Free Frankfurt Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Frankfurt trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Frankfurt
Frankfurt photo 2
Frankfurt photo 3
All photos

Frankfurt blends a reconstructed medieval centre, world-class museums, Main River walks, skyline views, markets and lively neighbourhood culture in Germany.

A City Between River and Skyline

Frankfurt am Main is Germany’s financial capital, but its identity extends well beyond glass towers and trading floors. Set along the Main River, the city combines a compact historic centre with broad avenues, riverside parks, leafy residential quarters and one of Europe’s most recognisable urban skylines. The Römer, Frankfurt’s medieval town hall, anchors the reconstructed Altstadt, while the nearby Museumsufer creates a cultural promenade along the south bank of the river.
Read more about Frankfurt

History in Layers

Frankfurt’s past is visible in its imperial associations, rebuilt timber-framed houses and grand nineteenth-century institutions. The city’s cathedral, St Bartholomeus, hosted the elections and coronations of Holy Roman Emperors, and the Paulskirche became a defining symbol of German parliamentary history after the Frankfurt Parliament met there in 1848–49. Much of the historic centre was destroyed during the Second World War, yet restoration and reconstruction have re-established important streets and squares around the Römerberg.

Museums, Markets and Neighbourhood Life

The city’s cultural range is especially clear on the Museumsufer, where institutions explore art, architecture, film, communication and world cultures. Sachsenhausen, opposite the river, is known for traditional cider taverns and lively streets, while Bornheim offers a more local rhythm around the Berger Straße and the weekly market at the picturesque Bauernmarkt. Palmengarten provides a green retreat, and the Main’s promenades bring walking and cycling close to the city centre. Frankfurt is a place where commercial energy, intellectual life and everyday neighbourhood culture occupy the same urban landscape.

When is the best time to visit Frankfurt?

Best: June–August · 25–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January650
February640
March1145
April1750
May2260
June (best)2570
July (best)2770
August (best)2760
September2155
October1650
November945
December740

Getting to and around Frankfurt

How to get there

Frankfurt Airport is the city’s principal international gateway and is connected to central Frankfurt by S-Bahn trains and longer-distance rail services. Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof is one of Germany’s major railway stations, with frequent Deutsche Bahn connections to cities including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich and Paris, as well as regional destinations throughout Hesse. Long-distance coaches also serve the city, generally using locations around the central station. Frankfurt lies at the intersection of major motorways, although driving into the centre can be less convenient than using public transport. The airport is within Frankfurt’s municipal area but is several kilometres south-west of the historic centre.

Transportation

Frankfurt’s central districts are walkable, particularly the area between the Hauptbahnhof, Römerberg, cathedral, Main riverbanks and Museumsufer. The integrated RMV network includes U-Bahn underground lines, trams, buses and S-Bahn suburban trains, making it practical to reach the airport, exhibition grounds, Sachsenhausen, Bornheim and outer districts. Taxis are widely available, while cycling is useful along the Main and through several quieter neighbourhood streets. The central business district is easy to cross on foot, but major roads and railway tracks can make some journeys less direct. Check current RMV ticket and service information before travelling.

Best attractions in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s principal attractions cluster conveniently around the Main and the restored historic centre. At the Römerberg, reconstructed timber-framed houses frame the Römer, the city’s celebrated medieval town hall, while the nearby Neue Altstadt recreates historic street lines beside the modern centre. Frankfurt Cathedral rises above these squares and offers a direct connection with the city’s imperial past. Across the river, the Museumsufer brings together institutions such as the Städel Museum, the German Film Museum and the Museum of Communication, making the south bank one of Germany’s most concentrated cultural districts. Goethe House introduces the early life of Frankfurt’s most famous literary figure, while the Palmengarten provides a spacious botanical retreat in the Westend. The Main riverbanks are well suited to walking and cycling, and viewpoints from the Eiserner Steg reveal the unusual meeting of church towers, reconstructed old-town buildings and high-rise offices.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s landmarks reveal the city’s transition from imperial centre to modern financial capital. The Römer, with its stepped gable and long civic history, faces the Römerberg, whose reconstructed houses evoke the pre-war Altstadt. Frankfurt Cathedral, formally St Bartholomeus, is the city’s principal Gothic church and the former site of German royal elections and imperial coronations. The Paulskirche is a powerful civic symbol because the Frankfurt Parliament met there in 1848–49. Across the Main, the Eiserner Steg links the centre with Sachsenhausen and frames views of the skyline and riverbanks. The Hauptbahnhof represents the scale of nineteenth-century railway expansion, while the glass towers of the banking quarter, including the Main Tower, express Frankfurt’s later economic transformation. Together these structures make the city’s architectural identity notably layered rather than uniformly historic.

