Lifestyle in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and is proud to be one of the largest financial centres in Europe. Famous for its breathtaking skyline along the River Main, Frankfurt is one of the most international cities in Germany and attracts many expats in search of high salaries and career advancement.

The lifestyle in Frankfurt is charming and brimming with history and culture, complete with sought-after shopping outlets, impressive museums, interesting historic sites and world-class opera theatres to enjoy.

The city offers working professionals an attractive work-life balance – employees can expect to receive 30 days of annual leave every year. This allows you to not only discover nearby towns and cities, but also gives you the chance to travel to neighbouring countries, given that Frankfurt has excellent rail connections and one of the busiest airports in Europe.

Shopping in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s main shopping street is the Zeil pedestrian zone. Here, shoppers will find their regular high-street stores such as H&M, Zara and Promod, as well as department stores such as MyZeil, Galeria, Karstadt and Parfümerie Douglas. 

The Apfelwein district in Sachsenhausen is the place to find traditional German buys, while Goethe Strasse sells top-end designer goods and is packed with jewellery stores. Schweizer Strasse has beautiful boutiques and independent stores aimed at a trendier clientèle. 

Foodies will enjoy a visit to the Kleinmarkthalle weekly farmer's market, where they can find fresh produce and various delicacies. 

Eating out in Frankfurt

Dining out in Frankfurt is a pleasure, and you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the selection of restaurants. The restaurant scene reflects Frankfurt’s multicultural nature. Like many cities in the world, eating out can be expensive, so it is essential to know where to look if budget is a concern.

The Fressgasse pedestrian street is the place for traditional German food, while the Westend and Nordend boast a great range of stylish and upmarket restaurants. If you're looking for more of a café or pub atmosphere, Berger Strasse in Bornheim is brimming with options.

Nightlife in Frankfurt

Despite the city's financial reputation, Frankfurt's nightlife is not dominated by swanky hotel bars and upmarket establishments. 

Indeed, the city's nightlife scene is incredibly diverse, boasting every kind of entertainment imaginable, from casinos, bars, and cocktail lounges to live music venues and dance clubs. Jazz clubs are particularly popular in Frankfurt, with regular performances taking place all over the city.

Much of Frankfurt's nightlife is centred in the north of the city in Fressgasse, Zeil and Römerberg, while Sachsenhausen is a good place to find Latin, Irish, and local joints.

Sports and outdoor activities in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is among Germany’s greenest urban cities and, as such, it offers a wide variety of outdoor pursuits for residents to get involved in. The city is bicycle-friendly, with plenty of urban bike paths and mountain trails. There is also no charge for taking bicycles on board public transport.

Frankfurt has more than 50 parks and green spaces, most of which are suitable for walkers and runners. Some parks in the city even have designated areas for roller skating, ping-pong, football, and basketball. 

If you enjoy water-based activities, you will be pleased to know that Frankfurt is home to several water parks, large indoor swimming pools, and open-air pools, all of which are extremely popular during the summer months.

Family and kids in Frankfurt

Expats moving to Frankfurt with a family may discover that the city is not necessarily Germany's most child-friendly locale. Nonetheless, there is still plenty to see and do with the little ones.

Eissporthalle Frankfurt is an ideal attraction for kids. In winter, there are two ice-skating rinks that are used for inline skating in summer, so it's a fun outing for the whole family.

Parents can take their children to explore the Frankfurt Zoo or devote a day to the Children’s Museum, where kids can learn about geology, biology, and architecture in an interactive and fun way.

For those who are a bit older, the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a wonderfully fascinating place to visit.

On warmer days, pack a picnic and head to the Palmengarten to enjoy the wide open spaces. You can also take a trip to the Rebstock Bath to take advantage of the slides and pools – the little ones will certainly be cooled off and tired out.

See and do in Frankfurt

Once you arrive in Frankfurt, you'll soon discover that the city boasts a multitude of exciting attractions and activities for just about every taste and budget. Below are some of the most popular. 

Eschenheimer Turm

Dating back to the 15th century, the Eschenheimer Turm is one of the few remaining medieval portions of the wall that was built to encircle Frankfurt. Expats new to the city should climb to the top of the 154-foot high (47m) Gothic tower to admire the spectacular views of the city. The tower is also home to a café serving delectable goodies. 

Fountain of Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen)

Built in 1541 in Frankfurt’s central square of Romerberg, the Fountain of Justice has changed a lot over the last few centuries. The original sandstone statues were moved to the Museum of Local History. Still, the historical site is worth a visit for anyone new to Frankfurt.

Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten Frankfurt am Main) 

Spend a day strolling through the beautiful Botanical Garden in Frankfurt and enjoy the journey through its different sections of flora and fauna. This is a great spot to enjoy a picnic while relaxing in the sun during the summer. A perfect outing for the whole family.

German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum)

For film buffs, this museum constantly screens old films from its collection. If you're eager to learn about the country’s movie history, you should head to the Deutsches Filmmuseum to look at the exhibits, models, and images.

Städel Gallery

This is Frankfurt’s most important gallery and contains some exquisite European works of art. The institution features everything from 19th and 20th-century German painters, to French impressionists such as Renoir and Monet. The most impressive piece in the museum is Jan van Eyck's Madonna (1433).

Frankfurt Zoo

Nearly destroyed in World War II, with only 20 animals surviving, this ethical sanctuary has added more than 3,200 furry and feathered friends. Today the zoo features the popular Big Cat Jungle and the Exotarium, a collection of exotic and aquatic animals, as well as some super realistic replicas of many of the creatures' natural habitats.

Meeting people and making friends in Frankfurt

When you're new to a city, making friends and building a local community will likely be one of your priorities. While meeting new people and making friends with Germans can initially be challenging, there are several ways you can meet people in Frankfurt. 

Among the best ways is to join a local club or social group. Frankfurt is a cosmopolitan city, with ambitious and highly qualified people who are always looking to expand their networks. There are various professional and art groups in the city that you can join. 

It's also easy to find running or sports clubs if you're a fitness enthusiast. This is also a great way to meet locals, which can be challenging in a new city. 

Useful links

• Frankfurt Expats
• Professional Women's Network (PWN) Frankfurt
• Ginnheimer Lauftreff