Frankfurt

Frankfurt Travel Guide

  • About Frankfurt
Just because Frankfurt am Main is Germany’s economic powerhouse, that doesn’t mean it should be dismissed as a city of scurrying suits, soaring skyscrapers and bullish business breakfasts. While there are elements of those around, this confident city is steeped in history too, so there’s no lack of curious culture or stunning architecture to be found. Home to the European Central Bank, Germany’s fifth largest city has long benefitted from a wide array of cultural influences brought in from across the continent. Naturally, its modern superstructures in the central business district are shiny symbols of Frankfurt’s financial force. Their growth has created an aspect that’s more North American than European, earning the city the nickname ‘Mainhattan’. Cruises down the River Main give a fantastic perspective of Frankfurt’s historical progression. The river cuts the city in two and affords stunning views of the skyscrapers and the traditional buildings of Frankfurt’s Museum Embankment. Most of Frankfurt’s visitors come for one of its numerous trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses, but this city has another side. As the birthplace of Germany’s most revered writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), Frankfurt is at pains to impress with its cultural pedigree. Look no further than the fantastic Orfeos Erben independent cinema, which shows art house movies and short films, or the huge celebration of the region’s favourite tipple, ebbelwoi (apple wine), each August. The city’s nightlife is fascinating and wide-ranging. Its traditional live jazz scene is still kicking and a slew of trendy new bars offer visitors the chance to indulge on a night around town. On top of that, Frankfurt is rammed with amazing clubs for those who can happily dance into the small hours. With nearby vineyards and spa towns in easy reach, such as the beautiful Wiesbaden, Frankfurt is a destination that has everything for either a short break or lengthy stay. Now there’s no excuse to leave the best Frankfurt has to offer to the business crowd.
  • Frankfurt History
Having survived wars, occupation, plagues and the destructive lick of fires, the one thing that’s remained constant for Frankfurt am Main is its resilience as an international trade city. From its inaugural fair in 1157 to becoming home to the European Central Bank in 1998, Frankfurt has been Germany’s financial centre for centuries. Originally documented as Franconovurt (City of Franks) as early as 794, there is evidence to suggest that the city’s cathedral hill had been under continuous settlement for many years before that, since at least 3000BC. The Romans established a military camp here in AD83 and the Golden Bull decree, issued by Luxembourg Emperor Charles IV, made the city the permanent home for Roman kings from 1356 onwards. Years of stability saw the Frankfurt Börse (Stock Exchange) begin trading in the late 16th century, but by 1614 the city was under Swedish occupation. Thousands of its citizens then died in the 1630s following a plague outbreak, before two fires tore through the Jewish Quarter in 1711 and 1721. Between 1879 and 1914 Frankfurt started to establish its modern economic and cultural value. Its majestic opera house, Alte Oper, opened in 1880 and the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University began accepting students in 1914. With a main railway station installed in 1888, the population grew by over 300,000 in some 30 years, and Lord Mayor Franz Adicke pushed for the city to become a industrial trade hub. In 1957, the Deutsche Bundesbank moved operations to the city and many other international financial institutions followed. Severely bombed by Allied forces in WWII, the cathedral and a number of old buildings in the Römerberg area were reconstructed. Work to rebuild the Old Town between the cathedral and the city hall is due for completion by 2017. Frankfurt has become a remarkably cosmopolitan city, with an estimated 180 different nationalities living here.
  • Did you know?
Writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Frankfurt in 1749. An 1860 law stipulated that only sausages made in Frankfurt could be called Frankfurter Würstchen. Frankfurt hosted five FIFA World Cup matches in 2006.
  • Weather in Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Germany’s economic powerhouse, has a temperate oceanic climate which is generally mild with moderate seasonal changes. The city has 12 to 16 rainy days a month on the average. With a packed calendar of events throughout the year, Frankfurt is a year-round destination and there really isn’t a bad time to visit. Spring (March to May) sees the temperatures climb quickly from 10°C (50°F) in March to 20°C (68°F) by May. Summer (June to August) is warm and occasionally wet, and temperatures can reach 30°C (90°F). The city’s biggest events take place during summer months. The river banks transform into a huge waterside extravaganza for Mainfest in August, before the Museum Embankment Festival attracts some 3-million culture vultures a few weeks later. Autumn (September to November) is mild with average high temperatures of 20°C (68°) in September. During this season, Frankfurt hosts a series of trade fairs including the Frankfurt Book Fair which is the world’s largest trade fair for books. Winter (December to February) is mild and can be rainy. Temperatures hover around 2.5°C (36.5°F) in December. Frankfurt also hosts one of Germany’s largest traditional Christmas markets from mid-November and throughout December so it’s a lovely time to visit.

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