Frankfurt
Frankfurt offers skyscrapers, historic squares and famous apple wine
Overview
Things To Do
Deals
Travel Guide
Frankfurt am Main is a financial and transport hub in central Germany, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from the UK by direct flight. Known as Germany's only true skyscraper skyline outside Berlin, Frankfurt combines a reconstructed medieval Altstadt with the modern banking district's glass towers, the riverside Sachsenhausen quarter's apple wine taverns and the Städel Museum's significant Old Masters collection. The city sits within easy reach of the Rhine Valley, Heidelberg and the Taunus hills, making it a practical base for wider exploration. Renowned for hosting the world's largest book fair and one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets, Frankfurt offers strong value for short breaks. Ideal for city break holidays, couples holidays, business travel extensions and family holidays, Johnson Holidays offers ATOL-protected Frankfurt holidays and Germany package holidays from multiple UK airports.
✨ Why Visit Frankfurt
- Frankfurt is Germany's only genuine skyscraper skyline. The banking district's cluster of towers, including the 257 m Commerzbank Tower, gives the city a distinctly different silhouette from any other German destination, visible from the reconstructed Altstadt across the river.
- The Altstadt was meticulously rebuilt after WWII devastation. Over 90% of medieval Frankfurt was destroyed in 1944 bombing raids; the Römerberg square's half-timbered houses were reconstructed using historical records, completing the Dom-Römer Quarter project as recently as 2018.
- Apple wine (Ebbelwoi) is a Frankfurt-specific tradition found nowhere else. Served in distinctive grey stoneware jugs called Bembel and drunk from ribbed glasses, this fermented apple cider has been brewed in Sachsenhausen taverns for over 200 years and remains central to local culture.
- The Städel Museum holds 700 years of European art history. Founded in 1815, the collection spans Old Masters including Rembrandt and Vermeer through to Monet, Picasso and contemporary German artists, all within a compact, manageable gallery space.
- Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe's best-connected hubs. Direct flights run from over 20 UK airports, making Frankfurt one of the most accessible German cities for short notice city breaks of two or three nights.
- The city is the gateway to the Rhine Valley and Heidelberg. Both UNESCO-listed destinations sit within 90 minutes by train, allowing visitors to combine Frankfurt's urban culture with castle-studded river scenery and Germany's oldest university town in a single trip.
? What Makes It Special
Unlike Berlin or Munich, which dominate UK perceptions of German city breaks, Frankfurt offers a genuinely contrasting skyline and a more compact, walkable centre where the financial district sits directly opposite the rebuilt medieval old town across the River Main. Unlike Cologne or Düsseldorf, which share the Rhineland's commercial character, Frankfurt's Sachsenhausen apple wine quarter provides a specific culinary tradition unavailable elsewhere in Germany at this scale. Unlike Amsterdam or Brussels, which compete for the same short-haul business-and-leisure city break market, Frankfurt's position as Germany's transport hub makes it the most practical single base for day trips to the Rhine Valley, Heidelberg and the Taunus hills within a single short stay.
? Key Areas to Explore
- Altstadt — The reconstructed medieval old town centred on Römerberg square, with St Bartholomew's Cathedral, the Old St Nicholas Church and the Dom-Römer Quarter.
- Bankenviertel — The banking district's skyscraper cluster, including the Commerzbank Tower and Main Tower, Frankfurt's most distinctive modern skyline feature.
- Sachsenhausen — The riverside quarter south of the Main, famous for its apple wine taverns, the Städel Museum and the Museumsufer riverside museum row.
- Zeil — Frankfurt's main pedestrianised shopping street, running from Hauptwache square to Konstablerwache, lined with department stores and cafés.
- Westend — A leafy residential district of Wilhelminian-era villas, home to the Palmengarten botanical garden and many of Frankfurt's consulates.
- Bornheim — A characterful neighbourhood northeast of the centre with independent bars, the historic Uhrtürmchen clock tower and a strong local atmosphere.
- Höchst — A historic district in western Frankfurt with a medieval old town and porcelain manufacturing heritage, distinct from the modern centre.
- Taunus Hills — A range of wooded hills northwest of the city, with Kronberg's castle and hiking trails accessible within 30 minutes by S-Bahn.
From skyscraper viewpoints and riverside museums to apple wine taverns and day trips along the Rhine, Frankfurt rewards both short city breaks and longer regional itineraries.
?️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Walk the Grüneburgpark (Westend, Frankfurt) — a 32-hectare landscaped park with mature trees and open lawns, popular with locals for picnics and jogging.
- Explore the Palmengarten (Westend, Frankfurt) — Germany's largest botanical garden, with tropical greenhouses, a rose garden and a small lake; admission £8pp.
- Hike in the Taunus Hills (Kronberg, Hesse) — wooded trails around Kronberg Castle, 30 minutes by S-Bahn, with views over the Rhine-Main region.
