French
DeutschInnenstadt is in Frankfurt.
Get in
[edit | edit source]
Map of Frankfurt/Innenstadt
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Hauptwache (public transport to Hauptwache U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 U8 ). 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) and the Rossmarkt (another public square), and just south of the 15th-century Eschenheimer Turm (Eschenheim Tower). The place is named after a Baroque building ("Hauptwache") more or less in its centre. The building was constructed in 1730 to house the local city militia, as Frankfurt was an independent city at the time. When Frankfurt became part of Prussia, the building gradually lost its original function. Since 1905, it has instead been serving as a café ("Café Hauptwache"). Other attractions include the Katharinenkirche, and the Palais Thurn-und-Taxis.
- 2 Alte Oper (Old Opera), Opernplatz 1 (subway to Alte Oper U6 U7 or Hauptwache U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 U8 – and walk a few minutes), ☏ +49 69 134 0400 (for tickets). Renaissance Opera Building in the centre of the city. A busy square with fountains can be found in front of it. It was opened in 1880, but it has not been used for operas since the rebuilding after the war, but for concerts, congresses, and similar "fancy" events.
- 3 Börse Frankfurt (Frankfurt Stock Exchange), Börsenplatz 4, ☏ +49 69 21111515. M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa Su closed. 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 at least one working day in advance. Free.
- 4 Palmengarten (Palm Garden), Siesmayerstraße 63 (Entrance Palmengartenstraße: subway U4 , U6 (towards Praunheim Heerstaße), U7 (towards Hausen) to Bockenheimer Warte U4 U6 U7 ; Entrance Siesmayerstraße Westend U6 U7 ), ☏ +49 69 2123-3939, fax: +49 69 212-37856, [email protected]. Nov-Jan: 09:00-16:00; Feb-Oct: 09:00-18:00. The Palmengarten is one of two botanical gardens in Frankfurt. There are special exhibitions and events throughout the much of the year. Adults €7, children €2, reduced rate €3, family €16.
- 5 Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden), Siesmayerstraße 72 (near Palmengarten), ☏ +49 69 21239058. Mar-Oct: M-Sa 09:00-18:00, Su and holidays 09:00-13:00; Nov-Feb: closed. Free.
- 6 Grüneburgpark. This is Frankfurt's largest public park. Even though there are many parks in Frankfurt, the Grüneburgpark is probably the most liked. It is close to two campuses of the university: many young people meet there, and many business people jog there after work.
- 7 Campus Westend (Just east of the Grüneburgpark). Architecturally interesting campus of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University. Includes the IG Farben building, the former corporate headquarters of IG Farben and largest office building in Europe from 1930 until the 1950s.
- 8 Palais Thurn und Taxis, Große Eschenheimer Straße (1 minute walk north from Hauptwache U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 U8 towards the Eschenheimer Turm). 18th-century palace of the Princely House of Thurn and Taxis. In the 19th century, it served as the parliament of the German Confederation. Unfortunately, apart from the front façade, most of it is reconstructed. The reconstruction has a smaller scale than the building's original 18th-century size.
- 9 Hauptfriedhof, Eckenheimer Landstrasse 194. Main cemetery, where you can find several mausoleums, over 150 year old tombstones, and the final resting places of philosophers Arthur Schopenhauer and Theodor W. Adorno.
- 10 Katharinenkirche (St. Catherine's Church) (Hauptwache U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 U8 ). Baroque-style Lutheran church at Hauptwache. Constructed 1678 to 1681 at the site of a former monastery, destroyed during World War II, and restored 1950 to 1954. The tower stands 54 m (177 ft) tall.
- 11 Literaturhaus Frankfurt (formerly: Alte Stadtbibliothek), Schöne Aussicht 2 (at Ignatz-Bubis-Brücke). Former public library building, constructed 1820-1825 in neo-classical style.
