A Day in Frankfurt Germany, Backpacking Europe 22

A day in Frankfurt must be a great experience to see the hustle and bustle of this incredible place. Frankfurt is the central German city on the River Main. It is a major financial hub home to the European Central Bank. It is also known as the city of Goethe, which was a great poet and public figure of this city. The Altstadt (Old Town) is the site of Römerberg, a square that is more famous for its architectural buildings and hosts an annual Christmas market.  It is home to many museums, theatres, and a world-class opera.

How to Get to Frankfurt Germany?

While Frankfurt is well connected to the world as a central city of Germany. Whereas, we can get to Frankfurt by Air, Train, Bus, and car from neighboring cities or the outside world.

By Air to Frankfurt

Besides, Frankfurt Airport is the largest airport in Germany and one of the busiest in Europe. Almost all major airlines and airline alliances fly to Frankfurt. Also, it is well connected with every continent and major city in the world. It lies 11km (7 miles) from the city center. 

Frankfurt Airport to the city center

You can get a fast train S8/S9 from Terminal 1 and be on your way to the city center. These trains take you directly to Frankfurt’s Hauptbahnhof (main railway station) in about 10 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 4.50€. Tickets are available from the RMV ticket machines. Alternatively, you can get a bus from terminal one to reach the city center.

By Train to Frankfurt

Frankfurt is the place where Germany’s major autobahns and railways intersect. About 350,000 people commute to the city each day, in addition to the 764,000 people who actually live here. Frankfurt’s Hauptbahnhof is the main train station and one of the busiest in Europe. It has connections to all major German and European cities.

How To Get Around Frankfurt?

The old town Altstadt is quite walkable. So you can easily visit all the main attractions of Romerberg and other city center attractions. In addition, you can easily get everywhere, including the Museumsufer on the opposite bank of the river, on foot. Alternatively, you can use Frankfurts metro and transportation system at your convenience. A one-way single ticket within the city center costs 2.20€.

Frankfurt Card

The Frankfurt Card, available at the city’s tourist offices, allows unlimited travel anywhere within the Frankfurt area. It also includes the transport on the airport shuttle bus. Moreover, it offers a reduction on the tourist office’s sightseeing tours. Last but not the least, it has a half-price admission to many of the city’s museums. The cost is 8.70€ for a 1-day card

 Tageskarte (day ticket) good for unlimited travel inside Frankfurt’s central zone, costs 5.60€ for adults

Where To Stay In Frankfurt?

I stayed at Five Elements Hostel which was just beside the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof and about 15 minutes walk from the old town. I also worked to live in Panorama Hostel and DJH Youth Hostel too but these are slightly away from my targeted tourist attractions. Although these are also quite economical too.

Our One Day in Frankfurt

I have very little time for this fast-paced tour. So, after checking into my hostel, I come out to visit this incredible city. I have marked all the places to visit on the map. You can follow my route or may create a slight variation to visit frankfurt.

Main Tower

On the way to Romer, I went across the Ukrain sign near the Main Tower of Frankfurt. Main Tower is particularly popular with the people of Frankfurt and tourists. Moreover, it has a publicly accessible viewing platform to take a panorama view of Frankfurt city. So, you definitely energized to see this high-rise building with a façade made entirely of glass. An entrance fee of 9€ is applicable to visit the main tower panorama platform.

Romerberg Frankfurt

Indeed our next stop was the Astonishing Romerberg! Romerberg also spelled as “Roemerberg” is a public space in Frankfurt, Germany. It’s home to the Römer, which has been in use as the city hall since the 15th century. Romerberg is the most beautiful and iconic square in the old town of Frankfurt. Even though it was considered the most beautiful square in the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation in the 16th century.  Here you can visit the traditional houses that were originally built between 1288 and 1305. The city bought these houses a century later for use as the Rathaus (Town Hall). Trade fairs and markets have been held in the Römerberg since the Middle Ages, attracting visiting merchants from all over Europe. The main important features of Romerberg are

Romer

The three stepped gable facades of the Römer make the square so instantly recognizable. The Römer is located opposite the Old St. Nicholas church and has been the city hall (Rathaus) of Frankfurt for over 600 years.

The Fountain of Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen)

It stands in the center of the square in front of the Römer. The Fountain of Justice dates back to 1543. It has a bronze statue that depicts Justitia which was the Roman goddess of justice. It was armed with her sword and scales. 

Ostzeile, the six Half- Timberd Houses

On the east side of the Römerberg, you’ll find the Ostzeile, a row of six half-timbered houses. Although most of the original 15th and 16th-century buildings were destroyed during the air raids of 1944. However, the houses were restored during the 1980s. Each bears its own evocative name, including Große Engel (Great Angel), Goldener Greif (Golden Griffin), Wild Man, Small Badger Hill, etc

St Nicholas Church (Alte Nikolaikirche)

The Old Nicholas Church is an important architecture of Romerberg.  It is a double-aisle Early Gothic church belonging to 1264 or even older than this date. A great thing related to it was its 47 ringing bells. Visitors enjoy its harmonic carillon with these bells. You can visit this old church without any entrance fee.

Eiserner Steg (Iron Bridge)

We can reach Eiserner Steg after a 5 minutes walk from Romerberg. The Eiserner Steg is a footbridge over the river Main in the city of Frankfurt, Germany. It connects the old town with the district of Sachsenhausen. It is a good experience to walk along the bridge. We can see many tourists while going to and from the bridge. Moreover, it is a great place to see the sunset from the bridge. While both sides of the bridge are covered with love locks that make it a more lovely place for all.

Museumsurfer

Museumsufer is one of the most important locations for museums in Germany and Europe. It is a great place for art lovers on both sides of the River Main. It houses 12 museums. So, due to this large number of museums, the city enjoys an excellent reputation among art lovers. A few of these museums are mentioned below

• Giersch Museum
• Liebieghaus
• Städel Art Institute / Municipal Gallery (Städel)
• Museum of Communication
• German Museum of Architecture
• German Film Museum
• Museum of World Cultures
• Museum of Applied Art
• Icons Museum, Dr. Schmidt-Voigt Foundation

Frankfurt Cathedral

It is dedicated to Saint Bartholomew and is also called The Kaiserdom. St. Bartholomew’s Imperial Cathedral is the largest religious building in Frankfurt. It was the former election and coronation church of the Holy Roman Empire. So, the cathedral is one of the major buildings of the Roman Empire’s history. Visitors can climb the 95 meters of Cathedral’s Tower via 328 steps. From the viewing platform which is at 66 meters, visitors can enjoy an unparalleled view of the Old Town with Römer and Paulskirche with the famous skyline in the background. You can visit the inside of the cathedral without any entrance fee. From inside you will see many art treasures of the Imperial Cathedral.

Goethe Haus

Goethe was a German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic. He might be the leading German Writer who contributed to world literature. Today, the Goethe House and the Goethe Museum stand on the site of his birthplace. This17th century building was destroyed in the Second World War and then has been restored to its original shape.

St Paul’s Church

This red sandstone elliptical building was Frankfurt’s largest and most modern hall. It was the meeting place for the first all-German Parliament.  The first publicly and freely-elected German legislative body started its initial work here. Moreover, the National Assembly created the first democratic constitution for Germany here.

What is Next to Frankfurt?

If you take an extended stay then you can visit all these attractions in two or three days at a relaxed pace. Moreover, you can plan to visit a couple of museums of your choice. In addition, the Palm Garden and Alte Opera might be a good addition to your list of Frankfurt attractions. While, after visiting Frankfurt, I took a train ride to Zurich Switzerland which was my next destination for a couple of days.