Old Town Walking Tour (Self Guided), Frankfurt

Frankfurt Cathedral, officially the Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew, is one of the most important historic landmarks in Frankfurt. Built mainly between the 14th and 15th centuries from deep red Main sandstone, the church rises prominently above the surrounding Old Town. Its Gothic tower reaches about 95 meters and remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Although it was never a bishop’s seat, the cathedral played a major political role in the Holy Roman Empire. Between 1562 and 1792, ten Holy Roman Emperors were crowned here, giving the church its long-standing nickname, the “Imperial Cathedral.”

Enter through the vestibule, the modern entrance added in 1879 or 1880. From here you can access the cloister, which today houses the Frankfurt Cathedral Museum, as well as the tower hall. Inside the church, the central nave is flanked by two aisles separated by six great Gothic pillars, three on each side, and along the wall of the left aisle you’ll notice several tombs dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

Continue toward the High Choir just ahead, built between 1315 and 1349 and one of the best-preserved parts of the cathedral. It survived both the major fire of 1867 and much of the destruction caused by Allied bombing in 1944. At its center stands the high altar, on the left of it you’ll see the Apostles’ Farewell Altar from 1523, while on the right stands the Altar of Our Lady, made in southern Germany in the 15th century. Wooden choir stalls line the walls and are decorated with carved scenes of the Resurrection, reflecting the central Christian theme of redemption and eternal life.

Here you’ll also find one of the cathedral’s most important monuments: the tomb of King Günther von Schwarzburg, the only German king buried in Frankfurt. The tomb shows the king in full armor with a sword and shield, with two lions at his feet. The cathedral also preserves a relic of Saint Bartholomew—part of the apostle’s skull kept here since the 13th century, which helped establish the church as an important religious center in medieval Frankfurt.

Make sure to climb the cathedral tower during your visit. After 328 steps you reach a viewing platform about 66 meters above the ground. From here, you’ll enjoy a beautiful panoramic view over the narrow streets of the reconstructed Old Town, the River Main, and Frankfurt’s modern skyline.

The Römer, Frankfurt’s historic city hall, stands at the heart of Römerberg Square and has been the political center of the city for more than six centuries. The complex takes its name from the central medieval house called House of the Romans (or Haus Römer in german), which the city council purchased in 1405 along with a neighboring building. Over time, additional houses were incorporated, eventually forming a complex of several interconnected buildings that still serve as Frankfurt’s municipal government today. Because of its long history and prominent location, the Römer has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city and a focal point of Frankfurt’s historic Old Town.

Facing Römerberg Square is the building’s famous façade with three distinctive stepped gables, a design that has become one of Frankfurt’s most recognizable architectural images. The statues placed on the façade represent four Holy Roman Emperors connected to Frankfurt’s imperial history. They depict Frederick Barbarossa, the first king elected in Frankfurt; Louis the Bavarian, who granted important trade and fair privileges that allowed the city to expand; Charles IV, who established Frankfurt as the official location for imperial elections; and Maximilian II, the first emperor to be crowned in Frankfurt Cathedral. These emperors recall Frankfurt’s importance as the place where German kings were elected and later crowned.

Inside the building is one of the City Hall's most significant historic spaces: the Imperial Hall (or Kaisersaal in german). After coronations at the nearby Frankfurt Cathedral, newly crowned Holy Roman Emperors traditionally held their ceremonial banquets here. The hall is lined with portraits of all Holy Roman Emperors, creating a visual record of imperial history that stretches from Charlemagne to Francis II.

The balcony on the front of the Römer has taken on a new role in modern times. Today it is the place where Frankfurt’s sports teams celebrate major victories, appearing on the balcony to greet thousands of fans gathered in Römerberg Square below.

