Winter Adventure: Frankfurt and Cologne with Kids

It all started with a long-standing invitation. Friends living in the cosy town of Offenbach had been waiting for us for years, and we finally took the leap — New Year's Eve in Germany! With a 7-month-old baby and a curious 4-year-old, this wasn't just a trip — it was a full-scale logistical operation.

Lufthansa vs Budget Airlines: Why Logistics Matter More Than Price

We avoided the budget airlines, which land at Frankfurt Hahn Airport — nearly two hours by bus from the city itself. With two children and all our luggage, that journey would have been a genuine nightmare. When we did the maths, it was simple: once you add the bus tickets and the extra baggage fees that budget carriers charge, the price difference compared to Lufthansa shrinks to almost nothing. With the full-service airline we landed directly at the main Frankfurt airport, and the included backpack and hand luggage allowance saved us a lot of headaches.

Budget airlines land at Frankfurt Hahn Airport, which is nearly two hours by bus from the city. In our case, choosing the central Frankfurt airport saved us those two hours — time that with two children and all our bags would have turned into a real logistical nightmare.

A Lesson in Early Rising

Our only mistake was choosing a 6am flight. After a night journey from Ruse to Sofia, we arrived at the airport like zombies. The children, however, reacted very differently — they managed to sleep in the car to Sofia and then on the plane itself. Our only consolation was that the early flight gave us a whole extra day in our itinerary.

First Steps: From the Zoo to the New Year Fireworks

We kicked off our adventure at Frankfurt Zoo — big, well-maintained, and completely accessible with a pram. After the zoo we stopped for lunch at Le Petit Café am Zoo — a pleasant café with good food and good service. Exactly what we needed after the walk.

We checked into Campanile Frankfurt Offenbach — chosen for its proximity to our friends and to the S-Bahn stop. We didn't get the reserved room with a double and bunk bed; instead we were put in two separate doubles. We'd been warned in advance so it wasn't a surprise, but one room was noticeably colder. The hotel was clean, though it lacked the usual small amenities like a proper shelf for your toothbrush. The biggest inconvenience was the lack of WiFi for several days — we don't have a German SIM card, so we had to rely on mobile data. But for the price — it was a good place, and if we return to Frankfurt we'd probably choose it again.

That evening we joined our friends to see in the New Year. What surprised me most was the fireworks — I hadn't expected that kind of intensity. Every house became its own pyrotechnic launching pad, and at every crossroads you could see whole neighbourhoods gathering to set off their batteries together. I was struck by how different the approach is: instead of waiting for one shared display, people simply step out of their front doors and each organise their own show.

Cologne: Cathedral, Snow and Christmas Market

One of the days we headed to Cologne — and this is where we made mistake number 2 of the trip. We didn't buy train tickets in advance. It turns out German trains work like airline tickets — the price depends on when you buy. By the time I checked at the last minute, prices had shot up so much that hiring a car from a friend worked out cheaper.

We were badly organised that day and set off very late, arriving around 3pm in heavy snowfall. We first visited the Chocolate Museum, but came away disappointed — our expectations were higher. We then made our way to Cologne Cathedral. It is magnificent — its Gothic architecture and scale take your breath away, especially when you see it in person against a winter backdrop. A visit is absolutely essential.

After the cathedral we found the last remaining Christmas market, where we warmed up with mulled wine and kept the cup as a souvenir. That evening we finished at Hard Rock Cafe. We often visit this chain abroad — we know the food and it never disappoints, giving us that welcome dose of comfort. The cold outside was sharp, and after spending hours warm in the car, stepping out was quite a shock. We got back at midnight, completely exhausted, but with the feeling that we'd seen Cologne in all its winter glory.

Frankfurt: Business Rhythm and Historical Spirit

Frankfurt surprised me with its duality. On one side it's a city of business, pulsing with a fast, professional rhythm amid impressive skyscrapers — hence the nickname "Mainhattan". On the other, its historical heart beats at Römerberg square, where the architecture transports you to another era entirely.

The city is a genuine paradise for museum lovers. There is an entire Museum Embankment with dozens of exhibitions — if you love museums, this is your place. We visited the Städel Museum, which is impressive but quite exhausting for a family with two young children. The Film Museum (DFF), on the other hand, we liked much more — more dynamic and accessible. The Senckenberg Museum of Natural History was also a great find — solid and engaging. Other places disappointed us: the Experiminta ScienceCenter felt neglected, and the children's section of the Historical Museum was simply boring.

Among the architectural highlights, the Old Opera (Alte Oper) and Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus) are magnificent and not to be missed. We also went up Main Tower, but due to the strong wind they wouldn't let us onto the open viewing platform.

That evening in front of the ECB building we had a special moment — 1 January 2026, the day Bulgaria joined the Eurozone, and we saw our flag projected onto the facade.

Don't forget the Frankfurt Card — it gives discounts for museums and is valid on public transport.

Nature and Lights: Palmengarten

We visited the Palmengarten twice. The first time we explored the greenhouses — truly magical — and the butterfly house completely captivated the children. The second time we went for the "Winter Lights". We expected the lights to move — most of them just shone statically. Not particularly spectacular, but it makes for a pleasant evening walk. Worth knowing: the Botanical Garden is part of the same complex, but it was closed in winter, so we focused on the butterflies and the lights.

Public Transport

The city transport is very convenient and — by our standards — extremely punctual. The maximum delay was 5 minutes, and the Germans were complaining it was terribly unreliable. But they clearly haven't tried to catch a bus or train in Bulgaria.

Where We Ate in Frankfurt

• Frank's Fish Market: The fish sandwiches are a must. Some of the most delicious I have ever eaten.

• Restaurant MyFrankfurt: The food was very good, but the atmosphere suffered a little because of a noisy group nearby.

• Lieb & Siele: Quite expensive, but this is where we had real German food — a well-made schnitzel.

• URA-HARA Ramen Cafe (in the MyZeil mall): Perfect ramen soup that warmed us up on the cold days.

• BLOCK HOUSE: The food was very tasty, though I'll admit that with two children we were a touch noisier than the atmosphere called for, and the waiters gave us rather stern looks.

Final Impressions and Reflections

On our last day, walking around Frankfurt at a slower pace, we managed to look at the city with calmer eyes. We left our luggage in the lockers at the Central Station — an extremely convenient service that let us move around freely right up to the last minute.

What impressed me most about the city is its accessibility. Everywhere there are ramps, lifts and wide pathways — a real relief for parents with a pram. Even for 2–3 steps the Germans provide a ramp, and in Städel Museum the security staff persistently directed us towards the lift even for the most minimal change in level.

There was, however, one "German" quirk that mildly annoyed me: the widespread use of these disabled lifts by perfectly healthy young people who simply prefer the lift to climbing a few steps. This often forced us to wait in unnecessary queues, or — as we often ended up doing — just carry the pram up the stairs, because it turned out to be faster.

In the end, Frankfurt is a city of many faces that challenges you to get to know it, as long as you have comfortable shoes and a little patience. We learned our lesson: when travelling with two small children, it's better not to over-plan. Survival and peace of mind matter far more than fitting in one more museum or cathedral. Tired but full of memories, we came home knowing that the logistical challenges were simply part of the adventure.