Germany | Frankfurt

Frankfurt is famous as one Europe’s leading centres of banking and finance. The German stock exchange is located here, along with the headquarters of the European Central Bank, and many other German and global financial institutions.

Frankfurt is also a major destination for trade fairs and conferences. The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s largest event for the publishing industry and takes place every October in Frankfurter Messe, the third-largest exhibition site in the world.

The city played a key role in German history as the site of Germany’s first parliament, which met in St Paul’s Church in 1848. The principles of the constitution agreed by the parliament remain core values in German national identity and the country’s modern constitution.

Frankfurt is also a major transport hub in Germany. Frankfurt Airport is the country’s largest international airport. The city’s railway station is one of the busiest in the country and connects travellers with long-distance trains to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and many other major cities. The high-speed line to Cologne has reduced journey times to just over 75 minutes.

Frankfurt is a vibrant, dynamic city with much to offer visitors and tourists. The city centre blends high-tech high-rise office towers with the traditional half-timbered buildings around Römer, the city’s central square. For a great view of the city, take the express elevator to the top of Main Tower with its rooftop terrace 200m over the city!

The city also boasts major museums, galleries and cultural institutions such as the Opera House and several theatres. The Städel Museum houses a major collection of art from the 14th to the 20th Centuries, while the German Museum of Architecture explores the city’s major role in modernist design in the 20th century.

Frankfurt is also a wonderful city to spend time out of doors. The promenade along the Main river is always busy with people out enjoying the fresh air, while the Palmengarten is an oasis of green in the city’s upmarket West End district.

For day trips and excursions, visitors to Frankfurt are spoilt for choice. The historic cities of Mainz and Darmstadt are less than an hour away by public transport, and the city offers easy access to beautiful countryside and wine-growing areas.

As a major international financial hub, a large part of Frankfurt’s population come from outside Germany, so it is common to hear and read English in the city. You may even find that a German answers you in English, even if you ask a question in German! If this happens, reply in German – they will often be pleasantly surprised and even flattered that you are learning their language.

But don’t worry: a German language course in Frankfurt will ensure that you are immersed in German all day, every day. Your teachers will interact with you in German, and as a member of a class of students from around the world, you will have German as a common language when in lessons and taking part in activities. If you choose homestay accommodation, your hosts will speak to you in German.

As is the case in any German city, Frankfurt is largely very safe for visitors. The city centre is well lit, with pedestrian areas and a calm, pleasant atmosphere, even late at night.

That said, the area around the Hauptbahnhof, known as the “Bahnhofsviertel” can be less pleasant at night. However, you can get around easily the city without ever needing to pass through the area.

If you are staying in host accommodation, our network of hosts in the city all live in safe, walkable residential neighbourhoods where you will be able to come and go safely. If you are planning on arranging your own accommodation and would like advice on where to look, get in touch and we will be happy to help.

As a global financial centre, Frankfurt has all the high-end restaurants, designer boutiques and luxury hotels you would expect, with prices to match. The city also regularly hosts major conferences and trade fairs, so we strongly advise checking in advance to see if your planned stay coincides one – hotel accommodation can be in short supply during these events. The easiest way to get around this problem is of course to book a German course with host accommodation.

You can have a fantastic time in Frankfurt without breaking the bank. Travel by public transport, take advantage of free museums, and make the most of the city’s green spaces and parks along the river Main. If you’re staying on a self-catered basis, look out for discount supermarkets such as Lidl, Aldi and Netto.