Römerberg Square is the historic heart of Frankfurt’s Old Town and one of the most recognizable places in the city. For centuries this square served as Frankfurt’s main marketplace and the stage for major public events, including imperial ceremonies, medieval trade fairs, and civic celebrations. Today it remains one of the most visited parts of the city, surrounded by historic buildings that reflect Frankfurt’s long past. At the western side of the square stands the Römer, Frankfurt’s historic city hall, whose distinctive stepped gables have become one of the city’s most iconic architectural images.

As you stand in the square, look toward the row of colorful half-timbered houses on the eastern side. This line of buildings, known as the Eastern Row, was reconstructed in the 1980s to recreate the historic appearance of Römerberg before the destruction of the Second World War. Each house features steep roofs, wooden beams, and decorative façades typical of traditional German architecture. Today these buildings house cafés, restaurants, and small shops, making this side of the square one of the most photographed spots in Frankfurt.

Walk toward the center of the square and you’ll find the Justice Fountain, a Renaissance fountain dating from the 16th century. At the top stands a statue of Lady Justice holding a sword and scales. During the coronation celebrations of Holy Roman Emperors, the fountain famously flowed with wine instead of water so that the crowds gathered here could join the festivities. Nearby, on the southern side, stands Old Saint Nicholas Church, a Gothic church that has watched over the square since the 13th century and once served merchants and travelers who came to the city’s markets.

Today Römerberg remains one of the liveliest places in Frankfurt. The square regularly hosts festivals, public gatherings, and seasonal markets, including the famous Frankfurt Christmas Market, which attracts visitors from around the world each winter. Surrounded by reconstructed historic buildings and anchored by the city hall, the square offers one of the clearest glimpses into Frankfurt’s medieval past while remaining an active gathering place for the city today.

Old Saint Nicholas Church stands on the southern edge of Römerberg, Frankfurt’s historic market square, and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the Old Town. The church dates back to the 13th century, when a small chapel was built near the busy trade route that crossed the River Main. Its location beside the square meant that merchants, travelers, and city officials regularly passed through this area, making the church closely connected to the daily life of medieval Frankfurt.

The present structure largely reflects late Gothic architecture from the 15th century. From Römerberg Square, you can easily recognize the church by its slender tower and steep rooflines, which stand out among the surrounding historic buildings. The tower also houses a carillon, a set of tuned bells that are played at regular times during the day. Their sound carries across the square and has become part of the atmosphere of Frankfurt’s historic center.

Inside you’ll notice that the interior feels modest compared with the nearby Frankfurt Cathedral. The church has a simple layout with a bright nave and Gothic elements that reflect its medieval origins. Over the centuries, Old Saint Nicholas Church was closely connected to civic ceremonies held in the square and nearby city hall.

Today the church belongs to the Evangelical Church in Frankfurt and continues to host services, concerts, and small events. Its position beside Römerberg Square makes it one of the most recognizable historic buildings in the Old Town.

The Frankfurt History Museum stands at the southern edge of Römerberg, just a short walk from the city’s main historic square and the River Main. Founded in 1878, it is one of the oldest museums in Frankfurt and offers a comprehensive look at the city’s development from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum complex itself reflects this long timeline: modern exhibition buildings stand alongside the Saalhof, a medieval structure dating back to the 12th century and one of the oldest surviving buildings in Frankfurt.

Step inside and head toward the museum’s large historical city models, which are among its most fascinating exhibits. These detailed reconstructions show Frankfurt at different moments in its history, including the Old Town before its destruction during the Second World War. By comparing the models, visitors can clearly see how the medieval city once looked and how it changed through reconstruction and modernization.

One of the museum’s most memorable installations is the “Snow Globe” model, a glass sphere containing a miniature skyline of Frankfurt. Through projections and digital displays, the model presents the city’s landmarks and urban development in an engaging and interactive way.

Make sure to explore the Saalhof courtyard, where you can see preserved medieval walls and towers that once formed part of an imperial residence along the River Main. These structures remind visitors that Frankfurt was an important political and trading center long before the modern skyline appeared. The museum’s exhibitions also explore everyday life in the city, including trade, migration, industry, and the development of Frankfurt as one of Europe’s major financial hubs.

