Frankfurt, Europe’s financial hub and Germany’s 5th largest city, is considered to be the most expensive city in the country. Being headquarters of the European Central Bank and German Stock Exchange, Frankfurt welcomes a large number of business travelers from various parts of the world. But, is the city after all ready to welcome those traveling on a budget? Yes, of course, the city doesn’t disappoint those who want to spend their holidays even on a tight budget. Frankfurt has numerous attractions and sightseeing opportunities that can be explored for free.
Here are some of the free-to-do things that you can consider while enjoying your vacation in this beautiful city. There are many places of interest in Frankfurt to visit where access is free or entry is allowed for a small fee. These must-visit attractions include Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Römerberg, St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, Old Town of Höchst, Waldspielpark, Paulskirche, Deutsche Ordens Kirche, St. Peters' Cemetery, Deutsche Bank, Commerz Bank, Korean Pavilion, I.G. Farben Building, Berger Strasse, Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt City Cemetery, Klein Markt Halle, Chinese Garden, Liebfrauen Church and Meditation Garden, Karmeliter Cloister, Portikus, Geld Museum, and Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Wall.
Let us explore some of these fascinating places to get an insight into the rich history and culture of the city of Frankfurt. The first stop among the numerous attractions in the city for overseas tourists is the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This 400-year-old Deutsche Börse is housed in a 19th century historic building. As you enter the building the traditional statues of the Bear and the Bull are ready to welcome you. This world’s 3rd largest trading exchange provides glimpse into the business being conducted at the bustling trading floor. The visitors are also offered guided tours here.
The Römerberg, also called Roman Mountain, is cynosure of all eyes. Located in Frankfurt’s historic heart, the Römerberg is also home to the City Hall named “Römer”. The City Hall has a rich history dating back to 1405. This historic square with half-timbered houses surrounding it was the venue of first trade fairs in Frankfurt in the 13th century. The Second World War took a heavy toll on the Römerberg destroying it in a massive way. The historical buildings here have been restored to their original splendor.
The Old Town of Höchst in Frankfurt’s neighborhood is great to explore. This beautiful Old Town is ready to captivate the visitors with its circuitous medieval streets, towers, city gates and timber-framed houses. Among the prominent attractions at Höchst include the Höchst Castle and the Baroque Bolongaro Palace. The Höchst Castle in its heyday functioned as the residence of the Archbishop of Mainz. If you are visiting Frankfurt during the months of June and July, do remember to attend the annual Castle Festival at the Höchst Castle. Visitors are entertained with special events and live musical performances.
The Gothic-styled St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral is a must visit place in Frankfurt. It is among the oldest and prominent church in the city. It was built in the 14th and 15th century. The cathedral played an important role during the election of German kings ever since 1356. The St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral also has a museum where exhibits from cathedral’s treasury are showcased. If you are a bit adventurous and have the required strength then consider climbing the 324 stairs and reach at the top of the church tower from where you will get stunning views of Frankfurt. The church tower can however be visited only during the summer.
The St. Pauls’ Church at Paulskirche is another attraction that keeps the visitors mesmerized. The church was constructed between 1789 and 1833, and is considered to be the citadel of German democracy. Political meetings used to be held here. By virtue of its prominence, the St. Pauls’ Church also became the seat of the first democratically elected German parliament in 1848. The Paulskirche has now become a must-visit attraction for all the history buffs who want to get an insight into the history of democracy in Germany at the exhibition here.
Apart from visiting these free-to-access places of historical interest, there are other activities that can be done for free in Frankfurt. If you are tight on budget and want to explore the city’s attractions free of cost, then visit the museums in Frankfurt. Many of the city’s museums offer free admission to the visitors on the last Saturday of every month. The visitors are also offered guided tours to the galleries and museums. The museums also hold workshops and special events for the families and kids. However, before you plan to visit these museums free of cost, you still need to confirm beforehand whether the participating museums are allowing free entry during the exclusive “Satourday Family Program”.
You can even consider walking along the River Main where some of the best museums in Germany are located on both sides of the riverbank. This area is also popularly called “Museumsufer” or Museum Embankment. The historic museums here are ready to keep you surprised endlessly.
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