Frankfurt – A Different Germany, With a New York Skyline and a European Heart
Esimfly · 2 May 2025
If you picture Germany as green villages, foamy beers and red rooftops, Frankfurt will probably break the mould.
Unlike classic cities such as Munich or Leipzig, here you meet Germany's future – a city of business, capital markets, skyscrapers, high-speed trains, immigrants and tech… but also a river, history, woodlands and quiet corners lifted straight out of old Europe.
I first arrived as a stopover – and ended up staying to discover a great deal more.
Landing: technology, convenience and an eSIM for Germany
Frankfurt Airport is one of the busiest in Europe.
I stepped off the plane straight into an endless stream of travellers – all connected, all rushing, all tapping away.
And me? Connected too.
I had installed an eSIM for Germany before leaving home, and the second my phone came back on I got a message from my host, opened navigation and checked the train to the central station.
No stopping at a phone shop, no hunting for WiFi, no wasted time.
And that is how the whole trip went – a travel SIM that changed the rules of the game.
In a city like Frankfurt – fast, busy, always in motion – an eSIM data plan is the tool that lets you stay present, smart and flexible.
Where should you stay in Frankfurt?
The city divides quite clearly: the business district around the main station, the green residential neighbourhoods to the north, the old town around Römerplatz, and a riverside promenade with a completely different mood.
I chose to stay in Sachsenhausen, on the other side of the river.
Quiet, full of pubs serving the local cider (Apfelwein), neighbourhood cafés, and a great view of the old town across the water.
I found the apartment by searching on the fly – checking availability, location and ratings – and it all ran smoothly thanks to the travel data plan I had running for the entire trip.
The old town – Römer, churches, history inside the future
The moment you reach Römerplatz you realise Frankfurt has another heart.
Three colourful houses with steep gabled roofs, a cobbled street, and at the centre a town hall dating back to the 15th century.
All around it: cafés, small museums, tourists taking photos, and the impressive St. Bartholomew's Cathedral.
From here it is easy to continue onto a cruise on the river Main – a boat gliding between bridges that gives you a whole new angle on the skyline.
I bought a ticket through the app while walking – thanks to my eSIM for travel, I did not miss a moment or get tangled up in logistics.
Museums and culture – far more than a business city
Many people do not know it, but Frankfurt holds one of the most impressive art collections in Germany:
the Städel Museum – where classics by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Michelangelo sit alongside superb contemporary exhibitions.
I wandered between wings of classical painting, contemporary photography and graphic art – all of it world class.
Later I also visited the Museum für Kommunikation – a fascinating journey through the evolution of human communication.
At every one of these places it was easy to check opening times, buy a ticket and navigate – thanks to my eSIM for Germany, with no need to stop and ask anyone.
Food – a global Germany on a plate
Frankfurt is a paradise of cuisines.
In a single day you can eat Japanese ramen, Turkish shawarma, Italian pasta and Dutch pancakes.
But I also wanted to taste classic Frankfurt.
I stepped into Apfelweinwirtschaft Fichtekränzi – a place that serves the local cider with a thick sausage, warm potatoes and sharp grain mustard.
It was an experience of flavours, conversation with locals, and a genuine moment of "Germany the way it used to be".
How did I find it?
Live reviews, an up-to-date map, the menu online – all through international data plans that simply work.
The central market – a different rhythm inside a restless city
Kleinmarkthalle is a covered market offering everything you can imagine: cheeses, meats, pastries, spices, coffee, wine.
This is where I felt the local heartbeat of the city – grandmothers with shopping trolleys, quiet conversations, tastings at the edges of the stalls.
I connected on the spot, read up on products that were new to me, and found recommendations for dishes not to miss – thanks to a virtual SIM for travel, I went from wandering visitor to curious traveller with real depth.
Nightlife – quiet and elegant, or young energy?
At night Sachsenhausen fills with people – small bars pouring cider, live music, young travellers from all over the world.
In the centre: pubs, cocktails and rooftop lofts with city views.
I chose to start the evening with a local beer and a charcuterie board at a restaurant by the river – something light with a view.
I found the place live, while walking, simply by searching by rating.
My eSIM made the choice automatic.
Day trips – for a lungful of fresh air
Excellent day trips leave from the city:
- Mainz – a charming wine town with colourful lanes
- Heidelberg – a romantic university city with a magnificent castle
- Wiesbaden – a spa town with casinos and hot springs
For each of these I planned the route from my phone, checked train timetables and bought tickets.
Without a connection, none of it would have worked.
With an eSIM for travel or international data plans, everything becomes simple, quick and flexible.
When to fly?
- Spring (April–June): blossom, perfect weather
- Summer (July–August): busy and hot – but full of festivals
- Autumn (September–October): falling leaves, calm, pleasant air
- Winter: cold, but beautiful Christmas markets
I went in mid-June – sunny days, pleasant evenings, a feeling of constant motion without the crush.
Transport and navigation – Germany at its best
The underground (U-Bahn), the suburban trains (S-Bahn), the buses – everything runs like clockwork.
Trains arrive to the second, the lines are clear, and the stations are clean and well lit.
You buy tickets through the app or at machines – but for me, paying straight from my phone was by far the easiest.
My travel data plan was active, the system worked flawlessly, and I did not miss a single train.
In summary – Frankfurt is the Germany you do not expect
It is not packed with tourists like Berlin, not nostalgic like Munich, not laid-back like Hamburg – but it is vibrant, sharp and connected.
It reflects the Germany of today – open, fast, efficient, and warm in the least expected places.
And it works beautifully – as long as you arrive prepared.
An eSIM for Germany gave me a constant, fast, effortless connection that let me browse, book, share, plan and explore.
The right international data plan turns a trip to a city like this into a far more comfortable, smarter and more independent journey.
Planning another trip soon? Take a look at these guides: