Frankfurt

Thanks to Frankfurt’s status as continental Europe’s largest financial centre, the city is blessed with a large selection of luxurious five-star hotels ranging from the traditional to the contemporary. Admire the incredible urban vistas at the Jumeirah Frankfurt (Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz 2), which is housed in an imposing designer skyscraper, or base yourself in the grand Villa Kennedy (Kennedyallee 70). There’s a wide choice of boutique hotels that fall into the mid-range price category, such as the Westhafen area’s Pearl Hotel (Gutleutstrasse 173), while backpackers and budget travellers could do a lot worse than the A&O Frankfurt Galluswarte (Mainzer Landstrasse 226-230), a hostel that boasts a rooftop bar.

Frankfurt’s shopping scene is a fair reflection of the wealthy image the city likes to portray, offering plenty of designer outlets and department stores. Zeli is the most frequented shopping street, and the futuristic Zeilgalerie (Zeil 112-114) is well worth a browse. The street also plays host to international chains such as H&M, Zara and Primark, in addition to the city’s biggest department stores. For a more exclusive shopping experience head to nearby Goethestrasse and check out the modern boutiques and designer brands, including Armani, Versace and Tiffany. For culinary delights check out the ‘gourmet mile’, Fressgass, or the Kleinmarkthalle (Hasengasse 5 – 7), a busy indoor market that sells fresh produce and regional delicacies.

Frankfurt is notable for a wide range of local specialities, including its selection of pilsner beer, Handkäse mit Musik, which is curdled quark cheese, sour cream-based Grüne Sosse and marzipan biscuits Bethmännchen. Check out the favourite of the city’s famous son Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Gerbermühle (Gerbermühlstrasse 105), for a great choice of local delicacies set in a beautiful 16th-century building. For Michelin-starred dining try Erno’s Bistro (Liebigstrasse 15), or for a more relaxed bar and restaurant feel check out Frankfurter Botschaft (Westhafenplatz 6-8) with its classy, internationally-inspired menu. Soak up the sun on the terrace area of Emma Metzler (Schaumainkai 17), which is highly 

Nacht der Museen

March

Frankfurt’s museums fling open their doors during the last week of March to welcome guests to a late-night cultural celebration. Street music outside compliments the exhibitions and demonstrations indoors, to bring the city’s streets to life.

Ballett Frankfurt

May

Frankfurt’s ballet troupe is renowned around the world, and the last week of May traditionally sees the group host this annual party, coinciding with a performance at the Oper Frankfurt on Willy-Brandt-Platz.

Summer Festival Opernplatz

June

This festival is ideal for those that enjoy their food and drink, with plenty of regional delicacies ready to sample from around Germany. Exhibitions and food stalls abound through the last week of June as Frankfurt’s Alte Oper is taken over for a short period.

Museumsuferfest and Rainbow Quai

August

A vibrant cultural event celebrating the diversity of Frankfurt’s arts, live music, exhibitions and film screenings are plentiful, as is the apple wine. One of the city’s most colourful events is the gay and lesbian “Rainbow Bridge” party, which spans the three days prior to the main festival.

Frankfurt Book Fair

October

Calling all bookworms for this literary extravaganza, the autumn book fair draws in the region of 300,000 visitors that revel in discovering new releases and learning about the publishing industry.