Frankfurt – Germany’s financial capital

Hello everyone! Today, we are back with a new blog post, this time, about Frankfurt, Germany.

“Mainhattan” is one of Frankfurt’s famous nicknames. Derived from its full name Frankfurt am Main, the Main is a river. The connection to Manhattan is due to the skyline of the banking quarter, which is unique in Germany.

The city of Frankfurt has always been an important place for the service provider industry. Nowadays it is also one of the most important international financial centres in the world.

The European Central Bank is located in Frankfurt and the city also hosts numerous trade fairs each year. Frankfurt is home to a huge trade fair complex, hosting various events such as the International Motor Show or the Frankfurt Book Fair. The latter being the most important publishing event in the world!

Now the quick facts are out the way, I’d like to tell you about 12 fun things to do in this exciting and lively city!

1. Visit the Main Tower

The Main Tower, is a very tall skyscraper in the centre. Here you probably have the best views over the whole city of Frankfurt. There is an indoor and an outdoor platform. Both are 200 meters high and therefore Frankfurt’s highest viewpoint.

The Main Tower is open for visitors:
Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM
Friday to Saturday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 PM.

The normal entry fee is 7.50 EUR.
Students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities can get reduced price tickets (5.00 EUR).

Even if you have been before, you will always discover something new as the cityscape is always changing. Maybe you can even spot our German language school!

2. Go to the Römerberg

In the centre of Frankfurt’s Old Town you find the Römerberg, a square surrounded by beautiful timber-framed houses. The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen (Justice Fountain) is at its centre. You can also find the Old Town Hall, with its Kaisersaal (Imperial Hall) inside.

The area also contains the St. Nicholas Church, with its marvelous carillon. The Römerberg is the busiest pedestrian zone in the city!

For all history lovers: Go and check out the Historical Museum! Founded on 1878, it shows collections related to Frankfurt from medieval times all the way up until present day.

3. Explore the Museum District

Located in the southern part of the city along the River Main is the Museum District (Museumsufer). Here are numerous different museums, most of them of international standing. For example:

• The Museum of World Cultures – with more than 65,000 artifacts from all over the world.
• The Museum of Ancient Sculpture.
• The Icon Museum – with icons from the Orthodox Diaspora.
• The Film Museum  – where you get to know the history of cinema.
• The Museum of Applied Art.

Number one in the Museum District is the Städel Art Museum. It contains an impressive and widespread collection from famous artists such as Goya, Rembrandt, Monet and Picasso, to name just a few.

The entry fees start from 6 EUR and up, depending on which exhibition you prefer.

4. Kleine Markthalle (small market hall)

Do you feel hungry after a long walk around this fantastic city? Then grab a bite to eat at Frankfurt’s famous market hall, Kleine Markthalle.

Here you can find about 150 market stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, sausages, wine and much more. Have a try at the famous Green Sauce, a local sauce made of sour cream, egg and several herbs.

5. Bartholomew’s Cathedral

Close to the Römerberg and the Old Town is the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral. It was built between the 13^th and 15^th centuries of red sandstone. It is a majestic example of the Gothic style.

Be prepared for a little workout if you choose to climb up the steeple – it has over 300 steps! However, the view  from the top is definitely worth it!

6. Enjoy the Palm Garden

Have you had enough of the city, skyscrapers, and museums? Then come to the Palmengarten and relax while walking around this beautiful botanical garden.

Frankfurt’s main botanical garden is largest of its kind in Germany with more than 18,000 different plant species from all over the globe. It has numerous greenhouses and different themed gardens such as a rose garden and a bamboo grove. It’s the perfect place to have a picnic in the sun!

7. Eschenheim Tower

In the late medieval times the Eschenheim Tower was one of many city gates and part of the fortifications around the city limit. Now the 47 meter high tower is still a landmark of Frankfurt. You will find a cafe and a restaurant here in the old tower house.

Only a short walk from the former city gate is the largest Stock Exchange in Germany, the Frankfurter Börse!

8. Frankfurt Zoo

Do you like wild animals? Then the Frankfurt Zoo is the place to be! Home to 450 different species, like proud lions, majestic tigers, colorful fish, cheeky apes, and mysterious snakes.

My advice? Visit the Grzimek House, where you can explore the stunning animal world of Madagascar.

Summer time opening hours are from 9am to 7pm
Winter time opening hours are from 9am to 5pm

The entry fee is very reasonable, from just 5 EUR for children (Ages 6-17) and 10 EUR for adults. Children under five go free!

Address: Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

9. Shopping in Frankfurt

There are plenty of opportunities for a long shopping day in Frankfurt. However, one of the city’s best areas for shopping is the Zeil shopping promenade.

This is one of the most profitable shopping streets across the whole country.

The following link has lots more information and details on how to travel there:

Zeil shopping

Whether you are looking for gifts, consumer electronics, clothing or jewellery you will find it all here. Even if you aren’t buying, then make sure you go and have a look!

10. Frankfurt Nightlife

In Frankfurt are quite a lot places where you can go to enjoy a night out. You could start in the Alt-Sachsenhausen area, home of numerous traditional pubs.

Try the delicious Apfelwein (apple wine), which the city is famous for. The city of Frankfurt is also well-known for many bars with live music, especially for Jazz.

There are countless bars, pubs, live music menus and more.

Are you up for clubbing? You will not be disappointed here! Go and check out one of many nightclubs in the Bornheim or the Nordend area. You find DJs from all over the world playing the best music in town.

Some local favourites include:

• Club Travolta
• King Kamehameha Club
• Cocoon-Club
• Mantis Roofgarden and many more!

11. German cinema in Frankfurt

I would definitely recommend watching a film at the cinema CineStar Metropolis. This is just 2 minutes away from Eschenheimer Turm and the best cinema in Frankfurt.

If you want to study the German language, than watching German films are so beneficial to your learning. You will get used to the rhythm, nuances and accent of the language. You will notice certain words and phrases that you’ve learnt before that often come up. This will help them stick in your mind. It all allows you to quickly absorb the language you are learning. Even if you are just travelling and not learning a language, going to the cinema is a great way of discovering what’s on in different countries!

CineStar Metropolis
Eschenheimer Anlage 40
60318 Frankfurt am Main
Germany

12. Learning German in Frankfurt

I hope these 11 fun things have inspired you to go on a German language course in Frankfurt. Especially since our language school is located in the city centre, close to many historic buildings and the River Main.

Whether you are studying German or not, Frankfurt is always well worth a visit!

– Lisa