Mainz
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Only have a day? See a ready-made day plan ↓10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Thousand-year-old red sandstone Romanesque cathedral of St Martin.
3 tips
- Free entry
- Visit the cloister and Dommuseum
- Closed to tourists during services
📷 Photos
- 2
Museum of printing with original Gutenberg Bibles.
3 tips
- Check current location during renovation
- Watch the printing press demo
- Allow 1.5 hours
📷 Photos
- 3
Gothic church glowing blue with Marc Chagall's stained-glass windows.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Small fee or donation
- Peaceful Gothic cloister
📷 Photos
- 4
Square beside the cathedral with the Heunensäule column and old facades.
3 tips
- Lively on market days
- Christmas market in Advent
- Cafe terraces facing the Dom
📷 Photos
- 5
Postcard-perfect square of colourful half-timbered houses.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Wine taverns nearby
- Small, easy to miss
📷 Photos
- 6
Old town lane of baroque facades, shops and wine bars.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Pop into the Augustinerkirche
- Great for an evening glass of wine
- Pedestrian-only
📷 Photos
- 7
Riverside promenade along the Rhine with views to Kastel.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Great for sunset walks
- Summer wine stands
- Bike path runs alongside
📷 Photos
- 8
Renaissance electoral palace on the Rhine, a venue for events and carnival.
3 tips
- Admire the facade from the riverside
- Interior only during events
- Start of the old town walk
📷 Photos
- 9
17th-century citadel with the Roman Drususstein monument and city views.
3 tips
- Free to walk the grounds
- Guided underground tours sometimes
- Combine with the Stadtpark
📷 Photos
- 10
State museum of art and archaeology from Roman times to modern art.
- Must know: Closed Mondays
- Tip: Allow a few hours
1 tip
- See the Roman Jupiter column
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Mainz tips
Transportation
- Take the S8 to Frankfurt Airport: S-Bahn trains connect Mainz Hauptbahnhof with Frankfurt Airport in about half an hour, often faster than driving.
- Ride Mainz trams and buses: The Mainzelbahn and city buses cover the centre, university and suburbs; buy tickets from machines or the app.
- Rent a MVGmeinRad bike: The bike share system makes it easy to cycle along the Rhine promenade and across the bridge to Wiesbaden-Kastel.
Security
- Mind Carnival crowds: During Fastnacht, especially Rosenmontag, the centre is packed; keep valuables secure and plan transport early.
- Don't swim in the Rhine: Strong currents and ship traffic make the river dangerous; enjoy the banks instead.
- Watch bags at the Hauptbahnhof: Pickpockets can operate around the station and busy trams.
Saving
- Visit the Saturday Marktfruhstuck: Winemakers serve wine and Mainz sausages at the Saturday market by the Cathedral, an inexpensive local experience.
- Explore the Mainz Cathedral: The Romanesque Dom is free to enter and is one of Germany's most important churches.
- Picnic in the Volkspark: The large park has lawns and playgrounds, a free place to relax on warm days.
Weather/Clothing
- Enjoy a warm climate: Mainz is one of Germany's sunnier cities; summers are warm, so bring light clothing.
- Pack layers for autumn wine festivals: Evenings in September and October can be cool; bring a jacket.
- Bring an umbrella: Rain can happen any month; pack a compact umbrella.
Cultural
- Learn about Gutenberg: Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type printing here; the Gutenberg Museum tells his story.
- See the Chagall windows: St Stephan's Church has stunning blue stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.
- Try local wine snacks: Taste Spundekas cheese dip and Handkas mit Musik in a traditional Weinstube.
Local Hacks
- Join Johannisnacht: In June Mainz celebrates Gutenberg with a festival of music and food along the Rhine.
- Spot the Mainzelmannchen: The ZDF cartoon figures appear on some pedestrian traffic lights in Mainz.
- Explore Rheinhessen vineyards: Take a short trip to wine villages around Mainz for tastings in autumn.
1-day itineraries in Mainz
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.