Frankfurt Am Main

Frankfurt am Main

Glinting with glass, steel and concrete skyscrapers, Frankfurt-on-the-Main (pronounced ‘mine’ – the river which flows through its core) is a high-powered finance and business hub, the only city in Europe with a skyscraper skyline. Yet at its heart, Frankfurt is a charming city, with cozy apple wine taverns serving hearty regional food, village-like neighborhoods filled with outdoor cafes and beautiful parks, gardens and riverside paths.

Getting Around:

Frankfurt’s inner city is relatively small and easily walkable. Public transportation is very good and you can easily get from the Airport to the inner city in 15-20 minutes. You buy tickets at any RMV ticket machine, which has an English language option, and one-way from the airport costs 4.65€. Tickets for travel in the city are 2.80€ and are good for immediate travel to your destination (cannot buy o/w tickets in advance). If you think you will make more than one trip in any direction, a day pass (9.65€ including the airport or 5.85€ for around town) is the better deal and the best deal is the group pass for 5 people, which is a bargain even if you are only 2 people (15.80€ including the airport or 11€ for a full day of transport).

Good to Know:

Shops are closed on Sundays in Germany. There is a Tourist Office located in the Central Train Station or at the Hauptwache for maps and information. If visiting Frankfurt after the Interim Meeting, you will have the map from your Goodie Bag. Frankfurt is quite a safe city but of course watch your purse and pockets if around the Central Train Station (Hauptbahnhof) or on the busy Zeil (pedestrian shopping street).

Walking Tour:

A great way to see a lot in a short period of time is to go on Frankfurt on Foot’s walking tour. They offer a 3-4 hour walking tour with English guide 365 days a year, starting at 10:30, for only 12€. You do not need to reserve in advance (although if you are more than 5 people then please let them know in advance so they can arrange an extra guide and keep group size small), just show up a few minutes early at Dom Römer and look for guide holding sign (see link below in Footer).

What to See:

Whether you do the tour or your own exploring, here are some of the highlights of Frankfurt, alll easily accessible on foot.

 The Staedel and Shirn are two excellent museums but if those don’t suit you we have more than 40 to offer.  The Römer and the Römerplatz, City Hall since 1405 and old town square where you will also find the site of the Nazi Book Burning Memorial. Just a few blocks away is Resources: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/germany/frankfurt-am-main http://www.frankfurtonfoot.com/ http://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Shopping-in-Frankfurt

St Bartholomew, better known as the Kaiserdom, Imperial Church which was the site for elections and coronations of the Holy Roman Emperor for centuries.  Cross the Eisener Steg, pedestrian bridge on the Main River, covered with Love Locks, & offering a great view of the skyline.  Hauptwache, historic Frankfurt landmark, and just up the street, The Bull and the Bear statues at the old site of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.  Visit the Goethe House, where Frankfurt's' favorite son was born.  Visit the Jewish Holocaust Memorial Wall, a very personal memorial that the city of Frankfurt has created, to honor the memory of the 12,000 Frankfurt Jewish Citizens who lost their lives during the Holocaust, including Anne, Margot and Edith Frank and watch around the city for Stumble Stones (Stolper Steine), a unique way of commemorating the many victims who lost their lives under the Nazi regime.  Main Tower has a rooftop observation platform with a spectacular panoramic view of Frankfurt some 200 metres above the city streets (entry fee). Another great view of the city (and free) is from the top floor of the Galeria Kaufhof, at the Hauptwache.

Shopping:

The Zeil, Frankfurt’s premier pedestrian promenade, ranks amongst Germany’s most profitable shopping streets. Here, department stores, retail chains and specialty shops lure visitors to a leisurely shopping spree beneath spreading sycamore trees. If you want the high-end shops, visit Goethestraße for stores like Burberry, Prada and more.

What to eat/drink:

Frankfurt is known for its Apfelwein (apple wine – like a cider), green sauce (cold 7 herb sauce served either with boiled potatos and hard-boiled eggs or atop a shnitzel), Rhein rieslings, Handkäse mit Musik (a marinated cold cheese). The Klein Markt Halle (little market hall) is a gourmet food shopper’s delight, filled with fruits, vegetables, chocolates, pastries, cheeses, breads, meats, fish, and delicacies from around the world (closed on Sundays and holidays). Bratwurst, sauerkraut, schnitzel and pretzels are staple.

Resources: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/germany/frankfurt-am-main http://www.frankfurtonfoot.com/ http://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Shopping-in-Frankfurt