Frankfurt’s architectural history is a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. Dating back to the Roman era, the city’s original settlement, Nida, showcased early Romanesque structures. However, it was in the Middle Ages that Frankfurt flourished, with timber-framed houses adorning the cityscape. The Renaissance left its mark, epitomized by the historic Römerberg square. The 19th-century witnessed grand neoclassical buildings like the Städel Museum. Tragedy struck during World War II, decimating much of the city’s heritage. Post-war reconstruction birthed modern skyscrapers, earning Frankfurt the nickname “Mainhattan.” Today, the city boasts a mesmerizing skyline, fusing contemporary masterpieces with a few surviving historical gems..

Below is our list of the MUST-SEE Architecture in Frankfurt. We hope you find it useful as you walk its sun-soaked streets (there’s a map at the bottom to guide you around). If you want to see your photo featured, hashtag #AVONTUURA or #mustseearchitecture on Instagram.

Onwards!

Contemporary Architecture

European Central Bank

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: Coop Himmelb(l)au
Built: 2014
Type: Office
Address: Sonnemannstraße 20, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Website: www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html

Commerzbank Tower

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: Foster + Partners
Built: 1997
Type: Shopping Center
Address: Kaiserstraße 16, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes

MyZeil Shopping Mall

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: Studio Fuksas
Built: 2009
Type: Shopping Center
Address: Zeil 106, 1. UG- 7. OGU-Bahn Station Hauptwache, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm, Thursday – Saturday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Website: www.myzeil.de/

Gesellschaftshaus Palmengarten

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: Martin Elsaesser and Ernst May (modernist remodeling), David Chipperfield Architects (Renovation)
Built: 1928, 2002 (renovated)
Type: Botanical Garden
Address: Palmengarten der Stadt, Siesmayerstraße 63, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm, Daily
Website: www.palmengarten.de/

Tropicarium

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: unknown
Built: 1987
Type: Greenhouse
Address: Siesmayerstrasse 61, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm, Daily
Website: www.palmengarten.de/

Museum for Communication Frankfurt

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: Behnisch Architekten
Built: 1990
Type: Museum
Address: Schaumainkai 53, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm, Daily (closed Mondays)
Website: www.mfk-frankfurt.de/

Museum Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Art)

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: MeierPartners
Built: 1985
Type: Museum
Address: Schaumainkai 17, 60594 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm, Daily (closed Mondays)
Website: www.museumangewandtekunst.de/

The Docks

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: Meixner Schlüter Wendt
Built: 2022
Type: Office
Address: THE DOCKS, Lindleystraße 8, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 8:00am – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday

Evangelische Akademie Frankfurt

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: Meixner Schlüter Wendt
Built: 2022
Type: Religious
Address: Römerberg 9, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Kindergarten at Henninger Park

Location

Visiting Information

Architect: Meixner Schlüter Wendt
Built: 2021
Type: Dar Care
Address: Am Wassertempel 17, 60599 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: No

Architect: Studio Fuksas
Built: 2009
Type: Shopping Center
Address: Zeil 106, 1. UG- 7. OGU-Bahn Station Hauptwache, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm, Thursday – Saturday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Website: www.myzeil.de/

Architect: Coop Himmelb(l)au
Built: 2014
Type: Office
Address: Sonnemannstraße 20, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Website: www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html