Living in Frankfurt - Frankfurt am Main

Ë sights 

22X FRANKFURT 

HIGHLIGHTS 

1 Alte Oper (Old Opera 

House) Neo-Renaissancestyle 

concert hall, designed 

by Berlin architect Richard 

Lucae. 

2 Eiserner Steg (Iron 

Foodbridge) This footbridge, 

which is actually made of 

steel, is one of Frankfurt’s 

most famous historical 

monuments, depicted on 

countless postcards. 

3 Rhine-Main Airport One 

of the most important hubs of 

international air traffi c. 

4 Frankfurt Stock ExchangeNeo-Renaissancestyle 

domed structure. Since 

the opening of the new facilities, 

only the open-outcry 

trading of Germany’s leading 

stock exchange takes place in 

this building. 

5 Goethe-Haus Poet 

Johann Wolfgang Goethe 

(1749–1832) spent his 

adolescence in this house 

and wrote some of his early 

works, including the Urfaust 

and Götz von Berlichingen, 

here. 

6 Hauptwache (Main 

Guard House) As a former 

military prison, this building 

had “guests” such as the 

(in)famous outlaw “Schinderhannes”. 

In 1833, a small 

band of young revolutionaries 

stormed the building in a 

failed attempt to overthrow 

the city militia. 

7 Old Town of Höchst The 

historically signifi cant old 

town is made up of timberframe 

houses and attracts 

visitors with picturesque 

nooks and architectural 

gems. 

8 Kaiserdom (Emperors’ 

Cathedral) Saint Bartholomew 

was never the seat of a 

bishopric and is thus not actually 

a cathedral, but between 

1562 and 1792, fi fty-two 

German kings and emperors 

were crowned in this church. 

9 Karmeliterkloster 

(Carmelite Monastery) 

Frankfurt’s only preserved 

medieval monastery complex. 

Today it houses the 

Archeological Museum as 

well as the Institute for City 

History. 

10 Kleinmarkthalle (Little 

Markets Hall) About fi fty 

market stalls offer 

regional delicacies as well 

as delicatessen from around 

the world. 

11 Main Tower The only 

skyscraper in Frankfurt 

accessible to the general 

public. 

12 Main River Bank 

Frankfurt thrives along the 

river. Bars, cafés, a kebab 

boat, a Main River Bank 

and a Museum Riverbank 

festival all draw Frankfurters 

to the green banks of the 

River Main. 

13 Museumsufer 

(Museum Riverbank) One 

of Germany’s and Europe’s 

most prestigious locations 

for art exhibits: on the southern 

bank of the Main River, 

14 museums are lined up 

like pearls on a string. 

14 Paulskirche 

(St. Paul’s Church) In this sandstone-revetted 

oval, Germany’s 

National Assembly (the “Frankfurt 

Parliament”) convened in 

1848. Today, the Peace Prize 

of the German Book Trade as 

well as the Goethe Prize are 

awarded in this building. 

15 Portikus Since April 

2006, on an island in the 

Main River near the Old 

Bridge. This exhibition hall 

for contemporary art shows 

recent works of well-known, 

but also of young international 

artists. 

16 Römer Frankfurt’s venerable 

city hall. The history 

of this complex dates back 

to 1322. The Kaisersaal 

(Emperors’ Hall) with the 

portraits of all 52 monarchs 

crowned in Frankfurt is 

certainly worth a visit. 

17 Römerberg This spacious 

square in front of the 

Römer, with the Fountain of 

Justice, the Old St. Nicholas’ 

Church, a row of half-timbered 

buildings and the 

city hall forms the heart of 

Frankfurt. 

18 Palmengarten 

(Palm Garden) The fascinating 

diversity of the plant 

kingdom is presented in 

palm houses and other 

greenhouses as well as in 

thematic gardens. 

19 Sachsenhausen Frankfurt’s 

nightlife district with 

traditional cider pubs and 

trendy hangouts. 