Show more landmarks

Explore Frankfurt on the map

Plan your Frankfurt trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Neighbourhoods in Frankfurt

Best restaurants in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s food culture is closely associated with Hesse and the Main region. Apfelwein, a dry apple wine traditionally served in a ribbed blue-and-grey Bembel jug, is central to the city’s tavern culture, particularly in Sachsenhausen and around Bornheim. Classic accompaniments include green sauce, made with fresh herbs and usually served with eggs or potatoes, and Handkäse mit Musik, a small sour-milk cheese dressed with onions and vinaigrette. The city’s international population has broadened the scene with Turkish, Balkan, Italian, Asian and Middle Eastern cooking, while established cafés, bakeries and contemporary restaurants reflect Frankfurt’s commercial and creative communities. Kleinmarkthalle is a useful place to encounter regional produce alongside international ingredients, and the areas around Berger Straße, Sachsenhausen and the central station offer contrasting styles of casual dining.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s evening life ranges from traditional Apfelwein taverns to sophisticated cocktail bars, live-music rooms and late-night clubs. Sachsenhausen remains the best-known district for cider houses and relaxed drinking streets, while Bornheim’s Berger Straße has a more neighbourhood-oriented selection of bars and cafés. Around the Bahnhofsviertel, former commercial streets have developed a mixed nightlife scene that includes bars, international restaurants and music venues, though the area changes character considerably from one street to the next. The city’s theatre and concert programme adds cultural alternatives to clubbing, with the Alte Oper, Schauspiel Frankfurt and Oper Frankfurt among the established institutions. The financial district is quieter after office hours, but its high-rise views and illuminated streets create a distinctive backdrop for evening walks.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s evening life ranges from traditional Apfelwein taverns to sophisticated cocktail bars, live-music rooms and late-night clubs. Sachsenhausen remains the best-known district for cider houses and relaxed drinking streets, while Bornheim’s Berger Straße has a more neighbourhood-oriented selection of bars and cafés. Around the Bahnhofsviertel, former commercial streets have developed a mixed nightlife scene that includes bars, international restaurants and music venues, though the area changes character considerably from one street to the next. The city’s theatre and concert programme adds cultural alternatives to clubbing, with the Alte Oper, Schauspiel Frankfurt and Oper Frankfurt among the established institutions. The financial district is quieter after office hours, but its high-rise views and illuminated streets create a distinctive backdrop for evening walks.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s shopping scene combines central department stores and international brands with independent streets, food markets and specialist retailers. Zeil is the main commercial boulevard, centred on the Hauptwache and Konstablerwache, with the futuristic MyZeil shopping centre among its prominent modern buildings. The pedestrian streets around Goethestraße are associated with higher-end fashion and jewellery, while Berger Straße in Bornheim offers a more local mix of boutiques, bookshops, cafés and everyday shops. Kleinmarkthalle is the city’s most useful destination for food shopping, with stalls selling produce, prepared foods, cheeses, meats and international ingredients. Visitors seeking traditional regional products may find apple wine, local preserves, confectionery and other Hesse-related goods, while Sachsenhausen and the old-town streets provide smaller souvenir and craft-oriented retailers.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Frankfurt, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Frankfurt essentials