Before leaving, step outside toward the museum’s terraces overlooking the River Main. From here you can enjoy views of the riverbanks and nearby historic buildings while reflecting on the layers of history that shaped Frankfurt—from its medieval marketplace at Römerberg to the modern city that surrounds it today.

House Wertheim is one of the most distinctive historic buildings in Frankfurt’s Old Town and one of the few traditional half-timbered houses that survived the destruction of the Second World War. While much of the surrounding area had to be rebuilt after the bombing of 1944, this building remained standing. Because of that, it offers a rare glimpse of what Frankfurt’s streets once looked like before the war.

The house is a classic example of traditional German timber construction. Its dark wooden beams and white plaster panels create the familiar pattern seen in many historic towns across central Europe. If you look closely at the façade, you may notice that the structure leans slightly and the beams are not perfectly straight. These irregularities reflect historic building techniques from the 15th and 16th centuries, when houses were constructed by hand using timber frames.

House Wertheim stands at a corner near the History Museum and just a short walk from Römerberg Square, the historic center of Frankfurt. This area once connected the busy medieval marketplace with the trade routes leading down to the River Main, which explains why merchants and travelers frequently passed through these streets.

Today the building houses a traditional German restaurant. Visitors often stop here to enjoy regional dishes such as sausages, schnitzel, or Frankfurt’s well-known apple wine while sitting inside one of the city’s oldest surviving houses. Because it survived when much of the Old Town did not, House Wertheim remains one of the most authentic historic structures in this part of Frankfurt.

The Iron Footbridge is one of Frankfurt’s best-known pedestrian bridges and an important crossing over the River Main. It connects the historic Old Town with the Sachsenhausen district on the southern bank. The first version of the bridge was built in 1868 after local citizens financed a pedestrian crossing between the two sides of the city. The structure was destroyed during the Second World War but rebuilt in 1946 and later renovated, preserving the recognizable iron design that gives the bridge its name.

The bridge has become one of the most photographed viewpoints in Frankfurt because of its clear view of the city skyline. From its central span, the historic buildings of the Old Town appear in the foreground while the towers of the financial district rise behind them. This contrast between medieval streets and modern skyscrapers has become one of the defining images of Frankfurt.

A distinctive feature of the bridge is the large number of padlocks attached to its railings. These “love locks” have been placed by couples as a symbol of their relationship, with the key traditionally thrown into the river below. Another interesting detail is the inscription running along the side of the bridge, written in ancient Greek. The line comes from Greek poet Homer’s Odyssey and translates roughly as “Sailing across the wine-dark sea to people of another language,” a poetic reference to journeys and encounters with new cultures.

Beyond its scenic qualities, the Iron Footbridge also serves an important practical role. It is one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the city and provides a direct route between the historic center and Sachsenhausen, a district known for its traditional taverns serving Frankfurt’s well-known apple wine.

The Carmelite Monastery is one of the most important medieval religious sites in Frankfurt. Founded in the 13th century by the Carmelite order, it stood within the city’s medieval walls and became part of Frankfurt’s religious and intellectual life. Although the complex was heavily damaged during the air raids of March 1944, it was later carefully reconstructed, allowing visitors to see one of the city’s most significant historic monasteries today.

One of the most remarkable parts of the complex is the cloister, a quiet courtyard surrounded by Gothic arcades. These covered walkways once allowed monks to move between the monastery buildings while remaining within a secluded space used for prayer and daily routines. The cloister walls contain an important artistic treasure: a series of Renaissance frescoes painted between 1513 and 1521 by the German artist Jörg Ratgeb.

These frescoes depict scenes from the life of Christ as well as episodes from the history of the Carmelite order. They are considered some of the most significant surviving Renaissance wall paintings in Germany, even though they had to be extensively restored after the war. Today the monastery buildings also house the Institute for City History, Frankfurt’s municipal archive, where historical documents and records about the city are preserved.

