Translate
Overview
Frankfurt am Main is Germany's fifth-largest city and the financial capital of continental Europe, home to the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Its skyline — one of the most distinctive in Germany — earns it the local nickname Mainhattan, a nod to the cluster of towers rising above the Main River.
Despite its corporate reputation, Frankfurt rewards curious travelers. The reconstructed medieval Altstadt, the dense museum corridor along the Sachsenhausen riverbank, a thriving food-market culture, and a serious live-music scene all sit within easy walking distance of one another.
The city was heavily bombed in World War II and extensively rebuilt, which explains why historic buildings often sit alongside postwar architecture. The recent reconstruction of the Neue Altstadt quarter — completed in 2018 — returned a stretch of half-timbered facades to the city center for the first time in decades.
Frankfurt is also one of Europe's busiest transit hubs. Many travelers pass through Frankfurt Airport without stopping, but those who do pause find a city that is compact, efficient, and genuinely interesting.
Before You Go
Visas
Germany is part of the Schengen Area. Visa requirements vary significantly by nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official German Federal Foreign Office website for current entry rules before you book.
Health
No vaccinations are required to enter Germany for most travelers. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Frankfurt. EU citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); all other visitors should ensure they have adequate travel health insurance.
Weather by season
- Spring (Mar–May): Mild and increasingly sunny; light layers recommended.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Warm to hot, occasionally humid; temperatures regularly reach 28–32 °C.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Comfortable early on, turning cooler and wetter by November.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Cold, often grey; temperatures hover around 0–5 °C. The Christmas market season (late November through December) draws large crowds.
What to pack
Comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella year-round, and business-casual clothing if attending meetings. Smart-casual dress is generally acceptable in restaurants.
Getting There
By Air
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Germany's largest airport and a major European hub, served by Lufthansa and dozens of other carriers. It sits roughly 12 km southwest of the city center and is directly connected to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (central station) by S-Bahn lines S8 and S9, with a journey time of around 10–15 minutes. Verify current schedules and fares with Deutsche Bahn or the airport's official site.
By Rail
Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof is one of Germany's busiest long-distance rail stations. High-speed ICE trains connect Frankfurt to Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, and many other cities, as well as to Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels via international services. Booking in advance typically secures lower fares on Deutsche Bahn (bahn.de).
By Road
Frankfurt sits at the intersection of several major motorways (Autobahn). Driving into the city center is possible but not always practical given parking costs and the dense public-transport network. An environmental zone (Umweltzone) covers the inner city; vehicles must display a valid emissions badge to enter.
Getting Around
Frankfurt's public transport network — operated by VGF and integrated into the RMV regional system — is extensive and reliable. U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (suburban rail), tram, and bus lines cover the city comprehensively. A single journey ticket covers all modes within the purchased zone; day tickets offer better value for multiple trips. Verify current fares on the RMV website (rmv.de).
The city center, Sachsenhausen, and the museum embankment are all walkable. Cycling is practical and well-supported — Frankfurt has an expanding network of bike lanes, and several bike-share providers operate in the city (verify current operators locally).
Taxis and ride-hailing services are available but less necessary than in less transit-connected cities. The Airport City Rail Link makes renting a car on arrival generally unnecessary for a short city stay.
Things to See & Do
Römerberg and the New Altstadt
The Römerberg is Frankfurt's historic market square, anchored by the Römer — the city's medieval town hall with its distinctive stepped gable. The adjacent Neue Altstadt reconstruction project recreated over 35 half-timbered buildings between the Römer and the Cathedral, making this the most visited part of the city.
Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom)
The Gothic Cathedral of St Bartholomew served as the coronation church for Holy Roman Emperors. The tower can be climbed for city views. Confirm current opening hours and any admission fees locally before visiting.
Museumsufer (Museum Embankment)
The south bank of the Main hosts roughly a dozen museums within walking distance of one another. Highlights include the Städel Museum (fine art from the Middle Ages to the present), the Museum of World Cultures (Weltkulturen Museum), and the German Film Museum. Individual museums set their own hours and fees — verify on each museum's official site.
Palmengarten
A large botanical garden in the Westend district, open year-round. One of the most pleasant green spaces in the city for a quiet afternoon.
Kleinmarkthalle
Frankfurt's beloved indoor market hall near the Hauptwache. Stalls sell local produce, meats, cheeses, spices, and prepared foods. A good place to sample Ebbelwoi (apple wine) and regional snacks. Open Monday through Saturday; verify current hours locally.
