Top Rated Attractions in Frankfurt am Main

A magnificent horde of futuristic skyscrapers and steel-and-glass buildings tower over the city's imposing landscape, standing guard to what is one of Europe's largest financial centers. Nicknamed 'Mainhattan' for its businesslike austerity and commercial spirit, Frankfurt Am Main appears visually incongruous with the rest of the German cities, but is also vastly representative of the culture's emphasis on meticulousness and detail. One of world's largest stock exchanges calls this city home, as do a warren of national banks and financial institutions. Behind its seemingly stuffy veneer however, exists a more down-to-earth spirit, manifested largely in traditional architectural examples that are sprinkled across the heart of the city. There is a host of 20th Century architecture that dots its bonny streets, including timeless landmarks like the Goethe Haus, the post-war Bayer Haus and the Frauenfriedenskirche. Römerberg, Frankfurt's nostalgic plaza in Old Town, houses a beautifully rustic set of half-timbered houses and 19th Century churches that divert attention from the city's lucrative pursuits. Other landmarks like the famous Alte Oper remind about the city's cultural passions which reach full realization in this 19th Century concert hall.

The spectacular coral sandstone facade of St.Paul's Church is a landmark and also a unique anomaly in Frankfurt. Paulskirche (St. Paul's Church) became famous not as a church, but as a meeting place. Built to replace the Barfüßerkirche (Church of the Barefooted), it was opened in 1833. The first freely-elected German parliament sat here in 1848; it met 99 times and passed 59 articles which are still part of the German constitution today. Destroyed in an air-raid in 1944, the church was rebuilt immediately after World War II as a memorial to the aftermath of war. The simple hall is now a venue for important events such as the annual German Peace Prize ceremony and the City of Frankfurt's Goethe Prize awards.

Associated with St. Paul's Church, Paulplatz is one of the largest squares in city and the largest in Altstadt. The square traces its history back to 1833 and is home to some of the most imposing structures in the historic neighborhood - like the Alte Börse and Lessing-Gymnasium. Although the iconic city square was destroued in 1944, it was restored to its former glory by 1949 and has ever since participated in many cultural events and community activities.

Tourist Information Römer at the Römerberg contains maps and brochures about the history of the city, as well as information about its main attractions, museums and the current events and fests. There is an accommodation service and visitors can arrange a variety of tours and day-trips. The staff will be happy to provide visitors with tips about the city. The center is open on selected holidays. Check website for more details.

Frankfurt Town Hall, as it stands today, is made up of a melee of different buildings. The first buildings to be constructed here were the Zum Römer House and the next-door guest-house, Goldener Schwan in 1405. At the beginning of the 20th Century, two building complexes (north and south) were erected next to Paulsplatz and were joined by a bridge. Designed in a Renaissance and Baroque architectural style, these buildings fit in well with the earlier buildings. They are decorated with reliefs depicting local events, such as the harvesting of cider apples. One particular draw is the exquisitely decorated Kaisersaal (Emperor's Hall) in the Rathaus (city hall). The Rathaus is the seat of the Lord Mayor of Frankfurt.