Riots in Germany - Safe to Travel?

I doubt that anyone can predict exactly what course the protests there will take or what risks you might face.

If it is Frankfurt specifically that concerns you, then move your reservation to some smaller place where large-scale protests are far less likely. Germany has many such destinations within 30-45 minutes of FRA airport.

Here's what travel.state.gov says: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/germany.html. I would also enroll in STEP: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step.

Not 100% relevant but just got back from Germany yesterday and things in Bavaria seemed calm. We were in Bavaria and central Germany and flew in and out of Munich. There were demonstrations in Munich on Saturday but it was pretty low key. Lots of speeches and big police presence but no issues. As someone noted, plenty to places to see around Frankfurt and I think it will be easy to avoid any potential problem areas.
As a side note, we usually go in and out of Frankfurt and this was our first time using Munich Airport and Munich as a base. The airport area is much easier to navigate than Frankfurt's and we will likely use this approach for future trips.

A friend of mine who lives in Munich is absolutely livid at the media.
The media wants to make us believe that Munich is engulfed in riots.
What is really happening are protests. Peaceful protests. But the media wants to make it look as if the place is on fire...

Thanks for the heads up. I searched the news and the only rioting and looting and batman imprisonment I could find was in Frankfurt. I'll be in Munich in a few weeks and will be more aware.

As for going to either ... the things the way they are today, i would remain aware and informed more for planning the day than for safety; but go and enjoy. Of course i spend more time than many do in marginal locations so maybe dont listen to me cause im not the norm.

I'm heading there in a little over three weeks, and I'm not worried. The State Department's level of safety is the same as it's been for the last few years, so nothing's really changed. And as WengenK pointed out, the protests are peaceful.

I live in Frankfurt. There are no riots here at night time. Where did you read that???
There was a one day protest on Sat. By the next morning, the whole city was cleaned up. I just walked through the middle of the city yesterday and today. Business as usual. Lots of people in the old town square watching the Xmas tree go up.

Welcome to the forum! I will be going to Germany soon, also, and ending my trip at Frankfurt. I’m not modifying my plans but keeping an eye on the news. It’s best to check the news from the country you’re traveling to, not from your home country.

I do have a practice of asking at the front desk of my hotels if there’s any area of town where I should not be walking. I like to walk around & explore during the day and appreciate when the desk clerk gives me updated info.

On a positive note, Germany is going to want all of the visitors to come to the Christmas Markets, so I’m expecting good security at them.

Thanks, all. Believe me, if I could change the hotel booking, I would. But we are locked in.

If I were going to Munich and/or Frankfurt in the next week or two, this sort of news , peaceful protests, or "riots" (so what,....totally exaggerated ) would not concern me at all, let alone listen to State Dept warnings; the trip is on.

By 20: 00 at the very latest I'm back in the hotel, ie, day is over.

In both cities I stay in 3 star hotels located across the street from the central station.

Deutche Welle coverage https://www.dw.com/en/small-extremist-minority-turn-germanys-youth-protests-violent/video-79821884

You said a few weeks ... if it were days I would be more concerned. Much of this could blow over by the time your trip rolls around, and if it doesn't (and I imagine the state would under those circumstances clamp down harder), then you can review the situation and see about cancelling. For now just watch. The protests have not engulfed the whole city, protests are localised and there would be ways of avoiding them.

Lavandula

Riots are not going to suddenly appear out of nowhere and attack you - just keep general situation awareness and if you come across a crowd in a bad mood head away from the area. Even if you're unlucky enough to be in a hotel or restaurant where there's trouble, the staff will know how to secure the building.

You could also sign up for the US State Departments STEP alerts for Germany.

I had signed up a long time ago for the UK and still get alerts about planned demonstrations.

Germans are a bit overly sensitive in that regard. What they call a riot is called a Tuesday in most other places.
Lenin once said they could never storm a train station, since they would first all make sure to by a ticket.