What to See in Frankfurt: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Frankfurt am Main is Germany’s fifth-largest city, known for its dense cluster of skyscrapers called “Mainhattan” and its rebuilt medieval old town. With over 1,200 years of history, it was once the coronation city of the Holy Roman Empire and is the birthplace of Goethe. After WWII bombings destroyed much of the city, Frankfurt carefully restored the half-timbered buildings in Römerberg. Today, it is a major financial center with 760,000 residents (2.5 million in the metro area), home to the European Central Bank, major banks, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The city’s heritage lives on in the reconstructed guild houses at Römerberg, the Gothic St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, the Goethe House museum, traditional Apfelwein taverns in Sachsenhausen, and the Museumsufer galleries along the Main River. Free walking tours show how Frankfurt grew from Charlemagne’s settlement in 794 and an imperial election site to a modern financial hub, balancing its history with contemporary life.
Must-see sights include Römerberg square with its half-timbered buildings, Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom), the Goethe House museum, Main Tower’s observation deck with skyline views, the Alte Oper concert hall, Eiserner Steg footbridge, Apfelwein taverns in Sachsenhausen, the Museumsufer cultural district, Palmengarten botanical garden, the European Central Bank towers, and the Financial District’s skyscrapers.
Expect to spend €60–110 per day (not including accommodation). Meals cost €18–35, with Apfelwein tavern dinners at €15–25 and beer at €4.50. Main Tower entry is €9, museum passes are €12–16, and a public transit day pass is €7.50. Hostels cost €35–55 per night. Budget travelers can manage on €75–100 per day, while mid-range travelers should plan for €120–165 per day.
The best time to visit is May to September, when temperatures are warm (17–27°C) and outdoor dining is popular. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months. April to May and September to October are quieter, with mild weather (10–20°C) and fewer crowds, making them great for exploring parks. From November to March, it’s colder (1–7°C), but you can enjoy the famous Christmas markets at Römerberg, held from November 26 to December 22, 2026, despite the chilly and rainy weather.
Famous for: "Mainhattan" skyscraper skyline (Germany's densest high-rise cluster), European Central Bank headquarters, Holy Roman Empire coronation site (1562–1792), Goethe birthplace, Römerberg medieval square reconstruction, Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Europe's 12th-largest), Frankfurt Book Fair (world's oldest/largest, October annually), Sachsenhausen Apfelwein apple wine culture, WWII bombing/reconstruction, international finance hub.
Top tours: Free Tour to the Highlights of Frankfurt (tip-based, Alte Oper to Iron Footbridge), Frankfurt Free Tour: Historic Centre & Frankfurt Today (Römerberg focus), Free Old Sachsenhausen Frankfurt Tour (Apfelwein culture).
Römerberg, Frankfurt’s medieval market square, features nine reconstructed half-timbered guild houses and the historic Römer city hall, the government seat since 1405. Once a site for trade fairs and Imperial coronations, the square was rebuilt after WWII, blending restored historic facades with modern interiors. Key landmarks include the Kaisersaal, Justice Fountain, Alte Nikolaikirche, and the New Old Town project, reflecting the city’s evolving approach to heritage and urban renewal.
Römerberg, Frankfurt’s medieval market square, features rebuilt guild houses and the historic Römer city hall. The square once hosted trade fairs and coronations, and after WWII, it was reconstructed with restored facades and modern interiors. Notable landmarks include the Kaisersaal, Justice Fountain, Alte Nikolaikirche, and the New Old Town, all showing how Frankfurt blends history with renewal.
The Justice Fountain, with its Lady Justice statue, stands at the square’s center and pours wine during coronations to symbolize Imperial justice. Nearby, the Gothic Alte Nikolaikirche hosts regular carillon concerts. The New Old Town project (2012–2018) restored 15 historic buildings and added 20 modern ones, reflecting Frankfurt’s evolving approach to heritage and city design.
Goethehaus, a four-story Baroque mansion at Großer Hirschgraben 23, preserves the early years of Germany’s famed writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was born there in 1749. Though nearly destroyed by fire in 1932 and bombed in 1944, the house—originally two 1600s half-timbered homes—was remodeled in 1755 into an 18-room residence featuring medieval and Rococo details, reflecting the Goethe family’s wealth and taste.
Goethe spent his childhood here (1749–1765), writing early works, studying languages, and witnessing Joseph II’s 1764 coronation—an event later recounted in his autobiography. After leaving for university in Leipzig, he never returned permanently. During his Frankfurt years, he wrote groundbreaking works such as Götz von Berlichingen and The Sorrows of Young Werther, sparking the Sturm und Drang and the European Romantic movements. In 1775, Goethe moved to Weimar, where he completed major works and scientific studies, remaining there until his death in 1832.
