Frankfurt am Main is the oft-overlooked financial capital of Germany and an important cultural hub. It’s a dynamic blend of past and present, with a modern skyline of tall skyscrapers and attractive medieval squares. With vibrant neighborhoods and a rich historic heritage, this underrated city has a lot to offer!
My Posts on Frankfurt
- Frankfurt city center
- Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom)
- Judengasse
History of Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main is one of the financial capitals of Europe and a global hub for commerce, education, culture, and transportation. Before reaching these heights, the city has had a long and colorful history.
The area that makes up Frankfurt has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period but the first recorded settlement was in the last quarter of the 1st century, during the Roman period. The Romans, who were in control until 259/60, built a small military outpost that grew into a village.
The city’s name was first recorded in 794 as Franconofurd, the same year Charlemagne held a church council there. Louis the Pious, Charlemagne’s son, built a palace in the city and surrounded it with defensive walls by 838. It became the most powerful city in East Francia.
With the election of Frederick Barbarossa as king in 1152, Frankfurt became the location for the election of German kings and Holy Roman Emperors. It prospered economically during the 13th century and became a free imperial city in 1372. Science and the arts flourished starting in the 16th century, but the city wasn’t free of controversy. Tensions between the guilds and city council led to an uprising in 1612, followed by a pogrom in the Jewish ghetto two years later.
Frankfurt’s status aș a free city ended in January 1806 when it was absorbed into Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine. It was then granted to Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg (1744-1817) in 1810 and reorganized as the Grand Duchy of Frankfurt. That lasted until December 1813 when it became a free city once again. In 1816, it became the seat of the Bundestag. After the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, however, Frankfurt was annexed by Prussia and its free status ended for good.
World War II and After
Frankfurt am Main was an important Jewish city until the rise of the Nazis, who branded it Jerusalem am Main because of its high Jewish population. Jewish mayor Ludwig Landmann (1868-1945) was replaced in 1933 by Nazi party member Friedrich Krebs (1894-1961). Most of the synagogues were destroyed on Kristallnacht in late 1938, and roughly 90% of the Jewish residents were deported and died in Nazi concentration camps.
During World War II, much of the city was leveled by Allied bombings. On March 22, 1944, a British attack destroyed the entire Old City, killing 1,001 people. The US 5th Infantry Division entered the city on March 27, 1945, and secured it on March 29. The American forces then used Frankfurt as their post-war European headquarters.
After the war, local officials began clearing rubble in the autumn of 1945 to start the reconstruction process. Significant historic landmarks were rebuilt but the overall face of the city had changed. It also narrowly lost out to Bonn as the capital of West Germany.
Frankfurt ended up flourishing, replacing Berlin and Leipzig, which were lost to East Germany, as the most important city for trade and commerce. Since reunification, the city has continued to thrive, rising to become the second most important financial center in Europe after London.
Getting to Frankfurt
As a worldwide transportation hub, you shouldn’t have a problem getting to Frankfurt.
Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) (Flughafen Frankfurt) is connected to several major cities around the world and destinations all over Europe.
It’s a large airport and I was surprised to find it somewhat disorganized. Following signs to the correct terminal led me on a wild goose chase, but thankfully a friendly staff member pointed me in the right direction. Once you’re in the terminal, you’ll find a decent selection of restaurants and shops.
To get to the city center from the airport, you can hop on the S-Bahn or U-Bahn, which are usually very reliable. There was a transportation strike during one visit but the trains still ran, albeit much less frequently. Taxis and ride shares, as expected, will cost you a lot more.
Frankfurt Central Station
Frankfurt Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) is the busiest railway station in Germany. It’s on the west side of the heart of the city center. It opened on August 18, 1888, and has since been expanded. You can catch a train to major cities in Germany as well as international destinations like Amsterdam, Brussels, Zürich, Vienna, and Budapest. There are also trains to smaller cities outside Frankfurt. The immediate area around the station is seedy, especially at night.
Getting Around Frankfurt
If you’re in the city center, it’s easy to get around on foot for the most part. To save time and energy, the U-Bahn and S-Bahn are great.
You can get a Frankfurt Card, which is available as a 1 or 2-day ticket, and enjoy unlimited rides anywhere within the city limits including the airport. They can be purchased individually or for a group up to 5 people. Prices are current as of July 2025:
- 1-day tickets are €12 individually or €24 for groups up to 5
- 2-day tickets are €19 individually or €36 for groups up to 5
Tickets also provide reduced admission to several museums and attractions and discounts at many restaurants and shops. You can purchase one at the tourist information centers at Römerberg, Central Station, and the airport.
Where to Stay in Frankfurt
I’ve stayed in two different places on overnight layovers.
Paulaner am Dom Hotel
Paulaner am Dom Hotel is in the heart of the city center, right next to the Frankfurt Cathedral. This small hotel has 29 rooms and a Bavarian restaurant. Public transportation and many attractions are within walking distance. Rooms are simple and comfortable and there’s a decent breakfast included in the rate. You can’t beat the location, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
Staycity Aparthotels Frankfurt Airport
If you prefer to be near the airport, Staycity Aparthotels has comfortable modern rooms with a small kitchenette. It’s conveniently located near Gateway Gardens station, which you can use to get into the city center in less than 15 minutes. I also took advantage of the free airport shuttle. The hotel has a restaurant with decent food.
Where to Eat in Frankfurt
During my stay, I only had time for two meals.
Alasti
Alasti is a great place at Kleinmarkthalle. It’s an Italian delicatessen offering hand-picked high-quality items from small producers in Italy. The menu contains antipasto platters, salads, sandwiches, and pastas. Everything is fresh and delicious. My choice was a prosciutto sandwich with a cappuccino.
Dauth-Schneider
My friend Andrew, who has lived in Frankfurt for several years, took me to dinner at Dauth-Schneider. It’s a popular apfelwein spot in Alt-Sachsenhausen. Of course apfelwein was one of the items.
To start, we had the handkäse mit musik (literally hand cheese with music), which is a traditional sour cheese from Frankfurt topped with chopped onions. The so-called music is the sound your body will make later. For my main course, I ordered a sampler of different types of sausages on a bed of sauerkraut. All the food was delicious and it was a nice experience overall.
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