Forget the cobblestone roads and half-timbered houses of Germany back in the day: this city on the banks of the Main River is one big financial center, with enough skyscrapers to earn it the nicknames “Mainhattan” and “Bankfurt.” Legend has it that the city was auspiciously founded when Charlemagne and his Franks were fleeing the Saxons; they saw a deer crossing the Main River in a shallow Furt (ford) and followed it to safety on the opposite bank, and that very spot is where they founded Frankfurt. In 1356, Frankfurt rose to prominence when the Golden Bull of imperial law made it the site of emperors' elections and coronations until the Holy Roman Empire dissolved. Trade fairs—mass conglomerations of merchants all bartering with each other—regularly took place in the city.
Fast forward to the 21st century; Frankfurt now houses the EU's bank, marked by an enormous statue of the euro symbol. Skyscrapers loom over crowded streets and dark-suited stock traders busily jaywalk across avenues. Though Frankfurt has a reputation for being the most Americanized city in Europe, the government works to preserve the city's rich history, and the medieval charisma of Marburg and the towns along the Bergstrasse Wine Road remain blessedly secluded. By rail, the line running between Frankfurt and Heidelberg also hits all the major towns.
Get your groove on at Frankfurt’s two-tiered, totally gay-friendly PULSE Club (Bleichstraße 38a; tel: 069 13 88 68 02, www.pulse-frankfurt.de; open M-F from 11pm, Sa-Su from 10pm). Ask the ...more
The Main River runs east to west through Frankfurt, conveniently splitting it into two parts, though most of the city is located in the north.
As the financial center of Europe, Frankfurt doesn't really offer deals, and hotels are often full of bankers and businessmen. The West End/Bockenheim area has affordable options in a quiet setting, though ...more
Beneath the daunting skyscrapers that define the Frankfurt landscape are several historic sights, all of which have undergone some degree of reconstruction since the Altstadt's destruction in 1944. Old ...more
Frankfurters love sausages and beer, but they have their own regional specialties as well. Feast on Handkäse mit Musik, a gel-like translucent yellow cheese with a strong flavor, served with vinegar and ...more
If you're just looking for a low-key night with a few drinks, head to Sachsenhausen on the southern side of the city. Head between Bruckenstrasse and Dreieichstrasse for an authentic German experience ...more
Frankfurt has a large variety of venues that bring you everything from opera to musical theater, rock bands to symphony orchestras. Tickets can be bought from Frankfurt Ticket (☎ 069 1340-400 ...more
Being the cosmopolitan city that it is, Frankfurt has a large contingent of upscale shopping areas scattered throughout the city. Most notably, the super-expensive name brand stores are concentrated on ...more
Tourist Office: (☎ 069 21 23 88 00 www.frankfurt-tourismus.de > In the Hauptbahnhof near the main exit, next door to the car rental. $ Brochures, tours ...more
The largest and busiest airport in Germany, Frankfurt's Flughafen Rhein-Main (☎ 0180 537 24636) is the gateway to Germany for thousands of travelers from all over the world. From the airport, ...more
Buy your tickets from the green-blue Fahrkarten machines immediately before boarding; tickets are automatically validated upon purchase and are valid for 1hr. Check first if your destination qualifies ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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