20 Saalgasse This narrow 

lane successfully “quotes” 

historical styles of architecture 

with great sensitivity. 

21 Stadtwald (City 

Forest) A forest with 5,000 

hectares (12,355 acres) of 

ponds, paths for strolling, hiking, 

and horseback riding, the 

“StadtWaldHaus,” restaurants, 

and the Goethe Tower, offers 

great recreation for all. 

22 Zoo An oasis for humans 

and animals alike in the heart 

of a big city. The Frankfurt 

Zoo gained international 

fame through the activities of 

its legendary director, the late 

Bernhard Grzimek.

CONTENTS 

2 sights FRANKFURT HIGHLIGHTS 

4 city history A BRIEF CHRONICLE OF FRANKFURT 

5 the mayor WELCOME TO FRANKFURT 

6 service NEW IN FRANKFURT 

9 neighborhoods FRANKFURT’S DISTRICTS 

16 mobility GETTING AROUND IN FRANKFURT 

23 jobs + education WORKING AND LEARNING 

26 service WHAT THE CITY HAS TO OFFER 

30 culture + entertainment THEATERS AND MUSEUMS 

36 fi tness + activities SPORTS AND RECREATION 

42 good to know FRANKFURT CONTACTS 

PUBLICATION INFORMATION 

Published by: 

Presse- und Informationsamt 

(Press and Information Offi ce 

of Frankfurt am Main) 

Römerberg 32 

60311 Frankfurt am Main 

Tel. 069 212-33362 

traffi Q – Local Transportation 

Company Frankfurt mbH 

(www.traffi Q.de) 

V.i.S.d.P. 

(Editor in charge): 

Nikolaus Münster 

Editorial Staff: 

Sabrina Engelmann, 

Andrea Kirch, Rita Machold, 

Winfried Schmitz, 

Almuth Westecker 

Graphic Design: 

DiehlDesign GmbH 

Frankfurt am Main 

Printed by: 

BGR DRUCK-SERVICE GMBH 

Frankfurt am Main 

Copies printed: 

30,000 

(25,000 German, 

5,000 English) 

Information as of 

Dec. 2008 

The publisher assumes no responsibility and cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the information contained herein. 

3 

Photos: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main, Fotolia

Ë city history 

A BRIEF CHRONICLE 

OF FRANKFURT 

794 “Franconovurt” is fi rst 

mentioned in a document 

1150 The Frankfurt Fair is fi rst 

mentioned 

1356 The Golden Bull decrees 

Frankfurt to be the city 

where German kings would 

be elected 

1405 The buildings called 

“Zum Römer” and “Zum 

Goldenen Schwan” are 

converted into a city hall 

1533 The Reformation reaches 

Frankfurt 

1585 The Stock Exchange is 

established 

1614 The “Fettmilch Rebellion,” 

triggered by Frankfurt’s 

enormous debts, leads to 

anti-Jewish riots 

1711 Fire in the Jewish ghetto 

1749 Johann Wolfgang Goethe is 

born 

1792 Francis II is the last Emperor 

crowned in Frankfurt 

1815 Frankfurt becomes a Free 

City and the seat of the 

Federal Assembly of the 

German Federation, the 

“Bundestag” 

1833 “Frankfurter Wachensturm” 

(Guard House Assault): the 

failed attempt of radical 

students and craftsmen 

to start a revolutionary 

uprising 

1848 The fi rst German National 

Assembly convenes at St. 

