Frankfurt sights in the city center

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Frankfurt sightseeing downtown

The city center of Frankfurt am Main has many fascinating sights in store for you. From historical buildings to modern attractions, there is definitely something for everyone! When you enter the city, you will be amazed by a unique blend of tradition and modernity. For example, historic architecture takes you back in time, while modern skyscrapers dominate the sky. Did you know that Frankfurt is also known for its breathtaking skyline? The view from one of the many viewpoints is guaranteed to amaze you. You can feel the dynamic energy of the city while admiring its silhouette.

Another highlight are the picturesque streets of the old town. Here you can, for example, stroll through historic streets and enjoy the medieval flair. Numerous cafes and restaurants also invite you to try the local cuisine and let yourself drift in the atmosphere. Frankfurt am Main also has a thriving art scene. In the city's museums and galleries you will find impressive collections of classic and contemporary works. Also discover the world of art and be inspired by the diverse exhibitions. And don't forget to visit the lively markets where you can discover local produce, handicrafts and culinary delights. Here you can experience authentic Frankfurt and get in touch with the locals.

Regardless of whether you love history and culture, admire modern architecture or like to collect new taste experiences - Frankfurt am Main definitely has something to offer for every traveller.

Frankfurt sights in the city center

What does Frankfurt am Main offer? Which Frankfurt sights in the city center are worth a visit? We discovered on a flying visit that Frankfurt sightseeing is exciting. Driving through the city center after our Journey through Hessen we noticed how attractive the city on the Main is. High-rise buildings, which have earned the city the nickname Mainhattan, indicate its financial strength. With their diversity, they inspire fans of modern architecture. But there is also the old town. There you will find the town hall from the 15th century. With its stepped gable facade, the Römer is one of the city's landmarks. There are also half-timbered houses in Sachsenhausen. Bars are grouped along the cobbled streets where the innkeepers serve apple wine to accompany specialties from the region.

Explore Frankfurt am Main sights on foot – What is there to discover in Frankfurt am Main in the city center?

Marita Sinden was born in Frankfurt. She knows the attractions in the city on the Main and knows which ones are worth a visit. She introduces them in her guest post. Discover the sights in downtown Frankfurt while sightseeing in Frankfurt.

 

 

 

Frankfurt am Main skyline
Frankfurt Skyline Photo: Canva

10 sights in downtown Frankfurt

Maintower, Römer, Goethehaus, Museumufer and much more. The sights of downtown Frankfurt can be easily reached on foot in one day.
I grew up near Frankfurt and have already guided many visitors through Frankfurt, showing them the sights and drawing their attention to Frankfurt's specialties.

 

 

Frankfurter Zeil – Frankfurt attraction for shopping fans

We start our walk at the Hauptwache S- and U-Bahn station. This is where the Zeil, Frankfurt's shopping mile, begins. The Zeil was already a grand street in the 18th century and is now one of Europe's top-selling shopping streets.

Before we get lost in the jumble of shops, we walk in the direction of the old town and Römer, past the baroque St. Katharinenkirche, the main Protestant community in Frankfurt, in the direction of the Main.

On the way it is worth stopping at the Paulskirche, which is considered the birthplace of democracy in Germany. The first representatives of the people met here in 1848. An exhibition in the church is a reminder of this.

Frankfurt old town

A visit to Frankfurt's old town is also recommended. It was almost completely destroyed in World War II. Office buildings were built here in the post-war period. But between 2012 and 2018 the old town was reconstructed according to old plans. The project was very controversial at the beginning. Critics called it a "project of the political elites". Nowadays, the reconstruction is considered successful. It has won awards and attracts visitors. Here is also the Struwwelpeter Museum, which is reminiscent of the children's book by the Frankfurt doctor Heinrich Hoffmann from 1844.

Sachsenhausen old town

Not far from there is Sachsenhausen's old town. This is where the cider pubs, bars and restaurants are concentrated. The best known is the Klappergasse. Irish pubs, shisha bars, Cubanitas, Hooters, but also Bavarian beer bars are concentrated in Kleine Rittergasse. It's quieter on Wallstrasse.

