The city of Frankfurt has its familiarity somewhat enshrined in being a global gateway, serving as the largest Airport in Germany and being home to the European Central Bank Headquarters. Indeed, with the average traveller only spending 1.86 nights in the city (aka just utilising the city as a stopover point to an end destination). However, step outside the airport perimeter, the city centre is a stonethrow away (just a 15 minute train ride on the seamlessly efficient Bahn service). Frankfurt is a city swarmed in culture, culinary delights and majestic cathedrals. Unlike other major cities where you need to change multiple times to reach the city centre; in Frankfurt is a simple case of hop on the first available train and sail down to Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof.
The journey started at check-in to the Geko House Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, that has a true American diners feel about it, courtesy of its Chicago Williams BBQ restaurant and Chicago Rooftop. Upon arrival, you receive a welcome beer which is a fitting tribute to a city famous for delicious brews. The Chicago Williams BBQ restaurant serves a plethora of sumptuous meat platters with copious sides. The catch of the grill has to be the BBQ ribs! Their slogan of 'Don't Mess with the Chef' is highly indicative of a diner that knows its in the prime lane of authentic offerings
The rooms at the Gekko House Hotel are tech friendly and come with luxurious bathrooms with vibrant wall tiles. This is one of the few Hotels one would come across where breakfast is served until midday! thereby turning into a brunch-fast! This is hugely advantageous for those experiencing the night-after hangovers or those that would rather skip lunch in favour of a beefing up over brunch!
Day 1
Frankfurt certainly has its own equivalent of the gentrified 'east-end' known as the Ostend District. A stonethrow away is the Frankfurt Main Tower. There is a glass based rooftop area to experience the city's views, but should you want to truly savour Frankfurt's scenery in the glistening sunset, then walk up a few more flights of stairs to the open-air 360 degrees walkway. The slogan of the Tower is 'like flying over Frankfurt' and one certainly witnesses all walks of life in Frankfurt spread either side of the Main River, from the authentic architecture of Museums and Cathedrals to bridges galore. Furthermore, the vastness of the Taunas Mountains in the backdrop shows that greenery is still a key part of the landscape amongst the perpetual development of Skyscrapers.
Day 2
Today, we were taken on a tour by our guide Tommy Jepp, a former Investment Banker turned Tour Guide, who has seen the city transition over time. We explored the main town centre, including hidden gems such as Weißfrauenstraße 7, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, which whilst is home to many financial institutions, also houses many artistic pieces and a lovely lawn mowed courtyard.
Frankfurt's Main Square has also welcomed many a storied sporting success to its balconies. The Germany National Team that won the Football European Championship in 1996 and the local outfit, Eintracht Frankfurt who won the Europa League 2022 have both had their trophy parades hosted here. It is befitting of a city used to witnessing sporting success!
Lunch took us to Daheim in der Kleinmarkthalle at the summit of a Market Hall with over 100 food and drink stalls. It had the feel of a traditional inn, with its long benches in a no-frills environment. However, the provisions and beverages on offer were of sumptuous quality. One must try the local Apple Wine (Apfelwein), which is a gloriously refreshing Cider that is very easy to drink in high quantities! especially as it is drunk in conventional glasses you would drink water from. The platters provided combined all the culinary cravings one would wish to experience in Frankfurt as part of the Hessian cuisine. Many of the dishes infuse sauerkraut, fish, pork, onions, vinegar and most importantly Green Sauce (Frankfurter Grüne Soße). The latter comes with seven herbs including parsley and chives - suffice to say it is highly moreish.
Post lunch, we saw the Haus zur goldenen Waage, a medieval house that was destroyed during World War Two and has since bee reconstructed into a Coffee House. Of particular interest to passers by, is the Golden Scales architecture on the building exterior. On their menu is the Frankfurt Crown Cake and you certainly feel like a ruler as you delve down on this marvellous dessert topped with Cherries!
Frankfurt is blessed with greenery and the Palmengarten represents this. This Botanical Gardens features blissful greenhouses amongst calming outdoor landscape.
Day 3
A boat ride in Frankfurt certainly gives you an appreciation of how tradition and gentrification have been finely balanced, and therefore means a seat on the top deck of the boat is a must! Along the sites experienced is the Eiserner Steg (Also known as the Bridge of Romance). This uniquely defined footbridge is forever growing in padlock popularity. Couples can illustrate their bonding to each other by placing padlocks along any part of the bridge (otherwise known as Love Locks). On this rare occasion, the aim is not to unlock a padlock but to leave it there eternally!
Your lucky number whilst in Frankfurt should be 328. Why? Because that is how many steps you need to climb to reach the summit of Frankfurt's Cathedral and get another 360 view of the city, this time to experience all of Frankfurt's old town in the backdrop of the Main River. This also includes seeing car parks morphing into markets!
You cannot leave Frankfurt without devouring a Schnitzel (meat in breaded crumbs) smothered in Green Sauce. Many an eatery will serve you this in a heartbeat with potatoes or fries.
Candlelight shows also find their way to Frankfurt, with its Cathedral playing host to Enlightenment – Vivaldi's Four Seasons as a Symphony of Light. This wonderful pyrotechnics show transformed the high ceilings into a beautiful array of nature and prosperous settings.
Day 4
Frankfurt's Art Scene reaches optimum by visiting the Stadel Museum. The exhibitions on offer show the best works of Carl Schuch, known for his his fussy and insightful drawings, particularly of fruit and flowers. Elsewhere, there is contemporary art showing all the chaos that can ensue in a living room. Furthermore, the Museum is in keeping with the theme of Rooftops in Frankfurt, with more skyline views to be experienced once you have explored all the floors of Art.
For further culinary delights, a visit to the Jungbulle Patty Melt Foodcourt is a must. The meticulous manner in which they make their Patty's (standouts are BBQ Bacon or Chicken) and the plethora of high quality homely sauces makes this a truly creative carving.
In summary, Frankfurt is a city where your stay must exceed the 1.86 nights average, as the flavours of food, art and architectural finishes means that you need multiple days to feel culturally enriched!