Germany’s least German city? Impressions of Frankfurt

Frankfurt has a less than enticing reputation.

Known as Germany’s least German city and famous as continental Europe’s leading financial centre, Frankfurt is a city that means business. And so when I found out I would be paying the city a visit for work, my main priority was to see picture-perfect Heidelberg.

But after spending a bit of time in the city, I was surprised at just how much I liked it.

The first thing you notice about Frankfurt is the skyscrapers. I’d seen a lot of photos of the city’s skyline before going, but I was really taken back by just how much I liked them. I’m not particularly into built-up skylines, but the city’s skyscrapers really do look beautiful at night. Unlike London, Frankfurt’s skyscrapers are very densely concentrated, which made me feel like I was in the US rather than Germany at times.

Another thing you can’t avoid in Frankfurt is wealth. Though every Hamburg-native I know tells me with pride that Hamburg has the most millionaires in Germany, you wouldn’t know it if you visited Frankfurt. The Zeil is one of the country’s best known shopping streets and despite the huge Primark (yes, we did go in), parts of it are very, very flashy. We saw a LOT of very dressed up Germans, and a lot of very nice cars. Oh, and a huge monument to the Euro closeby. Subtle.

The highlight of the day was definitely the Jüdisches Museum (Jewish Museum). As a historically significant city for Jewish culture and the birthplace of Anne Frank, Frankfurt is an important city for today’s Jewish community in Germany. The museum focuses on the life of Jewish people and their treatment in Frankfurt and throughout Europe leading up to WWII. Definitely one to visit, the museum is an interesting insight into the persecution the Jews faced in the generations leading up to National Socialism right across Europe.

Our day-time wonderings around the city took us to the so-called ‘Pub District’ in Sachsenhausen, which seemed more like the infamous ‘Bar Streets’ in places like Kavos or Kos, as well as the Römerberg Plaza, which was being kitted out for the Christmas market, and so was effectively off-limits. Bad timing.

As a looker, Frankfurt isn’t likely to be voted Germany’s most beautiful city, and it does have quite an un-German feel to it, but I think this makes the city all the more interesting. While more than two days might exhaust the tourist potential of the city, it certainly makes a pleasant place to stop, and a destination in its own right – not just a base for day trips to the surrounding area.

Thanks to the location of our very nice hostel (Five Elements), I can also confirm that the red light district in Frankfurt is very safe. I can’t, however, review the accommodation offered at The Sex Inn. Maybe next time…?

NEXT STOP: Sweden for Christmas!