How I Spent My Long Layover in Frankfurt (En Route to Armenia)

When I first saw that my flight to Armenia included a 9-hour daytime layover in Frankfurt, Germany, my initial instinct was to just stay put at the airport. I'd never been to Frankfurt before, I was by myself, and—despite having hours to kill—I had this irrational worry that something might go wrong and I’d miss my connecting flight. But after a bit of internal back-and-forth, I reminded myself that layovers are actually golden opportunities to experience a quick taste of a new city. So, I decided to make the most of it.

To keep things simple, I chose just one destination: the Städel Museum.

Before heading out, I securely stored my carry-on luggage at the airport. Frankfurt Airport makes this super easy with luggage storage services that charge a small fee, which you don’t even have to pay until you return. That made things feel a bit more low-pressure right off the bat.

I called an Uber and made my way to the Städel Museum, which sits right along the River Main. As soon as I arrived, the view across the street caught my eye. The river looked so peaceful, and there was a lovely pedestrian bridge that seemed to draw both locals and tourists alike. I took a detour from my museum plans to stroll by the river and step onto the bridge for some fresh air and pretty views. I didn’t cross it entirely—I was still keeping tabs on the time—but just being out there, watching people jog, bike, and enjoy their day, gave me a real sense of the city’s pace.

After a short while, I headed into the museum. I’d purchased a ticket online in advance, but in my rush, I accidentally booked it for a special exhibition that wasn’t open yet. Oops. Not a big deal though—I simply bought a regular admission ticket on the spot.

The Städel didn’t disappoint. I saw stunning works of European art spanning centuries—everything from the Renaissance to the modern era. One of the highlights for me was seeing a Picasso piece up close. There’s something powerful about encountering art in person that you’ve only seen in books or online.

After soaking in the museum, I treated myself to a coffee from the museum café and gave myself a moment to relax and reflect. Then I called another Uber and headed back to the airport with plenty of time to spare.

Looking back, I’m really grateful I pushed past my hesitation. That short excursion gave me a pocket-sized adventure and a new appreciation for Frankfurt, even if I only saw a small slice of it. So if you ever find yourself with a long layover—especially one like mine in Frankfurt—I say go for it. Pick one place, keep it simple, and let yourself explore. You might just end up with a great little story to tell.