landmark
Römerberg
Reconstructed medieval square housing the city hall. Visit before 10:00 to photograph empty timber houses.
Parley fragenDeutschland
Frankfurt am Main
High finance, traditional cider taverns, and riverside art.
introduction
Overview
Frankfurt presents two distinct personalities side by side. Skyscraper towers house central banking headquarters, while traditional cider houses sit across the river in Sachsenhausen. You can cross the city center on foot in twenty minutes or rely on the reliable U-Bahn network. Expect a compact city where business efficiency meets relaxed riverside leisure.
Airport S-Bahn transfer
Take S-Bahn line S8 or S9 from the airport low-level station to Hauptwache. The ride takes 15 minutes and avoids taxi traffic.
Museumsufer Pass
A two-day pass costs €21 and grants entry to 39 museums along the Main river. It pays off if you visit three locations.
Frankfurt am Main
DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0
Innenstadt — High-rise towers, pedestrian shopping, reconstructed history, and dense corporate traffic.
Daviidos · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sachsenhausen — Traditional cider taverns south of the river alongside a major strip of art museums.
dontworry · CC BY-SA 3.0
Nordend — Tree-lined avenues, independent cafes, late-19th-century residential buildings, and wine bars.
Epizentrum · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bahnhofsviertel — Grit meets international food spots, trendy cocktail bars, and central transit links.
Kaiserstrasse-ffm001.jpg: Dontworry derivative work: Dontworry · CC BY-SA 3.0
Frankfurter Grüne Soße served cold with hard-boiled eggs and boiled potatoes.
Benreis · CC BY 3.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
Städel Museum
700 years of art history under one roof. Book timed entry online on weekends to bypass ticket queues.
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landmark
Palmengarten
Sprawling 22-hectare botanical garden with glasshouses. Ticket includes access to tropical and desert flora.
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landmark
Goethe House
Birthplace of Germany's famous writer. Modern adjacent museum exhibits art from Goethe's literary era.
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On the map
areas
Where life happens
Innenstadt
High-rise towers, pedestrian shopping, reconstructed history, and dense corporate traffic.
ShoppingLandmarksCentral
KompromissExpensive hotels and deserted streets on Sunday evenings.
In der NäheRömerberg and Main Tower
Parley fragenSachsenhausen
Traditional cider taverns south of the river alongside a major strip of art museums.
ApfelweinMuseumsNightlife
KompromissRowdy pub crowds on weekend nights along Klappergasse.
In der NäheStädel Museum and Museumsufer
Parley fragenNordend
Tree-lined avenues, independent cafes, late-19th-century residential buildings, and wine bars.
CafesResidentialLocal life
KompromissA 20-minute walk or U-Bahn ride to major landmarks.
In der NäheGlauburgstraße and Günthersburgpark
Parley fragenBahnhofsviertel
Grit meets international food spots, trendy cocktail bars, and central transit links.
DiningTransit accessNightlife
KompromissVisible drug use and street solicitation near the main station.
In der NäheHauptbahnhof and Taunusanlage
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Grüne Soße and cider taverns
Frankfurt food centers on straightforward regional classics served in traditional wood-paneled taverns. Grüne Soße uses seven specific herbs blended with sour cream and served alongside hard-boiled eggs and boiled potatoes. Local taverns brew and pour Apfelwein, a crisp tart cider containing 5.5 to 7 percent alcohol by volume. Inside the city, Kleinmarkthalle houses over 60 food stalls where locals buy meat, fresh produce, and regional deli items.
Frankfurter Grüne Soße served cold with hard-boiled eggs and boiled potatoes.
Benreis · CC BY 3.0- Seasonal herbs
Grüne Soße herbs are traditionally harvested locally from spring through autumn.
- Tavern hours
Sachsenhausen cider pubs open around 16:00 and get busy after 18:30. Book tables in advance for groups.
history
A short history
Frankfurt grew as a key trade hub on the Main river from medieval times onward. Imperial elections took place in the city, cementing its political importance inside the Holy Roman Empire. Heavy bombing during World War II destroyed most of the timber-frame center, leading to a modern rebuild defined by commercial high-rises and carefully reconstructed plazas.
- 794
First documented mention
Charlemagne calls a council at Franconofurd, placing the settlement into imperial records.
- 1356
Imperial election hub
The Golden Bull designates Frankfurt as the official site for electing Holy Roman Emperors.
- 1848
Paulskirche Parliament
Germany's first freely elected national assembly meets inside Frankfurt's St. Paul's Church.
- 1998
European Central Bank
The ECB establishes its headquarters in Frankfurt, solidifying its place as Europe's financial capital.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your hotel based on trade-offs between transit proximity, noise, and neighborhood style. High-rise business hotels fill the Bankenviertel, while Sachsenhausen offers quieter riverside boutique options.
- First-time visitorsInnenstadt — Walkable access to major landmarks, shopping streets, and central U-Bahn stations.
- Culture seekersSachsenhausen — Immediate access to the Museumsufer strip and classic cider halls.
- Longer staysNordend — Quiet residential atmosphere, neighborhood cafes, and direct U-Bahn lines.
- Budget and transitBahnhofsviertel — Direct access to central train platforms and diverse food options at lower rates.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
The Florentin by Althoff Collection
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Main Suites
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Kimpton Main Frankfurt by IHG
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JW Marriott Hotel Frankfurt
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The Westin Grand Frankfurt
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Getting around
Frankfurt operates an integrated public transit network managed by the RMV authority. S-Bahn commuter trains, U-Bahn subways, and street trams share unified fare rules and ticket machines.
Ab Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Taxi25 min€45–55
Ranks located outside Terminals 1 and 2. Fares increase during peak highway traffic.
- Rideshare25 min€35–50
Pickup points are restricted to designated rental and app drop-off zones.
A historic streetcar loops central sights on weekends, offering cider and pretzels onboard.
U-Bahn lines stop around 01:00 on weekdays. Night buses run continuous routes straight through the night.
S-Bahn tracks run underground on tracks 101 to 104. Long-distance ICE trains dock on surface platforms 1 to 24.
cost
What things cost
Frankfurt matches standard Western European price levels. Dining costs vary sharply between quick market bites and upscale business dining in the financial district.
- Cider glass (0.3L): €2.80–3.50
Standard price for a glass of house Apfelwein in Sachsenhausen taverns.
- Grüne Soße meal: €12–16
Plate of green sauce with boiled eggs and potatoes in a traditional pub.
- Day transit pass: €8.85
Unlimited U-Bahn, tram, and bus rides within central city zones for one day.
seasonality
When to go
MAR – MAY
Mild temperatures and blooming parks. Ideal weather for walking along the Museumsufer.
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Heat
JUN – AUG
Warm days with outdoor riverside pop-ups. Mid-summer heatwaves occasionally exceed 30°C.
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Heat
SEP – NOV
Major trade fairs spike hotel rates in autumn. Check trade fair schedules before booking.
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Heat
DEC – FEB
Cold weather with Christmas market stalls at Römerberg through December.
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Heat
practicalities
Good to know
- Card payments
Most stores accept credit cards, but smaller market stalls and traditional cider halls still demand cash.
- Store hours
Major retail stores open 10:00 to 20:00 Monday to Saturday. Everything except station shops closes Sunday.
- Trade fair spikes
During large events like the Frankfurt Book Fair, hotel rates double across the metropolitan area.
- Public drinking
Drinking alcohol in public parks and along riverbanks is legal and widespread in summer.
- Safety near station
Bahnhofsviertel has visible open drug scenes on specific streets. Keep belongings secure at night.