Located close to the River Main and the historic center, the Carmelite Monastery offers a quieter historical stop than the nearby major squares. Its reconstructed cloister, medieval foundations, and restored fresco cycle make it one of the most interesting places to explore Frankfurt’s religious and artistic heritage.

Goethe House is one of Frankfurt’s most important cultural landmarks and the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, born in 1749 and died in 1832, Germany’s most celebrated writer. The house stands on Grosser Hirschgraben Street in the historic center of the city. Goethe spent his childhood and youth here, and many of his early experiences in Frankfurt later appeared in his literary works. His novel The Sorrows of Young Werther and parts of his autobiography Poetry and Truth contain vivid descriptions of life in the house and in the city during the 18th century.

The building visitors see today is a careful reconstruction of the original family home. The historic house was destroyed during the bombing of Frankfurt in 1944, but it was rebuilt in the 1950s using historical drawings, photographs, and documents to recreate the interiors as accurately as possible. The result is a four-story townhouse furnished with period objects that illustrate how a prosperous middle-class family lived in Frankfurt during Goethe’s lifetime.

Inside the house, visitors move through a sequence of historically furnished rooms that reflect the daily life of the Goethe family. Among the most interesting spaces is Goethe’s study, where the young writer worked and developed his early literary ideas. The house also contains a dining room, music room, and several reception rooms used by the family. A wide staircase runs through the center of the building and connects the different floors, providing a clear sense of how large 18th-century townhouses were arranged.

Behind the house is a small garden courtyard, which recreates the type of private outdoor space common in Frankfurt homes of the period. Next door is the Goethe Museum, where visitors can see paintings and artworks from Goethe’s time, including pieces from the Baroque and Romantic periods. Together, the house and museum offer a deeper understanding of Goethe’s life, his family background, and the cultural environment in which one of Germany’s greatest writers grew up.

The Small Market Hall is one of the liveliest food destinations in Frankfurt and a favorite place for locals to shop and eat. The current market hall opened in 1954, replacing an earlier structure that was destroyed during the bombing of the Second World War. Located in the city center, not far from Römerberg and Frankfurt Cathedral, it has long served as an important hub for fresh produce and regional specialties.

Inside the hall you’ll find around sixty market stalls offering a wide range of foods. Vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, cheeses, seafood, meats, pastries, spices, and international ingredients. The mix of local and global products reflects Frankfurt’s long-standing role as a trading city and its diverse population.

Many visitors come here to try traditional Frankfurt and Hessian specialties. Popular options include Frankfurter sausages, regional cheeses, and the famous green sauce made from fresh herbs, often served with eggs or potatoes. Another local favorite is apple wine, the tart regional drink traditionally enjoyed throughout Frankfurt.

One of the most popular areas in the market is the upper-level balcony, where several vendors serve freshly prepared dishes. Here people often stand at counters enjoying small plates and glasses of apple wine while watching the busy activity of the market below.

Zeil is Frankfurt’s main shopping street and one of the busiest retail areas in Germany. The wide boulevard runs between the major city squares Hauptwache and Konstablerwache, forming the central commercial corridor of the city. Most of the street is pedestrianized, creating a lively space filled with shops, department stores, cafés, and restaurants. Because of its central location and variety of stores, Zeil attracts both locals and visitors throughout the day.

Historically, Zeil has been one of Frankfurt’s most important commercial streets for centuries. Before the Second World War it was lined with elegant historic buildings and was often called one of the finest shopping avenues in Europe. Much of the street was destroyed during the air raids of 1944 and later rebuilt with modern architecture. Today the area reflects postwar reconstruction combined with contemporary retail buildings.

One of the most striking landmarks along the street is MyZeil, a modern shopping mall opened in 2009. Its glass façade features a dramatic swirling design often described as a “glass vortex,” making it one of the most recognizable modern buildings in Frankfurt. Inside, several floors of shops, restaurants, and entertainment spaces attract large numbers of visitors.

