Name: Visit Frankfurt
Address: Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany

Frankfurt, often called “Mainhattan” for its dazzling skyline on the Main river, is Germany’s financial powerhouse and a city of fascinating contrasts. It seamlessly blends modern skyscrapers with meticulously reconstructed historic architecture, offering a rich experience for every visitor.

Location: In the state of Hesse, on the River Main.
Language: German, but English is widely spoken, especially in the central and business districts.
Currency: Euro (€).
Best Time to Visit:
- Late Spring (April-May) and Early Autumn (September-October): Pleasant weather and fewer crowds than summer. Early autumn is great for local festivals and Apfelwein (Apple Wine) season.
- December: For the famous and picturesque Frankfurt Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt).
- Summer (June-August): Long daylight hours and many outdoor events, but peak tourist season and potentially hot.

When visiting Frankfurt’s main sights they are largely walkable, particularly those in the center and along the river.

Römerberg and the New Old Town (Altstadt): The city’s historic heart. The Römer (City Hall) and the surrounding colorful half-timbered houses were faithfully reconstructed after WWII. Don’t miss the Fountain of Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) in the square.
Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus): The coronation church for Holy Roman Emperors. Climb the 328 steps of the Gothic tower for panoramic views over the old town and the modern skyline.
Goethe House (Goethe-Haus): The birthplace of Germany’s most famous writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832). The house is furnished in the style of the 18th century, offering a glimpse into his early life.
St. Paul’s Church (Paulskirche): A significant symbol of German democracy, as it was the seat of the first democratically elected German parliament in 1848.

Main Tower: The only high-rise skyscraper open to the public. Take the elevator to the 200m-high observation deck for the most famous views of the “Mainhattan” skyline.
Eiserner Steg (Iron Footbridge): A neo-Gothic pedestrian bridge over the Main River, famous for its ‘love locks’ and offering excellent views of the skyline, especially at sunset.

Museum Embankment (Museumsufer): A cluster of over 30 museums lining both banks of the Main River.
- Städel Museum: One of Germany’s most important art museums, with works spanning seven centuries, from Old Masters to modern art (Monet, Picasso, etc.).
- Senckenberg Natural History Museum (Naturmuseum Senckenberg): The second-largest natural history museum in Germany, home to impressive dinosaur skeletons and other natural history artifacts.
- The Museum Wiesbaden in Wiesbaden, Germany, is where fans are flocking to see a painting of Ophelia that inspired Taylor Swift’s music video for “The Fate of Ophelia”. The museum, located south of Frankfurt, has seen a surge in visitors since the video’s release. The Art Nouveau painting, by Friedrich Wilhelm Theodor Heyser, depicts the tragic Shakespearean figure and was created around 1900
- Tip: Consider the Museumsufer Card for discounted entry to most museums for two consecutive days.

Museum Wiesbaden

Kleinmarkthalle: A lively indoor market offering high-quality fresh produce, local delicacies, and international treats. Great for lunch or picking up gourmet souvenirs.
Sachsenhausen: Located on the south bank of the Main, this district is known for its cobblestone lanes, traditional architecture, and numerous historic pubs serving Apfelwein (known locally as Ebbelwoi).

Apfelwein (Ebbelwoi): The quintessential Frankfurt drink—a tart, slightly alcoholic apple cider, typically served in a ribbed glass called a Geripptes and poured from a traditional clay pitcher (Bembel).
Grüne Soße (Green Sauce): A regional specialty, traditionally made with seven fresh herbs, yogurt, and sour cream. It’s often served cold with boiled eggs, potatoes, or Tafelspitz (boiled beef).
Frankfurter Würstchen: A boiled sausage made from pork, similar to a hot dog.
Handkäse mit Musik: Sour milk cheese served with onions, vinegar, and oil—an acquired taste, but very local!

Frankfurt has an excellent, integrated public transport system run by the RMV (Rhine-Main Transport Authority).

Public Transport: The network includes the U-Bahn (subway/light rail), S-Bahn (suburban trains), trams, and buses. It is easy to navigate using the RMV app or Google Maps.
Tickets: You must purchase and validate your ticket before boarding (except on buses where you buy from the driver). Options include:
- Single-trip tickets
- All-day tickets (Tageskarte)
- Group day tickets (Gruppentageskarte)
- Frankfurt Card: Includes unlimited travel within the city (and to the airport, depending on the zone) and discounts on museums and attractions.
Walking: The city center is very compact, making it easy to walk between the main sights in the Old Town, banking district, and museum embankment.

Arrival: Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is one of Europe’s busiest hubs and is very well connected to the city center via the S-Bahn (lines S8 and S9).
Tipping: In restaurants, it’s customary to round up the bill or add 5-10% for good service.
Shopping: The central shopping street is Die Zeil, a major pedestrian zone. For luxury goods, head to Goethestraße.

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