Entry costs €7 (€5 reduced, €12 with Goethe Museum; closed on Mondays) and gives access to all floors, including the third-floor “Peking Room” with Chinese wallpaper, the parents’ rooms with Louis XVI furniture, and Goethe’s restored attic study. The house was carefully rebuilt after WWII using original plans and donations, which led to debates about its authenticity. Next door, the Goethe Museum displays manuscripts, first editions, Romantic-era art, and Goethe’s death mask. Goetheplatz, nearby, is where you’ll find the Alte Oper.
Main Tower is a 56-story, 200-meter skyscraper in Frankfurt’s Financial District. For €9 (€7 reduced), you can visit Germany’s only open-air 360° observation deck. The 54th-floor platform gives you panoramic views of the skyline, Main River, nearby mountains, and city landmarks. High-speed elevators take you to the top in just 45 seconds, and there’s a glass floor section for those who like a thrill. The 55th-floor restaurant offers fine dining on Sundays with a reservation.
Frankfurt’s Financial District, known as the Bankenviertel, has the highest concentration of skyscrapers in Germany, including Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank Tower, Messeturm, and more. Over 73,000 finance professionals work here, managing €1.8 trillion in assets. The district expanded quickly after WWII, when Frankfurt became the headquarters for the Bundesbank and later the European Central Bank, making it Europe’s financial center.
The European Central Bank Headquarters, a €1.4 billion double-tower complex in Ostend, features striking glass high-rises integrated with the historic 1928 Großmarkthalle. Completed in 2014, it houses 2,900 staff who oversee Eurozone monetary policy. Closed to the public for security, the towers are best viewed from the Osthafen riverfront. The former ECB seat, Eurotower, remains nearby.
The Alte Oper is a grand concert hall from 1880 that was rebuilt after WWII. Today, it hosts concerts and events instead of opera. Walking tours from freetour.com begin at its entrance. Close by, the Zeil shopping street is Germany’s second busiest shopping area, with the modern MyZeil mall connecting the Financial District to Hauptwache square.
Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus, Frankfurt’s Gothic red sandstone cathedral, was the coronation site for Holy Roman Emperors from 1562 to 1792, following the 1356 Golden Bull. Its 95-meter tower (€3 entry, 328 steps) offers views of the Altstadt, Financial District, and Main River. Though called a cathedral, Frankfurt never had a bishop—the title reflects its imperial, not ecclesiastical, importance.
The cathedral’s Gothic interior features 1425 choir stalls, 14th-century frescoes of the Virgin Mary, the 1509 Mary Altar, and a baroque organ. The Electoral Chapel, added in 1425, hosted secret ballots by the seven Prince-Electors to choose the emperor-elect, announced from the gallery. Coronations took place at the Altar of St. Bartholomew, where the emperor was anointed, received the Imperial Regalia, and then processed to the Römer for the banquet.
The RAF bombing on March 22, 1944, destroyed the cathedral’s interior, but its 13th-century walls and tower survived, allowing for reconstruction by 1953. Nearby, the Archaeological Garden displays Roman and Carolingian remains from Charlemagne’s 794 palace. The Eiserner Steg, a 170m pedestrian bridge over the Main, links the Altstadt to Sachsenhausen and offers views of Frankfurt’s medieval and modern skyline.
Sachsenhausen, on Frankfurt’s south bank, is famed for its apple wine culture. In the cobblestoned Alt-Sachsenhausen quarter, over 100 traditional taverns serve tart Apfelwein from Bembel pitchers into ribbed glasses. This regional specialty, more popular than beer, is made from mixed apples fermented for 6–8 weeks, resulting in a dry, acidic drink. Each autumn, taverns produce over 30,000 liters, with local favorites like Lorsbacher Thal and Wagner preserving historic recipes.
Traditional Hessian dishes served with Apfelwein include Grüne Soße (a cold seven-herb sauce over eggs or potatoes), Handkäs mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese with onions and rye bread), Frankfurter Rippchen (smoked pork chops with sauerkraut), and Bethmännchen (marzipan cookies). The Free Old Sachsenhausen Frankfurt Tour (1.5 hours, daily at 4:30pm, tip-based) departs from Römerberg and covers apple wine history, tavern tips, Museumsufer, and local architecture.
Museumsufer, spanning both banks of the Main River, is Europe’s densest museum district with 13 institutions along a 2km stretch. Highlights include the Städel Museum (3,100 works from Botticelli to Picasso), the German Film Museum, the Architecture Museum, the Museum of Applied Arts, and the Liebieghaus sculpture collection. Each August, the Museumsuferfest draws 3 million visitors for free museum entry, concerts, and food along the river.
