Things to Do in Mainz: The Best Tips from a True Local

Tips and Info for a City Trip to Mainz

Before we get into our interview, here’s the most important information you need before visiting Mainz.

Location

Mainz is the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate and sits in the southwestern corner of Germany.

Since Mainz borders Hesse, Wiesbaden is just a stone’s throw away.

Frankfurt is also close — under an hour by car.

From Mainz, a day trip into the Palatinate is absolutely worth it — the beautiful city of Heidelberg, for example, makes a great outing.

Our Hotel Recommendations

Mainz has plenty of great hotels. Here are our top picks for every budget:

Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for Mainz

Annika knows Mainz inside and out. In this interview, she tells us about Fassenacht, the Mainzelmännchen, and where to find the best breakfast in the city.

Our Expert

Hi, I’m Annika — a PR professional, part-time photographer, and Mainz local through and through.

I’m originally from the nearby Rheingau, but I moved to Mainz to study journalism and never wanted to leave.

A lot of people can relate: once you come to Mainz, you lose your heart there and stay for life.

What I love most about Mainz is the “Fassenacht” — the city’s legendary carnival celebration — which I get to be part of actively with my show dance and acrobatics group on the Mainz stages.

Mainz in Three Words

Weck. Worscht. Woi.

Why Visit!

The Mainz way of life brings it all together: cozy get-togethers over a glass — what am I saying? — a bottle of wine at the local Straußwirtschaften (seasonal wine taverns) or beer gardens, paired with a festive, almost carnival-like spirit that honestly runs all year long.

“There’s always some festival going on” is practically the Mainz motto. You’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else with so many wine festivals.

Unique to Mainz

The Mainzelmännchen. Everyone knows them. These six cartoon characters are famous as the mascots of ZDF, the German public broadcaster. For decades they’ve popped up in short clips marking the start and end of commercial breaks. You can pick up all kinds of souvenirs featuring these little rascals at ZDF shops.

Things to Do and See in Mainz

Must-Sees

Of course: the Mainz Cathedral and the Fastnachtsbrunnen. Both are right in the heart of the city and not to be missed.

On a Rainy Day

The honest answer to “what can you do when it rains?” is pretty much always “drink wine.” But more specifically, the Mainz City Museum is a great option, or you can meet up for coffee in the old town or the Neustadt.

With Kids

With kids, you absolutely have to visit the Volkspark. It has a water playground, a mini golf course, and a special crowd-pleaser: the little train “Flotte Lotte,” which tirelessly loops around the park.

The Volkspark flows seamlessly into the Stadtpark, where alongside goats and exotic birds, you can also spot real flamingos.

Best Day Trip

Head to one of the many wine-growing regions nearby — you really can’t go wrong. Whether you prefer Rheinhessen on the Rhineland-Palatinate side or the Rheingau on the Hessian side is entirely a matter of taste.

From the Rheinhessen towns of Nierstein and Oppenheim, a hike through the vineyards is one of the most enjoyable activities in Rheinhessen. For the Rheingau, a bike ride along the Rhine is seriously worthwhile.

Almost every village along the route has a wine-tasting stand open in summer.

For Relaxation

The Mainzer Sand nature reserve is perfect for long walks. In the evening sun, you really do feel like you’ve landed on a North Sea island. It’s also a popular photography spot — but never overcrowded.

Best Viewpoint

Personally, I love the panorama from the Kupferbergterrassen. But the Zitadelle also offers a stunning vista over the city.

A slightly unofficial tip: the rooftop of the parking garage at the CineStar cinema. The top level is currently closed to the public — but once it reopens, it’s a real under-the-radar find.

Best Photo Spot

As a photographer myself, I probably see this a little differently. I really love the lively old town with its half-timbered houses — the Kirschgarten area is especially beautiful.

I personally love shooting in the Mombacher Sand nature reserve, or on the Hessian side in Mainz-Kastel along the Rhine waterfront toward Biebrich. When there’s no flooding, you can even find a sandy beach there.

Most Unexpected Activity

In Mainz you can play mini golf under black light. That’s definitely something different.

