Frankfurt, officially the City of Frankfurt is a metropolis and the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany. Frankfurt was a city state, the Free City of Frankfurt, for nearly five centuries, and was one of the most important cities of the Holy Roman Empire; it lost its sovereignty in 1866.
Frankfurt is an alpha world city and a global hub for commerce, culture, education, tourism and transportation. It is the site of many global and European corporate headquarters. Frankfurt Airport is among the world’s busiest. Frankfurt is the major financial centre of the European continent, with the headquarters of the European Central Bank, German Federal Bank, Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Deutsche Bank, DZ Bank, KfW, Commerzbank, several cloud and fintech startups and other institutes.
1. Frankfurt
Frankfurt is an international city that’s easy to get around: it’s walkable, but has well planned, reliable public transport, too. You’ll have no trouble getting by with little or no German, as most locals speak at least some—if not very good—English. Their honesty and directness is often mistaken for rudeness by visitors, but though Frankfurters might appear gruff or standoffish, they’re a friendly, fun-loving bunch, and after a drink or two rubbing shoulders with them in an Apfelwein tavern or one of the best bars in Frankfurt, you’ll probably agree. Frankfurt is a very tourist-friendly destination; the following tips will help you navigate the city and any cultural differences with ease, and save you the odd euro to boot.
2. Kaiserdom
It is dominated by a 95m-high Gothic tower, which can be climbed via 328 steps. Construction began in the 13th century; from 1356 to 1792, the Holy Roman Emperors were elected (and, after 1562, consecrated and crowned) in the Wahlkapelle at the end of the right aisle (look for the ‘skull’ altar). The cathedral was rebuilt both after an 1867 fire and after the bombings of 1944, which left it a burnt-out shell.
3. Römerberg
The Römerberg is Frankfurt’s old central square. Ornately gabled half-timbered buildings, reconstructed after WWII, give an idea of how beautiful the city’s medieval core once was. In the square’s centre is the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen. The Römerberg is especially lovely as a backdrop for the Christmas market in December.
4. Städel Museum
Founded in 1815, this world-renowned art gallery has an outstanding collection of European art from masters including Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir, Picasso and Cézanne, dating from the Middle Ages to today. More contemporary works by artists including Francis Bacon and Gerhard Richter are showcased in a subterranean extension lit by circular skylights. Admission prices can vary according to temporary exhibitions. Queues can be lengthy, so save time by pre-booking tickets online.
