Frankfurt Travel Guide

In Germany all roads lead to Frankfurt, it is where the major autobahn’s and railways connect as well as being home to the second largest airport in Europe so it is the perfect place to start or end any Central European excursion.

Visitors tend to gloss over Frankfurt not realising that it is home to some of Europe’s finest museums, many of which are clustered around the banks of the Main. If you have a particular interest its highly probable Frankfurt has a museum for you; architecture, film, communication, art, cultures, nature and even leather they can all be found here. In fact the whole city is one big living museum! Wander through Romerberg, the old town and visit the Romer (town hall), see the 14th Century gothic cathedral and stroll across the Eiserner Steg, an iconic iron bridge which will take you across to Sachsenhausen, famous for its old cider bars.

Spending a few days exploring this city is the perfect introduction to Germany.

Frankfurt Fast Facts
• Population: The city is home to 654, 964 people with a density of 2,638 per sq km.
• Location : Lying on both sides of the Main River, the airport situated at the southwest of the city centre can be covered in 11 minutes by train.
• Languages: German is the official language of Frankfurt, English is also widely spoken in the city as 25% of the city’s population include foreign nationals.
• Home to the European Central Bank.
• The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is one of the biggest exchange places in the world.
• Frankfurt International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports, servicing the most international destinations.

Frankfurt Highlights
Römer - The historic heart of Frankfurt and home to its City Hall, which dates back to 1405. Today you can find lots of restaurants in the Square and the lovely reconstructed buildings make for a great photo opportunity.

Zeil Shopping Street - This is the place to shop in Frankfurt. It’s a bustling pedestrian zone where you can find everything from chic boutiques to top high street fashion outlets.

Museumsufer (Museum Embankment) - If you walk along the River Main you’ll notice that lined up on both sides of theriver bank are some of best museums in Germany; among them
the superb German Film Museum, the Jewish Museum and the highlight, the Städel Museum which focuses on the old masters.

Paulskirche (St. Paul’s Church) - It was built between 1789 and 1833, and is the cradle of German democracy. The church was used for political meetings and became the seat of the first freely elected German parliament in 1848. You can find it just off the Römer.

The Alte Oper - Or Old Opera House was almost completely destroyed by World War II bombing in 1944 but was reconstructed, and reopened on August 28, 1981. It is now perhaps the prettiest building in Frankfurt.

Cider Taverns - The city’s local tipple is “Apfelwein”; a light alcoholic apple cider that is produced in the regions around Frankfurt. You can find some of the best and oldest Apfelwein taverns in the cobblestone streets of the Sachsenhausen district.

Weekly markets - The city is full of local markets, which take place at least once a week and where you can buy yummy German food, Apfelwein, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, cheese and dairy produce, flowers and many other products.