Experience Mainz! The capital of Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate, this city has exciting offerings stretching back to the Roman Empire.
Mainz offers a constant flow of activity. You could live in the city for years and still have new sights to see, new events to experience. The center of Mainz is called Old Town, and for good reason. Half-timbered houses and Baroque-style buildings hold such a variety of shops, pubs and restaurants that it’s easy to spend an entire afternoon eating, drinking and browsing. Spend the afternoon in one of the outdoor cafes in the historic Kirschgarten Square and stroll down Augustiner Street, where you can admire the famous St. Augustine’s Church.
The city is known for its variety of different churches many people opt to spend the day touring the many that are scattered throughout the city. Visitors who can’t get enough of the stunning architecture should explore St. Ignaz Church, St. Martin’s Cathedral, St. Stephan’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, and Christ Church.
Roman history is deeply embedded within Mainz today. The Roman Theater, which could hold over 10,000 people, is a must-see. Guests will also notice that a variety of statues, ruins and ancient buildings are present throughout the city. Spend the afternoon at the Roman-Germanic Central Museum to learn more about the Ancient Roman presence in Mainz. The Gutenberg Museum, which chronicles the history of the written word, is another favorite destination. Natural history and art buffs will delight in the Natural History Museum and Landesmuseum Mainz.
Spend an evening at the Mainz State Theater, where you can enjoy opera or ballet. Afterward, treat yourself to traditional regional dishes and wash the food down with local wines at a Strausswirtschaft or Besenwirtschaft, a local winery that is allowed to sell food for a few months of the year.
Visit in February to experience the revelry of Carnival, or plan your trip in June to enjoy the annual Midsummer St. John’s Night Festival. The Christmas Fair will instantly put any visitor in the holiday spirit.
Mainz is half an hour from Frankfurt International Airport, and the S8 train provides direct transportation between the two places. The city is also easily accessible by major highways (A60, A61, A63, A66). If you are intimidated by the Autobahn, don’t fret: regular bus schedules run between Mainz and other major cities.
