Hotels in Frankfurt

Verified by Pablo Aznar Cristeto
from the blog Aprendizaje Viajero

Frankfurt is located in the state of Hesse in northern Germany and with 750,000 residents it is the fifth largest city in the country.

Frankfurt is named after the Franks who made it the centre of their empire in the 6th century. Charlemagne built his palace here and Frankfurt became one of the major cities of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1866 Frankfurt lost its independence following the Austro-Prussian war and the insistence that they are "not Prussian" still exists amongst the city's residents. Today, Frankfurt is an important financial centre and the European Central Bank is located in its business centre.

Frankfurt is a popular destination for tourists, with over 4 million visitors a year. Booking ahead is essential if your visit co-insides with a trade fair. The most expensive hotels are in the centre, whilst cheaper accommodation is also available, particularly in the Bahnhofsviertel district, west of the centre.

Neighbourhoods of Frankfurt

Frankfurt is divided into 46 districts, or Stadtteile. Alstadt is the historical centre of Frankfurt and most of the main tourist attractions are located here. South of the centre, over the Eiserner Steg Bridge, is Sachsenhausen with its museums, historic buildings, cafes and bars. Bockenheim is located west of the centre and is dominated by the 15th century gothic watchtower. A thriving market and the city's botanical gardens can also be visited.

What to see and do in Frankfurt

As befits a major city, Frankfurt has a number attractions to enjoy:

• Church of St Bartholomew: Known as the cathedral (Frankfurt was never a bishop's see) this church's gothic spire towers 95 metres above central Frankfurt. It venerates both the martyr St Bartholomew and the Emperor Charlemagne. It was here where the Holy Roman Emperors were crowned.
• Main Tower: Named after the river, the Main Tower has two public viewing platforms to provide visitors with a stunning view of the city.
• Palmengarten: In the centre of Frankfurt, these botanical gardens offer visitors a respite from the busy streets. With its rose garden, bush garden, rockery and tropical hothouses, there are over 50 acres to explore.
• Romerberg: A short walk from the cathedral, this beautiful market square hosts the Christmas market every December.
• Stadel Museum: This art museum houses over 3,000 paintings, over 4,000 photographs and over 600 sculptures. With an estimated floorspace of 4000 square metres it is advisable to plan your visit.

What to eat in Frankfurt

Typically served with sauerkraut and potatoes, Frankfurter Rippchen is a pork chop alternative to the ubiquitous Frankfurter Wurstchen, or smoked pork that requires no introduction. For dessert, visitors can try Frankfurter Kranz a sponge cake in the shape of a ring or crown. To drink, each bar and café makes its own apfelwein or apple wine, which ensures a number of subtle varieties. A stronger alternative is mispelchen, a form of apple brandy.

Typical events and festivals in Frankfurt

Frankfurt has a busy calendar of fairs and other events. Every year in mid-February the Ambiente fair for consumer goods is held in central Frankfurt. In the last week of April promising new artists get to show off their work at the Art Frankfurt art fair. In early May Frankfurt hosts the Henninger Rennen bicycle race. July sees live bands and other musicians taking part in the street parties that make up the Sound of Frankfurt. From late August to early September, local winemakers exhibit their wares at the annual Rheingauer Weinmarkt. Opening in late November the world famous Frankfurt Christmas Market is held until just before Christmas in the market square.

How to move around in Frankfurt

All the sites in the central district of Altstadt are best visited on foot. The buses, street cars and U-Bahn or underground can be used on the same ticket, which is priced by zone, not by number of journeys. The U-Bahn has 9 lines and 86 stations. It is the best way for a tourist to move around in Frankfurt.

The climate in Frankfurt

Frankfurt has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. In the summer temperatures hover around 20 degrees Celsius, whilst winters will see the thermometer regularly dipping below freezing.

More interesting facts about and sights in Frankfurt

Due to its reliance on the financial sector, Frankfurt is also known as Bankfurt. Its many skyscrapers provide its other nickname of Mainhattan.