Attractions in Frankfurt

Frankfurt Zoo

The Frankfurt Zoo is one of the most attractive zoological gardens in Europe and is very popular with both locals and visitors. The zoo celebrated its 155th birthday in 2013, making it the second oldest zoo in Germany after Berlin.

There are 13 different areas on 11 hectares of land where thousands of animals from all over the world, including eight endangered species, can be observed. The absolute highlight is the Grzimek House, where – in artificial darkness – nocturnal animals can be observed hunting.

Address: Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, Frankfurt
Telephone: (069) 21 23 37 35
Opening hours:

Winter time (October 28th to March 28th): Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:30 p.m.).

Summer time (29.3. To 27.10): Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last admission 6:30 p.m.).

Website: http://www.zoo-frankfurt.de
Entrance fee: Yes.

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Money museum of the Deutsche Bundesbank

The museum shows the central role Frankfurt plays in the world of finance both in Germany and in Europe. Collections of historical coins and banknotes are exhibited. The visitor learns about the roles that money has played in the various epochs. With the help of films, demanding computer games and interactive teaching programs, the museum also explains the complexity of monetary policy (especially the new European system). Guided tours are given.

Address: Wilhelm-Epstein-Straße 14, Frankfurt
Telephone: (069) 95 66 30 73
Opening times: Closed on Saturdays.

Open Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open on Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Website: http://www.geldmuseum.de
Entry fee: No.

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Goethe Museum and Goethe House

The house where Goethe (1749-1832) was born and where he spent most of his youth was completely destroyed by the Allied bomber aircraft in 1944 and rebuilt after the war. In 1951 it was restored to its former splendor of the 18th century. Visitors can see the family’s music room, the library, the living room and Goethe’s own puppet show, as well as his study room.

The Goethe Museum next door shows German paintings and sculptures from the late Baroque to the early Romantic period. There are daily guided tours through the house. Guided tours by audio guide with visual components are available in several languages. Museum tours can also be arranged upon request.

Address: Großer Hirschgraben 23, Frankfurt
Telephone: (069) 13 88 00
Opening hours:

Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Website: http://www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de
Entrance fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Historical Museum

The Historical Museum is located on the Römerberg, high above the Main, in an imperial building complex, which also includes a chapel from the 12th century. The museum tells the story of Frankfurt (including its destruction in World War II) and visitors can learn about the tradition of Ebbelwei (cider) in the museum’s café.

Address: Saalgasse 19, Altstadt, Frankfurt
Telephone: (069) 21 23 55 99
Opening times:

Closed on Monday.

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wed from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Website: http://www.historisches-museum.frankfurt.de
Entrance fee: Yes.

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Jewish Museum

Until the Holocaust, Frankfurt was home to Germany’s second largest Jewish community, which played a crucial role in the city’s financial and cultural success.

The Jewish Museum tells the story of this important community from the 12th to the 20th centuries. The museum is housed in the Rothschild Villa (a stately residence where the Rothschilds once lived).

Remains of a Mikvah (a ceremonial bath) in the former Jewish ghetto and other special exhibitions are shown in the additional Museum Judengasse.

Museum Judengasse
Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 10
Tel: (069) 297 74 19.
Internet: www.juedischesmuseum.de
With admission fee.

Attention : The Jewish Museum on Untermainkai is closed for renovation until autumn 2020. The Museum Judengasse is currently presenting the period before 1800.

Address: Untermainkai 14-15, Frankfurt
Telephone: (069) 21 23 50 00
Opening hours:

Jewish Museum and Judengasse Museum

Closed on Monday. Tue – Sun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Website: http://www.juedischesmuseum.de
Entrance fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Imperial Cathedral of St. Bartholomew

Between 1562 and 1792 German emperors were crowned in the cathedral of St. Bartholomew, hence the name imperial cathedral.

Until the 1950s, it was the tallest building in Frankfurt at 96 m, which shows how much the city has developed since then.

The cathedral has a facade and an interior made of red sandstone and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Frankfurt. The current structure was rebuilt after the Second World War, but has numerous original carvings. From the tower you have a beautiful view of the city. The cathedral museum belongs to the cathedral and is home to numerous archaeological finds.

Address: Domplatz 14, Altstadt, Frankfurt
Telephone: (069) 297 03 20
Opening hours:

Cathedral Museum : Closed on Mondays. Open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Imperial Cathedral : Mon – Thu from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fri from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Website: http://www.dom-frankfurt.de
Entrance fee: No (with entrance fee to the museum).

