Frankfurt hosts more exciting - and some of the largest and most famous - conventions and trade shows such as the famous Frankfurt Auto Show and the Book Fair, than you can count. And, believe it or not, Frankfurt is a very beautiful city with lots of attractions. Frankfurt can proudly claim about thirty or so historical and cultural museums, well-known opera houses and its top attraction, the reconstructed and central Römerberg, or Old Town. About six of the trade fairs draw enough businessmen and tourists to give hotels the impetus to jack up their rates by 300%. Plan your hotel stay well in advance for cheaper rates.

Layout
Frankfurt’s city center is confined to a relatively small area. Most of the tourist attractions run along the Main River from west to (a slight north) east. North and furthest west of the Main River is the Messe area. Messe means trade fairs and the convention center is in this area. To the right, or just east, of the Messe is Hauptbahnfhof. The Hauptbahnhof area is named after the train station. This area also runs along the river. Alstadt and Innenstadt, which form the heart of the city’s Old Town are adjacent east of the Hauptbahnhof and also run along the river. South of the Main River and below the Hauptbahnhof , Alstadt and Innenstadt areas is Sachsenhausen. This area is comprised of the old cobblestone roads and bar areas.

As a reference, Hauptbahnhof is the main train station, otherwise known as Frankfurt am Main Station; Alstadt is the “old city center”; and Innenstadt is where Zeil shopping center is located; Sachsenhausen is the bar area and an older part of town.

Language
German. Many folks, espcially at hotels and restaurants, speak English. Surprising number actually. This is probabaly due to the hundreds of conventions Frankfurt has throughout the years.

Times to Go
Low Season: Winter November – Feb, any time when there’s not a major fair
High Season: Late spring March – May, fall September – October, due to conventions and Trade shows (Book Fair, mid-October)