Free Tour to the Highlights of Frankfurt: Tip-based comprehensive 2.5h walk departing Alte Oper advertising pillar (Litfaßsäule, easily recognizable, Opernplatz) covering modern skyscrapers/medieval old town time journey, cultural influences shaping colorful society, Frankfurt's world-connecting role (Germany's largest airport, European Central Bank), literary center legacy (Goethe, annual Book Fair, German hip-hop birthplace). The route includes Alte Oper concert hall, Fressgaß gourmet street, Goethe House birthplace, St. Paul's Church (1848 German Parliament), reconstructed Altstadt half-timbered facades, Römerberg square, Frankfurt Cathedral coronations, and Iron Footbridge love locks. Suitable wheelchair/families/pets, no extra fees, no minimum attendees. Guides Penny/Nemu/André/Henok bring personal city perspectives. Bad weather: bring an umbrella/jacket. Punctuality requested; free cancellation available. Typical tips €12–20/person reflecting 2.5h.
Frankfurt Free Tour: Historic Centre & Frankfurt Today: 2h tip-based exploration departing Römerberg (front of Old Nikolai Church, main entrance; orange umbrella; U-Bahn Dom/Römer station or 15min walk to Hauptbahnhof) offered to independent students calling Frankfurt home. Unique history/stories mix showcasing why guides love the city: Römerberg medieval square, St. Paul's Church 1848 revolution, "old meets new" architecture, Eiserner Steg footbridge, Town Hall Römer, Cathedral St. Bartholomew, Opera, "Mainhatten" skyline, Apple Wine culture, Euro symbol ECB. English/Spanish daily 10am/2pm. Winter: warm clothes/umbrella; summer: sunscreen/water. Wheelchair-accessible, family- and pet-friendly, questions encouraged. Rating 9.1/10 (2,501 reviews). Tips €10–18/person typical.
Free Old Sachsenhausen Frankfurt Tour: 1.5h tip-based walk (4:30pm daily, English/Spanish) exploring the south Main riverbank's apple wine district—cobblestoned Alt-Sachsenhausen taverns, Apfelwein/Bembel traditions, Museumsufer cultural institutions, residential architecture, local neighborhoods. Departs Römerberg. Rating 9.2/10 (632 reviews). Tips €8–15/person; reserve.
Discover more walking tours in Frankfurt.
Arrival: Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, Germany’s busiest rail station, offers fast ICE connections to major cities like Munich, Berlin, Cologne, Paris, Amsterdam, and Vienna. Frankfurt Airport, 12km southwest, serves over 300 destinations and is easily reached by S-Bahn (S8/S9, 11 minutes to Hauptbahnhof). Major autobahns (A3, A5, A66) provide quick drives to Stuttgart (2h) and Heidelberg (50min).
Getting around the city is easy. Frankfurt’s compact old town is walkable—Römerberg to Hauptwache takes about 7 minutes, and it’s just 6 minutes from Goethe House to the Cathedral. The RMV network (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses) connects the rest of the city, with day passes starting at €7.50 and group tickets at €11.50. You can also rent a bike for €15 per day, with 1,200 km of flat bike lanes available.
Hostels cost €35–55/night, budget hotels €65–95 (near Hauptbahnhof), mid-range €100–180 (Altstadt/Sachsenhausen), and boutique options €200–350+ (e.g., Villa Kennedy, Jumeirah). Book 2–4 months in advance for peak season (May–September) and the October Book Fair, when prices triple.
Frankfurt has a temperate oceanic climate with warm summers (20–27°C, July warmest, long daylight), mild springs (6–20°C, cherry blossoms, fewer crowds), pleasant autumns (8–21°C, fall colors, wine festivals), and cold winters (1–7°C, rare heavy snow, frequent drizzle). The best time to visit is May–September for warm weather and outdoor activities, though summer is busiest and priciest. April–May and September–October offer milder weather, blooming flowers or autumn colors, and fewer tourists.
Frankfurt’s location at a ford on the Main River made it a strategic site, attracting Celtic settlers, a Roman garrison, and later Charlemagne’s 794 palace, which became an imperial center. The city hosted its first imperial election in 885 and was designated the official election site for Holy Roman Emperors by the 1356 Golden Bull. Its medieval prosperity was driven by imperial trade fairs, with Prince-Electors gathering at the cathedral to choose the emperor-elect.
Granted Free Imperial City status in 1372, Frankfurt became a self-governing republic, boosting trade by freeing merchants from feudal tolls. The city’s banking and commerce flourished with the founding of the Rothschild dynasty in the 1760s and the establishment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 1585. The arrival of Protestant immigrants enriched its culture. In 1562, Frankfurt replaced Aachen as the site of imperial coronations, a tradition that continued until 1792.
The Napoleonic era dissolved the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, with Frankfurt joining the Confederation of the Rhine and experiencing French occupation. After regaining Free City status in 1815, it hosted the parliament of the German Confederation. The 1848 Frankfurt Parliament at St. Paul’s Church drafted Germany’s first democratic constitution, but the revolution failed when the Prussian king refused to accept the crown. In 1866, Frankfurt’s support for Austria in the Austro-Prussian War led to its annexation by Prussia, ending nearly 500 years of independence.
