Frankfurt’s weekly farmers’ markets enjoy great popularity amongst locals as well as out-of-town visitors thanks to their highly diversified product range and pleasant surroundings. Whether you’re discovering exotic foods from across the globe, sampling regional specialities, taking in the casual atmosphere, meeting old friends or making new ones – a visit of one of Frankfurt’s excellent markets is always great fun! Nowhere else will you find so much individuality and personal interaction as at Frankfurt’s weekly farmers’ markets. While in Frankfurt, make sure to visit more than just one market, as each one has its very own charm, flair and style. In the following, you’ll find a basic overview of Frankfurt’s most popular farmers’ markets.

The metropolis on the River Main recently added a brand-new attraction to its already impressive list of grocers’ markets. The weekly Genussmarkt (Pleasure Market) is held on Old Sachsenhausen’s picturesque Paradiesplatz (Paradise Square) every Friday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, attracting visitors of all ages and walks of life. You won’t find typical market products like fruit and vegetables here, but rather items like smoked salmon, wines from the famous Rheingau region, organic sausages, Turkish specialities and sorbet. After conclusion of the market, visitors often stick around to celebrate the start of the weekend at one of the pubs and beer gardens lining the plaza.

Directly across from Frankfurt’s main train station, one finds the Kaisermarkt (Emperor’s Market). Held every Tuesday and Thursday, this market attracts many of the neighbourhood’s office workers, who to there to take an al-fresco lunch or, alternatively, to enjoy a small meal and a drink after work. The Kaisermarkt is not your traditional market with sundry fruit and vegetable stands, but consists mostly of food stalls serving hot meals. Here, visitors have venison specialities, sausages, Frankfurt favourites like green sauce and handkaes’, baked goods and regional wine to look forward to.

Every Friday, the Blumenmarkt (Flower Market) at Liebfrauenberg beautifies its downtown surroundings with a colourful, scented display of floral magnificence. The Blumenmarkt is Frankfurt’s only primary flower market. However, aside from bouquets and floral arrangements, market vendors also sell salads, vegetables, herbs and perennials for growing at home.

Friday is also the day on which Schillerstraße transforms into a scrumptious culinary mile. Schillermarkt, which sets up at Hauptwache in the city centre, features more than 50 stalls offering culinary delicacies of the highest quality. Visitors will also find non-edibles such as handmade wooden toys and household wares on sale. Those in need of a break after an extended shopping spree may choose to take some rest in one of the many surrounding cafés and watch the goings-on from a more leisurely vantage point.

The market at Friedberger Platz in Frankfurt’s North End is yet another Friday favourite. Here, customers are spoiled with fresh fruit, fine cheeses and accompanying wines until 8:00 pm. It is at this time that the market transforms into a popular party zone, with locals enjoying an after-work drink or two while ringing in the weekend.

Held every Saturday in the Brückenviertel (Bridge Quarter) of Sachsenhausen, the Markt im Hof (Courtyard Market) invites visitors to stroll through the market’s aisles and take a short break from their weekend activities. There’s ample seating available, enabling shoppers to relax and enjoy a pint of draught beer or a glass of homemade lemonade while sampling the wide selection of culinary delights on offer, which include empanadas, quiches, chutneys and much, much more. There’s plenty to take home as well, including fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meat as well as unusual vinegar, salt and olive oil varieties.

The Kleinmarkthalle (Small Market Hall), meanwhile, is one of Frankfurt’s most famous landmarks. The indoor grocery market is open Monday through Saturday and exudes a wonderful market atmosphere, even during times of inclement weather. Over 60 merchants proffer fresh produce from around the world, not to mention a superb selection of freshly made, ready-to-eat specialities. Visitors also have the opportunity to sit down on the market’s terrace to enjoy a glass of wine and relax from their shopping activities.

Last but not least, the Erzeugermarkt (Producers’ Market) at Konstablerwache in downtown Frankfurt has for been one of Frankfurt’s most popular institutions for many years. With some 52 stalls, it is the city’s biggest farmers’ market. What’s more, the market also features a large number of organic-food stalls and produce grown at Demeter farms. Held every Thursday and Saturday, the market attracts visitors from all across Frankfurt and beyond. Here, they have the chance, for example, to try homemade apple wine from the nearby Wetterau, Odenwald and Spessart regions. One also finds a range of old, hard-to-find apple and pear varieties, which are mostly unknown nowadays, even to die-hard locals.

Regardless of which of these markets you end up visiting, one thing is certain: You’re guaranteed to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and everything that goes with it. So see you there!

Photo: Herbs of Frankfurt Green Sauce to buy at a market stall - © Tourismus+Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main