Frankfurt Hotels

A cultural hot pot of big-city charms.

Frankfurt throws more money at the arts than any other European city, so you'll most likely catch a ground-breaking exhibition at one of its museums. And if you do happen to get stuck at the mega-airport there's a nightclub, art gallery and X-rated cinema to help while away those in-transit hours.

All roads lead to Frankfurt. Well, maybe not all, but most of Germany's Autobahnen converge there. It's neatly pocketed in a valley below the northern Taunus Hills, equidistant from Hamburg and the Alps, in the centre of the greater Rhine-Main region. The Main River flows east-west through the city, separating the north bank's skyscrapers and bustle from the south's more laid-back charms. The massive Hauptbahnhof train station dominates the west of the city, squatting in the red-light district on the north bank, just outside the old city walls; the financial district and trade fair centre are just northwest. A 15-minute walk east brings you to the city's traditional heart, Römerberg in Altstadt (old town). The pedestrianised and shop-lined Zeil runs west to east from the baroque Hauptwache U/S-Bahn station to the Konstablerwache U/S-Bahn station, and further east towards the zoo. Go to studenty Bockenheim in the northwest for all things bohemian; cafe-filled, cosmopolitan Bornheim is northeast. A section of The Main's south bank is dubbed Museumsufer for its stash of impressive museums, backed by lovely Sachsenhausen's quaint houses, narrow alleys and apple-wine taverns. Cheapish accommodation clusters around the Hauptbahnhof ( although it can be sleazy), Bockenheim and Bornheim, with pricier options in Westend. For food, bevvy and entertainment, head to Fressgasse ('Munch Alley'), Sachsenhausen, Bockenheim and Bornheim.

As a major trade show and convention town, Frankfurt's population swells during March-May and September-October - which just happen to be the best times to visit weatherwise. The solution is to book ahead or stay at places either beneath or beyond the conventioneers' budgets. The winter months (November-February) are prone to storms and freezing temperatures but bring a full social and entertainment schedule and zero tourist crowds. An exception is December when the Christmas market is in full swing, June to August can be rather hot and characterised by afternoon thunderstorms, but on the plus side, much of the action moves outdoors, and cafes, parks and the riverbank bustle with activity.