 

Römer Frankfurt sightseeing downtown
Römer - one of Frankfurt's sights in the city center (c) Copyright Canva

 

Römer – famous building in Frankfurt

The Römer has been the city's town hall and landmark since the 15th century. That is why many buildings from the past are grouped on the Römerberg.

Are to be mentioned

  • Alte Nikolaikirche
  • Frauenstein and Salzhaus houses
  • Well of Justice
  • Half-timbered row of houses
  • Historical Museum.

Folk festivals have been celebrated here since the 12th century. Those who are lucky enough to visit Frankfurt during Advent will find the Frankfurt Christmas Market here.

Kaiserdom - Frankfurt landmark in the city center

St. Bartholomäus is the most imposing church in Frankfurt. It is actually not a cathedral because a bishop has never resided here. But the honorary title is due to its role as the election and coronation church of the German emperors. Especially in the 19th century, the cathedral was considered a symbol of national unity. Friends of church art should visit the cathedral museum. If you feel like it, you can also climb the 66 meter high tower and enjoy a view over Frankfurt, with the skyline of the bank towers and the outline of the Taunus mountains behind.

 

Hessian snack with Frankfurt green sauce
Snack with green sauce as a snack when you visit the sights in downtown Frankfurt (c) Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline

 

 

Culinary highlights and sights in downtown Frankfurt

If you are hungry now, you can get supplies in the old town. A good selection of Restaurants in downtown Frankfurt here.

The House of the Golden Scales is one of the Renaissance half-timbered houses destroyed by the bombing of March 1944. It is one of the reconstructions of the Dom-Römer project. It can now be visited again through the entrance to the Historical Museum.
But now there is also one in the Golden Libra coffeehouse. There you can taste cakes like the Frankfurter Kranz and other delicacies.

The Old town butcher and sausage roastery Dey has all Frankfurt sausage specialties. The meat sausage in particular should be tried here. If you get hungry, you can also try a grilled Frankfurt beef sausage here. Because “Wurstbraterei” is an old word for “snack bar.”

If you would like to take souvenirs home with you, visit the Kleinmarkthalle. The market hall was first put into operation in 1879. During the Second World War it was completely destroyed. Since 1954 it has been rebuilt. Here you will find sausage, cheese, baked goods and antipasti. A must for every gourmet.

Eiserner Steg - View of the Frankfurt sights in the city center

The Iron Bridge is a pedestrian bridge. It connects Frankfurt's old town with the district of Sachsenhausen. The locks of Frankfurters who have just fallen in love hang on this bridge.

In addition to the Eiserner Steg, you have the opportunity to take a boat trip across the Main. In good weather this is definitely recommended.

Museumsufer walk to the Frankfurt sights in the city center

On the other side of the Eiserner Steg one arrives at the Museumsufer in Frankfurt.

There are ten museums in Frankfurt alone. Above all the Städel Museum, one of the most important German art collections. If you would like to visit one of the museums, it is best to find out beforehand this website, as there are always special exhibitions on top of that. These are Frankfurt sights in the city center.

From the Museumsufer you also have a view of the city side of Frankfurt. We walk west along the banks of the Main, lined with poplars.

After a short walk we come to the Untermainbrücke, which we cross and walk towards the Goethe House.

Goethe-Haus - one of the Frankfurt sights in the city center

The Goethe House is located on the Großer Hirschgraben. The poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born here in 1749. Apart from his studies in Leipzig, he lived there until he went to Weimar in 1775. The house where he was born is now a museum, offering a glimpse into the poet's early life. There is also a gallery with works from the Goethe period. These are sights in Frankfurt's city center that are worth a visit.

 

Alte Oper Frankfurt sightseeing downtown
Alte Oper - Frankfurt Sightseeing downtown (c) Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Alte Oper - one of the Frankfurt attractions in the city center

We then return to the main station. From there it goes via the Fressgasse, as the street is popularly known because of the restaurants, to the Alte Oper.