Paul’s Church 

1866 Frankfurt is annexed by 

Prussia 

1871 The Treaty of Frankfurt 

ends the Franco-Prussian 

War 

1875 Frankfurt’s population 

exceeds 100,000 for the 

fi rst time 

1888 The Central station 

(Hauptbahnhof) opens 

1914 Foundation of the 

Johann Wolfgang Goethe 

University 

1925–1930 City architect and planner 

Ernst May stimulates urban 

development 

1928–1931 The main building of IG 

Farben (Poelzig Building) is 

erected 

1933 The National Socialists take 

over the city hall and force 

Mayor Ludwig Landmann 

into exile 

1944 Frankfurt’s city center 

is almost completely 

destroyed in air raids 

1945 U.S. troops liberate the city 

1949 Frankfurt almost becomes 

the capital of the Federal 

Republic of Germany 

1955 The population exceeds 

600,000 

1957 The German Bundesbank 

(Federal Bank) begins 

operation 

1963–1965 The “Auschwitz Trial” takes 

place in Frankfurt 

1968 The Frankfurt subway 

systems is opened 

1981 The Old Opera House, 

which had been destroyed 

in World War II, is rebuilt 

1984 Development of the 

Museum Riverbank begins 

1997 Frankfurt’s tallest 

skyscraper is completed 

1998 The European Central Bank 

(ECB) begins operation 

2000 The University begins to 

relocate to the Poelzig 

Building and to Riedberg 

2005 The Römer celebrates its 

600th anniversary 

2006 Frankfurt is one of the 

venues of the FIFA Soccer 

World Cup 

2008 The 60th annual Frankfurt 

Book Fair sets a new visitor 

record 

Photos: Institut für Stadtgeschichte, Tourismus + Congress GmbH, Stadt Frankfurt am Main

WELCOME TO 

FRANKFURT! 

Frankfurt am Main is very happy to 

welcome you as a new citizen. Whether 

it was your work or private reasons 

that brought you here, whether you 

are planning to stay here indefi nitely 

or only for a limited time – the City 

of Frankfurt wants to help you adjust 

quickly and feel welcome. Our little 

brochure for new citizens, which was 

produced in co-operation with traffi Q, 

our public-transportation provider, 

can be your fi rst guide for fi nding 

your way through our city. 

Each year, approximately 45,000 

new citizens move to Frankfurt, half 

of them from abroad. With her international 

airport, Frankfurt is one 

of the most cosmopolitan cities in 

Europe, with more than 170 nationalities 

living together in peace. Almost 

a third of Frankfurt’s 660,000 

citizens are foreign nationals. We are 

very proud of our long tradition as a 

tolerant and liberal city. 

Frankfurt – the center of fi nance, the 

European city, the traffi c hub, the 

world’s smallest metropolis. When 

you think of this city, her skyline, 

her airport, her stock exchange, the 

Book Fair, or St. Paul’s Church come 

to mind – but also, of course, Johann 

Wolfgang Goethe, a native son of 

Frankfurt. Famous writers and modern 

artists have made Frankfurt a city 

of culture. Our numerous museums 

along the Museum Riverbank and 

in town, the art galleries, theaters, 

movie houses, and concert halls are 

indicative of a rich and vibrant cultural 

scene. The Frankfurt Opera has 

won many national and international 

awards for its 

well-known 

productions. 

Frankfurt is a 

city for the people. 

We welcome thecommitment of our 

citizens. Countless clubs, societies, 

and associations as well as the 430 

foundations who call this city home 

take an active part in supporting 

and promoting sports and culture 

in Frankfurt. There is always some 

sports event going on in Frankfurt, 

as the city will, for example, host the 

International German Gymnastics 

Festival in 2009. Indoor and outdoor 

pools, public sports facilities, an iceskating 

rink, and a golf course are 

waiting for you. And there is in-line 

skating, marathon, triathlon, biking, 

and – last but not least – men’s and 

women’s soccer: Frankfurt, the city 

of sports, has something to offer for 

everyone. 

I hope this brochure will inspire you 

to discover many wonderful and interesting 

aspects of the city. 

Yours truly, 

Petra Roth 

Mayor 

Ë We invite you to attend a reception 

in the Römer – more information 

in the voucher booklet. 