The Mainzer Sommerlichter are also hugely popular — a festival on the Rhine with a spectacular fireworks show. Special thrill: watching the fireworks from a boat.

But what I personally find the most wonderfully wild are all the events surrounding the Mainzer Fassenacht. Check out a “Fast-Night” — essentially a super condensed, “only” 3.5-hour session. For comparison: a regular Fastnacht session can easily run six hours. Crazy, right?

Best Event of the Year

The Mainzer Fassenacht — without a doubt. It kicks off with the proclamation of the “närrisches Grundgesetz” (the carnival constitution) on November 11th at Schillerplatz, then winds through seated and standing sessions at countless clubs, all the way to the parades, the storming of city hall, and the legendary Rosenmontag parade.

A Mainz specialty is the “Schwellköpp” — giant papier-mâché heads that satirically caricature classic Mainz character types, paraded at sessions and at the Rosenmontag procession.

Mainz Fassenacht is more political than Cologne’s carnival, which many people appreciate. But it’s just as warm and fun — like one big family celebration.

Best Museum

In Mainz, the Gutenberg Museum is a must — this is where the printing press was invented, after all.

Nicest Neighborhood

My favorite stroll is through the old quarter with its many historic half-timbered buildings, small cafés, and quirky little shops.

Beyond that, I love walking the full stretch from Weisenau through the historic center and Neustadt all the way to Mombach along the Rhine promenade.

Food and Drink in Mainz

Local Specialty

Typical for Mainz are the three friends mentioned at the start — “Weck, Worscht und Woi” — which suit any occasion and are always happily devoured. That’s bread rolls (Weck), sausage (Worscht — genuine Mainz meat sausage), and wine (Woi, sometimes enjoyed as a “Schoppe” = a Weinschorle, wine mixed with sparkling water).

Also typical for Mainz and the surrounding area: Handkäs’ mit Musik (Harzer cheese marinated in oil with onions and caraway seeds — the marinade produces the “music” during digestion) and Spundekäs’ with pretzels (fresh cheese with paprika and spices; everyone has their own secret recipe). Important: wine goes perfectly with all classic Mainz dishes.

Favorite Restaurants

Nonno Luigi — the homemade pasta is a dream!

Pizza Polo — I can genuinely recommend pretty much every pizza here. The crust is super thin and crispy. Everyone eats the crust!

For sushi fans, I ran a special poll: the clear winner is Buddhas!

Best Burger

Everyone has their favorite, since there are lots of great spots in town. I can definitely recommend the Burgerladen, as well as Bully’s Burgers.

Best Ice Cream

Opinions are divided on this one too.

Personally, I love N’Eis, which has several locations around the city and is also served at various venues.

They offer daily rotating flavors — often wonderfully inventive ones like stinging nettle, pear Hélène, or quince — and they’re always amazing.

The ingredients come from the region whenever possible, and honestly, you can taste the difference.

Best Breakfast

Obviously: at the “Marktfrühstück” (market breakfast). What started as a local favorite has blossomed in recent years into a full-blown folk festival on Saturdays between March and November, drawing visitors from Mainz, the surrounding cities, and even from Frankfurt.

It’s essentially part of the Mainz weekly market: butchers, bakers, and others offer grab-and-go snacks at their stalls (like the famous Meenzer Fleischworscht).

There’s also great coffee from the Mainz Kaffeerösterei Müller roastery. What else do you need for a great breakfast? Mainz wine, of course — available from a rotating selection of wineries at the wine stand.

At peak times, so many people crowd Liebfrauenplatz “in the shadow of the cathedral” that security staff have even had to be brought in to keep the walkways clear.

Going Out at Night?

KUZ, Schon Schön, Thekenkind, Mainzstrand, and generally throughout the old town and Neustadt.

Where to Stay in Mainz

Favorite Hotel

If you like to keep things simple, it’s worth searching for vacation rentals or furnished apartments on the major booking platforms.

If you prefer something a bit more upscale, the Favorite Parkhotel with its wine bar and beer garden is a great choice — outstanding, award-winning food.

Mainz locals are known for their down-to-earth nature: here, crowds of students raise their (wine) glasses alongside young families and long-time residents.