Currency and Payment
Germany uses the euro, abbreviated as EUR or written €. Debit and credit cards are accepted by most hotels, larger shops, museums and many restaurants, and contactless payment is common. Smaller cafés, traditional cider taverns, market stalls and some independent businesses may still prefer or require cash, so carrying a modest amount of euros is sensible. ATMs are available throughout the centre and at transport hubs, though the conditions displayed on screen should be checked before confirming a withdrawal. Some German businesses may ask customers to pay at the counter or may not accept American Express.
Safety
Frankfurt is generally straightforward for visitors, but the area around Hauptbahnhof has a visibly urban character and can feel uncomfortable late at night, particularly on quieter side streets. Keep phones, wallets and bags secure in crowded stations, on public transport and around busy shopping areas. Use marked crossings, take care near tram tracks and cycle lanes, and avoid leaving valuables visible in parked cars. Normal city precautions are appropriate when walking after dark. The airport and main station are large, busy transport environments, so allow time to read signs and keep luggage close when changing trains.
Emergency Situations
In Germany, call 112 for fire, ambulance and urgent medical emergencies, and 110 for the police. Operators can direct assistance even when a caller is unsure which service is required. For non-urgent medical advice, visitors can ask accommodation staff, a pharmacy or a local medical service for guidance; European Health Insurance Card holders should carry their card, while other travellers should have appropriate insurance details available. Give the exact street, station, landmark or transport stop when reporting an incident. Frankfurt’s international airport, railway stations and larger hotels can usually help visitors communicate with emergency services.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep right on escalators and allow passengers to leave trains before boarding. Validate or correctly activate any transport ticket where required, and do not cross roads against a red pedestrian signal even when the street appears empty. In restaurants and bars, service is usually paid at the table and rounding up or leaving a modest tip is customary rather than obligatory. Ask before photographing people, market stalls or religious ceremonies. At the cathedral and other religious sites, dress and behave respectfully. In cider taverns, traditional customs vary, but ordering politely and accepting that some establishments have their own serving style is part of the experience.
Local Tips
The Römerberg, Neue Altstadt and cathedral form the most efficient introduction to central Frankfurt, while the river crossing to Sachsenhausen reveals a contrasting restaurant and tavern district. The Museumsufer is best treated as a collection of institutions rather than a single attraction, so select museums according to personal interests. Berger Straße is useful for seeing everyday neighbourhood life, cafés and independent shops beyond the financial centre. The Kleinmarkthalle offers a broad range of food stalls and regional specialities, although it is primarily a daytime market. For calmer views, walk east or west along the Main away from the busiest central embankment.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[ha-lo]
GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen[owf vee-der-zay-en]
YesJa[yah]
NoNein[nine]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[bit-te]
Thank youDanke[dahn-kuh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[ent-shool-dee-gung]
How are you?Wie geht es dir?[vee gayt es deer]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[goot oont deer]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[shpre-khen zee eng-lish]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[ikh fer-shtay-uh nikht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch hätte gerne die Speisekarte, bitte[ikh heh-te gair-ne dee shpy-ze-kar-te, bit-te]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[ikh es-se kine fli-sh]
Cheers!Prost![prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bitte zahlen[ikh merkhte bit-te tsah-len]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![hil-feh]
Go away!Geh weg![geh vekh]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![roo-fen zee dee po-lee-tsay]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![roo-fen zee i-nen arts-t]
I'm lostIch habe mich verirrt[ikh hah-beh mikh feh-rirt]
I'm illIch bin krank[ikh bin krahngk]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte ... kaufen[ikh merkhte ... kow-fen]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[ikh shau-eh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?[vee feel koh-stet es]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[dahs ist tso toy-er]
Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?[koon-en zee den prise zen-ken]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[vee shpet ist es]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[es ist iyn oor]
Half past (10)Halb elf[halb elf]
MorningMorgen[mohr-gen]
AfternoonNachmittag[nahk-mit-tahk]
EveningAbend[ah-bent]
YesterdayGestern[ges-tern]
TodayHeute[hoi-teh]
TomorrowMorgen[mohr-gen]
1Eins[iyns]
2Zwei[tsvai]
3Drei[dray]
4Vier[feer]
5Fünf[foonf]
6Sechs[zeks]
7Sieben[zee-ben]
8Acht[ahkt]
9Neun[noyn]
10Zehn[tsayn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/der...?[vo ist iyn/dehr]
What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?[vas ist dee ah-dreh-seh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir zeigen (auf der Karte)?[koon-en zee meer tsai-gen (ouf dehr kar-te)]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[vann kohmt dehr nai-khste (boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Eine Fahrkarte (nach ....)[iyn-eh fahr-kar-te (nahkh ....)]

History of Frankfurt

Roman Roots and Medieval Emergence

Frankfurt developed at an important crossing of the Main, close to routes that connected the Rhine-Main region with central Germany. Roman military and trading activity existed in the wider area, while the settlement that became Frankfurt grew in importance during the early medieval period. The name is generally associated with the Franks’ crossing of the river. By the ninth century, Frankfurt had become a royal residence and a place of political gatherings. Its position on river and overland routes encouraged commerce, and the settlement expanded around the Römerberg and the river crossing. The medieval city’s street pattern, religious foundations and market functions established the central framework that still shapes the Altstadt.