5 

Photo: Uwe Nölke

6 

Ë service 

NEW IN FRANKFURT 

You are new in Frankfurt, and you would like to fi nd your way around 

in your new home town? The City of Frankfurt wants to assist you by 

providing informative Websites and brochures. 

The most important information plus interesting tips 

are available on our Website, www.frankfurt.de, where 

you will also be introduced to Frankfurt’s Citizens’ Advice 

Service (Bürgerberatung), which provides personal 

assistance that will help you get settled in Frankfurt. 

Many services can be obtained with a single stop at the 

Bürgeramt (Citizens’ Bureau). 

On the German-language home page, you will also fi nd a 

service specially designed for new citizens. You can access it 

by clicking on the corresponding link in the navigation bar 

on the right-hand side of your screen, under “Frankfurt für”. 

This service is meant to provide you with an initial orientation. 

We have summarized key information and services, so 

you will quickly fi nd your way around in your new environment 

and feel at home as soon as possible. Among other things, 

you will get more detailed information about life in your 

particular neighborhood, be introduced to the wide range of 

recreational opportunities, and fi nd many online forms provided 

by a variety of departments that you 

can fi ll out at home instead of running from 

one offi ce to another. Our check list can help 

you organize your move and remind you 

of important details that you should not 

forget as a new citizen of Frankfurt. 

For all other problems, future questions and suggestions, 

please use the wide range of services provided on Frankfurt’s 

offi cial Website, www.frankfurt.de.

You have moved to Frankfurt from abroad? At www. 

newcomers-network.de you will fi nd additional infor- 

mation and also an invitation to join an international 

“Stammtisch.” 

FRANKFURT FOR ME! 

There is plenty to discover in Frankfurt: a little theater 

next to a pub, a club in the ECB, themed bike tours across 

the city or busy farmers’ markets in the neighborhoods. 

You can fi nd all these events at a glance in “Frankfurt 

für mich!” (“Frankfurt for me!”), the only information service 

of its kind in the entire country. You can get it every 

Thursday by e-mail to keep you informed on the events 

of your choice and on dates to remember for the upcoming 

week – free of charge! Just register on our Website, 

www.frankfurt.de, in the “Newsletter” section: There is no 

quicker way for getting to know Frankfurt! 

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE 

When you move to Frankfurt, you can get additional assistance 

and advice from a variety of sources that provide 

information by phone or in person about everything 

the city has to offer. The most important contacts are 

Bürgerberatung (Citizens’ Advice Service) and Bürgeramt 

(Citizens’ Bureau). 

The Citizens’ Advice Service can help you if you have any 

questions, but also if you have problems with the administration, 

want to know which department is in charge, or 

The Westhafenturm 

(Western Port 

Tower) in 

the Gutleut 

Quarter 

Photos: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main, iStockphoto

8 

Citizen‘s Bureau 

At the Bürgeramt, you may register 

your new address after your 

move, and you can also obtain 

these services: 

Ë registrations and changes of 

address 

Ë initial applications and 

applications for extension of 

a residence permit 

Ë offi cial confi rmations of 

residence and registration 

Ë excerpts from the Registry 

just need information on any matter relating to the City of 

Frankfurt – the Citizens’ Advice Service is at your service! 

Citizens’ Advice Service at the Frankfurt Forum, 

Römerberg 32, 60311 Frankfurt 

Available Monday thru Friday from 08:00 hrs.: 

phone: 069 212-40000, fax: 069 212-33576 

buergerberatung@stadt-frankfurt.de 

Business hours: 

Mon–Wed 10:00–16:30 hrs., Thu 10:00–18:00 hrs., 

Fri 10:00–14:00 hrs. 

BÜRGERAMT (CITIZENS’ BUREAU) 

Frankfurt has seven Citizens’ Bureaus (Bürgerämter) and 

four branch offi ces. You may visit the Citizens’ Bureau that 

is most convenient for you. The Central Citizens’ Bureau 

is located city at Zeil 3. Additional Citizens’ Bureaus can 

be found in these districts: Höchst, Sachsenhausen, Dornbusch, 

Nordwest, Nieder-Eschbach, and Bergen-Enkheim. 