The 19th-century industrial revolution reshaped Frankfurt with the 1839 Taunus Railway, the rise of chemical and pharmaceutical industries (Hoechst AG, 1863), and rapid population growth from 48,000 to 414,000 by 1910. Goethe, born in Frankfurt in 1749, spent his youth there before moving to Leipzig and later to Weimar, where he produced works that launched the Romantic era. The Alte Oper opened in 1880, showcasing Vienna Renaissance Revival architecture.
During WWII, Allied bombing from 1943 to 1945 destroyed 80% of Frankfurt’s developed area. The deadliest raid on March 22, 1944, created a firestorm that left 25,000 homeless, destroyed landmarks like Goethe House, and caused tragic civilian deaths. By war’s end, 5,500 residents had died, the population fell from 553,000 to 230,000, and half the city was left homeless amid massive rubble.
After WWII, Frankfurt’s reconstruction focused on modern functionality, with the city becoming Hesse’s capital until 1952 and a major financial center as home to the Bundesbank and later the European Central Bank. Römerberg was left as a parking lot until citizens pushed for restoration, leading to the 1986 Ostzeile replicas and the €200M New Old Town project (2012–2018). German reunification, the euro’s introduction, and the ECB’s 2015 headquarters further solidified Frankfurt’s role as the Eurozone’s financial hub, even as Berlin remained the political capital.
How much time is needed in Frankfurt?
In 6–9 hours, you can visit Römerberg, the Cathedral, Goethe House, Main Tower, Eiserner Steg, and try Apfelwein. With two days, you’ll have time for the Städel Museum, a walk in the Financial District, a full apple wine dinner, and the Palmengarten gardens. A long weekend lets you add day trips to the Rhine Valley or Heidelberg, both about an hour away by train.
Can I visit the Main Tower observation deck without booking in advance?
Yes—tickets sold at the entrance (no advance reservation required), €9 adults, €7 children/seniors, open April–October 10am–9pm, November–March 10am–7pm daily. Open-air platform closes during strong winds/storms (check maintower.de weather updates before visiting). Queue times 10–30 minutes, peak summer afternoons; early mornings/weekday evenings quieter.
What is Apfelwein, and where can you try it?
Apfelwein (apple wine/Äppelwoi/Ebbelwei)—Frankfurt/Hesse regional specialty—tart-fermented cider (5.5–7% ABV) made from mixed-variety apples, served chilled in Bembel jugs into ribbed Gerippte glasses. Try authentic taverns in the Alt-Sachsenhausen district (south of the Main riverbank): Atschel (Wallstraße 7), Lorsbacher Thal (Große Rittergasse 49), Wagner (Schweizer Straße 71). Traditional meal: Handkäs mit Musik cheese, Grüne Soße seven-herb sauce, Frankfurter Rippchen smoked pork. Free Old Sachsenhausen Tour explores apple wine culture 1.5h.
Is Frankfurt worth visiting despite the WWII destruction?
Absolutely. Although 80% of the old town was destroyed in 1944, careful reconstruction from the 1980s to 2010s brought back the iconic Römerberg facades and revived the medieval streets in the New Old Town. The Cathedral also survived and was restored. Frankfurt’s charm comes from its mix of history—like Goethe’s birthplace, imperial coronations, and reconstructed old town—and its modern side, with Europe’s densest skyscraper skyline, the ECB headquarters, and a lively financial scene. This unique blend of medieval and contemporary styles makes Frankfurt stand out in Germany.
How to visit the European Central Bank headquarters?
ECB's €1.4B double-tower complex (Ostend, Sonnemannstraße 20) has an interior not publicly accessible due to security (manages Eurozone monetary policy and a € 1.3 trillion balance sheet). Exterior viewing free: Tram 11 to Ostbahnhof or Ostend stations; 10-minute walk to the riverfront Osthafenbrücke bridge, which offers the best skyline framing. Predecessor Eurotower (Willy-Brandt-Platz, 1977–2015 ECB seat) viewable in the Financial District.
Best day trips from Frankfurt?
Heidelberg Castle/Old Town (1h train, romantic ruins/student taverns), Rhine Valley wine villages (Rüdesheim 1h train, Assmannshausen, Loreley rock boat cruises), Rothenburg ob der Tauber medieval walled town (2.5h train via Würzburg), Mainz Gutenberg Museum/Romanesque Cathedral (30min train), Wiesbaden spa town (40min train), Limburg colorful half-timbered houses (1h train).
Quick Takeaway
Must-see sights include Römerberg square with its half-timbered buildings, Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom), the Goethe House museum, Main Tower’s observation deck with skyline views, the Alte Oper concert hall, Eiserner Steg footbridge, Apfelwein taverns in Sachsenhausen, the Museumsufer cultural district, Palmengarten botanical garden, the European Central Bank towers, and the Financial District’s skyscrapers.