- Cycle the Main riverside path (Sachsenhausen to Höchst, Frankfurt) — a flat, well-marked route along both banks of the river, bike hire available from £12 per day.
- Walk the Mainova Skyline Trail through the Bankenviertel — a self-guided route past Frankfurt's main skyscrapers with information panels on each building's history.
?️ Beaches
- Mainufer Strandbar (Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt) — a seasonal riverside "beach bar" with sand, deckchairs and a view of the skyline, open May to September.
- Schwanheimer Dune (Schwanheim, Frankfurt) — an unusual inland sand dune nature reserve with walking trails, 20 minutes from the city centre.
- Langener Waldsee (Langen, Hesse) — a lake with a sandy beach and swimming area, 20 minutes south of Frankfurt by car or S-Bahn.
- Mainwiesen (Niederrad, Frankfurt) — open riverside meadows popular for sunbathing and informal swimming in warmer months.
- Steinheim am Main (Hanau, Hesse) — a Main riverside spot with a small beach and historic half-timbered old town, 25 minutes by train.
?️ Food & Drink
- Order Grüne Soße (GROO-neh ZOH-seh) — a Frankfurt speciality of seven fresh herbs blended into a cold sauce, served with boiled eggs and potatoes — at Stalburg Schoppe in Bornheim; approximately £9.
- Drink Ebbelwoi at Atschel (Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt) — fermented apple wine served from a ribbed Bembel jug in distinctive glasses; £3 per glass in a traditional 19th-century tavern setting.
- Try a Frankfurter Rippchen (pork rib with sauerkraut) at Adolf Wagner (Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt) — one of the most established apple wine taverns; a main course costs approximately £14.
- Visit the Kleinmarkthalle (Innenstadt, Frankfurt) — a covered food market with over 60 stalls selling German sausages, cheese, fresh produce and Handkäse cheese specialities.
- Eat at Villa Merton (Westend, Frankfurt) — Frankfurt's most celebrated fine dining restaurant with one Michelin star, set in a restored Wilhelminian villa; tasting menu approximately £120pp.
? Nightlife & Entertainment
- Sachsenhausen apple wine quarter (Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt) — a concentrated circuit of traditional taverns including Atschel and Adolf Wagner, lively from early evening onwards.
- Frankfurt Opera House (Willy-Brandt-Platz, Frankfurt) — internationally regarded as one of Germany's finest opera houses, with tickets from £20pp.
- King Kamehameha Club (Westend, Frankfurt) — a long-established nightclub with regular DJ sets and themed party nights, popular with locals and visitors.
- Jazzkeller (Innenstadt, Frankfurt) — a basement jazz club operating since 1952, hosting live sessions several nights a week.
- Frankfurt Christmas Market (Römerberg, Altstadt, November–December) — one of Germany's oldest, with mulled wine stalls and festive illuminations across the historic square.
? Instagram-Worthy Spots
- Eiserner Steg footbridge (River Main, Frankfurt) — the historic iron pedestrian bridge with the Altstadt skyline visible on one side and skyscrapers on the other.
- Römerberg square (Altstadt, Frankfurt) — the reconstructed half-timbered houses and Gothic town hall, especially atmospheric at golden hour or during the Christmas market.
- Main Tower observation deck (Innenstadt, Frankfurt) — the only publicly accessible skyscraper viewpoint, with panoramic skyline shots across the river.
- Maintower view from Sachsenhausen riverbank (Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt) — the classic skyline shot looking north across the Main at dusk.
- Palmengarten greenhouses (Westend, Frankfurt) — the Victorian-era glasshouse structures provide striking architectural photography among tropical plants.
Best Value Deals
? City Break Holidays
Frankfurt's status as a major European transport hub makes it one of the most flexible city break destinations from the UK, with three and four-star hotels in the Altstadt, Bankenviertel and around the main station offering packages from £199pp including flights in shoulder season. Properties including the Roomers Frankfurt and the NH Frankfurt City combine central locations with straightforward access to the Altstadt, the Städel Museum and Sachsenhausen's apple wine taverns. Frankfurt Airport's exceptional connectivity from over 20 UK airports makes it one of the easiest German cities to reach at short notice for a two or three-night break.
???? Family Holidays
Frankfurt suits families with children of all ages thanks to its compact centre and mix of free and paid attractions. The Palmengarten's tropical greenhouses and the Senckenberg Natural History Museum's dinosaur exhibits provide engaging half-day options, while the Frankfurt Zoo in the city centre offers a full day out. The Main riverside path is ideal for family cycling, and the seasonal Mainufer Strandbar gives younger children a safe, sandy play area in summer. Family-friendly hotels near the Palmengarten and Westend district provide green space and easy tram access into the centre.
? Luxury Holidays
Frankfurt's luxury hotel market reflects its status as a major financial centre. The Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof on Kaiserplatz, Germany's oldest grand hotel dating to 1872, remains the city's most prestigious address with rates from £280 per night. The Villa Kennedy in Sachsenhausen, set within a restored 19th-century villa, offers boutique luxury with a riverside garden, while the Jumeirah Frankfurt provides contemporary five-star comfort directly above the Zeil shopping street. Expect to pay from £350pp for a luxury weekend including flights.