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Museum Giersch

The new museum in the Frankfurt Museum World shows works by artists in the Rhein-Main area and it offers visitors interested in art a wonderful opportunity to get a taste of the regional art scene. It maintains its place on the museum bank between the best facilities.

The bright, airy gallery, which only shows contemporary works, houses two temporary exhibitions and art history topics. The permanent exhibition is in the main building, in the neoclassical Villa Holzmann.

Address: Schaumainkai 83, Frankfurt
Phone: (069) 63 30 41 28
Opening hours: Closed on Monday. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Fri to Sun from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Website: http://www.museum-giersch.de
Entrance fee: Yes.

Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No

Museum of Modern Art

Even the exterior of the museum could be considered one of the city’s most beautiful sights. It is therefore a bonus that this museum, designed by Viennese architect Hans Hollein, houses an excellent collection of post-war art, especially by German and American artists, including Roy Liechtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Andy Warhol and Joseph Beuys. There is also a café-restaurant.

Address: Domstraße 10, Altstadt, Frankfurt
Telephone: (069) 21 23 04 47
Opening hours: Closed on Monday. Open Tues, Thurs, Fri and Sat from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Website: http://www.mmk-frankfurt.de
Entrance fee: Yes.

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Palm garden

The palm garden is a wonderland of tropical plants and exotic birds. Protected from the hustle and bustle of the city, the botanical garden shows its attractions, which include greenhouses, 300 different types of palm trees and a lake on which boats go. Concerts are held in summer and numerous exhibitions and events are organized.

Address: Siesmayerstraße 61, Frankfurt
Telephone: (069) 21 23 39 39
Opening hours:

February to October: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

November to January: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Website: http://www.palmengarten-frankfurt.de
Entrance fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Römerberg

In 1240, this low hill (main square and the heart of the old town) was the scene of the city’s first official fair. The Römerberg is surrounded by half-timbered houses, which were rebuilt after their complete destruction in 1945, and by the former court church – the Nikolaikirche.

The main attraction, however, is the Römer City Hall (Frankfurt City Hall since 1405) with its Gothic stair gable facade, which was built from red Frankfurt sandstone. The crowning glory of German emperors was celebrated with banquets in the Kaisersaal on the upper floors. The portraits of 52 emperors, from Charlemagne to Francis II, hang on the walls. Due to the work in the town hall there are no tours. The Christmas market on the Römerberg in December has been taking place here since the late 14th century.

Address: Römerberg, Römer, Frankfurt
Website: http://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de
Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Städel Art Institute and Municipal Gallery

An exemplary and comprehensive collection of European paintings from the 14th to the 20th centuries is housed in this museum (known simply as Städel everywhere) on the legendary Frankfurt Museum Shore.

German artists such as Cranach, Holbein and Beckmann are exhibited alongside greats such as Botticelli, Rembrandt and Vermeer. In addition, around 600 sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries can be seen, including works by Rodin, Kirchner and Picasso. The New Städel is an extension for 20th and 21st century art. There is also an excellent café with a bookshop.

Address: Dürerstraße 2, Sachsenhausen-N, Frankfurt
Telephone: (069) 605 09 82 00
Opening times: Closed on Monday. Tue and Fri – Sun open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed and Thu open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Website: http://www.staedelmuseum.de
Entry fee: Yes.

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Tourist offices

Tourismus + Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main

Central Station.

A second tourist information office is located at Römerberg 27 (opening times: Mon-Fri 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sa and Sun 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Telephone: (069) 21 23 88 00
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat and Sun 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Website: http://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de

Visitor passes

The Frankfurt Card , available as a 1- or 2-day ticket, grants free travel on the RMV’s public transport within the city to the airport, 25% discount on city tours, 50% discount on the major sights and 21 museums, and a 20% discount on the river boat trips (from Frankfurt) on the Rhine and Moselle of the Cologne-Düsseldorf Deutsche Rheinschifffahrt . Other participating institutions include the Palm Garden, the Zoological Garden, the Goethe House and Museum, the Historical Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Städel Museum and the airport visitor terrace in Terminal 2.

The Frankfurt Card is available at the tourist information (Tel: (069) 21 23 87 03), inDB Travel Center at the main train station and at the reservation desk of the Frankfurt airport hotel in Terminal 1. It can also be ordered online via the website of the Tourist Office (see above).