- 12 Amtsgericht und Landgericht Frankfurt (court house), Heiligkreuzgasse 34. Frankfurt's courts are housed in an ensemble of buildings, including the main building erected in 1884–1889 in Neo-Renaissance style and a second building just behind it built in 1913–17 in Neoclassic style.
- 13 Odeon, Seilerstraße 34. Small museum building built in 1816, now housing a dance club.
- 14 Stiftstraße 6-10, Stiftstraße 6-10 (just off of the Zeil). Beautiful historic buildings built in 1903. Stiftstraße 8–10 is a rare example of Art nouveau in Frankfurt. Stiftstraße 6 has a colorful façade.
- 15 Main Tower, Neue Mainzer Straße 52-58 (Subway station Willy-Brandt-Platz U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U8 or Taunusanlage), ☏ +49 69 3650-4878, [email protected]. Winter: Su-Th 10:00-19:00, F-Sa 10:00-21:00. 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 m (660 ft). 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 Autumn or Spring you might wish to try to go up a short while before sunset. That way, you can witness how the city changes from day to night-life. The viewing platform will be closed during severe weather. Adults €7.50, reduced €5.
- 16 Jüdisches Museum (Jewish Museum), Untermainkai 14/15 (Riverbank right side (Altstadt), Tram 11, 12 or subway to Willy-Brandt-Platz U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U8 – note that this museum is not on the Museumsufer but on the other bank of the river)), ☏ +49 69-21235000, fax: +49 69-21230705, [email protected]. Closed until 2019 for renovation. The Jewish community in Frankfurt can look back on over 850 years of history in the city 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. Admission with audio guide: €7, children €3.50, including Museum Judengasse: €10.
- 17 Museum Judengasse, Battonnstrasse 47, ☏ +49 69 21235000, [email protected]. Tu 10:00-20:00, W-Su 10:00-18:00. It is part of the Jewish Museum, but at a different address (not anywhere near the Museumsufer). It reopened after refurbishment in 2016. 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. Outside of this museum is the "Holocaust Memorial Wall" with over 11,000 names of Frankfurt's murdered Jewish citizens on it. It surrounds the medieval Jewish cemetery dating back to 1272. There is another outpost of the Jewish museum nearby, which hosts exhibitions on a regular basis. It is housed in a 4-story World War II overground bunker. Adults €6, reduced €3, free every last Saturday of the month.
- 18 Goethe-Haus und -Museum, Großer Hirschgraben 23-25, ☏ +49 69 1-38-80-0. M-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su and holidays 10:00-17:30. Birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's most famous author and poet. It's a museum and picture gallery devoted to Goethe. Adults €7, reduced €1.50-3.
- 19 Naturmuseum Senckenberg (Nature Museum Seckenberg), Senckenberganlage 25 (To get to the museum, take the tram or subway to Bockenheimer Warte U4 U6 U7 , then walk. There are no parking spaces available at the museum.), ☏ +49 69-75420, fax: +49 69-746238. M-Tu Th-F 09:00-17:00, W 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 09:00-18:00. Commonly called just Senckenberg museum it is one of the most famous museums in 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. Also suitable for children, who can touch some of the exhibit (like replicas of Dinosaur skeletons). €12 for adults, €6 for children (aged 6–15).
- 20 Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank (Money Museum of the German Central Bank), Wilhelm-Epstein-Straße 14, ☏ +49 69-9566-3073, [email protected]. 09:00–17:00, Closed Sa. A museum about money and its history. Free.
- 21 Experiminta, Hamburger Allee 22-24 (take Tram 16 or 17 to Varrentrappstraße). Interactive science museum focusing on hands-on exhibits.
- 22 Anne Frank Educational Center, Hansaallee 150 (Dornbusch U1 U2 U3 U8 ), ☏ +49 69 56 000 20. Sa Su 12:00-18:00, M-F closed (exceptions for groups with appointment). The well-known young Holocaust victim Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt and first lived with her family in a house at Marbachweg 307, just minutes away from this centre, before they moved to Ganghofer Straße 24, which is a few blocks further north. Based on her biography, the Anne Frank Educational Center relies on interactive methods to promote tolerance and educate people about the consequences of Nazism, discrimination, and racism. Adults €5, children free.
