Journey Through Germany
Updated: Nov 6, 2022
Most people think of Oktoberfest when they think of Germany, but there is so much more to explore. Visit Germany for picturesque walks, a variety of food, drinks, and rich history. My first trip to Germany led me to Frankfurt. Flying in and out of Frankfurt was pretty seamless. Frankfurt Airport is huge and passengers are transported by bus to and from the planes to the terminal. Entering and exiting customs was a fairly quick process, but this depends on the time you arrive. Masks are currently not required, but be sure to take the precautions you need to stay safe.
Frankfurt is a very walkable city. This city is very easy to get around and I felt safe walking around with my crew. The first stop was Römerplatz (Römer Square) to see the famous Römer, a medieval building in the town square.
The History
Römer is one of the most important landmarks in Frankfurt. Giving Neo-Gothic vibes, the Römer served as Frankfurt's city hall for over 600 years. Frankfurt, also known as Frankfurt am Main was bombed during WWII. However, much of the city (especially Old Town) was reconstructed between 1945 and 1960.
Frankfurt is one of the largest cities in Germany. There is a lot of history behind these historical buildings. Römerplatz (Römer Square) is located in the Altstadt (Old Town). Usually the town square is wide open with plenty of space to capture great pictures, but in the summertime there are lots of pop-up food stands and live music.
The Old St. Nicholas Church, or Alte Nikolaikirche, is an old medieval Lutheran church located across from Römer. It is said to have been a site where kings were once elected.
Fun Fact: The Old St. Nicholas church has 51 bells which can be heard throughout the city of Frankfurt by locals and tourists.
Featuring a beautiful clock with Roman numerals, The Frankfurt Cathedral is the largest religious building in the city. It stands tall enough for all to see when walking through Römer Square. The Frankfurt Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church and it is free to enter. This building was one of the few buildings left untouched during WWII, after most of the buildings in or near Römer Square were destroyed during the war.
Germany has a rich history, both good and bad. However, there are several statues of notable people throughout the city of Frankfurt who made significant contributions to German history. Friedrich Stoltze was a German poet and journalist who championed for unity, especially in German politics. This statue is located in the "New Old Town," as part of the Dom-Römer projected. This section of Frankfurt was reconstructed between 2012 and 2018 to give the city new life and to attract more tourists to this area of town.
In Rossmarkt square, you will find the statue that honors Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press.
Food and Drink
International Beer Day is celebrated every year on August 5th. It was only right that I enjoyed a local beer since I was in Germany on International Beer Day. Of course, Germans don't need a celebratory day to drink beer. Instead, beer is so common here that it's not uncommon to see locals drinking beer in the morning, noon, and night. Schlappe-Seppel is a local beer and there are several Schlappe-Seppel breweries located throughout Germany.
If you enjoy eating pork and beef, Germany is the place to travel. While chicken, fish, and turkey are also available, most of the main dishes contain pork or beef. I'm sure you've heard of 'Frankfurters,' which is a common name for hotdogs, especially in the U.S. Well, that name originated from Frankfurt, Germany. Bratwursts, or German sausages, are more common in the country and are typically eaten by themselves or on a bun with ketchup or mustard.
Schnitzel is one of the staple dishes in Germany. It is a thin slice of meat that is pounded with a meat tenderizer before frying. It is typically pork or veal and it is usually enjoyed with fries of potatoes...and of course beer. When in Germany, you must try the schnitzel before you leave.
Fun Fact: Pretzels originated in Germany. Calling all pretzel lovers, Germany has some of the best soft pretzels in the world. They get really creative with the pretzel toppings too, covering them in cheese, bacon, cinnamon, and sugar. There's also plenty of pastries and gelato to enjoy in the city. Contrary popular belief, Häagen-Dazs ice cream originated in New York, but there is a location in Frankfurt. Bon appetite!
And don't forget the wine. We went to a German supermarket and purchased groceries and wine for a very low price. Right now the Euro is 1:1, so the prices are pretty comparable to U.S. prices. Speaking of Euro, be sure to exchange your money to the local currency or use an ATM to withdraw some Euro during your stay in Germany. Be careful not to use the yellow-colored ATMs on the streets though, because these have been known to charge extremely high fees to withdraw cash.
The River and The Iron Bridge
The Eiserner Steg is the famous iron bridge that connects Frankfurt to the district of Sachsenhausen. Over the years, it has become a famous landmark where tourists place locks along the bridge to symbolize unions. Couple travel from all over the world to place locks with engraved messages along the bridge, to represent the strength of their relationship. Thousands of locks line the bridge and tourists can purchase padlocks at the bridge to be engraved for a small fee. Though my boyfriend couldn't make this trip, placing our engraved lock on the bridge was such a beautiful moment and one day we will come back to Frankfurt to see it together in-person.
The river that flows through Frankfurt is called Main, which is quite fitting considering it is the main river.
The views from the river are stunning, especially at night. The Main River is definitely a must see during your visit.
We walked everywhere during our stay in Frankfurt, but Uber is available if you prefer not to walk.
There was a summer carnival happening right on the river during our visit, which reminded me of all the carnivals I've been to in the U.S., especially the carnival games and Ferris wheel.
Frankfurt has one of the prettiest skylines in Germany. In fact, it is one of the only big cities in Germany with a picturesque skyline.
There is plenty of shopping to do in Frankfurt. Many of the popular stores we enjoy in the U.S. are also available in Germany. The prices are pretty similar, but you are likely to find some unique clothing items that you may not find in the States.
In addition to walking or taking a taxi/Uber, you can also take the train to get around Frankfurt. The train station is called Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof and it is located in the city center.
There is so much beauty to explore in this city. Enjoy the history, the food and drinks, and all the picture-perfect views during your stay in Frankfurt. The people are nice and you may even pick up on some of the German words while you're there.
Enjoy the Journey and safe travels along the way!
