A Day in Frankfurt am Main

A Day in Frankfurt am Main

The one who has the possibility to visit Frankfurt, the “Main”-metropolis, should definitely do it. It is not very often that you will find such flowing boarders between aloofness and down-to-earthness as you will in this city in the center of Germany.

Cobblestone pavement and half-timbered buildings are right next to brand new buildings with huge glass windows that usually carry the sign of one of the numerous banks that you will find in Frankfurt – the financial center of Europe. Students are sitting right next to bankers enjoying their lunches and in the various bars and restaurants you will find something that suits your taste varying from Champaign to “Äppelwoi” (it is similar to cider). We are ready to start our day in this impressive city and visit a selection of the sights that she has to offer.

Europaviertel Frankfurt am Main

Our starting point is Motel One that is situated in a new quarter being constructed called Europa-Viertel (“Europe-Quarter”) just across the convention center down town.

Right across the street from Motel One you’ll find the shopping center Skyline Plaza. The bar on top of the shopping center is our first destination since they serve a great breakfast at ALEX so we can strengthen up for the day ahead. The “fuel” will be well needed since exploring Frankfurt can and will be done mostly by walking, which is another advantage to Frankfurt: Due to its dense layout, a lot of sights are only a stone’s throw away from each other and therefore easily reachable at a walking distance. We enjoy a last sip of our coffee as well as the view over the rooftops of Europa-Viertel before heading towards the Main riverbank. Speaking about Europa-Viertel: Check out the restaurant Laube, Liebe, Hoffnung where they place importance on seasonal produce and healthynutrition combined in inventive creations. Here, as an alternative to the breakfast buffet at ALEX, an unforgettable breakfast is guaranteed.

Bahnhofsviertel Frankfurt am Main

Before reaching the Main riverbankwe walk right through the Frankfurter Bahnhofsviertel which is nowadays mistreated by its reputation. It is a lively and colorful part of town that strikes with its wide spectra of restaurants, bars and its cultural diversity. To get a good impression of the colorful happenings in that quarter it is highly recommended to visit in summer or fall when the street festival Bahnhofsviertelnacht (usually in September) is celebrated. As a visitor you can easily spend a whole day (and night) in this area.

View on the skyline MainCafé Frankfurt am Main

Let’s take up our walking again since we are still heading towards the riverbank. If we take a look over our shoulder now we see the famous skyline of Frankfurt towering over us but infront we see the cute old houses of Sachsenhausen. Our walk along the riverside (another festival that is really worth checking out is the annual Museumsuferfest) takes us to the Maincafé where we relax for a few minutes enjoying the unique view on the skyscraper-panorama. Afterwards we keep walking along the riverside until we reach Frankfurt’s most famous bridge Eiserner Steg which we cross towards the Römerberg, the townhall square of Frankfurt.

Römer Frankfurt am Main

Before reaching the townhall square though we have the opportunity of sampling the legendary “Frankfurter Kranz”, a very rich yet yummy buttercream cake with way too many calories… But it is so worth it. This famous cake is sold in a very authentic little bakery called Condit Couture.

Once we made it to the Römerberg we are amazed by picturesque 360 degree view of the townhall (Römer), the Alte Nikolaikirche and a fountain called Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen. Right on the corner of the townhall square we find the tourist information and access to the sightseeing busses.

View from the Main Tower Frankfurt am Main

Once we passed the townhall and tourist informationwe keep walking and stay to the left, leaving the main shopping area called Zeil behind us on our right until the sky gets darker above us. Look up and you will notice that the sky is hardly visible. That is because we are standing right in front of the Main Tower. The Main Tower measures 200 meter of height and is the fourth tallest skyscraper in all of Germany. To get on top of the building we have to purchase a ticket for the visitor platform and endure the necessary security check. After a short elevator-ride and a few steps up to the very top we are rewarded with a terrific as well as fascinating view over Frankfurt and its environment. We will stay up there for a few moments enjoying the impressions before we start getting hungry.

Apfelwein Wagner Sachsenhausen Frankfurt am Main

We take up our walking straight towards the Main river, crossing the river to its southern side and find ourselves in Sachsenhausen. Sachsenhausen is famous for its many cafés, restaurants and the local “Apfelweinwirtschaften” which are old-established restaurants serving Frankfurt-specialties along with Äppelwoi. People will not be wearing suits and ties as much as suspenders and felt hats. We stop in at Apfelwein Wagner. Here we find an easy to grasp but mouthwatering menu. When we are asked for drinks of course we order a “Bembel”, a hessian style decanter filled with Äppelwoi, and a bottle of sparkling water. In this sociable atmosphere we let the day fade away and notice that friendliness amongst waiters and waitresses is relative. That takes us to our last sight of the day – the Deutschherrnbrücke. As an alternative to Apfelwein Wagner we would recommend Pizzeria Cono Cimino in Niederrad. Be prepared: This fine Italian restaurant might serve the best Pizza in town.

Deutschherrnbrücke Frankfurt am Main

To reach this bridge we walk through Sachsenhausen towards the Main riverbank again from where we can peek a view of the European Central Bank before we walk to the railroad bridge ahead of us. From that bridge we enjoy a beautiful sunset behind the impressive skyline of Frankfurt. With that sunset it is not only this eventful day that ends but also our visit here in Hessen. For the evening program click here.