Frankfurt blends a striking skyline with a compact historic centre, riverside promenades, and museums along the Main River. You find both a dynamic business hub and relaxed neighbourhoods within easy reach.
Discover Frankfurt
Discover Frankfurt
Why visit Frankfurt?
What to expect
Expect modern skyscrapers beside half-timbered houses at Römerberg, efficient public transport, and a walkable core. The city feels organised yet informal, with green spaces, riverside paths, and a cosmopolitan crowd.
Plan your trip
Frankfurt is a major gateway to Germany and Europe, with fast rail links to cities like Cologne, Berlin, and Munich. Base yourself here to explore the Rhine Valley, nearby spa towns, and wine regions.
Top sights in Frankfurt
Römerberg Old Town
Stroll the cobbled square framed by reconstructed half-timbered houses and the historic town hall, a compact snapshot of old Frankfurt.
Main Tower
Ride the lift to the open-air viewing platform for wide views of the skyline, river, and surrounding region, especially atmospheric at sunset.
Museumsufer (Museum Embankment)
Follow the south bank of the Main River to find a string of museums, from fine art to film, set in grand villas and modern galleries.
Palmengarten
Explore expansive botanical gardens with themed greenhouses, lakes, and seasonal flower displays, a calm escape from the business district.
Frankfurt Cathedral
Visit the red sandstone cathedral and, if open, climb the tower for views across the rooftops and the contrast between old and new.
Zeil shopping street
Walk this central pedestrian street for department stores, malls, and side alleys leading to cafés and quieter courtyards.
Eiserner Steg
Cross this iron footbridge over the Main River for skyline views and an easy link between the old town and Sachsenhausen.
Experience Frankfurt's everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use the U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains for fast travel between the airport, city centre, and outer districts, and hop on trams for short inner-city journeys with views of daily life. For the last mile, walking or a short taxi ride works well in the compact centre.
Local life & culture
You feel local life along the riverbanks, in neighbourhoods like Sachsenhausen and Bornheim, and around weekly markets and community squares. The city hosts regular fairs, exhibitions, and cultural events that give it a steady, lived-in energy beyond the business skyline.
Where to unwind
Relax on the grassy Main River embankments, ideal for picnics and evening walks with skyline views. For quieter moments, retreat to city parks like Grüneburgpark or the Palmengarten, best enjoyed on mild mornings or long summer evenings.
A taste of Frankfurt
Street food & local specialties
Try local favourites such as handkäse, hearty sausages, and apple-based dishes in traditional tavern areas like Sachsenhausen and parts of the old town. Smaller markets and food stalls offer quick snacks alongside regional treats.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Head to central districts and malls near Zeil or around the banking quarter for easy-going cafés, bistros, and international flavours. Modest portions and sharing plates make it simple to sample several dishes in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
Look for restaurants and bars with rooftop terraces or river views for memorable evenings, especially around the Main River and in high-rise hotels. Many venues pair city panoramas with refined seasonal menus.
Retail therapy in Frankfurt
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Browse large shopping centres along Zeil and in the city core for international brands, local labels, and entertainment under one roof. These hubs double as social meeting places with cafés and casual dining.
Markets & local crafts
Explore areas like the Kleinmarkthalle and streets around the old town for speciality stalls, regional produce, and small boutiques. Neighbourhoods such as Sachsenhausen and Bornheim also reveal independent shops and design studios.
Evening retail scene
After dark, central shopping streets and malls remain lively, with illuminated façades and late-opening stores on selected days. Well-connected public transport makes it easy to reach and return from these areas in the evening.
Best time to visit Frankfurt
Spring (April to June, shoulder season) brings mild temperatures around 10–20°C (50–68°F), blooming parks, and comfortable sightseeing conditions. Summer (July to August, peak season) is warm at about 18–27°C (64–81°F), ideal for outdoor dining and riverside events. Autumn and winter (November to February, low season) are cool to cold at roughly 0–8°C (32–46°F), with crisp air, shorter days, and atmospheric cityscapes.