Mainz
Discover Mainz
Mainz is the capital city of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. Mainz is notable as a transport hub, for wine production, and for its many rebuilt historic buildings. In 2019, it was home to about 219,000 people. Once the episcopal seat of the influential Prince-Electors, the "civilized" origins of Mainz date back to around 38 BC, when the Romans built a citadel here, named Mogontiacum. It was founded by the Roman general Drusus, brother of emperor Tiberius and father of emperor Claudius, at the strategic confluence of the Rhine and the Main; it shortly became the provincial capital of Germania Superior. Drusus died while campaigning beyond the Rhine, in the summer of 9 BC; his body was brought here to be mourned, and a massive funeral monument dedicated to him was built. The so-called 49.9922228.2741671 Drususstein still stands (although unclad of its marble) inside the citadel of Mainz.
Taste of Mainz...
Mainz has two culinary specialities, both types of cheese. Spundekäse is local cream cheese whipped with cream into a soft paste, served with chopped raw onion and pretzels — the taste is mild and it goes great with beer. Handkäse is a sour milk cheese with a pungent aroma, most often served mit Musik, or marinated in vinegar and oil, then sprinkled with caraway seeds, resulting in a bizarre, firm, gelatinous mass that most people find to be a bit of an acquired taste — and the "music" refers to the flatulence it tends to cause!
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Mainz.
To take in most of the typical main shop name walk north east from the market square to Am Brand then west along Stadthausstraße to Römerpassage. For more individual shops, explore the Altstadt around Augustinerstraße and Kirschgarten. Out of town supermarkets can be found in the Gutenberg Center in Mainz-Bretzenheim. If you want to bring some wine or food from the region, your best bet is the farmers' market on the squares next to the Dome. It is held Tu F Sa from 09:00 to 14:00. Mainz has two culinary specialities, both types of cheese. Spundekäse is local cream cheese whipped with cream into a soft paste, served with chopped raw onion and pretzels — the taste is mild and it goes great with beer.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsFrom Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), the local train S8 towards Wiesbaden stops at Mainz Hauptbahnhof (or optionally Mainz Römisches Theater). The train runs at least every 30 minutes daily, and takes around 30 minutes to get the Mainz. Also regional trains towards Koblenz and Saarbrücken stop in Mainz. Both options share the same local tariff, regional trains are faster and somewhat more convenient. Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN) is served by a direct ICE connection and from low cost hub Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN) there is a direct shuttle bus connection. Mainz has several train stations. The biggest and the only one in which InterCity and InterCityExpress trains stop is 50.0014368.2591191 Mainz Hauptbahnhof (main station), it is on the western edge of the city centre and works as a general hub for local traffic. Flixtrain serves the city from Berlin via Hanover and Frankfurt....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The centre of town is accessible on foot from Mainz Hauptbahnhof. There are signposts and maps throughout the city centre, or you can pick up a map from the DB information desk in the station. The Deutsche Bahn site provides excellent maps, timetables, and route guidance for getting around Mainz via the city's extensive bus and light rail systems. Google maps shows the locations of tram and bus stops in Mainz. If you click the tram or bus symbol, you will get the name of the stop as well as a list of routes serving that stop. The local transit operator (MVG - Mainzer Verkehrsgesellschaft) has a website in German. The local transit operator offers a bike rental system with stations all around the city. The cost is €1 per 30 minutes. A map of available stations can be found here. Get the meinRad App for Android or iOS, register in the App and you can start riding.
Money & Budget
To take in most of the typical main shop name walk north east from the market square to Am Brand then west along Stadthausstraße to Römerpassage. For more individual shops, explore the Altstadt around Augustinerstraße and Kirschgarten. Out of town supermarkets can be found in the Gutenberg Center in Mainz-Bretzenheim. If you want to bring some wine or food from the region, your best bet is the farmers' market on the squares next to the Dome. It is held Tu F Sa from 09:00 to 14:00. Mainz has two culinary specialities, both types of cheese. Spundekäse is local cream cheese whipped with cream into a soft paste, served with chopped raw onion and pretzels — the taste is mild and it goes great with beer.