Travel Guide Frankfurt

Frankfurt, the finance capital of Germany, is known for its rich history and modern skyscrapers. This travel guide to Frankfurt involves a complete presentation of Frankfurt’s highlights, cultural spots, gastronomic delights, shopping spots and nearby day trip destinations. If you are a history lover, explore the iconic Römerberg Square; a culture buff, visit the Museum Embankment; or a foodie, savor the traditional apple wine, this article is your tool for discovering the various layers of this dynamic city. Please come with us on a trip through Frankfurt’s fascinating history, vibrant markets, beautiful landscapes, and find out why travelers have a must-see destination in this city.

Top Places to See and Do in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a city full of culture, restaurants and history. It is, however, the heart of European banking and business. Although Frankfurt lacks the flair of Munich or Berlin, it’s not just a stop-over destination (Frankfurt’s airport is the world’s busiest international airport and thus a lot of people come here for a stopover). 

For more than 500 years Frankfurt was called the Free City of Frankfurt, an influential city-state in the Roman Empire. The city today is very diverse. About 50% of the population has a foreign background and 25%, respectively, are foreign nationals. Here are the top places to see in Frankfurt:

See the Dom

In Frankfurt the Römer, this 14th century reddish sandstone cathedral, is the main attraction and the place where the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned. It stands out with a 95-meter-tall (311 feet) tower of the Gothic style, which you can ascend by 328 steps. Entry is free, the ladder is 3 EUR.

 Visit the Städel-Museum

The Städel Museum is famous for its large number of paintings, especially those from Germany and the Renaissance period. The museum has more than 3,000 paintings, 4,000 photographs, 600 sculptures and 10,000 drawings of artists like Monet, Picasso, Francis Bacon, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and others. The entry is 16 EUR.

 Explore Römerberg

Frankfurt’s historical center features picturesque half-timbered houses and significant medieval buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries. Many structures were destroyed during World War II, but most have since been restored to resemble what they once looked like.

Eat and drink in Sachsenhausen

To the south of the main river, Sachsenhausen is famous for having the best cider taverns and pubs in the area. When the pubs have been seen you could enter the Main River and enjoy the view. Sachsenhausen is not only known as Museumsufer because it has 38 museums along the river with the arts, architecture and Jewish history. A two-day Museumsufer Pass (21 EUR) will allow you to enter all the museums.

 Spend the day at the Palmengarten

With a total area of 54 acres, Frankfurt’s botanical garden is the largest one in Germany. The garden opened to the public in 1871, but the famous cowboy Buffalo Bill paid a visit in 1890. Don’t skip the Palm Garden with its impressive collection of local, tropical, and subtropical plant species. Furthermore, the gardens are full of events all year long including concerts and guided tours. The admission fee is 7 EUR.

Take a walk at the Frankfurt Book Fair

Held in the middle of October for almost 500 years, the fair is known as the largest event of the publishing industry. Publishers, writers, as well as other creative people will be present at the event to talk, network, and celebrate the written word. It is 1 week long, but the general public can only access it during the last 2 days. One-day pass costs 25 EUR.

Ascend the Main Tower

Some of the most astonishing views that Frankfurt has to offer are from the observation deck on the 56th floor of the Main Tower, the only high rise building that is open to the public. Derived from the Main River, it’s possible to take the lift up to the observation deck which offers a view of Frankfurt’s skyline. Entrance to the observation deck is 9 euro.

Visit Goethe House

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the most significant writer from Germany, was born in Frankfurt in 1749. He was born in 1749 and was a poet, playwright, novelist and theater director. The Goethe House, which was destroyed in World War II, was restored with the original pieces of furniture, paintings and books that were once owned by the Goethe family. Of course, you can also visit his writing desk, where he wrote The Sorrows of Young Werther in 1774. Admission is 10 EUR and combination tickets, which cover special exhibitions, are 13 EUR.

Walk around the Bornheim

The Bornheim area boasts of some of the Medieval style houses that survived World War II. As much of the city was destroyed in the war, this is the only real option you have to see what the city looked like before the destruction. Located on the city’s longest street, Berger Strasse, and filled with shops, restaurants, bars and wine bars, Bornheim is the city’s commercial hub.

Visit Senckenberg Museum

The Senckenberg Museum is a repository of natural history artifacts, ranging from fossils to mummified Egyptian corpses to dinosaur skeletons. It is the second largest natural history museum in the country which hosts some 17,000 skeletons. An outstanding item here is a fossil with a part of preserved scaly skin to it. The cost of the entry ticket is 12 EUR.

Best time to visit Frankfurt

the perfect season to travel to Frankfurt are the summer months in Europe. Bearing that in mind, July and August are the hottest months whereas Frankfurt is also a popular tourist destination during the holiday season. The benefit of the peak season is that we have daily events. You just decide what you want. If you are a Christmas markets fan, then plan your Frankfurt city trip to be during the weeks before Christmas. Typically, they launch at the last week of November.

Cool Facts About Frankfurt

• There is a huge forest located in the middle of Frankfurt that is surrounded by the downtown area.
• There is only 1 skyscraper in the highest 15 buildings in Germany which is not located in Frankfurt. And that is why it is known as the Big Apple of Germany.
• The European Central Bank’s headquarters are in Frankfurt.
• Frankfurt was bombed heavily during WW2.
• This is Goethe’s city. The world famous German poet was born here and spent all his life in Frankfurt.
• There are more than 25% of the people living in Frankfurt who are expats.
• Frankfurt Airport is Germany’s largest airport and the fourth biggest in Europe.

How to get around Frankfurt?

Getting to Frankfurt is quite simple thanks to the U-Bahn, which goes underground as well as on the surface. A day ticket costs around €7 and a single journey ticket costs €3. Beware that it could be cheaper to purchase a group ticket for the U-Bahn if you are with two or more people. Group tickets for up to 5 people available throughout the city costing just €11.

How to get from Frankfurt airport to the city center?

According to the type of Frankfurt city tour you are planning you probably won’t need to take public transportation. The things to do and places to see in Frankfurt are mostly within walking distance. The S-Bahn, which is a train that connects Frankfurt Airport to the city center, takes only 10 minutes. Loads of lines from the airport to the city such as 1, 8 and 9 are available. Tickets cost €5 for a single trip. Don’t get tricked about the airport Frankfurt/Hahn if your journey is to the city of Frankfurt. It’s actually a 2-hour drive to the city and if I ask you the name of the airport it is a tourist spot. The bus ticket to the city was €15.

Where to stay in Frankfurt?

Here are some top hotels where you can stay in Frankfurt:

• Jumeirah Frankfurt: luxury hotel 
• Sofitel Frankfurt Opera: A central Hotel
• Another iconic place to stay in Frankfurt is the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof right in the middle of the city. 

 Boutique hotels

• Moxy Frankfurt East: hip and stylish 
• Scandic Frankfurt Museumsufer

Under €50 hotels

• EasyHotel Frankfurt City Center 
• FreddApp One

How to Stay Safe in Frankfurt?

Frankfurt is safe to visit. Violent crime is rare. Like all the big cities, you should remain alert for pickpockets and other small thefts. Keep your valuables secure and out of sight to be on a safe side. In the evening avoiding the areas around the Hauptbahnhof, Konstablerwache, and Hauptwache is just necessary. Solo female travelers will generally be safe here as it is with regard to all the basic precautions (never leave your drink unattended at the bar and never walk home alone in the state of intoxication, etc.).

Conclusion

If you are planning to go to Frankfurt there are plenty of interesting things that you can do. We hope this travel guide will help you plan a memorable trip with your family or friends!