Frankfurt is a city of business. It has more money that almost any other city in Germany and houses the headquarters of the European Central Bank. Unlike the rest of the country, modern office buildings dominate the skyline. Skyscrapers may be one of Frankfurt’s most prominent features but the city is also known for its apple wine and its world-class museums covering art, architecture and history.
Although much of the city was destroyed during bombing in World War II, some old buildings in Frankfurt were rebuilt. Start in the Old Town (Altstadt) to see what the city might have looked like before the war. The Römer has stood as Frankfurt’s town hall since the 15th century and its gabled roofs and centuries-old townhouses remain intact. Look up at the ancient Frankfurt Cathedral next door with its Gothic clock tower.
Many of the city’s world-class museums can be found along the Museumsufer (Museum Embankment), in the district called Sachsenhausen, which runs along the south side of the Main River. Here, you can visit the Senckenberg natural history museum and the German Museum of Architecture. The Städel Museum houses art from periods spanning 700 years. Go to the other side of the river to see some of the best collections of modern and contemporary art in the world at the Museum of Modern Art.
Sachsenhausen is not only known for its museums but also its many traditional bars and restaurants serving local culinary delights. Try typical German fare such as sausages and beer as well as Handkäse mit Musik, a tart served with cheese and onion and Grüne Soße, a green sauce that’s served with potatoes and eggs. Pair your traditional fare with Ebbelwoi (apple wine).
Getting around Frankfurt is easy using the city’s comprehensive subway system. The U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (above ground) trains service almost the entire city and some of the surrounding countryside. Inner-city car parks are hard to come by, so if you do choose to drive to Frankfurt, park at a station in the outer suburbs and catch the train into the city center. Public transport is clean, fast and reliable.