The opera house, built at the end of the 19th century, was completely destroyed in an air raid in 1944. Reconstruction of the building did not begin until 1976. In 1981 it was finally reopened as a concert and congress hall. The Opernplatz with the fountain is a meeting place for Frankfurters and this is where the Opernplatzfest takes place in summer, offering all kinds of pleasures.

Main Tower - one of the Frankfurt sights in the city center

If you still haven't had enough, you can also visit the MAIN TOWER at the Taunus facility. At a height of 200 meters you can enjoy a view over Frankfurt, the Main and the Taunus with the 881 meter high Feldberg on a clear day.

Our tip: Discover Frankfurt's sights on foot

Frankfurt am Main offers a variety of attractions that you can easily reach on foot. Let's start our tour at the Römerberg, the historical center of Frankfurt. There you will find, for example, the famous Römer, the imposing town hall of the city, as well as the picturesque Nikolaikirche. Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the half-timbered houses. From there you can stroll comfortably along the Main and admire the modern skyline of Frankfurt. You will quickly find that Frankfurt is known for its skyscrapers, such as the Commerzbank Tower and the Messeturm.

If you are an art lover, you should also definitely visit the Städel Museum. It houses an extensive collection of European artworks from the Middle Ages to the present day. Don't forget to take a walk across the Old Bridge afterwards and enjoy the view of the Main.

Another highlight is the palm garden, a garden that invites you to relax. Here you can admire exotic plants and enjoy the tranquility of nature.

If you feel like shopping, then the Zeil, one of the most famous shopping streets in Germany, is the place to go. Here you will find numerous shops, boutiques and department stores where you can stroll to your heart's content.

Exploring Frankfurt on foot allows you to experience the atmosphere of the city up close and discover all the Frankfurt sights at your own pace.

 

Excursions in Frankfurt

Anyway, here you can Excursions from Frankfurt*

Beautiful places on the Main and excursion destinations in the area

 

Book a hotel in downtown Frankfurt here *

In Frankfurt Germany Downtown you can stay in these hotels:

Or find your accommodation with current prices with our hotel list for Frankfurt. Simply enter your travel duration, number of people and desired type of accommodation. You will then receive a list of the currently available accommodations of your choice. With just a few clicks you can scroll through the list and obtain further information about your selected accommodation and then book it online.

 

 

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About the co-author

Marita Sinden grew up near Frankfurt. She runs the blog, MyDinner.co.uk in English, which introduces German food culture and recipes in English for its readers. She has also lived in England for a long time and now lives with her family in Bremen. We thank her for her contribution about the sights in Frankfurt's city center.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many inhabitants does Frankfurt have?

With around 765.000 inhabitants, Frankfurt am Main is the largest city in Hesse and the fifth largest city in Germany.

What sights should I visit in downtown Frankfurt?

Visit the Römerberg, the Kaiserdom, the Paulskirche, the Alte Oper and the Eiserner Steg.

What is the best way to get from Frankfurt Airport to the city center?

Take the S8 or S9 S-Bahn lines, which will take you to the main train station in about 15 minutes.

Are there good restaurants in downtown Frankfurt?

Yes, try traditional dishes in the Adolf Wagner cider business or enjoy international cuisine in the Français restaurant. You can also find more restaurants in Downtown Frankfurt in this article.

What public transport is there in downtown Frankfurt?

Use the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses for easy and convenient transportation.

What shopping facilities are there in downtown Frankfurt?

Visit the Zeil, the MyZeil shopping center, the Goethestraße and the Skyline Plaza for a diverse shopping experience.

 


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Guest articles about Frankfurt sights downtown as well as own information and research

Text Frankfurt sights downtown: (c) Marita Sinden and Monika Fuchs
Photos Frankfurt sights downtown: (c) see picture captions as well as Amazon product photos

Frankfurt sights in the city center

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog  TravelWorldOnline. They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor, wine tourism worldwide and slow travel. During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube. Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021. Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.