Germany, overshadowed by bigger names like Frankfurt or Cologne. But after spending time in this charming city, I can confidently say Mainz is absolutely worth visiting.
Perched along the Rhine River, it’s a delightful blend of history, culture, and modern vibrancy. As a university city, it has a young and free feeling to it. Bordering on hipster. Some German cities can feel quite conservative, but Mainz has an edge, similar to Berlin.
We loved the contrast of the Old Town (Alstadt) with it’s impressive Cathedral, with the modernity of the Neustadt area which is filled with trendy coffee shops and wine bars.
How long do you need in Mainz?
The first thing that struck me when I visited Mainz is that it is very much a liveable city. The type of place that one could hang their hat and settle for a while quite merrily.
That said, I would expect that most tourists would visit Mainz for a day or two. It is a small and walkable city, so a couple of nights is ideal.
13 best things to do in Mainz
Based on our experience of visiting Mainz, here are our top 13 things to do in the city.
1/ A beer or two at a retro taverna
Mainz has no shortage of great spots to grab a drink, but what makes the city special are its quirky, retro tavernas.
These old-school pubs offer a laid-back vibe, perfect for soaking up the local culture. I stumbled across Zum Bierstübchen in the Altstadt (Old Town) and ended up chatting with locals over a beer or two. What I particularly love about this place is that it attracts a multi-generational crowd.
If you’re a fan of craft beer, Mainz also has a growing scene with several microbreweries to explore.
2/ Enjoy good eating
I’ll be honest and say that I don’t get that excited about German food, but I do remember eating very well in Mainz. As a contemporary city, there’s a real mixed bag of different cuisines on offer and its a good place for foodies to enjoy.
If you’re in the mood for international food, there are popular Thai and Vietnamese restaurants in the old town. But I think it’s traditional food with a twist that is best enjoyed in Mainz. The best area for restaurants in our opinion is Neustadt – it has a hipster feel to it. Check out the pub/restaurant Krokodil for the ultimate Schnitzel.
For upmarket dining, there are two Michelin Star restaurants in Mainz – FAVORITE, found in the main city park and Steins Traube. Both are elegant and refined. You could also consider Sushi Lounge, which gets an honourable mention in the Michelin Guide for the city.
3/ Visit the Gutenberg Museum
I’ll be honest and say that when I heard that there was a printing museum in Mainz, I was a little quick to dismiss it but it does come highly recommended by locals.
The Gutenberg Museum is one of the city’s crown jewels, and it offers a glimpse into how this ground-breaking invention shaped the modern world. The original Gutenberg Bibles are on display and the museum’s hands-on printing demonstrations are a highlight.
That said, tickets are 10 Euros, not particularly cheap given that it’s quite a small museum. If you have a particular interest or you visit Mainz when it’s raining, we would recommend it. But otherwise, you could skip this. If you do, be sure to see the building from the outside at least – it’s quite pretty.
4/ Visit the “San Fran” district
Locals in Mainz refer to Gaustraße as the San Francisco area of the city. If you visit, you’ll see the obvious similarity – a hill with trams. Along the side of the street are a handful of quirky wine bars, restaurants and coffee shops. This area has an upmarket vibe and we really enjoyed exploring here.
5/ Join in with a festival
The people of Mainz take their festivals quite seriously and there are various shenanigans going on throughout the year. We narrowly missed the summer events of “Mainz lives on it’s sqaures”, when we visited in the summer. In May, there’s also a fabulous looking wine festival. As well as Mainz very own Oktoberfest.
Check out the Mainz tourism website, which will always have the latest events.
6/ Take a yoga class
Like any good contemporary city, Mainz has ample yoga classes going on at different times of the week. Many will offer English instruction and allow drop ins. I always love to take a yoga class in a new city because I think it gives a different insight into the vibe of the place and is a chance to chat to locals.
Check out Yoga Mira if you love yoga and you’re visiting Mainz. In summer they offer paddle board yoga and yoga in the park.
7/ Go wine tasting
Mainz is the capital of the Rheinhessen wine region, Germany’s largest wine-producing area. If you’re a fan of Riesling (and who isn’t?), this is your paradise.
Many wine bars in Mainz offer tasting flights, so you can sample a variety of local wines without leaving the city. For a more immersive experience, join this tutored wine tasting in a cellar in the city.
Don’t forget that there are also vineyards near to Mainz if you fancy a bit of an excursion. Eltville is a pretty town just a few kms away and there are a few small vineyards you can visit.
8/ Visit Mainz Cathedral (Mainzer Dom)
The Mainzer Dom dominates the skyline and is a must-visit for history buffs and architecture lovers alike. This Romanesque cathedral has been a focal point of Mainz for over a millennium.
Entry to the Cathedral is free, so you can visit if on a budget too.
9/ Wander along the river
There’s something magical about the Rhine, and Mainz makes the most of its riverside location. I loved strolling along the promenade, where you can watch boats glide by and take in the peaceful atmosphere.
The area by the river around the Art Gallery, Kunsthalle Mainz is contemporary. Visit quirky bakery Liesbeth to grab a coffee and pastry to take on your stroll.
10/ Relax in the Stadtpark
Mainz’s Stadtpark is a beautiful green oasis that’s perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll with a coffee. With its manicured gardens, fountains, and even a small aviary, it’s a great place to relax and recharge.
After a walk, you could also head to a nearby brewery just outside the park. A popular lace with unique beers.
11/ Cross the river to Wiesbaden
Take a bus or walk across the Rhine to nearby Wiesbaden, a city which offers a complete contrast to Mainz. On one side of the river Mainz is contemporary and liberal. And on the other, Weisbaden feels formal and traditional.
Known for its spa culture and elegant architecture, Wiesbaden makes for a great way to spend a few hours away from Mainz. I particularly enjoyed walking along its tree-lined boulevards and visiting Biebrich Palace, a Baroque palace set in a gorgeous park.
In German, “bad” means bath. And Wiesbaden is known for the thermal baths. If you’re looking for a way to relax and unwind on your vacation, take time to visit Das Badhaus wellness spa.
12/ Try Federweißer
We were really intrigued by Federweißer when we saw it on the wine menu – mainly because it tends to be a little less expensive than other wines. It turns out this is a fizzy German wine, a young and fresh drink. It’s not available all year round, but if you like fizzy wine, slightly sweet – then give it a go.
13/ Take a boat cruise
Seeing Mainz from the water offers a different perspective. Several boat companies offer cruises along the Rhine, ranging from short sightseeing trips to longer excursions.
There are seasonal themed boat tours too – like this festive advent boat tour. If you visit in summer, paddle boarding on the Rhine could be fun too.
Where to stay in Mainz
We stayed in Neustadt, a trendy district of Mainz, and opted for the H2 Hotel. This was honestly a really great place to stay, and great value for money. Don’t miss the breakfast.
How to get to Mainz
Mainz is incredibly well-connected, making it easy to reach by train, car, or even boat.
By Train: Mainz is only 30 minutes by train from Frankfurt and just over an hour from Cologne. The main train station (Mainz Hauptbahnhof) is close to the city center, so getting around is straightforward.
By Car: The city is conveniently located near major highways, and parking is available in several garages. However, I found public transport more convenient for exploring the city itself.
Do note that Frankfurt has two airports – one in the city and one outside of the city Frankfurt Hahn Airport. You can get to Mainz fairly easily from both airports.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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