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Table of Contents:
How to get to Frankfurt from Frankfurt Airport
Romer Square and Alt Sachsenhausen district
Other historical attractions of Frankfurt
Bank district and Zeil shopping street
When to travel to Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the administrative center of the Hesse region and one of the largest cities in Germany. From a tourist point of view, Frankfurt is interesting because of the historical center which has been preserved here. The list of historical attractions includes monuments dating back to the early Middle Ages. In addition, Frankfurt is the “southern gate” of Germany, as it has one of the largest air hubs in Europe. Frankfurt Airport receives a large number of flights from all over the world every day. I used to arrive at Frankfurt airport and I can confirm that it is one of a kind with a lot of facilities offered to tourists.
You can visit Frankfurt any season of the year as it has a mild climate which lets tourists make long-distance walking without any problems. Probably, the best time of the year to visit Frankfurt is considered to be the period from mid-May to mid-October. It is called “high” tourist season. However, the period of mid-October – mid-May also has its own charm. Colorful autumn is changed by Christmas-decorated winter and then by blossoming spring. It is the so-called “low” tourist season which has its advantages, for example, lower prices, less people, beautiful nature etc.
I would like to recommend travellers to book almost everything for visiting Frankfurt in advance! I mean plane tickets, hotels, transfer or car rental services, tickets for attractions, etc. This city gets packed with travellers. Some of them are staying in the city, some of them travelled around the region, but anyway the last thing you need is to waste time waiting in a queue for hours!
How to get to Frankfurt
Where do you fly to get to Frankfurt? Frankfurt has its own international airport. Direct flights to Frankfurt are carried out by various European companies and the German company of Lufthansa. In addition to direct flights, there are options with indirect flights, which are carried out by different European companies of AirBaltic, Swiss, Wizzair, Czech Airlines, etc. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I usually use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options and it helps me to choose the best one sorting the results.
How to get to Frankfurt from Frankfurt Airport
The distance between Frankfurt Airport and Frankfurt City Center is 14 km. They are connected with a road # B43.
By train: You can get to the city center of Frankfurt from the Airport on the commuter trains departing from terminal #1. You need to take lines S8 and S9. Trains arrive at the Main Railway Station in Frankfurt. You can check the current timetable at Deutsche Bahn Official Website.
◊Be noted! If you are not planning to visit Frankfurt, but want to go straight to the other cities, towns etc. directly from the airport, you can do this either by train or by bus. The bus station is located opposite terminal # 2. The Railway Station is located inside the airport in terminal # 1 and is divided into 2 stops – Regionalbahnhof and Fernbahnhof. The first branch serves the airport-city center direction, the second one serves directions to other German cities.
By taxi: You can also take a taxi from Frankfurt Airport to the City Centre. Such a trip costs from 45 euros for an economy class car and takes about 20 minutes (during rush hour it can be a little longer). You can order a car upon arrival at the airport terminal, or in advance on the transfer booking services such as Kiwitaxi service, Intui.Travel service and other similar ones. I examined both services and can recommend them as most of the reviews are positive.
By renting a car: Another popular way to travel in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Frankfurt. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. I travelled a lot along the autobahns and, based on my experience, I can recommend it as one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get to your travel destination.
Where to stay in Frankfurt
Hotels in Frankfurt are represented by different categories of stars. Here you can find executive-class hotels with a wide variety of additional options, or you can choose an affordable bed and breakfast hotel; there are also many offers in the middle price category of 3 and 4 stars. Based on some analysis, I can say that renting apartments in Frankfurt is less popular than in other German cities, due to the large number of hotels offered and, accordingly, high competition.
Capri by Fraser, Frankfurt 4* – This apart-hotel is situated close to the business district and the Exhibition Centre. It offers a gym, a bar and a restaurant. Paid public parking is available nearby. Wi-Fi is available free of charge. There is a conference room and luggage storage. Dry cleaning and laundry services are provided. The hotel rooms are divided into studios and apartments. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, safe, iron, hairdryer, telephone, cable TV, refrigerator, microwave, kettle, stove. Breakfasts are paid separately. The hotel received the best reviews for the convenience, cleanliness and comfort of the rooms. The front desk is open 24/7. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 11.00.