Imperial Elections and Free City Trade

From the Middle Ages, Frankfurt played a central role in the Holy Roman Empire. The Golden Bull of 1356 confirmed Frankfurt as the place where German kings were elected, and from 1562 the cathedral became the setting for imperial coronations. The city’s political importance supported its commercial growth, particularly through the Frankfurt trade fairs, which attracted merchants from across Europe. Frankfurt was also a free imperial city, enjoying considerable autonomy within the empire. Its merchant wealth financed civic buildings, churches and substantial town houses, while Jewish communities contributed to the city’s economic and cultural life despite periods of severe persecution and restriction.

Reformation, War and Jewish Life

The Reformation brought religious and political tensions to Frankfurt, although the city’s governing authorities adopted a cautious course before Lutheranism became established. The Thirty Years’ War affected trade and population, and later conflicts repeatedly exposed the city’s strategic position. Frankfurt’s Jewish community, concentrated in the Judengasse from the late Middle Ages, endured restrictions, violence and forced segregation, but also developed important religious and commercial institutions. The Judengasse Museum now preserves evidence of that history. In the eighteenth century, Frankfurt became associated with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was born in the city in 1749; the surviving Goethe House recalls the educated bourgeois culture of the period.

Napoleonic Change and Industrial Growth

The old political order ended during the Napoleonic period. Frankfurt became part of the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806 and later a grand duchy under the princes of the Confederation before regaining the status of a free city after Napoleon’s defeat. The nineteenth century brought railways, industrial investment and rapid urban expansion beyond the medieval walls. Frankfurt’s banking sector grew alongside its commercial traditions, while new civic institutions, boulevards and railway connections altered the city’s scale. The Paulskirche gained national significance when the Frankfurt Parliament met there in 1848, creating Germany’s first freely elected national assembly and debating a constitutional future for the German states.

War, Destruction and Reconstruction

Frankfurt was incorporated into Prussia in 1866 after the Austro-Prussian War and continued its transformation into a major industrial and financial centre. The city expanded through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, developing museums, theatres, universities and dense working-class districts. During the Second World War, Allied bombing destroyed much of the historic centre and large parts of the surrounding city. Reconstruction prioritised modern housing and transport, while selected historic buildings were restored. The Römerberg and its surrounding structures were rebuilt, and the post-war city increasingly embraced high-rise architecture, creating the juxtaposition of reconstructed heritage and contemporary skyline visible today.

A European Financial and Cultural Centre

After 1945, Frankfurt became a leading centre of West German banking, publishing, trade fairs and transport. Its airport, railway connections and Messe exhibition grounds strengthened its international role, while the Bundesbank and major financial institutions reinforced the city’s economic importance. Frankfurt also became one of Germany’s most diverse cities, shaped by migration and international business. The opening of the Museumsufer institutions, the development of the Main riverfront and the reconstruction of the Neue Altstadt added cultural and historic dimensions to the modern centre. The European Central Bank’s headquarters in the Ostend district further reflects Frankfurt’s position within contemporary European economic life.

Frankfurt in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities near Frankfurt

The closest cities to Frankfurt, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Germany
More of the region

Explore more of Germany

Experience Germany: where history meets innovation, and urban energy blends with natural beauty. Discover diverse cultures, delicious cuisine, and stunning landscapes.

Explore Germany
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Frankfurt, Germany

Discover Frankfurt like never before with Evendo, the 100% free app-based travel guide covering top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Explore Frankfurt with Evendo, your free, all-in-one travel guide app. Discover top attractions, book hotels, tours, and experiences effortlessly.

  • Comprehensive history of Frankfurt
  • Essential travel information and local advice
  • User-friendly navigation
  • 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions and amenities
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Frankfurt, a city brimming with history, culture, and modern attractions. With Evendo, your ultimate travel guide app, exploring Frankfurt has never been easier. Whether you're marveling at the architectural splendor of the Römer, strolling through the lush Palmengarten, or diving into the vibrant nightlife at Sachsenhausen, Evendo ensures you don't miss a thing.

Planning your trip is a breeze with detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. Each location comes with rich descriptions, stunning images, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it simple to organize and maximize your visit.

Craving a culinary adventure? Discover top-rated restaurants like Apfelwein Wagner for authentic German cuisine or Main Tower Restaurant & Lounge for a dining experience with a view. Need accommodations? Easily book your stay at renowned hotels like Jumeirah Frankfurt or Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof directly through the app.

Evendo also offers essential travel information, historical insights, and curated local tips to ensure you experience Frankfurt like a true local. The 'Near me' feature lets you find attractions and amenities around you, no matter where you are in the city.

Download Evendo today and start your unforgettable journey through Frankfurt. With global coverage of over 7,000 destinations, Evendo is your perfect travel companion, providing everything you need for a seamless and enriching travel experience.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.