As home to the Central European Bank and numerous corporate headquarters, Frankfurt has a reputation for being a bit of a boring place, but nothing could be further than a truth because it’s actually an exciting city for visitors and has tons of fascinating things to discover. Here are 10 quintessential Frankfurt experiences that you shouldn’t miss when you go.
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Take a cruise on the Main
Frankfurt’s full name is Frankfurt am Main which means Frank Ford on the Main so one of the best ways to get a good look at the city is to take one of the popular day cruises on the Main River. They run all day long, but our favourite time to take the cruise is at sunset when the city’s skyline is especially beautiful. There is also a dinner cruise option in the evening.
Try the green sauce
Frankfurt Green Sauce, or Grüne Soße in German, is a signature dish of the city that is rarely encountered elsewhere in Germany. Its true origins aren’t really known although it may have been introduced by French immigrants or Italian traders. Made from seven different kinds of herbs: borage, chervil, cress, parsley, salad burnet, sorrel and chives, green sauce is typically served cold over hard-boiled eggs and boiled potatoes and is a local favourite.
Savour the delicacies of Frankfurt’s little market
One of the best places to sample Green Sauce is in the city’s permanent indoor farmers’ market, the Kleinmarkthalle. This colourful food paradise is one of the finest markets in Europe and is a feast for the senses. With more than 150 stalls stocking all sorts of local German and international delicacies to discover, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ve never tried before.
Make a wish in Frankfurt’s many wishing wells
Have some spare change in your pocket that you don’t know what to do with? Visit one of Frankfurt’s four wishing wells and make a wish! The city is awash with fountains, but four of them have been specially designated as “wishing wells,” including the Marchenbrunnen Fountain, the Gutenberg Monument, the Operaplatz and Liebfrauenberg Brunnen Fountain. Some of these fountains are centuries old and are exquisite pieces of art in their own right.
Spend a night in Queen Victoria’s daughter’s castle
A short commuter train ride from Frankfurt city centre will take you to Schlosshotel Kronberg, the former palatial residence of Queen Victoria’s daughter, who was also named Victoria. Built in the late 19th century, the dowager German Empress Victoria originally named it Friedrichshof Castle in honour of her late husband, Emperor Frederick III. Today it’s a five-star luxury hotel that is as regal as you can imagine and is where the British Royal Family stays when they are in town to visit their German cousins.
Visit a museum where there’s nothing to see
The Dialog Museum is one of the world’s most unique as there is absolutely nothing to see. That’s because the lights are turned off so that blind guides can lead sighted guests through the darkness, teaching them about how they interact with the world around them. No pun intended, but it’s an eye-opening experience. Tours are available in German and in English.
Count your pennies at the Money Museum
Money is such an everyday part of our lives that we sometimes take it for granted. Considering Frankfurt’s importance in the world banking system, it seems like this city is the right place to have a museum about money if only to remind us what it is and why it is so important.
Sample some apple wine
Germany might be famous for its beer, but in Frankfurt, they are especially proud of their apple cider, which is known as Apfelwein, or apple wine. It’s abundant here because Hesse, the state where Frankfurt is located, is renowned for its apple orchards. Many of the most famous restaurants to serve Apfelwein can be found in the city’s Sachsenhausen district and every August there’s a special apple wine festival.
Have lunch in a medieval tower
One of the oldest buildings in a city that was mostly left in ruins from bombing during the Second World War is Eschenheimer Tower, a 15th-century city gate that was once part of Frankfurt’s late-medieval fortifications around what was then a walled city. Today it is an iconic landmark and symbol of the city and if you want to do more than just take a photo, there’s a cozy café inside which is a lovely spot for a nice luncheon.
Take a walk in Germany’s largest urban forest
Need a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Frankfurt? Check out Stadtwald, a lush urban green space that was once an imperial forest. It’s 5,000 hectares of natural splendour with 45 kilometres of paths and walkways for you to enjoy.
