Frankfurt am Main is known as Germany's financial capital, but there's more to this city than just banks and business.
Modern skyscrapers rub shoulders with half-timbered buildings in Römerberg, creating a blend of old and new.
View of the River Main and skyscrapers on the Frankfurt skyline
Some people see Frankfurt as just a business hub, but this city of around 775,000 people has a lot more to offer. Attractions such as Frankfurt's world-class museums or traditional apple wine taverns reward visitors who take time to explore.
Note that the city is often referred to by the longer name Frankfurt am Main to distinguish it from Frankfurt an der Oder, which is in former East Germany on the border with Poland.
Frankfurt is the largest city in the state of Hesse, although it is not the state capital. (Wiesbaden has that honour.) It is also the fifth-largest city in Germany (after Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne) and Frankfurt Airport, only 20 minutes away by car or public transport, is the busiest in the country.
As its full name suggests, the city is situated on the Main River, approximately 19 miles upstream from where it joins the Rhine River at Mainz.
Frankfurt Germany - where is it?
Frankfurt's location has played a big part in its growth from a medieval trading post to what it is today: a global business hub.
The Main River was a real game-changer. It connected Frankfurt to the Rhine River system, which was Europe's most important water trade route at the time. This waterway made it easy for merchants to move goods between northern and southern Europe.
The city is located at a natural ford (crossing point) on the Main river. This crossing point made it an obvious meeting place for traders ever since the Roman times. During the Middle Ages, this spot made Frankfurt one of Europe's top trade fair cities.
There were a few things that helped Frankfurt to grow:
This strategic spot continues to matter today:
Frankfurt's location in the middle of Germany helped it bounce back after World War II. When Germany was split into East and West, Frankfurt's western location made it a natural choice for rebuilding the country's financial sector.
These days, around 65 million travellers pass through Frankfurt every year, which goes to show that it still has a crucial role to play as a transport hub.
Fairly obviously, Frankfurt International Airport is by far the best choice for those looking to fly into the city.
It's Germany's biggest airport and the home base for the national airline Lufthansa. The airport is connected to the city by regular services on the regional S-Bahn train line and by buses.
There are few sensible alternatives to the airport, given that it is so big and so close to the city centre. Stuttgart Airport and Munich Airport are both big international flight destinations and could be options, if it is not possible to use Frankfurt Airport.
If you’re taking the train to Frankfurt am Main, you’ll probably arrive at the Frankfurt Central Station ('Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof'). It’s the second busiest German train station that serves just under 500,000 passengers a day with great high-speed connections to other parts of Germany and neighbouring countries.
Frankfurt is also home to two other main railway stations, Frankfurt Sudbahnhof ('Frankfurt South Station') and Frankfurt Westbahnhof ('Frankfurt West Station'), with S-Bahn, regional and InterCity services.
The main bus station is located behind Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. Long-distance bus services serve other German cities as well as nearby countries such as France, Italy and the Czech Republic.
Frankfurt sits at the centre of Germany's autobahn network, making it one of Europe's most important road transport hubs.
The A3 autobahn connects Frankfurt to Cologne in the northwest and passes through to Nuremberg and Munich in the southeast. This major route also provides access to the Netherlands and Austria.
The A5 runs north-south, linking Frankfurt with Hamburg (via Kassel) and continues south to Basel in Switzerland.
The A66 serves as an important east-west connection, running from Wiesbaden through Frankfurt and on to Fulda. Meanwhile, the A661 forms part of Frankfurt's eastern bypass, helping traffic flow around the city rather than through it.
For closer connections, the A648 (known locally as the 'Stadtautobahn') brings traffic directly into the city centre from the west.
The A67 provides a crucial link to the south, connecting with Mannheim and the industrial Rhine-Neckar region.
Inside the city, an inner ring road ('Anlagenring') circles the central district, while an outer ring ('Alleenring') helps distribute traffic around the broader city area.
Note that Frankfurt's city centre includes an environmental zone ('Umweltzone'), requiring vehicles to display a green emissions sticker. Many visitors choose to park and use public transport within the city itself.
Frankfurt offers several different residential areas, each with its own character and advantages.
If you're new to Frankfurt, the city centre ('Altstadt' or 'Innenstadt') is a great place to start. You can easily walk to the main attractions like the Römerberg and museums, and there are plenty of restaurants and shopping options. However, rooms here tend to be expensive, and weekend nights can get noisy. The area is well-served by public transport, with Hauptwache and Konstablerwache stations nearby.
The historic Römerberg square in Frankfurt
The Station Quarter ('Bahnhofsviertel') provides convenient transport links and more affordable hotels near the Central Train Station. While some parts of this area feel less safe at night, it's currently changing as new businesses move in. You'll find an interesting mix of high-end and budget accommodations here.