Holiday Inn Frankfurt – Alte Oper 4* – The hotel is conveniently located relatively close both to the railway station and the historic city center. Paid public parking is available nearby. Wi-Fi is available free of charge. There is a fitness hall, luggage storage, currency exchange at the hotel. The hotel has rooms of various categories, equipped with air conditioning, hairdryer, TV, kettle, wireless internet. Breakfast, depending on the type of the room, can be included in the price, or can be provided for a fee. The hotel received the best ratings for the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, as well as for professionalism of the staff. The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
NH Collection Frankfurt City 4* – This chain hotel is located in the city center and offers additional facilities such as a spa, sauna, fitness room, bar and restaurant. The nearest metro station is within walking distance. Paid public parking is available on site. Wi-fi is provided free of charge. The hotel has rooms of different categories from standard, superior ones to junior suites and suites. The rooms have a safe, air conditioning, hairdryer, TV, telephone, mini-bar, coffee machine. Breakfasts are available at an additional cost. The hotel received the best reviews for its location and cleanliness of the rooms. The hotel provides luggage storage and currency exchange services. The front desk is open 24/7. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
Favored Hotel Scala 3* – The hotel has a good location relatively close to the main attractions of the city; the metro station is within walking distance. The hotel offers its guests free Wi-Fi, luggage storage, dry cleaning, laundry and ironing services. The hotel has rooms of different categories, designed for single, double and triple occupancy. In the rooms you can find a hairdryer, telephone, radio, satellite TV, mini-bar, free Wi-Fi. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price, or may be paid separately. Breakfasts are served buffet style. The hotel received the best ratings for its location. The front desk is open 24/7. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
Hotel Villa Florentina 3* – The hotel is located in a quiet area in a historic building, a 10-minute walk from the city center and the business district. This family-run hotel has its own garden and library. Paid public parking is available nearby. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi. Laundry and ironing services can be arranged upon request. The hotel has standard and superior single, double and triple rooms. Many rooms have their own balconies. Additionally, you can find a TV, telephone, radio, safe, hairdryer, mini-bar etc. Breakfasts are included in the room rate. The hotel received the highest reviews for the location, cleanliness of the rooms and professionalism of the staff. The front desk is open 24/7. Check-in is from 12.00, check-out is until 12.00.
NH Frankfurt Villa 3* – The hotel has an excellent location. You can get to the city center and the railway station by tram; a public transport stop is situated nearby. The hotel offers its guests free public parking, concierge services, luggage storage, dry cleaning and laundry services. Wi-Fi is available free of charge. The hotel has standard and superior rooms. Inside you can find air conditioning, a safe, hairdryer, telephone, TV, mini-bar, kettle or coffee machine. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price, or may be paid separately. Breakfasts are provided as a buffet. The hotel received the best ratings for cleanliness, comfort and location. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
What to see & do in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is literally a city of contrasts. On the one hand, the city is considered to be the largest business center. You can find the great number of skyscrapers here. But on the other hand, the historical center of Frankfurt has its own unique architectural style. In addition, Frankfurt is a garden city, since there are quite a lot of park areas.
Based on my experience, it is quite convenient to use public transport in Frankfurt for moving around as it extensively covers all parts of the city. Attractions in Frankfurt include the banking district and historic quarters, numerous museums and cultural monuments, as well as landscaped gardens and parks.
Romer Square and Alt Sachsenhausen district
It is Romer Square (“Roman Square”) that is considered to be the most recognizable attraction of the city. Here, colored “gingerbread” houses with crenellated roofs lined up in orderly rows. Römer Square, without exaggeration, is one of the main attractions of Frankfurt; its construction dates back to the 14th-15th centuries.
Near the square you can find another postcard attraction of Frankfurt – the Cathedral, or as it is also called St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is the tallest historical building in the city, and its construction dates back to the 13th century. It makes sense to see the Cathedral not only from the outside, but also from the inside, since there are a large number of art objects, paintings, frescoes, sculptures and bas-reliefs. In addition, visitors can climb the 95-meter tower of the Frankfurt Сathedral, where an observation deck with panoramic views of the city can be found.