Do
[edit | edit source]Culture
[edit | edit source]- 1 Cinestar Metropolis, Eschenheimer Anlage 40 (subway to Eschenheimer Tor U1 U2 U3 U8 or walk from the city centre). The cinema shows a couple of movies in English. €8-12.
- 2 English theatre, Gallusanlage 7 (Willy-Brandt-Platz U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U8 ), ☏ +49 69-24231620, [email protected]. See a play at the largest English-language theatre in continental Europe
- 3 Oper Frankfurt, Untermainanlage 11 (Willy-Brandt-Platz U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U8 ), ☏ +49 69-212-49-49-4. Not to be confused with the historic Alte Oper building, this modern building is where to go to see an opera performance. State subsidized performances make this a relatively affordable place to see high quality productions
- 4 Bockenheimer Depot, Carlo-Schmid-Platz 1 (Bockenheimer Warte U6 U7 ), ☏ +49 69 21237000. A theatre venue of the Städtische Bühnen Frankfurt, for opera and dance performances.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Markets
[edit | edit source]- 1 Schillermarkt (Hauptwache U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 U8 ). F 09:00-18:30. Fresh meals and local products are sold at the groceries market directly in the centre at this shopping street.
Shopping centres
[edit | edit source]- 2 Skyline Plaza, Europa-Allee 6 (Festplatz/Messe U4 ). M-W 09:30-20:00, Th-Sa 9:30-22:00. The shopping centre opened in the summer 2013. It has it own parking. There is a terasse on top with a café. Otherwise you'll find around 170 different shops.
Shops
[edit | edit source]- 3 Grüneburger Bioladen, Grüneburgweg 6 (Grüneburgweg), ☏ +49 69 9550-2229. M-F 07:30-20:00, Sa 07:30-19:00. Excellent choice of cheese and fresh vegetables. The shop has affordable lunch soups and also does custom deliveries.
- 4 Petersen Gutes Essen, Eppsteiner Straße 26, ☏ +49 69 71 71 35 36. M-F 08:45-19:00, Sa 08:00-15:00. Sells gourmet food. It has bread, cheese, fresh pasta, pasterys and a lot more.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 Strahmann Baguetterie & Cafébar, Bethmannstraße 58. the best focaccias in town! Also they have a huge variety of other sandwiches, salads, snacks etc. Sometimes the queue is long.
- 2 Pizzeria 7 Bello, Niddastr. 82 (Main station), ☏ +49 69 236099. 10:00-12:30. Good lunch option for fast pizza and pasta. Popular during summer as they have a small terrace on the side walk.
- 3 Ruchi, Ludwig Straße 12 (Hauptbahnhof), ☏ +49 69 2729-5728, [email protected]. M-Sa 11:30-22:00. A very short walk north from the main train station you find daily Indian all-you-can-eat tasty buffet and at a good value. South Indian buffet on Saturdays. Idly, dosas, vada, pani puri, Manchurian, and bajjis are all available. Very friendly staff. €4-8.
- 4 Fennischfuchser, Mainzer Landstraße 95. Try some traditional food here. Rustic ambience. A somewhat dark restaurant inside.
- 5 Ristorante Punto e Pasta 1998, Ottostraße 4. A really friendly little pizzeria. Hidden behind the main train station. The pizzas are really tasty, crispy crust, thin dough and aromatic topping. Good traditional Italian service.
