Frankfurt am Main is a great place to visit for anyone who enjoys being in a city that is both modern and historical. It’s also a very pleasant place to live and work in.
The city is known for its world-class events at the Frankfurt Messe and a number of museums. But there is so much more to see in this vibrant city.
1. The Old Town
If you’re visiting Frankfurt am Main, you must make sure to stroll through the quaint Old Town. This is where you’ll find a whole host of photogenic medieval houses lining one of the most quaint and charming squares in the city.
This is also the home of the Romer, a group of three gabled buildings that have housed the city council since 1405. In addition to the Romer, the complex includes a church and other historic administrative buildings.
During World War II, a firestorm ripped through the town. In the process, a number of picturesque buildings were destroyed.
2. The New Town
Frankfurt is often overshadowed by its modern skyscrapers, but at its core it’s a charming city with welcoming apple wine taverns, village-like neighbourhoods, boutiques and street art. Large parks and half-timbered buildings huddled between medieval streets are just a few of the things to love about this vibrant, traditional town.
A new reconstructed Old Town is in the works, breathing new life into the historic district with quaint laneways and plazas. It will also bring people to the heart of the city while combining past and present in a harmonious blend.
3. The Palais Quartier
The Palais Quartier is a complex of buildings in the heart of Frankfurt’s Innenstadt. It consists of the reconstructed baroque Thurn und Taxis palace, a six-story shopping center MyZeil, a 99-meter high hotel and an office tower.
The office tower, Nextower, is a slightly deconstructed kinked glass building designed by the German architectural firm KSP Engel und Zimmermann (now KSP Jurgen Engel Architekten). It also boasts a complex geometry diagrid roof with a triangular steel lattice and infill panels.
4. The Main Tower
Frankfurt is known for its iconic skyscrapers and the Main Tower is one of them. It was the first to be built entirely in glass and is now the sixth-tallest skyscraper in Europe.
The Main Tower is the financial center of Frankfurt and you can visit its observation deck to get a view of the city from above. Its unique structure and curved window design are worth seeing and you will want to come back again and again.
It was built between 1996 and 1999 and contains offices of several German and international banks, including Landesbank Hessen-Thuringen (Helaba) and the German Office of Merrill Lynch. The building is also occupied by a television station.
5. The Kleinmarkthalle
The Kleinmarkthalle is the largest food market in Frankfurt and it is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists. The 156 market stalls offer everything from fresh flowers to cured meat and seafood.
The main hall of the market offers an area of around 1,500 square meters and is home to 63 retailers offering a huge variety of fresh foods, produce and flowers. Besides regional specialties, such as the famous green sauce, you will also find an excellent selection of imported delicacies.
I have visited this market quite a few times and it is one of my favorite places to shop, eat and relax. The stallholders are very welcoming and love to talk with visitors and make them feel at home!
6. The Rheingau Wine Country
A wine lover’s paradise, the Rheingau is one of Germany’s most distinguished wine regions and is home to some of the world’s finest wines. Rich in tradition, history and culture, it is a must-visit for any traveller.
The Riesling grape is the mainstay of the region’s vineyards. It makes up 78% of the vines, with Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir) coming in second.
There are 14 designated growing areas that produce a wide variety of Riesling and Pinot Noir wines. In addition to these two, Muller-Thurgau, Ehrenfelser and Pinot Blanc are also grown in small amounts.