Expect to spend €60–110 per day (not including accommodation). Meals cost €18–35, with Apfelwein tavern dinners at €15–25 and beer at €4.50. Main Tower entry is €9, museum passes are €12–16, and a public transit day pass is €7.50. Hostels cost €35–55 per night. Budget travelers can manage on €75–100 per day, while mid-range travelers should plan for €120–165 per day.
The best time to visit is May to September, when temperatures are warm (17–27°C) and outdoor dining is popular. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months. April to May and September to October are quieter, with mild weather (10–20°C) and fewer crowds, making them great for exploring parks. From November to March, it’s colder (1–7°C), but you can enjoy the famous Christmas markets at Römerberg, held from November 26 to December 22, 2026, despite the chilly and rainy weather.
Famous for: "Mainhattan" skyscraper skyline (Germany's densest high-rise cluster), European Central Bank headquarters, Holy Roman Empire coronation site (1562–1792), Goethe birthplace, Römerberg medieval square reconstruction, Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Europe's 12th-largest), Frankfurt Book Fair (world's oldest/largest, October annually), Sachsenhausen Apfelwein apple wine culture, WWII bombing/reconstruction, international finance hub.
Top tours: Free Tour to the Highlights of Frankfurt (tip-based, Alte Oper to Iron Footbridge), Frankfurt Free Tour: Historic Centre & Frankfurt Today (Römerberg focus), Free Old Sachsenhausen Frankfurt Tour (Apfelwein culture).
Römerberg & Medieval Altstadt Reconstruction
Römerberg, Frankfurt’s medieval market square, features nine reconstructed half-timbered guild houses and the historic Römer city hall, the government seat since 1405. Once a site for trade fairs and Imperial coronations, the square was rebuilt after WWII, blending restored historic facades with modern interiors. Key landmarks include the Kaisersaal, Justice Fountain, Alte Nikolaikirche, and the New Old Town project, reflecting the city’s evolving approach to heritage and urban renewal.
Römerberg, Frankfurt’s medieval market square, features rebuilt guild houses and the historic Römer city hall. The square once hosted trade fairs and coronations, and after WWII, it was reconstructed with restored facades and modern interiors. Notable landmarks include the Kaisersaal, Justice Fountain, Alte Nikolaikirche, and the New Old Town, all showing how Frankfurt blends history with renewal.
The Justice Fountain, with its Lady Justice statue, stands at the square’s center and pours wine during coronations to symbolize Imperial justice. Nearby, the Gothic Alte Nikolaikirche hosts regular carillon concerts. The New Old Town project (2012–2018) restored 15 historic buildings and added 20 modern ones, reflecting Frankfurt’s evolving approach to heritage and city design.
Goethe House & Literary Heritage
Goethehaus, a four-story Baroque mansion at Großer Hirschgraben 23, preserves the early years of Germany’s famed writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was born there in 1749. Though nearly destroyed by fire in 1932 and bombed in 1944, the house—originally two 1600s half-timbered homes—was remodeled in 1755 into an 18-room residence featuring medieval and Rococo details, reflecting the Goethe family’s wealth and taste.
Goethe spent his childhood here (1749–1765), writing early works, studying languages, and witnessing Joseph II’s 1764 coronation—an event later recounted in his autobiography. After leaving for university in Leipzig, he never returned permanently. During his Frankfurt years, he wrote groundbreaking works such as Götz von Berlichingen and The Sorrows of Young Werther, sparking the Sturm und Drang and the European Romantic movements. In 1775, Goethe moved to Weimar, where he completed major works and scientific studies, remaining there until his death in 1832.
Entry costs €7 (€5 reduced, €12 with Goethe Museum; closed on Mondays) and gives access to all floors, including the third-floor “Peking Room” with Chinese wallpaper, the parents’ rooms with Louis XVI furniture, and Goethe’s restored attic study. The house was carefully rebuilt after WWII using original plans and donations, which led to debates about its authenticity. Next door, the Goethe Museum displays manuscripts, first editions, Romantic-era art, and Goethe’s death mask. Goetheplatz, nearby, is where you’ll find the Alte Oper.
Main Tower & Financial District Skyline
Main Tower is a 56-story, 200-meter skyscraper in Frankfurt’s Financial District. For €9 (€7 reduced), you can visit Germany’s only open-air 360° observation deck. The 54th-floor platform gives you panoramic views of the skyline, Main River, nearby mountains, and city landmarks. High-speed elevators take you to the top in just 45 seconds, and there’s a glass floor section for those who like a thrill. The 55th-floor restaurant offers fine dining on Sundays with a reservation.
Frankfurt’s Financial District, known as the Bankenviertel, has the highest concentration of skyscrapers in Germany, including Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank Tower, Messeturm, and more. Over 73,000 finance professionals work here, managing €1.8 trillion in assets. The district expanded quickly after WWII, when Frankfurt became the headquarters for the Bundesbank and later the European Central Bank, making it Europe’s financial center.
