Cheap Hotels in Frankfurt - News

Explore the World's Smallest Metropolis

Frankfurt may be acknowledged along with London, New York and Tokyo as one of the world's major financial centres, but visitors to the city will see that it has a lot more to offer than skyscrapers and stock exchanges. Its role as a global finance hub has given Frankfurt a cosmopolitan character, with many languages spoken on its streets, various national cuisines served in its restaurants and cultures from all over the world explored in its museums.

The metropolis on Germany's Main river was first officially mentioned in a document in the year 794, although it has been suggested that part of the city has been a settlement since as early as 3,000 BC. Frankfurt was an important part of the Habsburg empire, serving as the location for the crowning of emperors from 1562, with the final ceremony seeing the coronation of Franz II. Much of Frankfurt was destroyed during the Second World War, including almost all of the old and central parts of the city. Post-war development saw Frankfurt grow into one of the administrative and business centres of Germany and Europe. This corporate success reached its peak in 1998, when Frankfurt became the seat of the European Central Bank, and the city remains one of the world's leading business and finance centres today.

Visitors to Frankfurt will see the symbols of the city's success all around them in the shape of its impressive skyscrapers, which together form a distinctive skyline that has led to the city being dubbed 'Mainhattan'. One of the most popular of the more than 100 high-rise buildings that tower over Frankfurt is the Maintower, which opened in 2000 and has a viewing terrace on its 56th floor that is open to tourists.

While the city's status on the world stage creates an impression of great size and dominance, Frankfurt is in fact a small place, often describing itself as 'the smallest metropolis in the world'. It is home to just 660,000 inhabitants and visitors can walk from the Westend to Ostend parts of the city in just 20 minutes, an activity that provides an excellent chance to get a feel for the people and places of Frankfurt. Wandering through the station district, tourists will come into contact with the more than 100 different nationalities of people who live in the local Wilheminian-style houses and get the chance to eat in restaurants serving Turkish, Italian, Chinese and Indian food, among others.

Visitors looking to dip into the culture of Frankfurt can head to one of its many museums or take in some entertainment at the theatre. The Museumsufer area includes 11 well-known museums lined up next to each other alongside the river. Around 50 other museums, galleries and exhibition halls are located close by or in central parts of the city. Popular institutions include the Stadel Museum, the Schirn Kunsthalle, the Goethe Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Hundreds of stage shows to suit all tastes are presented in Frankfurt every week, from operas and musicals to variety theatre and cabaret. Visitors eager to catch some evening entertainment can see what is on offer at venues such as the Old Opera House, the English Theatre, the Mousonturm House of Artists or the Tiger Palace Variety Theatre.

Frankfurt's Main river serves as a focal point around which many of the city's museums and cultural institutions are based, but it is also a popular attraction in itself. When the sun is shining, the riverbank is abuzz with activity as walkers, cyclists and roller-skaters take the opportunity to spend some time by the water. The area is at its busiest on Saturdays when it hosts a weekly market, giving tourists the chance to pick up some local souvenirs by which to remember their visit.

The Main riverbank offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation following a busy day exploring the city, with many peaceful locations to rest one's legs and a number of cocktail bars and garden restaurants offering evening meals and drinks. Visitors can also embark on boat trips on the river or explore the Nizza Garden, which is home to banana trees, palms, stone pines, cypresses and cork trees.

This article is provided by Hotels Hotels Hotels suppliers of cheap hotels in Frankfurt

Updated: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:33:10

Related Links:
Frankfurt Tourist Board
Frankfurt Airport

News Archive