- 6 Tatie Restaurant, Am Hauptbahnhof 18. Very good restaurant that offers Moroccan cuisine. The plates are generous and the servers professional. Clean and nicely decorated restaurant.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 7 Im Herzen Afrikas, Gutleutstraße 13 (Willy-Brandt-Platz U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U8 ), ☏ +49 69 2424-6080, [email protected]. Tu-F 16:00–23:00, Sa 14:00–23:00. Eastern African food. Decoration is special (sand as floor) and reservation is important, as for dinner they offer only specific times.
- 8 Saravanaa Bhavan, Kaiserstraße 68 (near the central station), ☏ +49 69 97 693 374, [email protected]. Daily 11:00-22:30. Purely vegetarian, authentic South Indian cuisine.
- 9 Bidlabu, Kleine Bockenheimer Str. 14, 60313 (Hauptwache U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 U8 or Alte Oper U6 U7 ), ☏ +49 69 95 64 87 84. M-Sa 11:30-. Bistro-style bar with special lunch menus and excellent specific dinner food. One can sit in the street and enjoy a good glass of wine, a long drink or a fancy cocktails like "Dark and Stormy". There are many Gins to choose from.
- 10 Der Fette Bulle, Kaiserstr. 73. Hipster burger place near the train station. Good food and nice atmosphere.
- 11 Iwase, Vilbeler Straße 31 (Konstablerwache U4 U5 U6 U7 ), ☏ +49 69 283992. M-Sa 09:00-14:00, 18:30-22:00. Considered by many to be the best Japanese food in the city. Not much larger than a hole in the wall, but the staff is authentic Japanese, and the food delicious.
- 12 Koh Samui, Große Friedberger Straße 32 (Konstablerwache U4 U5 U6 U7 ), ☏ +49 69 29 28 28, [email protected]. M-Sa 11:00-24:00, Su 15:00-24:00. The Thai restaurant has many choices and offers more than decent green curry for reasonable prices.
- 13 Orfeo's Erben, Hamburger Allee 45 (Varentrappstraße 31), ☏ +49 69-707-69-100. M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-01:00, Sa 17:00-01:00, Su 17:00-22:00. One of the most popular restaurants.
- 14 Quan Van, Schwarzburgstr. 74 (Glauburgstraße U5 ), ☏ +49 69 599723. Su-F 12:00-15:00 18:00-24:00, Sa 18:00-24:00. The Vietnamese kitchen is said to be excellent and offers Vietnamese food to affordable prices.
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 15 Cantina Divino, Zimmerweg 8 (Taunusanlage), ☏ +49 69 71402644, [email protected]. 11:00-15:00, 18:00-24:00. Not a big menu, but it changes rapidly the excellent Italian food. The restaurant is very popular and hence crowded. Offers Sicilian wines.
- 16 Moriki, Taunusanlage 12, 60325, ☏ +49 69 71913070, [email protected]. 12:00 - 16:00 and 18:00 - 23:00. The Japanese kitchen with Asian fusion elements mixed in is located in the basement of the Deutsche Bank tower. It does fine prepared Sushis. The mousse au chocolat is recommended. They offer a wide choice of Sake €40-90.
- 17 Main Nizza, Untermainkai 17 (Willy Brandt Platz), ☏ +49 69-299207511, [email protected]. 11:30-01:00. Popular business lunch set and Mediterranean food for dinner. There is some vegetarian choice or for pescatarian fresh sea food. They have a nice terrace in summer on the river bank, where one can take just a coffee. The view over the Main is lovely and the interior is well decorated. Not only for the good food the restaurant received the 2013 German "Gastronomie" price.
- 18 Alte Kanzlei, Niedenau 50. Traditional Italian restaurant close by to the Alte Oper and Deutsche Bank in Westend.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Bars
[edit | edit source]- 1 Volkswirtschaft (Vowi), Jordanstraße 13 (Bockenheimer Warte U4 U6 U7 ), ☏ +49 69 776400, [email protected]. M-F 18:00-02:00, Sa 15:00-02:00, Su 15:00-22:00. It streams important football matches. The tavern is usually very packed.
