Frankfurt in May: a seasonal travel plan
Frankfurt, Germany. In may, the average daytime high is 19.6 °C and the night-time low is 8.5 °C. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
Choose a month
Selected month: May
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Frankfurt
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 19.6 °C
- Nighttime low
- 8.5 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 61.6 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 11.7
- Daylight
- 15.4 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 17.8 | 7.0 | 3.8 |
| Days 11–20 | 19.5 | 8.3 | 3.8 |
| From day 21 | 21.2 | 10.1 | 4.1 |
What this month is like
Frankfurt, Germany. In may, the average daytime high is 19.6 °C and the night-time low is 8.5 °C. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
There are 11.7 wet days on average, with about 61.6 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
Average daylight is 15.4 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a jacket or jumper, long trousers and closed shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 15.0 °C, May — 19.6 °C, next month — 25.2 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 9.2, 11.7 and 11.7.
Things to do
Frankfurt stands on the Main, and the towers of the business district rise directly above the historic Römerberg. The centre is compact: the station is twenty minutes from the river, and trams and S-Bahn trains link it with Sachsenhausen and the airport.
Römerberg and the cathedral
Walk around Römerberg with its half-timbered houses and climb the cathedral tower when the stairs are open. The Main and the bank towers open below, and it is the quickest way to grasp the city's scale.
Museumsufer
Along the south bank of the Main, the Museumsufer holds the Städel, the Liebieghaus and the Museum für Kommunikation. The Städel, with old masters and modern work, takes half a day.
Sachsenhausen and apple wine
Order Apfelwein in a traditional Sachsenhausen tavern and try the local dishes. The district on the south bank is linked to the centre by tram across the bridge. The taverns fill up after work.
Where to stay
Altstadt
The Altstadt works for a first visit: Römerberg, the cathedral and the riverfront are close. There are many tourists and shops, and it stays lively in the evening. The Main is two minutes away.
Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen suits anyone who wants quiet streets and traditional taverns. The centre is about fifteen minutes by tram, and evenings are calmer. Trams run along the Main, and taxis wait by the bridge.
Westend
The Westend draws people for quiet streets, the university and a short walk to the Palmengarten. Restaurants are fewer than downtown, but the centre is within walking distance. Campus cafés fill up at lunchtime.
Getting to and around Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport lies twelve kilometres from the centre; S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 reach the Hauptbahnhof in about fifteen minutes. Trams and the U-Bahn run through the city, and the centre is walkable. Bridges over the Main link the Museumsufer with the Altstadt, and Sachsenhausen is a short S-Bahn or tram ride away.
Three days in Frankfurt
Römerberg and the museums
Start at Römerberg, climb the cathedral tower and walk to the Main. In the afternoon see the Städel on the Museumsufer. After the museum follow the promenade to the iron bridge.
Palmengarten and the Westend
Walk through the Palmengarten in the morning, then cross the Westend to the university campus. In the evening return to the centre, eat in the Altstadt and walk down to the Main.
Sachsenhausen and Mainz
Walk through Sachsenhausen to the river and the bridge, then take a regional train to Mainz. See the cathedral and the old town there. The journey takes half an hour, and trains back run hourly.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4.2 | -1.4 | 64.8 | 13.0 | 8.6 |
| February | 7.0 | -0.3 | 47.4 | 11.0 | 10.0 |
| March | 11.0 | 1.2 | 49.3 | 11.4 | 11.9 |
| April | 15.0 | 3.8 | 43.8 | 9.2 | 13.8 |
| May | 19.6 | 8.5 | 61.6 | 11.7 | 15.4 |
| June | 25.2 | 13.5 | 61.1 | 11.7 | 16.3 |
| July | 27.4 | 15.2 | 55.7 | 10.7 | 15.9 |
| August | 27.4 | 15.4 | 57.8 | 12.2 | 14.5 |
| September | 22.8 | 11.0 | 49.0 | 8.8 | 12.7 |
| October | 16.4 | 7.0 | 54.8 | 11.3 | 10.8 |
| November | 9.2 | 2.5 | 57.1 | 12.5 | 9.1 |
| December | 5.6 | 0.3 | 60.4 | 12.7 | 8.2 |
Frequently asked questions
Frankfurt: what is the temperature in May?
The average daytime high is 19.6 °C and the night-time low is 8.5 °C. Daytime is suitable for a longer walk around the city. Leave time for breaks and lunch along the way.
How many days with precipitation are there in May?
On average, there are 11.7 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 61.6 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in May?
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 17.8 °C; 11–20 — 19.5 °C; 21 to month-end — 21.2 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in May?
The average is 15.4 hours. Long daylight hours make it easy to split a walk between morning and evening, with a longer break in between.
Is Frankfurt worth visiting in May?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 19.6 °C and nights around 8.5 °C work for you. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
What can I do in Frankfurt on a wet day in May?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Frankfurt in May?
Pack a jacket or jumper, long trousers and closed shoes. Average daylight is 15.4 hours.