World City Guide

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
Skyscrapers housing major financial institutions dominate the scene in the central business district. The Westend is both a residential and business district. Nearby, the Marktplatz (former Market Square), Römer (City Hall), the Kaiserdom (Emperor Cathedral), Paulskirche (Church of St Paul) and the Nikolaikirche (Nicholas Church) are among the attractions of the Altstadt (Old Town). The Bahnhofsviertel (around the main railway station), especially Kaiserstrasse, is the city’s red light district, although the ubiquitous seediness has developed into a popular and lively entertainment scene. Fourteen museums make up the longest mile of museums in Europe – the Museumsufer (Museum Embankment) on the southern bank of the Main, reached on foot via Eiserner Steg. Most of Frankfurt’s museums are closed on Monday and open until 2000 on Wednesday.

Visitors increasingly flock further south of the Main to Sachsenhausen, the oldest district in Frankfurt, to enjoy Äppelwoi (apple wine) at traditional half-timbered taverns. The best views of the city can be gained from the observation platform of the Main Tower. Students and artists contribute to the bohemian atmosphere of the Nordend around Eschenheimer Tor.

Tourist Information
Tourismus+Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main
Hauptbahnhof
Tel: (069) 2123 8800. Fax: (069) 2123 7880.
E-mail: info@tcf.frankfurt.de
Website: www.frankfurt-tourismus.de
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2100, Sat and Sun 0900-1800.

A second tourist information centre is located at Römerberg 27.

Passes
The Frankfurt Card, available as a one-day (¬7.80) or a two-day (¬11.50) ticket, offers free travel on all RMV transport within the city and to the airport, as well as a 25% reduction on guided city tours, 50% reduction on admission to major attractions and 21 museums, and a 20% reduction on the Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt Rhine and Mosel river tours (departing Frankfurt). Participating attractions include Goethe House and Museum, Historical Museum, Jewish Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Städel Art Institute and Municipal Gallery, the Palmengarten and Frankfurt Zoo. The card is available from tourist information offices (tel: (069) 2123 8703), the DB Reisezentrum at the Hauptbahnhof (main railway station), and at the Frankfurt airport hotel reservations desk in terminal one.