The European Central Bank Headquarters, a €1.4 billion double-tower complex in Ostend, features striking glass high-rises integrated with the historic 1928 Großmarkthalle. Completed in 2014, it houses 2,900 staff who oversee Eurozone monetary policy. Closed to the public for security, the towers are best viewed from the Osthafen riverfront. The former ECB seat, Eurotower, remains nearby.
The Alte Oper is a grand concert hall from 1880 that was rebuilt after WWII. Today, it hosts concerts and events instead of opera. Walking tours from freetour.com begin at its entrance. Close by, the Zeil shopping street is Germany’s second busiest shopping area, with the modern MyZeil mall connecting the Financial District to Hauptwache square.
Frankfurt Cathedral & Imperial Coronations
Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus, Frankfurt’s Gothic red sandstone cathedral, was the coronation site for Holy Roman Emperors from 1562 to 1792, following the 1356 Golden Bull. Its 95-meter tower (€3 entry, 328 steps) offers views of the Altstadt, Financial District, and Main River. Though called a cathedral, Frankfurt never had a bishop—the title reflects its imperial, not ecclesiastical, importance.
The cathedral’s Gothic interior features 1425 choir stalls, 14th-century frescoes of the Virgin Mary, the 1509 Mary Altar, and a baroque organ. The Electoral Chapel, added in 1425, hosted secret ballots by the seven Prince-Electors to choose the emperor-elect, announced from the gallery. Coronations took place at the Altar of St. Bartholomew, where the emperor was anointed, received the Imperial Regalia, and then processed to the Römer for the banquet.
The RAF bombing on March 22, 1944, destroyed the cathedral’s interior, but its 13th-century walls and tower survived, allowing for reconstruction by 1953. Nearby, the Archaeological Garden displays Roman and Carolingian remains from Charlemagne’s 794 palace. The Eiserner Steg, a 170m pedestrian bridge over the Main, links the Altstadt to Sachsenhausen and offers views of Frankfurt’s medieval and modern skyline.
Sachsenhausen & Apfelwein Culture
Sachsenhausen, on Frankfurt’s south bank, is famed for its apple wine culture. In the cobblestoned Alt-Sachsenhausen quarter, over 100 traditional taverns serve tart Apfelwein from Bembel pitchers into ribbed glasses. This regional specialty, more popular than beer, is made from mixed apples fermented for 6–8 weeks, resulting in a dry, acidic drink. Each autumn, taverns produce over 30,000 liters, with local favorites like Lorsbacher Thal and Wagner preserving historic recipes.
Traditional Hessian dishes served with Apfelwein include Grüne Soße (a cold seven-herb sauce over eggs or potatoes), Handkäs mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese with onions and rye bread), Frankfurter Rippchen (smoked pork chops with sauerkraut), and Bethmännchen (marzipan cookies). The Free Old Sachsenhausen Frankfurt Tour (1.5 hours, daily at 4:30pm, tip-based) departs from Römerberg and covers apple wine history, tavern tips, Museumsufer, and local architecture.
Museumsufer, spanning both banks of the Main River, is Europe’s densest museum district with 13 institutions along a 2km stretch. Highlights include the Städel Museum (3,100 works from Botticelli to Picasso), the German Film Museum, the Architecture Museum, the Museum of Applied Arts, and the Liebieghaus sculpture collection. Each August, the Museumsuferfest draws 3 million visitors for free museum entry, concerts, and food along the river.
Free Walking Tours in Frankfurt
Free Tour to the Highlights of Frankfurt: Tip-based comprehensive 2.5h walk departing Alte Oper advertising pillar (Litfaßsäule, easily recognizable, Opernplatz) covering modern skyscrapers/medieval old town time journey, cultural influences shaping colorful society, Frankfurt's world-connecting role (Germany's largest airport, European Central Bank), literary center legacy (Goethe, annual Book Fair, German hip-hop birthplace). The route includes Alte Oper concert hall, Fressgaß gourmet street, Goethe House birthplace, St. Paul's Church (1848 German Parliament), reconstructed Altstadt half-timbered facades, Römerberg square, Frankfurt Cathedral coronations, and Iron Footbridge love locks. Suitable wheelchair/families/pets, no extra fees, no minimum attendees. Guides Penny/Nemu/André/Henok bring personal city perspectives. Bad weather: bring an umbrella/jacket. Punctuality requested; free cancellation available. Typical tips €12–20/person reflecting 2.5h.
