Overview
Frankfurt am Main is Germany's fifth-largest city and its undisputed financial capital, home to the European Central Bank, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and a skyline of high-rises that is unusual by European standards. Despite its corporate reputation, Frankfurt is a genuinely liveable, culturally rich city with a reconstructed medieval old town, one of the densest concentrations of museums in Germany, and a vibrant riverside culture.
The city sits at a crossroads: geographically central in Germany, and one of the busiest air hubs in Europe, which makes it a frequent first port of call for international visitors. Many pass through without stopping, but those who do stay discover a city of contrasts — Sachsenhausen's apple-wine pubs a short walk from glass tower lobbies, a rebuilt historic market square beside cutting-edge contemporary galleries.
The River Main divides the city into the northern banking quarter and the southern Sachsenhausen district, and the riverside promenade on both banks is a favourite space for walking, cycling, and summer gatherings. Frankfurt rewards travelers who look past the airport and conference halls.
Before You Go
Visas
Germany is a Schengen Area member. Visa requirements vary significantly by nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official website of the German Federal Foreign Office for current requirements before booking.
Health
No vaccination requirements for most visitors, but confirm current entry conditions before travel. European visitors should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Travel health insurance is recommended for all visitors.
Currency & Payments
The euro is universally accepted. Card payments are widely available, though some traditional restaurants, smaller shops, and market stalls in Frankfurt still operate on a cash-preferred or cash-only basis. It is worth carrying some cash.
Electricity
Germany uses Type C and Type F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz. Visitors from North America and some other regions will need an adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
What to Pack
Weather is variable year-round. Even in summer, a light jacket is advisable, particularly for evenings by the river. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended — the city centre is very walkable.
Getting There
By Air
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is one of Europe's busiest international hubs and is served by carriers from across the world. It has two passenger terminals connected by the SkyLine automated train. The airport is directly linked to Frankfurt's city centre by S-Bahn (suburban rail) lines S8 and S9, which run frequently and reach the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) in roughly 10–15 minutes. A regional express train also connects the airport to the city. Verify current timetables and fares with Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) or Deutsche Bahn.
By Train
Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof is one of Germany's major rail junctions. High-speed ICE trains connect Frankfurt to Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, and many other German and European cities. Frankfurt Süd and Frankfurt Airport regional station also receive intercity services. Check schedules and book in advance via Deutsche Bahn (bahn.de).
By Road
Frankfurt sits at the intersection of several major motorways (Autobahn). Long-distance coaches also serve Frankfurt, with FlixBus and similar operators connecting the city to destinations across Germany and neighbouring countries. The main coach terminal is near the Hauptbahnhof.
Getting Around
Public Transport
Frankfurt has an integrated public transport network operated by VGF (trams and U-Bahn/metro) and RMV (broader regional network). U-Bahn (metro), S-Bahn (suburban rail), trams, and buses together cover the city comprehensively. Tickets are zone-based; single tickets, day passes, and multi-day passes are available. Validate tickets before or upon boarding. Verify current fares on the RMV or VGF websites.
Cycling
Frankfurt has a growing cycling infrastructure, including dedicated bike lanes along the Main riverbanks. Deutsche Bahn's Call a Bike scheme and other rental services operate in the city. Verify current availability locally.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Licensed taxis are available city-wide and can be hailed on the street, ordered via app, or found at designated ranks. Common ride-hailing apps also operate in Frankfurt — check which services are active at the time of your visit.
On Foot
The central Innenstadt (city centre), Römerberg, and the Museumsufer area are all comfortably walkable. Sachsenhausen across the river is also easily reached on foot via one of several Main bridges.
Things to See & Do
Historic Sites
- Römerberg — Frankfurt's reconstructed medieval market square, anchored by the Römer city hall and the half-timbered Ostzeile row of houses. The square hosts the famous Christmas market in December.
- Dom (Frankfurt Cathedral / Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus) — A Gothic cathedral where Holy Roman emperors were crowned between 1562 and 1792. The tower offers views over the city (verify current opening hours locally).
- Neue Altstadt (New Old Town) — A reconstructed quarter of historical houses between the Dom and the Römer, completed in 2018, housing the Dom-Römer museum complex.
Museums
Frankfurt's Museumsufer (Museum Embankment) lines the south bank of the Main and concentrates more than a dozen museums within walking distance.
- Städel Museum — One of Germany's premier art museums, covering seven centuries of European painting and sculpture.
- Senckenberg Natural History Museum — Among the largest natural history museums in Germany, notable for its dinosaur skeletons; popular with families.
- Museum für Moderne Kunst (MMK) — Contemporary art in a distinctive triangular building by Hans Hollein.
- Jüdisches Museum Frankfurt — The Jewish Museum Frankfurt, recently expanded, documents the history of Frankfurt's historically significant Jewish community.
Viewpoints
- Main Tower — The only Frankfurt skyscraper with a publicly accessible observation platform (verify current hours and admission locally).
- Frankfurt Cathedral Tower — Offers a more traditional elevated view.
Parks and Green Space
- Palmengarten — A large botanical garden in the Westend district, with glasshouses and seasonal flower displays.
- Grüneburgpark — A popular city park adjacent to the Palmengarten.
- Main Riverbanks — The riverside promenade on both banks is well used by locals for walking, running, and relaxing.
