What to See in Frankfurt

Römerberg is the old centre of Frankfurt. It features various buildings and a church from the 14th and 15th century (the buildings were mostly destroyed during World War II but completely rebuilt afterwards). The Römer itself is the town hall of Frankfurt. Cafés and shops can be found at the square itself and in the vicinity.…

A public area that is often considered the central hub of Frankfurt's modern downtown area due to its importance as a public transportation station and its central location, right between the main shopping street (Zeil), the Rossmarkt (another public square), and the Eschenheimer Tor. The place is named after a Baroque building ("Hauptwache") located more or less in its centre.…

Is part of the Jewish Museum, but at a differing address (not anywhere near the Museumsufer). Here are exhibited the foundations from the Jewish Ghetto dating back to 1462, as well as information about life as a Jewish person in this ghetto during the Middle Ages. Info is in English & German.…

A church with important political symbolism in Germany. This was the seat of the first democratically elected parliament in Germany in 1848. Here the revolutionaries wrote the 1848 constitution that sadly was never put into effect.…

The broad exhibition range covers all types of art – painting, photography, sculpture, graphic art, architecture and applied arts. Usually the exhibitions focus on artist that have some sort of connection to Frankfurt or the Frankfurt region.…

This building is special as it is the only Frankfurt high-rise tower that is open to the public with an elevator to the viewing platform at a height of 200 meters. From here, you will have a good view of Frankfurt and the surrounding area. Make sure to go on a clear day, and if you're in Frankfurt in Fall or Spring you might wish to try to go up a short while before sunset.…

Commonly called just Senckenberg museum it is one of the most famous museums of Frankfurt. The Senckenberg has various exhibits on natural history; plants, animals, minerals, and so on; the biggest attraction are the dinosaur skeletons and the collection of preserved animals that were hunted and stuffed in a less enlightened age. Highly recommended for anybody interested in the subject.…

Easily recognized by its hexagonal layout and the big neon colour € statue in front of the entrance - might be of some special interest as this is the seat of European financial power and decisions. It's not open to the public, although a small gift shop downstairs will sell you all the Euro-related memorabilia you want.…

Formerly known as the postal museum, it explains the history of communication with a strong focus on postal services and telecommunication. A lot of old telegraphs, phones, fax machines etc. can be tried out so it is fun for not too young kids.…

By crossing one of the bridges from the city centre you reach the Sachsenhausen part of the city south of the Main river. The old town part, Alt-Sachsenhausen, at Affentorplatz is famous for its old cider bars (see the "Drink" section for more information).…

The building was designed by Hans Hollein to resemble a boat, which is most notable when approaching it from the back (east). Apart from well-known artists in the permanent collection, e.g. Roy Liechtenstein and Andy Warhol, the museum has changing exhibits that often include very recent work.…

The pittoresque and unique Swiss style pavillon once hosted famous German poets like Goethe and Brentano. Refurbished since 2002, it is open for guided tours. Located in a nice park which has a faded rose garden, some art nouveau sculptures, europe's oldest gingko-tree and plenty of lawn to enjoy a splendid day.

The Jewish community in Frankfurt can look back on over 850 years of history in Frankfurt and is the second oldest Jewish community in Germany. The well funded museum in the old Rothschild (they originate from Frankfurt) palace pays tribute to this history with a strong focus on the holocaust.

Renaissance Opera Building in the centre of the city. A busy square with fountains can be found in front of it. Originally opened in 1880, it is not used for operas any more since the rebuilding after the war, but for concerts, congresses, and similar "fancy" events.

Public transportation vehicles including many old trams, a few buses and one steam locomotive. Beside the museum is a station building that used to belong to the former Frankfurter Waldbahn, a tram line that was originally powered by steam locomotives.

It is named after Johann Friedrich Staedel. The museum displays various works of arts, both modern and old. There are also varying exhibitions at any time. Behind the museum is the Städelschule, an art school with a cheap cafeteria.

Presents exhibitions especially for children on topics of local historical and cultural relevance. Touching, testing, trying out: independent thinking and an autonomous learning environment are central to the children's museum.

The museum for applied arts and design hosts just that in a beautiful Richard Meier designed building. The small park around it is a popular hangout in summer and there is a small posh restaurant on the ground floor.

The Palmengarten is Frankfurt's botanic garden. There are special exhibitions and events throughout the much of the year. (German language part of the website has a lot more information than the English part)

Relatively well-known bridge for pedestrians, built in 1869. It is just a minute away from the Römer. Crossing the bridge leads you to Sachsenhausen and provides good views of the skyline.

The Architecture Museum displays various types of exhibits about buildings and architecture. Their tagline is "From Primordial Hut to Skyscraper". There's also a small cafe in the DAM.

The Frankfurt stock exchange building, still in use, see the bull and bear statues just outside. You cannot enter the building unless you have registered for a guided tour in advance.

The main cathedral with its 95 m high tower, built in Gothic style in the 14th century. From 1562 to 1792, emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned in the cathedral.

Founded in 1990 through a donation of 800 icons from the 16th-19th century this museum today has about 1,000 icons and today also has special exhibitions for modern icons.

A museum specializing in contemporary art. It is located just off the Römerplatz. There are two exhibition spaces that rotate every month or two.

Due to a lack of space and funding currently doesn't display its permanent ethnographic collection but rather shows well-made exhibitions.

An old 43-metre wooden tower with viewing platform offering nice views of the skyline. Located in the far south of Sachsenhausen.

Historic museum of the city of Frankfurt and its citizens. Today it offers a wide collection of the history of the city.

The German Movie Museum displays—as the name implies—the art and history of film making (German only)

Birthplace of Germany's most famous author and poet. It's a museum and picture gallery devoted to Goethe

14th century Roman Catholic church and monastery located at Liebfrauengasse/Neue Kräme near the Zeil.

Large collection of sculptures and statues from all over the world. Very nice cafe in the garden.

former public library building, constructed 1820-1825 in neo-classical style.

Located in a building which formerly housed a Carmelite monastery.

Exhibition hall located in the Leinwandhaus building

Constantly changing contemporary art expositions

Urban revitalization of the Dom-Römer complex.

A museum about money and its history.