Walking tours of Frankfurt’s Old Town typically start at the Römerberg, where the 15th-century City Hall is the star attraction. After admiring its distinctive façade and Venice-inspired Bridge of Sighs, head inside for a guided tour, including the lavish Kaisersaal (Emperor Hall), once used for coronation banquets and adorned with 19th-century portraits of the 52 Kings and Emperors of the German Holy Roman Empire. Leave yourself time to explore the rest of the square too, where the multi-colored timber-fronted buildings, the red-brick tower of the St Nicholas Church, and the looming spire of Frankfurt Cathedral afford plenty of photo opportunities.
Frankfurt City Hall is on the Römerberg square at the heart of Frankfurt’s Old Town. It’s easy to reach on foot from many of the central attractions and the closest U-Bahn station is Dom/Römer (Lines U4/U5).
The Romerberg is always buzzing with activity and if you’re hoping to snap a crowd-free photo of the Romer, your only chance is at sunrise. An atmospheric time to visit is during the festive season, when the City Hall provides a backdrop for one of Germany’s largest Christmas markets.
Along with the Romer, Frankfurt’s most notable historic buildings include Frankfurt Cathedral, St Paul’s Church, and the Goethe House; all within walking distance of the Romer. To the north, the Hauptwache is known for its Baroque guard-house (now a café) as well as the futuristic glass-fronted MyZeil Shopping Mall. Other architectural landmarks include the Old Opera House (Alte Oper), the Main Tower and Commerzbank skyscrapers, and the Messe Torhaus (Gatehouse).