⏳ Last-Minute Deals
Frankfurt is one of Europe's most reliable destinations for late availability thanks to its exceptional flight connectivity and large hotel stock built primarily for business travel, which often produces weekend discounts. easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Lufthansa operate Frankfurt Airport from over 20 UK regional airports, with competitive fares available within a one to two week booking window in most months. Weekends outside major trade fairs such as the Frankfurt Book Fair (October) and the Christmas market period deliver the strongest last-minute value, with hotel rates dropping significantly when the city's business traffic is quieter.
Why Book with us:
? Low deposits from £49pp
? Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel
?️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are safeguarded
✏️ Free amendment window on selected packages
? UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day
? Best Time to Visit Frankfurt
Frankfurt's continental climate means each season offers a distinct experience. May to September is the most popular window — temperatures of 18–25°C, long daylight hours and outdoor seating at apple wine taverns in full use. October brings the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's largest publishing trade event, which fills hotels and raises prices significantly for one week. November to December is dominated by the Christmas market on Römerberg, one of Germany's oldest, drawing visitors despite cooler temperatures of 3–8°C. January to March is the quietest and most affordable period, with temperatures around 2–7°C but the lowest hotel rates and shortest queues at major attractions.
? Where to Stay
- Families: Hotels near the Palmengarten or Westend district for green space and easy tram access into the centre.
- Couples: Villa Kennedy in Sachsenhausen for boutique riverside luxury within walking distance of the apple wine quarter.
- Luxury seekers: Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof for Germany's oldest grand hotel tradition on Kaiserplatz.
- First-timers: Altstadt or Innenstadt for immediate access to Römerberg, the Main Tower and the Zeil shopping street.
- Business extensions: Hotels near the Hauptbahnhof or Bankenviertel for proximity to the trade fair grounds and financial district.
? Getting Around
Frankfurt's city centre is compact enough to explore largely on foot, with most attractions within a 2 km radius of Römerberg. The U-Bahn, S-Bahn and tram network covers the wider city efficiently, with single tickets from £2.80 and day passes from £7. Frankfurt Airport sits 12 km southwest of the city centre, connected by S-Bahn in 12 minutes for £4.50, making it one of the most convenient major airports in Europe for city centre access. Car hire is unnecessary within the city but useful for day trips to the Rhine Valley or Taunus hills.
? Travel Tips
- Germany uses the Euro (€); UK cards are widely accepted but always check for foreign transaction fees with your bank before travelling.
- Plug type is the European two-pin round Type F (230V) — a standard European adaptor is required for UK devices.
- Tipping in Frankfurt restaurants is typically 5–10%, usually rounded up rather than calculated precisely; this is less formal than UK tipping culture.
- Tap water throughout Frankfurt is safe and good quality, sourced from the Vogelsberg and Spessart regions.
- The Frankfurt Card (£12 for 24 hours) covers public transport and discounted entry to over 25 attractions including the Städel Museum and Main Tower.
- Book Frankfurt Book Fair week (October) and the Christmas market period well ahead, as hotel prices rise significantly and availability tightens.
- Sunday trading laws mean most shops are closed, though restaurants, cafés and the Christmas market remain open.
- Frankfurt operates Central European Time, one hour ahead of the UK year-round.
- English is widely spoken throughout Frankfurt's hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions, reflecting its international business community.
- Sachsenhausen's apple wine taverns are busiest from Thursday to Saturday evenings; visit on a weekday for a quieter, more local atmosphere.
Map Of Frankfurt
Top Experiences
Main Tower Observation Deck at Sunset
Frankfurt's only publicly accessible skyscraper viewpoint at 200 m, with 360° views over the skyline and Taunus hills; admission £8pp.
Römerberg and the Reconstructed Altstadt
Half-timbered medieval houses rebuilt after WWII bombing, surrounding Frankfurt's historic market square and the Gothic St Bartholomew's Cathedral.
Apple Wine Tavern Crawl in Sachsenhausen
Traditional Ebbelwoi taverns serving Frankfurt's signature fermented apple wine in distinctive ribbed glasses; start at Atschel on Wallstraße from £3 a glass.
Städel Museum Old Masters Collection
700 years of European painting from Rembrandt to Picasso in one of Germany's most important art museums; admission £12pp.
Frankfurt Christmas Market on Römerberg
One of Germany's oldest Christmas markets, dating to 1393, with mulled Glühwein, wooden stalls and the half-timbered square illuminated nightly.
River Main Cruise Past the Skyline
A one-hour boat tour along the Main passing Frankfurt's banking skyscrapers and the historic Eiserner Steg footbridge; tickets from £10pp.
Travel Information
Everything You Need To Know Before You Jet Off To Frankfurt.