Food & Drink
Frankfurt Specialities
Frankfurt has a distinct regional food identity. Key local dishes and drinks include:
- Ebbelwei (Apfelwein / Apple Wine) — Frankfurt's defining drink, a dry, slightly sparkling fermented apple cider served in a dimpled grey stoneware jug called a Bembel and traditionally drunk from ribbed glasses. Sachsenhausen is the classic neighbourhood to try it.
- Grüne Soße (Green Sauce) — A cold herb sauce made from seven specific fresh herbs (traditionally: borage, chervil, cress, parsley, salad burnet, sorrel, and chives), typically served with boiled eggs and potatoes or schnitzel. Considered a Frankfurt emblem.
- Frankfurter Rippchen — Cured pork ribs, typically served with sauerkraut and bread.
- Handkäse mit Musik — A pungent sour-milk cheese marinated in oil and vinegar with onions, caraway, and herbs. A classic apple-wine pub snack.
- Frankfurter Würstchen — The original Frankfurt sausage, thin-skinned and smoked, with protected geographical indication status.
Where to Eat and Drink
- Sachsenhausen (Alt-Sachsenhausen) — The traditional apple-wine pub district, with numerous Apfelweinwirtschaften (cider taverns) concentrated around Schweizer Straße and the surrounding streets.
- Bornheim and Berger Straße — A lively neighbourhood strip with independent cafés, restaurants, and bars popular with locals.
- Kleinmarkthalle — Frankfurt's central covered market hall, with stalls selling fresh produce, cheese, meat, and prepared foods. A good place for a casual lunch and local shopping.
- Fressgass (Freßgasse) — A pedestrian street in the banking district lined with delis, cafés, and restaurants.
Frankfurt also has a wide international dining scene reflecting its cosmopolitan population, with particular strength in Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Shopping
Main Shopping Areas
- Zeil — Frankfurt's principal pedestrian shopping street, one of the highest-turnover retail streets in Germany, with major department stores, chain retailers, and the MyZeil shopping centre.
- Goethestraße — Frankfurt's luxury retail street, lined with high-end international fashion brands.
- Berger Straße (Bornheim) — Independent boutiques, vintage shops, bookshops, and local businesses in a neighbourhood setting.
- Schweizer Straße (Sachsenhausen) — A pleasant local shopping street with independent retailers, delis, and cafés.
Markets
- Kleinmarkthalle — The indoor market hall near the Römerberg; open on weekdays and Saturday mornings (verify current hours locally).
- Farmers' markets — Several neighbourhoods host weekly outdoor markets; check locally for current days and locations.
- Frankfurt Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt) — Held on and around Römerberg from late November to Christmas Eve, one of the larger and more traditional Christmas markets in Germany.
Souvenirs
Look for Ebbelwei and Bembel jugs, Grüne Soße herb mixes, local apple wine products, and items related to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was born in Frankfurt.
Practical Information
Emergency Numbers
- General Emergency / Police: 110
- Fire and Ambulance: 112
Medical
Frankfurt has well-equipped hospitals and numerous pharmacies (Apotheke). Pharmacies display a red 'A' sign. Out-of-hours pharmacy information is available at any pharmacy window or via the German pharmacy finder service — verify the current local resource on arrival.
Communication
Germany uses the +49 country code. Mobile coverage is generally good in Frankfurt. Free public Wi-Fi is available in some public spaces and transport hubs, though coverage is less comprehensive than in some other European capitals. Cafés and hotels generally offer Wi-Fi.
Tipping
Tipping is customary but not as standardised as in North America. Rounding up the bill or leaving approximately 5–10% is common in restaurants and cafés. Tell the server the total amount you wish to pay rather than leaving cash on the table. Tipping taxi drivers and hotel staff is appreciated but not obligatory.
Useful Apps
RMV and DB Navigator apps are helpful for public transport. Verify which are current and most useful at the time of your visit.
Safety
Frankfurt is generally a safe city by European standards. The main areas of concern for visitors are opportunistic petty theft — pickpocketing and bag snatching — particularly in crowded areas such as the Hauptbahnhof, Zeil, and busy markets. Standard precautions apply: keep valuables secure, be aware of your surroundings in busy public spaces, and avoid leaving bags unattended.
The area immediately around the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) and the so-called Bahnhofsviertel can feel rough at certain times, as it has a visible street drug scene. This is worth being aware of, though incidents targeting tourists are not especially common. Exercise the same awareness you would in any large city's central transit hub.
The general emergency number for police is 110; for fire and ambulance, 112. Both can be dialled free from any phone. Frankfurt's public transport network and most tourist areas are generally well-lit and patrolled.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Frankfurt has a substantial literary and intellectual heritage. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's most celebrated writer, was born here in 1749; his birthplace on Großer Hirschgraben is now the Goethe-Haus museum. The Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse), held each October, is the world's largest trade book fair and has roots going back to the 15th century — it remains a major event on the international publishing calendar.
The city is also known for the Frankfurt School, the influential group of critical theorists associated with the Institut für Sozialforschung (Institute for Social Research) at Goethe University, active from the 1920s and including thinkers such as Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer.
Locally, residents have a relaxed civic pride. Apple wine culture — the Stöffche, the Bembel, the Apfelweinwirtschaft — is genuinely cherished and not merely a tourist performance. Dress standards in the city centre lean toward smart-casual in the evening, though Frankfurt is not particularly formal outside of business contexts. Basic German phrases are appreciated; English is widely functional in the city.