The Milan of Italy, Johannesburg of South Africa and Washington of the US, Frankfurt is a city of great economic importance to its own country but doesn't enjoy the same status with tourists.

It is located on the river Main and is home to the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as well as some prominent trade shows, such as the Frankfurt Auto Show and the Frankfurt Book Fair.

If these financial facts aren't exciting enough or the events not enticing, history buffs may be keen to hear the city is the birthplace of the artist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, with several museums dedicated to his life.

Furthermore, the city has an impressive skyline, cutting edge exhibitions often visit town and it has an airport with a nightclub and an X-rated cinema to boot, ensuring it is at the very least an interesting place to get delayed.

Traditions and culture in Frankfurt

What it lacks in traditional tourist charm, Frankfurt makes up for with impressive technology. A fully integrated transport system is on offer, which enables visitors to zip around the city, thereby eliminating the need to catch cabs or hire a car while visiting.

Visitors should note that museums in the city normally close on Mondays and the each of the venues' opening hours are at their own discretion, so it is always worth checking in advance.

Culturally, Frankfurt is a vibrant city full of bright young things. This is reflected in the glitzy bars and metro sexual clubs, which promise tourists a very neon night on the tiles.

Recommended in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a paradise for museum fans. The majority of these institutes are located in the aptly-named Museumsufer district on the banks of the river Main. Here is the German Architecture Museum, which is pretty much what it says on the tin, and the German Film Museum, with another self explanatory name. Other museums include art gallery the Stadel-Museum and the Museum of Regional Historic Art and Culture, as well as the Museum of Applied Arts.

For those who rather take things easy, enjoying a pleasant stroll around this vibrant city is surely a must, as is soaking up its excellent night life.

Destination checklist for Frankfurt

Frankfurt has a population of 670,000 and its official language is German. A holiday guide may be helpful to enable visitors to get around.

The official currency is the euro and there are many cheap hotel rooms on offer.

Germany uses the international dialling code +49.