Frankfurt or Berlin..

jackdaw

Hi
1st time visitor of Germany , what would you recommend if it's between these 2 cities , ?

jobless

having been in frankfurt for the first time this year i wouldnt go back to visit.... its an industrial city and to be honest there wasnt a whole lot of life in it..... havent been to berlin but from what ive heard its better

KTRIC

Yep, have to agree with Jobless, Frankfurt is a fairly industrial and business orientated town.

Have you thought about Munich, the German heartland ?

jackdaw

OK ..

yes originally it was to be Munich .. but i hear Berlin has a lot more stuff to so ..
then i just saw a cheap flight to FRankfurt so i thought maybe FF..

anyway .. where are the famous christmas markets ? cos im thinking of going around 7-10 December..

Climate Expert

Berlin by far although I do like Frankfurt for a few things, namely its cheaper to get to and you can get great hotel deals at the weekend.

rod flanders

Berlin is an easy winner. Loads to see and do.

Euro_Kraut

jackdaw wrote: »

anyway .. where are the famous christmas markets ? cos im thinking of going around 7-10 December..

Almost all cities have Christmas in Germany and Austria. The most famous one is Nuremberg (http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/english/) as it is the oldest (kinda). Dresden's market was actually started before Nuremberg but they had a few year there in the 1900's when Christmas or Markets weren't really in vogue.;)

Nuremburg is just over 2 hours by train from Frankfurt and is worth a visit even when there is no market there.

I would echo the anti-Frankfurt vibes in the posts so far. Not the most interesting of German cities although you might like to visit the European Central Bank. The Airport is pretty nice too, but when the airport is listed as an attraction for a city you know that the place is a little low on excitement. Its essentially a bigger more German version of the IFSC.

I would rank (in no particular order) Berlin, Munich, Dresden, Freiburg and Nuremberg higher than Frankfurt. I haven't been up north North but have heard good things about both Bremen and Hamburg.

TheDriver

Berlin by a mile

ollaetta

It has to be Berlin. It's a huge city and has loads to see and do. Bring the hard hat though, there's building work everywhere.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Berlin is waaaay cheaper than Munich. More varied nightlife as well. If it's purely for the markets, Munich might get the nod.

KTRIC - I thought you said you were bored in Munich in a different thread..?

taram

Lived briefly near Frankfurt, only visited twice, visited Berlin twice from Cork...you get the picture Frankfurt has good shopping and some nice bits to see, but Berlin has something for everyone, and then some!

Zebra3

Berlin. Amazing place. Could live there no probs.

Frankfurt-boring business city.

spurious

Berlin, (with a quick side trip to beautiful Dresden!:)).
I could live with never seeing Frankfurt again.

lubie76

Haven't been to Frankfurt but was in Berlin last year for a long weekend and it is an amazing city with loads and loads to do. Loads of history, shopping and great nightlife!! We went in November and it was cold though so dress accordingly.

finbarrk

It would have to be Berlin for me too. Better pubs!

FX Meister

BERLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

olaola

Berlin - defo!

SO much to do and see, you'll end up planning your next trip by the time you get home.

villaolivio

I would suggest Berlin
City with great nightlife and more history

Although I don't know Frankfurt.

Jeroen

Hawk Wing

Berlin has it all really, History, Shopping and Nightlife

kraggy

Berlin is my favourite city in Europe.

Loads to do. People are really relaxed and the clubs don't stop. It's actually like a country of its own. Totally different vibe there compared to other cities in Germany. You can do what you like and not be considered different at all.

Can put my hand on heart and say I'd gladly live there. Might do some time in future if the opportunity arises.

jester77

Berlin is a much nicer city with lots to do. Frankfurt is mainly a financial district and it's not pretty. I lived there for a few years and there is not much to recommend. But i see you are travelling in December, one thing I will say about Frankfurt is that it has some of the best Christmas markets in Germany, especially the one at Römer. If you are only visiting Germany for a few days in December then Frankfurt wouldn't be so bad. Hotels are cheaper at the weekend as all the business people have left. Markets are excellent, some good shopping on the Zeil, good nightlife around Sachsenhausen and Hauptwache and it has great night clubs - King Kamehameha, Living and Cocoon are excellent.

Climate Expert

Frankfurt has a great skyline as well if you like that sort of thing. But still Berlin is where its at.

dr.bollocko

It appears that Berlin is your best bet. A one stop shop for Germany if you dont want the hassle of travel.
However Frankfurtm while it is quite a boring enough place, is awfully close to Bonn and Cologne which are both nice cities, Cologne especially for their magnificent selection of Kolsch! And the Nurburgring which is a great drive. Ah the memories.
Its also close to Luxembourg, but don't be tempted. Luxembourg is just europe's petrol station.

riiight!

Was in berlin recently for 3 days. I loved it so muchand dream of going back there to live. Wasn't bored once in the 3 days there and I didnt even get to go near Potsdam, the main tourist place.

I wanna go again............

Waxing the Gaza

Berlin is such a great city, loads to do during the day and outstanding nightlife, check out the Bergheim (i think thats what it was called), crazyiest club ever.....Best kebabs in Europe as well!!

Crash

places i would rank higher than frankfurt:

Dusseldorf, Cologne(essentially group those two together - only about an hour on a train between em), Dresden, Freiburg, Nuremburg, Hell.

Berlins a great city, but I think you miss out on some of the wonderful things in Germany by not considering some of the other (still large, with lots to do) Cities and towns within Germany.

Oh, but if you do go, get out as far as Potsdam. It may be tourists everywhere, but its still a lovely spot for a potter around.

Royale with Cheese

It's about 35 minutes on a train between Dusseldorf and Cologne. While it's a good area for travelling around and seeing various towns, on a weekend away I'd want to stay put.

Never been to Berlin or Munich, but Cologne would be nice for a weekend. Supposed to have more bars and restaurants per square kilometre than any other city in Germany. The beer rules too.