Frankfurt Free Tour: Historic Centre & Frankfurt Today: 2h tip-based exploration departing Römerberg (front of Old Nikolai Church, main entrance; orange umbrella; U-Bahn Dom/Römer station or 15min walk to Hauptbahnhof) offered to independent students calling Frankfurt home. Unique history/stories mix showcasing why guides love the city: Römerberg medieval square, St. Paul's Church 1848 revolution, "old meets new" architecture, Eiserner Steg footbridge, Town Hall Römer, Cathedral St. Bartholomew, Opera, "Mainhatten" skyline, Apple Wine culture, Euro symbol ECB. English/Spanish daily 10am/2pm. Winter: warm clothes/umbrella; summer: sunscreen/water. Wheelchair-accessible, family- and pet-friendly, questions encouraged. Rating 9.1/10 (2,501 reviews). Tips €10–18/person typical.
Free Old Sachsenhausen Frankfurt Tour: 1.5h tip-based walk (4:30pm daily, English/Spanish) exploring the south Main riverbank's apple wine district—cobblestoned Alt-Sachsenhausen taverns, Apfelwein/Bembel traditions, Museumsufer cultural institutions, residential architecture, local neighborhoods. Departs Römerberg. Rating 9.2/10 (632 reviews). Tips €8–15/person; reserve.
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Practical Tips
Getting There & Around
Arrival: Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, Germany’s busiest rail station, offers fast ICE connections to major cities like Munich, Berlin, Cologne, Paris, Amsterdam, and Vienna. Frankfurt Airport, 12km southwest, serves over 300 destinations and is easily reached by S-Bahn (S8/S9, 11 minutes to Hauptbahnhof). Major autobahns (A3, A5, A66) provide quick drives to Stuttgart (2h) and Heidelberg (50min).
Getting around the city is easy. Frankfurt’s compact old town is walkable—Römerberg to Hauptwache takes about 7 minutes, and it’s just 6 minutes from Goethe House to the Cathedral. The RMV network (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses) connects the rest of the city, with day passes starting at €7.50 and group tickets at €11.50. You can also rent a bike for €15 per day, with 1,200 km of flat bike lanes available.
Accommodation
Hostels cost €35–55/night, budget hotels €65–95 (near Hauptbahnhof), mid-range €100–180 (Altstadt/Sachsenhausen), and boutique options €200–350+ (e.g., Villa Kennedy, Jumeirah). Book 2–4 months in advance for peak season (May–September) and the October Book Fair, when prices triple.
Visit Duration
- Day trip (6–9h): Römerberg/Cathedral, Goethe House, Main Tower, Eiserner Steg, quick Sachsenhausen Apfelwein tasting—sufficient highlights
- With two days, add the Städel Museum, take a walk through the Financial District, enjoy a longer Apfelwein dinner, visit Palmengarten, and explore the city at a more relaxed pace.
- For a long weekend, consider a day trip to the Rhine Valley (Rüdesheim is 1 hour by train, with wine villages and the Loreley rock), an excursion to Heidelberg (1 hour by train, with its castle and old town), and spend more time exploring museums.
Money-Saving Tips
- Cathedral interior free (tower €3), Römerberg/Eiserner Steg/Financial District exterior viewing costs nothing, ECB exterior walk free
- Hauptbahnhof REWE supermarket (€8–14 picnic supplies) versus restaurant meals (€20–38)
- Museumsufer combo tickets save 20% (€25 for three museums versus €36 separate), on the first Saturday month, several museums offer free admission.
- Apfelwein taverns (Alt-Sachsenhausen) offer authentic €12–18 dinners versus touristy Römerberg €25+ meals
- RMV group day ticket (€11.50 covers 5 people) offers major savings versus singles
Weather in Frankfurt
Frankfurt has a temperate oceanic climate with warm summers (20–27°C, July warmest, long daylight), mild springs (6–20°C, cherry blossoms, fewer crowds), pleasant autumns (8–21°C, fall colors, wine festivals), and cold winters (1–7°C, rare heavy snow, frequent drizzle). The best time to visit is May–September for warm weather and outdoor activities, though summer is busiest and priciest. April–May and September–October offer milder weather, blooming flowers or autumn colors, and fewer tourists.
Short History
Frankfurt’s location at a ford on the Main River made it a strategic site, attracting Celtic settlers, a Roman garrison, and later Charlemagne’s 794 palace, which became an imperial center. The city hosted its first imperial election in 885 and was designated the official election site for Holy Roman Emperors by the 1356 Golden Bull. Its medieval prosperity was driven by imperial trade fairs, with Prince-Electors gathering at the cathedral to choose the emperor-elect.
Granted Free Imperial City status in 1372, Frankfurt became a self-governing republic, boosting trade by freeing merchants from feudal tolls. The city’s banking and commerce flourished with the founding of the Rothschild dynasty in the 1760s and the establishment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 1585. The arrival of Protestant immigrants enriched its culture. In 1562, Frankfurt replaced Aachen as the site of imperial coronations, a tradition that continued until 1792.
