Jan
10
Frankfurt Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Germany
A trip to Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a bustling metropolis located in a beautiful valley on the banks of the River Main. In contrast to some of Europe’s highest, avant-garde skyscrapers, the city features traditional, well-preserved buildings and has 48 parks and gardens. Numerous museums, theatres and a world-class opera attract millions of tourists every year, many of them landing at Frankfurt’s renowned international airport.
Flights Frankfurt
Frankfurt International Airport is Europe’s second-busiest airport after Heathrow and handles flights from over 240 worldwide destinations, including flights from all main UK airports. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Frankfurt try Expedia. Currently, there are two terminals connected by the Sky Line, a people-mover system which provides fast and efficient transfers. The easiest means of transport into the city centre is the S-Bahn commuter train from the airport train station, conveniently situated below Terminal 1. Trains depart every 10 minutes, taking about 12 minutes to arrive at the Hauptbahnhof (central train station). Airport buses are available from either terminal and offer more stops at locations around Frankfurt. Taxis are also available and take approximately 20 minutes to each the city.
A good way to see lots of Frankfurt’s attractions is to explore the whole downtown area on foot. However, there are many alternatives provided by the city’s excellent public transport system which comprises buses, trams, S-Bahn (overground) and U-Bahn (underground) lines. The Frankfurt Card, sold by the tourist office, grants discounted travel on public transport as well as a reduction on admission to main attractions and museums.
Frankfurt
Sightseeing in Frankfurt
Frankfurt’s major historical area is the Altstadt (old town) presenting a wealth of ancient structures, above all the Dom dating back to 1356 during the Holy Roman Empire. Charming little streets and alleys flanked by quaint buildings and old-fashioned cafés provide a fascinating ambience. The city’s various galleries and museums are well-liked tourist draws, particularly the Goethemuseum and the nearby Historisches Museum.
A further historical site of Frankfurt is a municipal square called the Römer, which is enclosed by numerous rebuilt 15th to 18th century houses. Built in 1872, the Old Opera House reopened after considerable reconstruction, while the Städelsches Kunstinstitut is considered to be one of Europe’s most comprehensive art galleries.
Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Frankfurt offers a huge variety of dining places providing not only great German food, but also a wide range of international cuisine including Greek, Turkish, Italian and Thai. The Grosse Bockenheimer strasse is lined with cafés, restaurants and delicatessen food stores and is one of the most recommendable areas to dine.
The pub scene is dominated by the locals’ affection for their worldwide known beer, which is something of a national beverage. Frankfurt’s second favourite drink is apfelwein or ebbelwei, a cider that is served in the traditional cider pubs. Frankfurt’s nightlife is thriving and eclectic presenting a wide range of music, above all a mix of house and techno beats played in the heavily dance-music oriented local club scene.
The city offers a vivid performing arts scene; the Schauspiel Frankfurt caters for traditional German theatre, while the English Theatre presents some excellent plays and musicals in English language.
Fun by day – shopping and activities
The pedestrianised Zeil is Frankfurt’s most popular shopping area where you will find everything from small retail shops and huge department stores to deli’s offering bread, sausages, cheese and the region’s renowned wine. Nordwestzentrum and Hessencenter provide alternative shopping mall experiences, while Goethestrasse is the place to hit for designer goods.
Daytrips
For centuries, the nearby spa resort of Bad Homburg has been a favourite rest and relaxation spot for Germany’s rich and famous. Bad Homburg also features a casino and Europe’s only restored Roman fort, Saalburg, originally constructed in 83 AD.
The ancient Eberbach Abbey, open 12 months of the year and surrounded by vineyards and forest in the centre of the tranquil Rheingau Valley, is perhaps best known as the location of the film ‘The Name of the Rose.’
A visit to the Castle Frankenstein in the nearby community of Mühltal inspired Mary Shelley to write her famous novel of the same name in 1814. Construction of this historic castle originally began during the 13th century. Today, the creatures rumoured to come out of hiding behind the castle rocks continue to send shivers down visitors’ spines during the annual Halloween show.
The dormant Volgelsberg volcano and the Taunus Mountains are the area’s most popular hiking destinations.
Must-see attractions
From acres of green spaces to dozens of fascinating museums to one of Europe’s oldest and greatest zoos, Frankfurt offers something for everyone. The tropical jungle inside the Palmengarten botanical gardens is one of Europe’s most unique floral displays while Frankfurt’s Zoological Garden, originally established in 1858, is one of the few zoos where visitors can observe birds in free flight and animals who only come out at night.
Colourful Von Bethmann Park, originally owned by the famous banking family of the same name, is a quiet oasis from Frankfurt’s busy streets, thanks to its thick walls blocking traffic noise and feng shui friendly Chinese garden.
Museums aren’t usually appropriate places to make noise, but the Museum Embankment Festival gives Frankfurt’s museums a unique opportunity to display their exhibits in louder surroundings. This annual event, which takes place during the last weekend of August, is one of Europe’s largest cultural festivals. The Opera Square Festival, held each June, offers a variety of international cuisine and entertainment to promote another activity which may not normally appeal to many visitors.
The Stadtwald forest and the banks of the Nidda and Main rivers are Frankfurt’s most popular cycling areas.
Best time to go
Summer is Frankfurt’s busiest tourist season, when weather is usually sunny and hot, but rain gear is also recommended for summer visitors since showers are fairly common. Summer is also the toughest time to find a Frankfurt hotel room, so accommodation must be booked well in advance. Spring and autumn are the most recommended visiting seasons for tourists who wish to enjoy warm and sunny weather without summertime crowds. Frankfurt winters are typically windy and chilly with temperatures just above freezing.
Rainy day suggestions
Rainy days are ideal days to visit some of Frankfurt’s unique museums. The Jewish Museum is a fascinating history of Frankfurt’s once vibrant Jewish community, while visually impaired guides lead sighted visitors through a world without vision inside the Dialogue Museum. Building buffs will enjoy the German Architecture Museum, while transparency and interactivity are the main themes of the Communications Museum. The Goethe House is a faithful reconstruction of the famous poet’s home and the period of the 18th century.
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