If you are interested in architecture as much as me, you will definitely like the historic district of Alt-Sachsenhausen which is a quarter of old Saxon houses. The architecture of local buildings is made in the traditional Saxon style. The numerous cozy taverns and restaurants that serve local apple cider, give additional vibes to the area. At the end of summer, there is even a cider festival held here.
Other historical attractions of Frankfurt
In addition to the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, which has been mentioned above, you can also find several other cathedrals and churches in the city. So, the Church of St. Paul is considered to be the main Lutheran church in Frankfurt, and the Church of St. Justin served as the main church of the Benedictines.
Other historical attractions of the city include the Old Frankfurt Opera and the Old Bridge connecting the districts of Sachsenhausen and the Old Town. The facade of the opera building refers to the Renaissance, and the architecture of the bridge resembles medieval Gothic. I would love to share with you a list of museums in Frankfurt which are also worth paying attention:
- The Senckenberg Museum of Natural History
- the Goethe House Museum
- the German Film Museum
- the Städel Art Museum
- the Museum of Icons
- the Museum of Applied Arts
- the Struwelpeter Museum for Children
When looking at the historical attractions of the city, one should not forget that most of them were restored after the total destruction during the Second World War.
Bank district and Zeil shopping street
Those who appreciate modern architecture and who love the views of Manhattan and the City of London (like I do!) should take a walk in the financial district of Frankfurt. Here are the Commerzbank Turm (259 m), Messeturm (257 m), Main Tower (200 m), the headquarters of the European Central Bank (184 m), Deutsche Bank (155 m) and other magnificent buildings that amaze with their sizes.
For tourists, a walk through the financial district can also be interesting because there is an opportunity to climb one of the many observation decks and see the city from a bird’s eye view. In addition, the interiors of some buildings are also interesting. For instance, inside the Commerzbank Turm, you can find an atrium with nine botanical gardens, each of which is made in the style of one of the climatic areas of the world. The Main Tower is famous for its bar at a height of 187 meters and the observation deck on the roof at a height of 200 meters. I examined some information and found out the following opening hours:
- Opening hours of the Main Tower are from 10 am until 9 pm (Sun to Thu) and from 10 am until 11 am (Fr, Sat) during the summer time;
- Opening hours shorten to 7 pm during the winter time;
- The last entry will be 45 min before closing.
The Zeil shopping center and the shopping street adjacent to it are considered to be one of the most popular places for shoppers. Shopoholics can find everything they need here and even more. The Zeil shopping center has a bizarre futuristic architecture in the form of a twisting spiral in the center. There is an observation deck too. It has a symbolic name of “Zeil`s eye”. As you can see, Frankfurt can offer its guests several observation decks in different parts of the city, and which one to choose – the tower of the Cathedral, the roof of a skyscraper or the Zeil’s “eye” – is up to you.
Frankfurt has several park areas, including the famous Palmengarten greenhouse garden. You can take a walk and relax in Betman Park with its Chinese garden and a small pagoda or in Rothschild Park with its neo-Gothic tower of the 19th century, the Ring of Statues sculpture and a quiet lake. Do not forget to visit Palmengarten which is, I think, an especial park area in Frankfurt.
Palmengarten is a giant botanical garden spread over 22 hectares, where you can find flora samples from almost anywhere in the world, and you can walk here, without exaggeration, all day long. Elements of the desert, prairie, jungle, mountains, forests and steppes – all this can be found in the area of Palmengarten park complex. The “pearl” of the Palmengarten is the so-called Tropicarium – a huge palm greenhouse that contains a large number of palm plants and trees under the dome. There is also a lake, a butterfly pavilion, as well as all kinds of flower exhibitions at the park area. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting and here it is:
- Palmengarten is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the period of March – October and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the period of November – February;
- The admission fee is 7 euros for adults and 2 euros for kids under 13;
- You can get to Palmengarten by # U4, U6, U7 city trains; # 32, 36 50, 75 city buses, tram # 16.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: kurzkarl74
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…