The Napoleonic era dissolved the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, with Frankfurt joining the Confederation of the Rhine and experiencing French occupation. After regaining Free City status in 1815, it hosted the parliament of the German Confederation. The 1848 Frankfurt Parliament at St. Paul’s Church drafted Germany’s first democratic constitution, but the revolution failed when the Prussian king refused to accept the crown. In 1866, Frankfurt’s support for Austria in the Austro-Prussian War led to its annexation by Prussia, ending nearly 500 years of independence.
The 19th-century industrial revolution reshaped Frankfurt with the 1839 Taunus Railway, the rise of chemical and pharmaceutical industries (Hoechst AG, 1863), and rapid population growth from 48,000 to 414,000 by 1910. Goethe, born in Frankfurt in 1749, spent his youth there before moving to Leipzig and later to Weimar, where he produced works that launched the Romantic era. The Alte Oper opened in 1880, showcasing Vienna Renaissance Revival architecture.
During WWII, Allied bombing from 1943 to 1945 destroyed 80% of Frankfurt’s developed area. The deadliest raid on March 22, 1944, created a firestorm that left 25,000 homeless, destroyed landmarks like Goethe House, and caused tragic civilian deaths. By war’s end, 5,500 residents had died, the population fell from 553,000 to 230,000, and half the city was left homeless amid massive rubble.
After WWII, Frankfurt’s reconstruction focused on modern functionality, with the city becoming Hesse’s capital until 1952 and a major financial center as home to the Bundesbank and later the European Central Bank. Römerberg was left as a parking lot until citizens pushed for restoration, leading to the 1986 Ostzeile replicas and the €200M New Old Town project (2012–2018). German reunification, the euro’s introduction, and the ECB’s 2015 headquarters further solidified Frankfurt’s role as the Eurozone’s financial hub, even as Berlin remained the political capital.
FAQ
How much time is needed in Frankfurt?
In 6–9 hours, you can visit Römerberg, the Cathedral, Goethe House, Main Tower, Eiserner Steg, and try Apfelwein. With two days, you’ll have time for the Städel Museum, a walk in the Financial District, a full apple wine dinner, and the Palmengarten gardens. A long weekend lets you add day trips to the Rhine Valley or Heidelberg, both about an hour away by train.
Can I visit the Main Tower observation deck without booking in advance?
Yes—tickets sold at the entrance (no advance reservation required), €9 adults, €7 children/seniors, open April–October 10am–9pm, November–March 10am–7pm daily. Open-air platform closes during strong winds/storms (check maintower.de weather updates before visiting). Queue times 10–30 minutes, peak summer afternoons; early mornings/weekday evenings quieter.
What is Apfelwein, and where can you try it?
Apfelwein (apple wine/Äppelwoi/Ebbelwei)—Frankfurt/Hesse regional specialty—tart-fermented cider (5.5–7% ABV) made from mixed-variety apples, served chilled in Bembel jugs into ribbed Gerippte glasses. Try authentic taverns in the Alt-Sachsenhausen district (south of the Main riverbank): Atschel (Wallstraße 7), Lorsbacher Thal (Große Rittergasse 49), Wagner (Schweizer Straße 71). Traditional meal: Handkäs mit Musik cheese, Grüne Soße seven-herb sauce, Frankfurter Rippchen smoked pork. Free Old Sachsenhausen Tour explores apple wine culture 1.5h.
Is Frankfurt worth visiting despite the WWII destruction?
Absolutely. Although 80% of the old town was destroyed in 1944, careful reconstruction from the 1980s to 2010s brought back the iconic Römerberg facades and revived the medieval streets in the New Old Town. The Cathedral also survived and was restored. Frankfurt’s charm comes from its mix of history—like Goethe’s birthplace, imperial coronations, and reconstructed old town—and its modern side, with Europe’s densest skyscraper skyline, the ECB headquarters, and a lively financial scene. This unique blend of medieval and contemporary styles makes Frankfurt stand out in Germany.
How to visit the European Central Bank headquarters?
ECB's €1.4B double-tower complex (Ostend, Sonnemannstraße 20) has an interior not publicly accessible due to security (manages Eurozone monetary policy and a € 1.3 trillion balance sheet). Exterior viewing free: Tram 11 to Ostbahnhof or Ostend stations; 10-minute walk to the riverfront Osthafenbrücke bridge, which offers the best skyline framing. Predecessor Eurotower (Willy-Brandt-Platz, 1977–2015 ECB seat) viewable in the Financial District.
Best day trips from Frankfurt?
Heidelberg Castle/Old Town (1h train, romantic ruins/student taverns), Rhine Valley wine villages (Rüdesheim 1h train, Assmannshausen, Loreley rock boat cruises), Rothenburg ob der Tauber medieval walled town (2.5h train via Würzburg), Mainz Gutenberg Museum/Romanesque Cathedral (30min train), Wiesbaden spa town (40min train), Limburg colorful half-timbered houses (1h train).
Article Author:
Antoine Dubois
FREETOUR.com Partnerships & Outreach Coordinator
06
January,
2026
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