Frankfurt Travel Guide

Frankfurt am Main
[ source: Flickr]

Frankfurt Overview

Frankfurt is the largest city in the state of Hesse, known for its futuristic skyline and international airport. A number of family outings make this an efficient, and unforgettable, vacation experience: Treat yourself to a spa-treatment at the nearby Bad Homburg (Bad Homburg vacation rentals | Bad Homburg travel guide), take a leisurely canoe-trip down the romantic Lahn river, or visit the Hessenpark—an open-air museum that takes you through more than 400 years of history in Central Europe.

Located on the river Main, Frankfurt is the financial capital of Europe and the transportation centre of Germany. Frankfurt is the place of residence of the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Furthermore, it hosts some of the world's most important trade shows, such as the Frankfurt Auto Show and the Frankfurt Book Fair. It is also birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Frankfurt is a city of contrasts. Wealthy bankers, students, and granola drop-outs coexist in a city that has some of the highest, most avant-garde skyscrapers of Europe next to well maintained old buildings. The downtown area, especially Römer square and the museums at the River Main, draw millions of tourists every year. On the other hand, many off the beaten track neighborhoods, such as Bockenheim, Bornheim (Bornheim vacation rentals | Bornheim travel guide), Nordend and Sachsenhausen (Sachsenhausen vacation rentals | Sachsenhausen travel guide), with their intact beautiful 19th century streets and parks, are mostly neglected by tourism and lesser visited by tourists.

Frankfurt is the largest traffic hub & banking capital in Germany. This is the place where Germany's major Autobahns and railway-connections intersect. About 650,000 people commute to the city each day, not counting the 660,000 people who really live here. With a huge airport - the second-largest in Europe - it is the gateway to Germany and for many people also the first point of arrival in Europe. Further, it is a prime hub for interconnections within Europe and for intercontinental flights.

These prime traffic connections have made Frankfurt the city with the highest percentage of immigrants in Germany: about 25% of Frankfurt's 660,000 people have no German passport and another 10% are naturalized German citizens. With about 35% immigrants, Frankfurt is the most diverse of German cities.

Frankfurt is home to many museums, theaters (among them the first-class "English Theater"), and a world-class opera. While Frankfurt is not the size of London, it will not keep you wanting in terms of cultural activities.

When to visit

The best times for Frankfurt are late spring to early autumn. The summers tend to be sunny and warm around 25 degrees Celsius. Be prepared, however, for very hot summer days around 35 degrees as well as for light rain. The winters can be cold and rainy (usually not lower than -10° C), but there is hardly any snow inside Frankfurt itself.

If you plan to stay overnight, you may wish to avoid times when trade fairs are held, as this will make finding affordable accommodations a challenging task. The biggest are the Frankfurt Motor Show (Automobil-Ausstellung) in every two years in mid-September (next in 2009) and the Book Fair (Buchmesse) yearly in mid-October; see Fairs for details. If accommodation is tight in Frankfurt we can help you find a good vacation rental nearby. There are excellent public transportation options available to make this worthwhile.

Frankfurt Skyline

Frankfurt has some of the tallest buildings in Europe (the Commerzbank tower is the highest office building of Europe), and the tallest in Germany. Its skyline is unique for the country as the high-rises are concentrated in a relatively small downtown area, giving Frankfurt the looks of a metropolis. The skyline is the reason why Frankfurt is sometimes called by the nickname Mainhattan.

• For a view of the skyline try the Main river bridges. The eastern bridges offer the best view. Also, when you approach the city from the airport via the subway, stay to the right side of the train. Just before the train approaches the Frankfurt central station it enters a big curve, and from here you will have a nice first glance of the skyline.
• Take a walk from Schweizer Platz northwards for another good view of the skyscrapers.
• The Main Tower (Subway station Willy-Brandt-Platz or S-Bahn-station Taunusanlage) building is special as it is the only Frankfurt high-rise that is open to the public. For 4.60 Euro (price for one adult as of Nov 2008) you can take the elevator to the viewing platform at a height of 200 meters. From here, you will have a good view of Frankfurt and the surrounding area. Make sure to go on a clear day, and if you're in Frankfurt in Fall or Spring you might wish to try to go up a short while before sunset. That way, you can witness how the city changes from day to nightlife. The Main Tower is something that you should not miss during your stay. The viewing platform will be closed during severe weather.
• The European Central Bank in downtown Frankfurt (Subway station Willy-Brandt-Platz) - easily recognized by its hexagonal layout and the big neon color - statue in front of the entrance - might be of some special interest as this is the seat of European financial power and decisions. It's not open to the public, although a small gift shop downstairs will sell you all the Euro-related memorabilia you want.