Sachsenhausen and the Apple Wine Quarter
The district south of the Main retains a village feel, with cobbled streets, traditional apple-wine taverns (Apfelweinstube), and access to the museum embankment. A pleasant area for an evening stroll.
Food & Drink
Local Specialities
Frankfurt has a distinct regional cuisine. Key dishes and drinks to seek out:
- Grüne Soße (Green Sauce): A cold herb sauce made from seven specific herbs, typically served over hard-boiled eggs or boiled beef. Frankfurt claims it as its own.
- Rippchen mit Kraut: Cured pork ribs with sauerkraut, a hearty tavern staple.
- Handkäse mit Musik: A pungent, low-fat sour-milk cheese marinated in vinegar and caraway, served with raw onions. An acquired taste.
- Ebbelwoi (Apfelwein): Dry, tart local apple wine, served in a ribbed glass jug called a Bembel. The Sachsenhausen district is the best area to try it in traditional taverns.
- Frankfurter Würstchen: The original frankfurt sausage — a thin, lightly smoked pork sausage. Note that the version sold globally as a 'frankfurter' differs somewhat from the local product.
Dining Areas
The Fressgasse pedestrian street (formally Große Bockenheimer Straße) is lined with delis, bakeries, and restaurants. The Sachsenhausen quarter offers the densest concentration of traditional apple-wine pubs. The Bahnhofsviertel (station district) has an increasingly diverse international food scene.
Practical Notes
Lunch menus (Mittagstisch) at sit-down restaurants typically offer better value than dinner. Tipping of roughly 5–10 percent is conventional but not mandatory. Many traditional taverns are cash-only — carry euros.
Shopping
The main shopping street is the Zeil, one of Germany's highest-turnover retail streets, anchored by large department stores and mainstream brands. The adjoining Goethestraße is Frankfurt's luxury shopping corridor, home to high-end international fashion houses.
For more independent retail, the Berger Straße in the Bornheim district and the Schweizer Straße in Sachsenhausen offer local boutiques, bookshops, and specialty food stores. The Flohmarkt (flea market) held on Saturday mornings along the Sachsenhausen riverbank is a long-running institution for second-hand finds — verify current dates locally.
German stores are generally closed on Sundays, with limited exceptions at the airport and main train station.
Practical Information
Emergency Numbers
- General emergency (police, fire, ambulance): 112 (EU standard) and 110 (police)
- These numbers are publicly confirmed EU-wide standards.
Money
ATMs (Geldautomaten) are widely available. Major credit and debit cards are accepted at hotels and many restaurants, but smaller taverns and market stalls often prefer cash. Inform your bank before travel to avoid card blocks.
Connectivity
Free public Wi-Fi is available at Frankfurt Airport, the main station, and some public squares. Mobile data coverage is good across the city. EU roaming rules apply to visitors from EU member states; others should verify data costs with their provider or consider a local SIM.
Useful Apps
- RMV app or DB Navigator for public transport.
- Official museum websites for timed-entry bookings during busy periods.
Accessibility
Frankfurt's public transport system is largely step-free. The U-Bahn and S-Bahn have elevators at most central stations, though some older stations may have limited accessibility. Verify specific requirements with VGF before travel.
Safety
Frankfurt is generally a safe city for travelers. Standard urban precautions apply: be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas such as the Hauptbahnhof, the Zeil, and festival spaces, where pickpocketing can occur.
The Bahnhofsviertel (station district) has a visible open drug scene, particularly around the Taunusanlage park. The area is monitored by police and is not inherently dangerous for pedestrians passing through, but travelers sensitive to this environment may prefer to route around it.
Road crossings: German drivers generally respect pedestrian signals, but always cross at designated crossings and observe the signals. Cyclists on shared paths can move quickly — look both ways.
For any emergency, dial 112.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Frankfurt has historically been a city of commerce and trade — it hosted one of Europe's oldest trade fairs (the Frankfurt Messe continues today) and was a center of banking from the medieval period onward. This shapes a civic culture that is pragmatic, international, and somewhat less outwardly ceremonial than cities like Munich or Vienna.
Goethe was born in Frankfurt in 1749; his birthplace, the Goethe-Haus on Großer Hirschgraben, is a museum. The city takes some civic pride in this connection, though Goethe spent most of his adult life in Weimar.
Frankfurters can be direct and economical with small talk — this should not be mistaken for unfriendliness. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and public institutions.
The Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse), held each October, is the world's largest trade fair for books and publishing. It draws international visitors and affects hotel availability and prices in that period — book accommodation well in advance if visiting in October.
