Altstadt Frankfurt Travel Guide

Frankfurt

Old Town which includes heritage elements
Frankfurt Cathedral which includes heritage elements, a bridge and a river or creek
Altstadt Frankfurt
Altstadt Frankfurt
Altstadt Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s historic heart is a dazzling district home to atmospheric squares, medieval landmarks, art galleries, museums, boutiques and centuries-old taverns.

Wander the characterful streets of Frankfurt’s Old Town (Altstadt), which was once the most impressive display of Gothic-style architecture in Germany. In its prime, the Old Town was a place for the coronation of Holy Roman emperors, the site of lavish royal celebrations and a favourite inspirational spot for poets. Allied bomb raids in 1944 left the district in ruins and ongoing redevelopment is bringing it back to its former splendour.

Life in the Old Town has revolved around Römerberg square since the 800s. Marvel at its stepped gable and half-timbered buildings, most notably Römer city hall. Visit Old St. Nikolai Church, which dates back to the 13th century. Browse handicraft stalls and try mulled wine at the Frankfurt Christmas Market, held from late November to late December. Just south, look for the Wertheim House, one of few buildings to survive Word War II bombings.

Walk from Römerberg to Frankfurt Cathedral. This striking church played a key role in the election and coronation of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Find examples of antique reliquary, ceremonial robes and other religious artifacts in the Cathedral Museum. Enjoy magnificent city views from the 216-foot (66-metre) observation deck of the church’s tower.

Explore the district’s museums. The Historical Museum, housed in the Saalhof castle complex, showcases Frankfurt’s history from the medieval era. Admire the impressive collections of the Museum of Modern Art and Schirn Kunsthalle. Relive the lifestyles of ancient cultures at the Archaeology Museum of Frankfurt, set inside a former Carmelite Monastery.

Another sight worth visiting is St. Paul’s Church, where Germany’s first parliament convened in 1848. Take a guided tour of Frankfurt Goethe House, the childhood home of the acclaimed literary figure Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Alternatively, experience the lively ambiance of time-honored beer halls.

Reach Old Town easily via public trains and trams. The Dom/Römer U-Bahn station is a short walk from the major landmarks. The DomRömer project, providing extensive regeneration of the Old Town, is injecting new life into the historic courtyards, houses, passageways and squares between Römerberg and the cathedral.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Altstadt Frankfurt

Motel One Frankfurt - Römer
Motel One Frankfurt - Römer
Berliner Straße 55, Frankfurt
The price is £93 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£93
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Frankfurt. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (920 reviews)
"The rooms were very small and there was very little storage to even set your suitcase up. There were no closets and very tiny areas in the room to hang anything up with only 5 hangers. There were two of us in the room and they gave us one duvet that would not cover us both. The front desk people ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Motel One Frankfurt - Römer
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Flughafen Terminal 1, Hugo-Eckener-Ring 15, Frankfurt, HE
The price is £106 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
£106
19 Jul - 20 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Frankfurt. Enjoy 3 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,330 reviews)
"Just liked it all"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport
Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport
De-Saint-Exupéry-Straße 4, Frankfurt, HE
The price is £69 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
£69
18 Jul - 19 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Frankfurt. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,959 reviews)
"So clean and the food is great!"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport
Maritim Hotel Frankfurt
Maritim Hotel Frankfurt
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 3, Frankfurt, HE
The price is £69 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£69
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Frankfurt. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Nice property, very short walk to Festhalle Messe subway station. Only one stop away from Frankfurt Main Hauptbahnhof. Breakfast is a great option to choose. The Property would have received 5 stars had housekeeping serviced the rooms every day during our multi day trip, in which they did not. The ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Maritim Hotel Frankfurt
Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport
The Squaire, Am Flughafen, Frankfurt
The price is £111 per night from 5 Jul to 6 Jul
£111
5 Jul - 6 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Frankfurt. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,599 reviews)
"Nice place. I recommend."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport
b'mine Frankfurt Airport
b'mine Frankfurt Airport
Georg-Baumgarten-Straße, Frankfurt, HE
The price is £116 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£116
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Frankfurt. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (833 reviews)
Will book again if I’m back around Frankfurt
"What a fantastic stay! Very Modern/“futuristic” features of the room (touch screen in controlling shower temperature and pressure, A/C - heat, etc.). The room was spacious and very comfortable! This is a good stay to be at if you have a early flight or just giving yourself a head start before your ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

b'mine Frankfurt Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Altstadt Frankfurt

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Innenstadt

Enjoy the popular shops in Innenstadt. MyZeil is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Frankfurt (M) Hauptwache Station or Eschenheimer Tor Station to see more of Frankfurt.

Innenstadt
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Bahnhofsviertel

3/5(144 area reviews)

Bahnhofsviertel is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Kaiserstrasse and Museumsufer. See more of Frankfurt by jumping on the metro at Weserstraße-Münchener Straße Tram Stop or Münchener Straß/ Frankfurt Central Tram Stop.

Bahnhofsviertel
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Ostend

4.5/5(22 area reviews)

Noted for its restaurants and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Ostend. Top attractions like Frankfurt Zoo and European Central Bank are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Zobelstraße Tram Stop or Ostendstraße Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Ostend
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Sachsenhausen Nord

4/5(19 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and stunning river views, there's plenty to explore in Sachsenhausen Nord. Top attractions like Staedel Museum and Museumsufer are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Schwanthalerstraße Tram Stop or Schweizer Place U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Sachsenhausen Nord
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Westend-Süd

5/5(1 area review)

If you're spending time in Westend-Süd, check out sights like Senckenberg Museum or Deutsche Bank Twin Towers and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Westend Station or Festhalle-Messe Tram Stop.

Westend-Süd
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Nordend West

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Nordend West is well liked for its museums and monuments. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Main Hiking Trail and Explora are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Nibelungenallee-Deutsche Bibliothek U-Bahn or Glauburgstrasse Station to get around.

Nordend West

Altstadt Frankfurt Travel Guide

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