Frankfurt Attractions

• Römerberg is a central, old place in downtown Frankfurt. It features various buildings and a church from the 14th and 15th century (in theory; the buildings were mostly destroyed during World War II but completely rebuilt afterwards). The Römer itself is the town hall of Frankfurt. Cafés and shops can be found at the square itself and in the vicinity. A definite tourist attraction. Within walking distance of the Zeil shopping area and the Main river, it is located just north of the Eiserner Steg bridge.
• Zoo, Alfred-Brehm-Platz 16 (take subway U6 or U7, get off a Zoo station), tel. +49 69 21233735. Winter: Daily 9AM - 5PM, Summer: Daily 9AM - 7PM. 8€ adults, 4 € children.
• Palmengarten ("palm garden") botanic gardens. Siesmayerstraße 61 (Entrance Palmengartenstraße: subway U4, U6, U7 Station Bockenheimer Warte; Entrance Siesmayerstraße: U6, U7 Station Westend), tel. +49 69 212-33939 (fax: +49 69 212-37856). Nov-Jan: Daily 9AM-4PM; Feb-Oct: Daily 9AM-6PM. The Palmengarten is Frankfurt's botanic garden. There are special exhibitions and events throughout the much of the year. € 5.00 adults, € 2.00 children. Prices during special events & exhibitions: € 7.00 adults, € 2.50 children. (German language part of the website has a lot more information than the English part)
• Grüneburgpark - This is Frankfurt's largest public park. Even though there are many parks in Frankfurt, the Grüneburgpark is probably the most liked. Located close to two campuses of the university, many young people meet there, and many business people jog there after work.
• Frankfurt Airport has a public viewing platform. Bus tours of the airport are available. Take S8/S9 direction Wiesbaden (Wiesbaden vacation rentals | Wiesbaden travel guide).
• The Turmpalast (Kino am Turm) shows movies in English.
• The Eiserner Steg (Iron bridge) - Relatively well-known bridge for pedestrians, built in 1869. Good view of the skyline.
• The RMV offers a tour of the city in the so-called Ebbelwei Express, a special tram that offers music, apple wine, and pretzels. Probably very stereotypical and more suited for people who do not mind "tacky" tourist traps.
• About once a month, an old steam engine train rides along tracks on the northern riverbank of the Main. Prices vary, starting at 4€ for an adult.
• Alte Oper (Old Opera) - Renaissance Opera Building in the center of the city (take U6 or U7 station Alte Oper, or any line to Hauptwache and walk a few minutes); a busy square with fountains can be found in front of it. Originally opened in 1880, it is not used for operas any more since the rebuilding after the war, but for concerts, congresses, and similar "fancy" events.
• Oper Frankfurt (Opera) - this modern building is where to go to see an opera performance. State subsidized performances make this a relatively affordable place to see high quality productions
• Paulskirche (St. Paul's Church) was the seat of the first democratically elected parliament in Germany in 1848. It is located directly next to the Römer.
• There are a number of trade fairs held in Frankfurt every year. From the central station take S-Bahn lines S3, S4, S5 or S6 on platform 104 (underground) to station Messe or subway lines U4/U5 to station Messe/Torhaus; trains to the trade fairs will be announced in English.
• Bornheim - A nice residential quarter with a lively market and beautiful medieval houses which survived the war intact (unlike the city centre). The most important and lively street is the Berger Straße, which runs from downtown all the way to the oldest parts of Bornheim (Bornheim vacation rentals | Bornheim travel guide). The more central downtown part of the Berger Straße (actually in the Nordend district) features a variety of small and often trendy little stores, cafés, and restaurants, whereas the older parts of Bornheim are famous for its historic Ebbelwoi (a local cider) taverns.

Frankfurt Fairs

The Messe Frankfurt is one of the world's largest exhibition centers, hosting a continuous stream of exhibitions small, large and gargantuan — the Motor Show draws almost a million visitors. Most fairs are open to the public for at least part of the time, and can be a fascinating if somewhat overwhelming experience if you're interested in the theme. The Messe has its own train station, Messe, two stops away from the Central Railway Station on S 3/4/5/6, and it's also on the U4 subway line. Advance tickets for fairs often allow free use of all RMV public transport.

• Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurt Buchmesse) - The largest event of the world's publishing industry, held yearly in mid-October. The last two days (always Sat-Sun) are open to the public, with book sales allowed on Sunday only. In recent years, the public days of the Book Fair have also drawn a vast contingent of manga/anime fans, many of whom dress up as their favorite characters! Photography is allowed, but only after asking permission. Day ticket €12.
• Frankfurt Motor Show (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung) - The world's largest motor show and Frankfurt's biggest event, held every two years, next on Sept. 17-27, 2009. (In even-numbered years, the show is held in Hannover (Hannover vacation rentals | Hannover travel guide).) Day tickets €11-18.

[ source: Wikipedia ]