At both ends of Zeil are two important city squares that serve as transportation hubs. Hauptwache Square marks the western entrance to the street, while Konstablerwache Square forms its eastern end and frequently hosts weekly markets and food stalls.

Hauptwache Square is one of the busiest and most recognizable places in the heart of the city. Located at the western end of Zeil, the city’s main shopping boulevard, it has long served as an important crossroads for trade, transportation, and daily city life. The square takes its name from the historic Hauptwache building at its center, which was constructed in 1730 when Frankfurt was still a Free Imperial City within the Holy Roman Empire.

The baroque guardhouse originally served as the headquarters of the city militia, where soldiers were stationed to protect the city and maintain order. Later it functioned as a police station and even housed a small prison. The building’s distinctive yellow façade, red sandstone details, and triangular roof make it easy to recognize among the surrounding modern architecture. Today the structure has been converted into a café and restaurant, allowing visitors to sit inside a historic building that once played a central role in the city’s security.

Beneath the square lies one of Frankfurt’s most important transportation interchanges. Hauptwache Station connects several subway and suburban railway lines, making it one of the busiest transit points in the region. The entrances to the underground network are marked by stairways and glass skylights that bring natural light into the large concourse below. Because of these connections, thousands of commuters pass through the square every day.

The buildings surrounding Hauptwache reflect different periods of Frankfurt’s development. One of the most notable nearby landmarks is Saint Catherine’s Church, the largest Protestant church in the city center, whose tower rises above the shopping district. Modern commercial buildings and department stores line the square and lead directly into the lively Zeil shopping street.

Throughout the day the square fills with commuters changing trains, shoppers heading along Zeil, and visitors stopping beside the old guardhouse before continuing into Frankfurt’s busy city center.

Goethe Street is Frankfurt’s best-known luxury shopping street and one of the most elegant retail areas in the city. Located in the center of Frankfurt, it connects the busy shopping district around Hauptwache with the square in front of the Old Opera, the city’s historic opera house. Named after the famous writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was born in Frankfurt, the street reflects the city’s reputation as both a cultural and financial center.

The street is lined with high-end boutiques and flagship stores belonging to many of the world’s leading fashion houses. Brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, and Cartier have shops here, making Goethe Street Frankfurt’s main destination for luxury shopping. Because of the concentration of designer stores, it is often compared with the most prestigious shopping streets in other major European cities.

Compared with the nearby Zeil, which attracts large crowds of shoppers, Goethe Street has a more refined atmosphere. The wide boulevard is bordered by modern shop façades, carefully designed storefront displays, and rows of trees that add a sense of elegance to the street.

Main Tower is one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in Frankfurt and a key feature of the city’s financial district. Completed in 1999, the tower rises about 200 meters above the city and contains 56 floors. It takes its name from the River Main, which flows through Frankfurt. The building is part of the skyline cluster often nicknamed “Mainhattan,” a reference to the city’s concentration of modern high-rise buildings. Its reflective glass façade and cylindrical tower design make it one of the most distinctive structures among Frankfurt’s banks and office towers.

One of the main attractions of Main Tower is that it is one of the few skyscrapers in Frankfurt open to the public. High-speed elevators take visitors to an observation platform located about 187 meters above the ground. From this height, the view stretches across the entire city. The historic Old Town can be seen along the River Main, while the dense group of modern financial towers rises nearby. On clear days the panorama extends far beyond the city limits, reaching the Taunus hills to the northwest and the surrounding Rhine-Main region.

Inside the tower there is also a restaurant and lounge with large panoramic windows, making it a popular place for dinners with skyline views, especially in the evening when the city lights illuminate the financial district. The building also displays several works of contemporary art in its public areas. Among the pieces on display are works by internationally known artists such as Stephan Balkenhol, whose 5.6-meter-tall “Man” mosaic is a landmark in the foyer, and Bill Viola, whose video installation “The World of Appearances” is a key feature of the entrance area.