Aerial view of Frankfurt from a plane window

Frankfurt is one of the most populous cities in Germany (just under a million inhabitants) and is a global hub of finance and commerce. On a recent flight from Frankfurt Airport, the plane took off in an easterly direction, providing me with an aerial view of Frankfurt. I’m glad I sat on the right side as the plane window views were absolutely beautiful!

Frankfurt (map) has a long and fascinating history. Before World War II, it boasted the largest medieval city centre in Germany. Sadly, almost all of its historical monuments were destroyed during the war.

These days, the city centre is a congregation of shiny skyscrapers, many of which are the headquarters of major banks (including the European Central Bank), the newly-developed New Frankfurt Old Town (a reconstruction of the old medieval centre) and various landmarks such as the Alte Oper and Frankfurter Dom.

In the photo below, I’ve highlighted the various landmarks in Frankfurt.

Many see Frankfurt as a business city with few places of interest. It may not be one of the best reasons to visit Germany, however, I recommend spending at least 1-2 nights in Frankfurt to enjoy its vibrant atmosphere, landmarks and leafy streets. Furthermore, its hub function makes it easy to explore the rest of Germany by train. In the vicinity, you’ll find the Rhine Valley, with its numerous castles, medieval villages and endless vineyards.