The city has several good vantage points.
Skyscrapers and the greenery of the parks
The skyline, dominated by skyscrapers, is one of Frankfurt’s most impressive sights, especially in the evening.
In addition to modern tower blocks, the city also has beautiful churches, old merchant houses and other lower buildings from different eras. Architecturally, Frankfurt is an interesting mix of different building styles that reflect the city’s long, more than a thousand-year history.
The long history is especially evident in Frankfurt’s sights, with many important sites being rebuilt historical landmarks. Like many other German cities, Frankfurt suffered badly in World War II. Among other things, a large part of the Old Town area, one of the largest in Europe, was permanently lost.
Extensive cultural and museum offerings
In addition to the Old Town, tourists interested in history can enjoy Frankfurt’s numerous museums, which offer their visitors both art and history. On both sides of the Main River is the extensive museum center Museumsufer, where you can easily spend even a whole day walking from one museum to another. Visitors to many museums should obtain the Frankfurt Card, which offers significant benefits from entrance fees.
The most famous museums in Frankfurt include the home and separate museum of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe on Großer Hirschgraben and the Städelsches Kunstinstinut, or Städel Museum, known for its extensive collection of works by world-famous artists. The most special of the museums is probably the museum dedicated to the fairy tale character Jörö-Juka.
In addition to museums, Frankfurt’s other cultural life is also lively. Dozens of different theaters and the opera offer a powerful table setting for the performing arts. Music lovers get excited about Jazzkeller, one of the most traditional jazz venues in Germany.
The city’s many fairs best-known cultural events are half jokasyksyiset Book Fair and also organized every autumn jazz festival.
Shop in a variety of ways and eat well
Frankfurt is an excellent shopping city, with selections comparable to even a million metropolises. Both large department stores and their own stores of many different brands are represented. Shops in central Frankfurt are concentrated in the area between the old opera house Alte Oper and Roßmarkt.
An incomparable place for shopping is the long Zeil shopping street, which starts from the old 18th-century guardhouse Hauptwache, along which there is a modern shopping center, department stores and numerous branded stores. In addition to shops, the rooftop Zeilgalerie shopping center has a free panoramic terrace.
After a long shopping session, it is good to relax in Frankfurt’s fine restaurants. Kitchens from all over the world are widely represented, not forgetting the German and especially the Frankfurt region’s own specialties, which can be found in a fairly rich selection.
A particularly good area for exploring the local food and drink culture is Alt-Sachsenhausen, south of the River Main. Of the Frankfurt food specialties, at least the traditional green and cold herb sauce and the sour milk cheese Handkäse mit Musik are worth a visit . The local apple wine, Apfelwein or Ebbelwei , is not really a wine but not a cider, and you should always drink it from your own sloping glass.
Exploring the apple wine can also be conveniently combined with sightseeing, as the Ebbelwei Express apple wine tram runs around Frankfurt’s city center on weekends. The price of the tour includes, of course, a glass of apple wine.
Römerberg – the heart of the old town
Römerberg was once a rebuilt part of Frankfurt’s large Old Town district. The central square, Römerplatz, is surrounded by colorful and ornate houses, and is a true center of Frankfurt tourism.
The main building of the square is the town hall, which was rebuilt in its original 15th century appearance. Another major attraction in the square is the Alte Nikolaikirche church.
Cradle of the Republic of Germany – St. Paul’s Church
Right next to Römerplatz is one of the most important churches in German history, St. Paul’s Church. Originally built in the 18th century and rebuilt after World War II, the church served as a meeting place for the National Assembly in 1848, the purpose of which was to unite the independent states of the German territory.
Today, the peculiarly shaped round church building serves as a museum and venue for changing exhibitions.
Kaiserdom Cathedral rises alongside the skyscrapers
Frankfurt’s Kaiserdom was long the site of choice and coronation for German emperors. Late Gothic in style, the church building is the most spectacular in Frankfurt and rises 96 meters above the skyline of Frankfurt alongside skyscrapers. You can climb the tower to view the scenery.
Frankfurt Skyscrapers and Bridges – Mainhattan
Many of the city’s many futuristic skyscrapers are a hallmark of modern Frankfurt. The buildings, which are actively used for office use, are closed to the public, with the exception of the Main Tower. However, the Main Tower offers views from as high as 200 meters.
As an attraction, Frankfurt’s skyscrapers are at their best as seen from the south of the River Main and the bridges across the river. Especially at night, the spectacularly illuminated towers are an impressive sight.
Green Palmengarten
Founded in 1868, Palmengarten is one of the most diverse and largest botanical gardens in Europe. The many pavilions in the park area have enough tropical vegetation to see, and the area’s outdoor spaces provide a pleasant park environment for walking and outdoor activities.
THE BEST OF FRANKFURT
The European Central Bank is headquartered in Frankfurt.
The best restaurants
- Adolf Wagner – One of Frankfurt’s most famous restaurants, offers a folk atmosphere, local specialties and homemade cider.
- Bombay Palace – Frankfurt’s best ethnic restaurants
- Gebermühle – Panoramic views of skyscrapers along the River Main
- Zum gemalen Haus – another good and traditional cider restaurant
Experience these in Frankfurt
- Take the Main Tower observation deck to 200 meters
- Take a tour of the traditional apple wine tram on the Ebbelwei Express, which tours the sights of the city center and offers apple wine
- Shop on the Zeil shopping street and visit the Zeil Galerie’s rooftop terrace
- Take a river cruise on the River Main and enjoy Frankfurt’s varied cityscape
- Visit the Museumsufer museum area and visit as many museums as you can