What to do on a Sunday - visit Schwanheim

Updated 05.05.2021 - opening hours listed below may be affected by Covid 19 restrictions.

Schwanheim is a small Frankfurt suburb, easily reached travelling on the number 12 tram or by taking the number 51 or 62 bus. Schwanheim might be small but it has plenty of family attractions for a day out. As you alight from the tram, the first thing you will notice is the VGF Transport museum at the tram stop, open on Sundays from 10:00 until 17:00. It houses a variety of old time trams and vehicles, old signalling equipment and ticketing machines and is a great place for enthusiasts and children.

Entrance to the Transport Museum in Schwanheim next to the no. 12 tram stop. (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)

Almost next door to the VGF museum is the Kobelt Zoo, *season opening beginning of May, it's a small petting zoo with free entry and open at the weekends (and public holidays) for the summer season until the end of September. Walk around the corner from the VGF museum onto Schwanheimer Bahnstraße and the zoo is on your left. Opening times are Saturdays from 14:00 until 19:00 and Sunday from 10:00 until 19:00. The zoo houses a few donkey's, rabbits, snakes and goats, to name but a few species,  and it's small and accessible. They have a cafe selling refreshments and cakes in case you are in need of a break. The zoo is dependent on donations so give generously on your way out as I'm sure you'll be impressed by the variety of animals and birds and the charming, relaxed setting.

REfreshments at the Kobelt Zoo.  (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)

After visiting the zoo another local venue within a 5 minute walk is the Heimatmuseum, located at Alt Schwanheim 6. Normal opening hours are 14:00 to 16:00 on Sundays and entry is free. Information throughout the museum is written in German but it houses many interesting artefacts and there is plenty to see and enjoy given Schwanheim's rich history since 880, when the town was first officially recorded. 

Entrance to the Heimatmuseum, Alt Schwanheim 6. (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)

When heading back to the tram after your day out don't miss out on an ice-cream from Eissalon Riviera, located at Alt Schwanheim 40. Either pick up an ice-cream to take away or sit down and relax whilst tucking into an ice-cream sundae. Family run, this ice-cream cafe is renown as one of the best in Frankfurt.

Eissalon Riviera, Alt schwanheim 40. (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)

Another attraction in Schwanheim for the kids is the Waldspielpark, the Forest Playground. With water features, table tennis tables and mini golf it's an ideal way for kids to let off steam. The entrance is on Schwanheimer Bahnstraße, almost opposite the Kobalt Zoo entrance.

Special note for cyclists

It's a pleasant cycle ride from Frankfurt to Schwanheim. Simply follow the path along the southern bank of the River Main. When you reach the huge locks on the river, you are not far from Schwanheim town centre. Go beyond the locks and to the left you will see a collection of Schrebegartens (garden plots) and a sign proudly announcing "Zum Nussbaum", follow the path and you'll be at a classic Hessiche restaurant. Run by Polish nationals, the restaurant serves a delightful mix of traditional German and Polish fare. After refreshment at Zum Nussbaum, carry on heading west along the river path and within 300 metres you will see a bridge to the left which will take you up and over the busy road and into the heart of Schwanheim.          

Path along the River Main, close to "Zum NussBaum" (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)