South of the river, Sachsenhausen offers a more relaxed atmosphere. This district is known for its traditional apple wine taverns and easy access to museums. It attracts younger travellers who enjoy its riverside location and slightly quieter atmosphere than the city centre.
Westend is an upmarket residential area, ideal for business travellers. It's quiet and close to the beautiful Palmengarten botanical garden. Accommodation here is more expensive and you'll find fewer tourist amenities, but it offers a more authentic Frankfurt experience.
Remember that there are many trade fairs in Frankfurt throughout the year, which can cause hotel prices to rise dramatically. It's wise to book well in advance during these periods.
Most areas are safe, although it's better to be vigilant at night in the railway station area. When choosing where to stay, consider how long it will take you to get to the airport if you're only staying for a short time, and check the underground and suburban rail links nearby.
If you know when you are planning to go but haven't decided on accommodation, then use the map below to get an idea of which properties are available and to compare prices during the period you wish to travel.
Enter your proposed dates and use the '+' to zoom in on a location and reveal more properties. Click on the price above a property to see more information.
(Please note that this selection will also include some guesthouses, pensions and self-catering apartments for those who are interested in that form of accommodation!)
Alternatively, if you would like a list of properties available on your proposed dates of travel, use the search box below to find accommodation:
Booking.comThose planning on doing some sightseeing around Frankfurt or further afield should take a moment to research the various visitor cards which offer reductions on public transportation.
The Frankfurt Card offers discounts on many of the museums and galleries and, if you want, free travel on Frankfurt city public transport. (The traditional Frankfurt Card includes public transport, while the cheaper Frankfurt Card basic does not.)
The RheinMainCard is a similar but more extensive ticket which covers public transport in the RheinMain region (as well as offering discounts on entrances to sights and attractions).
The eligible destinations are those marked on a white background on the regional public transport map, but include nearby towns, such as Mainz, Wiesbaden and Darmstadt.
It is available as an individual and as a group ticket.
Jugendstil buildings on the Mathildenhöhe in Darmstadt
The Hessen Ticket is the state discounted rail card, covering travel on regional trains but not long-distance services for a day. It is a little different from some other state rail tickets, in that there is a single price which covers from one to five people.
Those looking for excursion options outside the city might want to take a look at our page covering suggestions for Day Trips from Frankfurt
Frankfurt has so much to offer that it's hard to know where to start.
Are you into art? If so, you'll love Frankfurt's museums, which have something for everyone. You can admire the Old Masters at the Städel Museum or check out the contemporary art at the Museum für Moderne Kunst (MMK).
And that's not all. Frankfurt has an entire area dedicated to museums (the Museumsufer), where you could easily spend hours!
If you're interested in history and architecture, you'll love Frankfurt's buildings and museums which tell the story of the city and its people.
You can check out the reconstructed Old Town (Altstadt) with its half-timbered houses, explore the Goethe House where the famous writer was born, or learn about the local culture and events at the Historical Museum and the Museum of World Cultures.
The Naturmuseum Senckenberg in Frankfurt
And don't miss out on the Senckenberg Natural History Museum, which is one of the largest of its kind in Germany.
All that serious touring around can leave you needing a break. Frankfurt also has plenty of green spaces right on the doorstep of the city centre.
The Palmengarten is probably the best-known of them. You can take a stroll through the various themed gardens, grab a bite to eat and drink at the café, or relax by the lake in this botanical oasis.
You simply have to try the traditional apple wine (Apfelwein) when you're in Frankfurt – it's famous for it.
The most well-known (and most popular with tourists) experience is at the apple wine taverns in Sachsenhausen, but there are also some smaller, equally interesting options, such as the cosy Zum Gemalten Haus or the historic Fichtekränzi, which is famous for its rustic atmosphere and hearty local cuisine.
Frankfurt is well-known for its festivals and shows, with the Frankfurt Book Fair ('Frankfurter Buchmesse') being one of its top attractions.
This annual event, which is usually held in October, is the world's largest trade fair for books. It attracts publishers, writers and book lovers from all over the globe. The fair at the Frankfurt Messe exhibition grounds attracts an impressive 300,000 visitors each year.
The Museum Embankment Festival ('Museumsuferfest') is a great option for the summer months.
This cultural extravaganza takes place on both sides of the Main River and features open-air concerts, delicious food, and special exhibitions in the city's museums.
The Frankfurt Christmas market on the Römerberg square
If you're looking for something more traditional, the festive season sees the arrival of the Frankfurt Christmas Market ('Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt').
The main market in Römerberg and St Paul's Square is a real sight to behold, but there are also some lovely smaller markets dotted around the city, each with its own unique character.
The Frankfurt tourist office is located on the historic Römerberg square in the old town and is open seven days a week.
Website: www.visitfrankfurt.travel