- 2 Club Voltaire (politik kultur kneipe legende), Kleine Hochstr. 5, ☏ +49 69 219993-11, [email protected]. M-Sa 18:00-01:00, Su 18:00-24:00. Since 1962 exists this cultural tavern. It offers drinks for mixed public of all ages. Sometimes it asks for entry for the musicians or lecturers, but generally it is free entry.
Cafes
[edit | edit source]- 3 Cafehaus Siesmayer, Siesmayerstraße 59 (Westend), ☏ +49 69 90029200, [email protected]. 08:00-19:00. In the middle of a great location of the Grüneburgpark and next to the palm garden serves in Viennese café style pastries.
- 4 Hoppenworth & Ploch (Studentenwohnheim Uni Campus Westend). M-F 09:30-18:00, Su 12:00-17:00. The student café is serving and selling excellent espressos. They are proud about their barrista knowledge. The room is not only flooded by the many students of the campus, but by excellent café flavour and electronic music. They are roasting themselves the specific well chosen beans.
Clubs
[edit | edit source]- 5 Gibson Club, Zeil 85-93 (Hauptwache U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 U8 ), ☏ +49 69 94947770, [email protected]. The Gibson club has a chic and urban atmosphere. They have both live and DJ acts. It opened in spring 2012. The long lines outside the nightclub move fast. €12.
- 6 Jazzkeller, Kleinen Bockenheimer Straße Nr. 18a (Hauptwache U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 U8 ), ☏ +49 69-288537, [email protected]. Since 1952 the Jazz meeting point. Outstanding Jazz music for everyone with special concerts once in a while.
- 7 Tanzhaus West, Gutleutstraße 294 (Galluswarte S3 S4 S5 S6 ). F Sa 23:00-. The club is mostly known for drum and bass music. It has a relaxed public. The website has details on the performing artists. During summertime the back is open also on Sundays for relaxing with good music.
- 8 Velvet Club, Weißfrauenstr. 12 -16 (Willy-Brandt-Platz U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U8 ), ☏ +49 69 2578-0951, [email protected]. Club in downtown Frankfurt with very nice interior design. Great place for house and electronic music lovers.
- 9 Zoom, Brönnerstraße 5 (Hauptwache U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 U8 or Konstablerwache U4 U5 U6 U7 ), ☏ +49 69 280385, [email protected]. Jazz, Reggae, Dancehall and Rock club for the middle aged (30-50 yr) with special guests and regular themes. It is the successor of the Sinkkasten artsclub and attracts many indie-bands. €8.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 Five Elements Hostel, Moselstr. 40 (5 min walk from main station), ☏ +49 69 2400-5885, [email protected]. Clean and new facilities with English and German speaking staff. Offers variation from dorms to single rooms. Free Wi-Fi. from €18.
- 2 Holiday Inn Express Frankfurt City Hauptbahnhof, Elbestraße 7. WiFi and breakfast included in the room price.
- 3 ibis Styles Frankfurt City, Moselstraße 12. WiFi and breakfast included in the room price.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 4 Hotel Ambassador, Moselstraße 12 (Near the central station), ☏ +49 69 256110. Rooms are okay, proximity to the train station a plus (about 5 minutes on foot). Near the red light district which is a minus (you don't have to actually walk through the red light district to get to the hotel though).
- 5 Hotel Concorde, Karlstraße 9 (main station), ☏ +49 69-2424220. Close to main station with good breakfast. Free WLAN. All rooms with air conditioning. For long-term residents it offers apartments, too.
- 6 Corner Hotel, Mainzer Landstraße 73 (Between main station and trade fair), ☏ +49 69-2562655-0. Modern and clean hotel with 50 rooms and rather basic interior.
