Frankfurt Travel Guide
Officially named Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt-on-the Main) after the Main River that runs through it, this vibrant city is a picture of lofty skyscrapers and is known as Germany's financial powerhouse. An array of cultural and culinary delights await visitors, as do a lively nightlife scene, superb shopping, and a few really charming neighbourhoods such as Nordend and Bockenheim. For its verve, multiculturalism and location as a bustling transport hub, Frankfurt is certainly worthy of its moniker, 'Mainhattan'.
Best time to visit Frankfurt
Those planning to travel to Frankfurt for pleasure should check the events calendar and perhaps avoid coinciding with one of the many large international trade fairs and expos that are held in the city. These can make affordable hotel rooms and restaurant bookings hard to find. Weather-wise, summer (June to August) is the best time to visit, when the weather is sunny and warm, with just the occasional wet day.
What to see in Frankfurt
-Explore the impressive Historical Museum to learn about Frankfurt's cultural history.
-Visit the charmingly restored Goethe-Haus, the Baroque home of world-famous author Goethe.
-Marvel at the Gothic splendour of St Bartholomew Cathedral.
-See the Stadel Gallery, Frankfurt's most celebrated art gallery.
What to do in Frankfurt
-Wander through the different plant kingdoms of the beautiful Frankfurt Botanical Gardens.
-Take the kids to the enormous Senckenberg Museum of Natural History to admire the dinosaurs.
-Stroll through the halls of the Liebieghaus, Frankfurt's castle-like Museum of Sculpture.
-Enjoy an excursion to Wiesbaden, Germany's most popular spa resort.
Beyond Frankfurt
Frankfurt is well-situated and well-equipped to be a doorway to the rest of Germany. There are some picturesque villages very nearby that make for fun daytrips. Possibly the most popular of these is the historic university town of Heidelberg. Frankfurt is also a gateway to the Fairy Tale Road, the path of the much-loved storytellers the Brothers Grimm, and the Romantic Road, which winds through some of Germany's most charming landmarks. Mainz, the 2,000-year old capital of the Rhineland, is also close by.
Getting there
The enormous Frankfurt International Airport serves more than 50 million passengers annually and is one of Europe's busiest airports. It is situated eight miles (13km) southwest of the city centre. Alternatively, there is a small commercial airport, Frankfurt Hahn Airport, located 75 miles (120km) from the city, which is convenient for those travelling to Mainz, Heidelburg or Koblenz (although there is easy public transport into Frankfurt).
Did you know?
-Frankfurt is said to spend more money on the arts than any other city in Europe.
-About one in every four inhabitants of the city is a foreigner.
-Frankfurt is celebrated as the jazz capital of Europe.