Frankfurt is the largest city in the Rhine Franconian dialect region. The city, also officially known as Frankfurt am Main, is an active metropolis and the largest city in Hesse, a federal state in German. It is among the top largest cities in
Germany, coming fifth after Berlin, Munich, Cologne, and Hamburg. Frankfurt has a convenient location on the River Main, within the heart of the Rhine-Main metropolitan region, Germany's second-largest metropolitan area.
As one of the principal cities during the Holy Roman Empire, Frankfurt has grown to become an active economic, cultural, and financial hub, as well as a diverse city in terms of culture, ethnicity, race, and religion.
Frankfurt is famed for being the home of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose house has since been converted into the Goethe Museum. The city is also home to the financial giant, European Central Bank, the reason why it is now a major financial hub in the region. Apart from the financial institutions, Frankfurt also hosts key educational institutions like the Goethe University, the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, the iconic Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, as well as the renowned Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.
Some of the significant landmark structures in Frankfurt include the medieval-era Römer building near the Saint Nicholas Church, the iconic Hauptwache area that represents the heart of Frankfurt's CBD, the mighty Saalhof, and the beautiful Alte Oper house where operas and other concerts are held. The cityscape of Frankfurt especially looks gorgeous at night, complete with the neon lights and the wondrous skyscrapers.
Frankfurt experiences a temperate oceanic climate of Köppen Cfb. The general characteristics of the weather are mild to warm summers and mildly cold but tolerable winters. The highest temperature does not exceed 30°C (86°F), and the lowest reading does not drop lower than -5°C (23°F); hence, extreme weather is very rare.
Summer has the mercury in the highs of between 20.3°C (68.5°F) and 26.1°C (79°F) and lows of between 9.3°C (48.7°F) and 15.2°C (59.4°F). Most days remain warm and pleasant, with up to seven and a half hours of sunshine and moderate humidity.
Winter has the temperature dropping to between 6.1°C (43°F) and -1.3°C (29.7°F). It might feel tolerable because of the two hours of sunshine per day on most days. Spring and autumn are both short, and more of transitional seasons.
The city of Frankfurt is excellent for touring all year round, and more especially, between
March and
June, and between
September and
October, during summer and autumn, respectively. The weather during these seasons is warm, pleasant, and mild enough to allow for outdoor ventures. Most events and festivals occur around these two seasons, too. Winter can be extremely cold, windy, and moderately rainy, not an excellent time to be in the outdoors.
Some of the events held in Frankfurt are inclusive of the famous Museum Embankment Festival held in
August that features all things local and global art, craft, and music industry. The Frankfurt Book Fair is another major happening in the city, usually held in October. Then there is the Apple Wine Festival, which is held every August on select dates to show the love and appreciation for the famous beverage. Between
November and
December, visitors can buy and sell all kinds of goods and products during the Christmas Market fair.