- 7 Manhattan Hotel, Düsseldorfer Straße 10 (opposite main station), ☏ +49 69-269597-0. Small and clean hotel opposite main station, so perfect for early departures and/or late arrivals. Free WLAN and good buffet breakfast with multilingual staff. Rooms are good but avoid rooms facing the street as the area is busy late at night
- 8 Novotel Frankfurt City, Lise-Meitner-Straße 2 (next to trade fair ground), ☏ +49 69-793030. More than 235 rooms in a solid business traveller hotel. Next to the trade fair ground and has loads of conference rooms.
- 9 Topas Hotel, Niddastraße 88 (Main station), ☏ +49 69-230852. Owner-operated hotel in a side street of main station. Renovated, friendly service but just 33 clean rooms. Free newspaper
- 10 Frankfurt Marriott Hotel, Hamburger Allee 2. A typical early 1990s Marriott in a highrise tower, complete with a Champions bar. Splendid views from upper floors as most other towers are some distance away. €109.
- 11 MGallery Hotel Savigny Fankfurt (formerly Sofitel). The former Sofitel started to age badly and rather than update it, Accor downgraded it to an MGallery. A taste of erstwhile luxury can be had at really reasonable rates outside of trade fair dates. You will, however, have to contend with worn furniture and fixtures and partially indifferent staff. The Savigny is at the border of a quiet residential lowrise district and the highrise quarter, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds - but not much in terms of views from your room.
- 12 NH Frankfurt Messe, Friedrich- Ebert - Anlage 38. The other NH in Frankfurt is a more contemporary affair, with rooms featuring fresh green accents in line with NH's latest interior design guidelines.
- 13 Radisson BLU Hotel, Franklinstraße 65 (Tram 17 An der Dammheide), ☏ +49 69 770 1550. The hotel is an eye-catcher because it looks like a blue coin on the edge. It is just located at the border of Rödelheim and Bockenheim.
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 14 Frankfurter Hof, Am Kaiserplatz (Willy-Brandt-Platz U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U8 ), ☏ +49 69-215-02. The grand old hotel of Frankfurt and known for excellent style and service for more than 130 years.
- 15 Intercontinental Frankfurt, Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße 43 (3mins walk from main station), ☏ +49 69-26050. Major business hotel and conference centre for international travelers. Also home to loads of conventions. Amazing view from club rooms over the city.
- 16 The Pure, Niddastraße 86 (main station), ☏ +49 69 710-4570. Puristic but excellent Design Hotel north side of central station. A must stay for every style fan with fancy lounge, great cocktails & attentive staff. €130+.
- 17 Radisson Blu hotel, Franklinstraße 65, ☏ +49 69-770-155-0. This architecturally outstanding hotel (the building is actually is the shape of a wheel standing on its side) is very popular with business travellers. Free W-Lan for guests and good location to trade fair. €130+ per night.
- 18 Westin Grand Frankfurt, Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 7, ☏ +49 69-2981-0. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Fresh city centre hotel with calm rooms. Lots of international guests but staff with good local knowledge.
- 19 25 hours Frankfurt by Levi's, Niddastraße 58 (Hauptbahnhof), ☏ +49 69 2566 770, [email protected]. This hotel by the German "lifestyle hotel" chain features design elements inspired by the Levi's jeans brand. The rooms are in different colours 1960s or 70s or 80s style. There is a music rehearsal room on location as well, available for rent. €114.
- 20 Le Meridien Parkhotel, Wiesenhuettenplatz 28-38, ☏ +49 2697 0, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. In a quiet square immediately south of the Hauptbahnhof, this hotel blends a historic 19th century building and a more modern 20th century one, and such a blend is to be found in the hotel's interior design too, done with the typical German charm. Despite charging arm and leg for almost all services, including WiFi, the hotel often finds its 300 rooms fully booked.
- 21 Jumeirah Frankfurt, Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz 2 (close to Hauptwache Station). The Jumeirah occupies a lean sky-high tower rising out of the MyZeil shopping centre, right behind the Thurn und Taxis palace. Elegant decor with extensive use of dark hardwood panelling.