Business hours: Mon+Thu 09:00–18:00 hrs., Tue+Wed 

07:30–13:30 hrs., Fri 07:30–13:00 hrs. You may also contact 

the Citizens’ Bureaus by dialing 212-30600 or sending 

an e-mail to buergeramt.zentrale@stadt-frankfurt.de. 

For the exact addresses of the Citizens’ Offi ces listed 

above and the branch offi ces, please refer to the brochure 

“Adressen von A bis Z,” which is also included in 

your kit for new citizens. 

Ë passports, ID cards, children’s 

passports, international travel 

documents 

Ë certifi cations 

Ë changes of motor-vehicle 

registrations 

Ë police clearances 

Ë excerpts from the Central 

Business Register 

Ë application for driver’s 

licenses 

Ë invitation of foreign 

nationals requiring visa 

Ë wage tax cards 

Ë dog registrations

Ë neighborhoods 

FRANKFURT’S 

DISTRICTS 

Frankfurt’s 43 completely different districts give the city her distinctive 

and unique character. Some – like Sachsenhausen or Nordend – have the 

size of small cities, while others – like Berkersheim – have the appearance 

of quaint little villages. 

DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS 

Old Town, City, Bahnhofsviertel, Westend, Nordend, 

Ostend, Gutleut Quarter, Gallus, Bockenheim, 

Ginnheim, Eschersheim, Dornbusch, Eckenheim, 

Preungesheim, Bornheim. 

Those who live here, truly live in the heart of Frankfurt. 

The park-like green belt that extends from the Jewish 

Museum via the Old Opera House, the Eschenheim 

Tower and Bethmann Park to the recently rebuilt City 

Library surrounds the inner city. At Hauptwache, Konstablerwache, 

Opernplatz, and Rossmarkt, you can feel 

the heartbeat of this vibrant city. Go shopping on Zeil 

and Goethestraße, do business at the Stock Exchange, 

grab a bite on the “Freßgass’” – Frankfurt City is always 

9 

Photos: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main (Harald H. Schröder)

10 

Zeil, Frankfurts 

shopping mile 

Frankfurt, the media city 

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 

Frankfurter Rundschau 

Frankfurter Neue Presse 

Bild 

Welt kompakt 

Journal Frankfurt 

Prinz 

Hessischer Rundfunk 

busy. At the same time, there is no lack in tranquil spots 

to rest and relax – around the Emperors’ Cathedral at 

the Römerberg, between the Dominican and Carmelite 

Monasteries and the Convent of Our Lady, the Old Town 

of Frankfurt shows its most peaceful side. As a contrast, 

you have the more colorful “Bahnhofsviertel”, the quarter 

around the Central Station, where you can experience 

diversity and an international ambiance. Life beyond the 

green park belt (“Anlagenring”) takes you back to Germany’s 

Gründerzeit (1871–1914). Hesse’s largest university 

moved to the Westend in 2006, where embassies, banks, 

and advertising agencies provide a cosmopolitan fl air. 

The Nordend, especially the Holzhausen Quarter, offers 

bourgeois coziness in beautiful old buildings, while the 

Ostend is currently experiences another age of renewal, 

with the construction of the new headquarters of the 

European Central Bank on the grounds of the ancient 

Großmarkthalle (Wholesalers Market Hall) spearheading 

an international, contemporary development. 

The Westhafen Tower looms like a giant “Geripptes” (the 

glass with a lozenge cut traditionally used to serve the 

local cider) on the banks of the River Main, symbolizing 

life in the Gutleut Quarter in the 21st century: directly by 

the riverside. The quality of life is also keeps increasing 

in the “Gallus”, whith the new “City-West” and the development 

of the former freight depot. Bockenheim has 

always been Frankfurt’s “Latin Quarter,” home to many 

of the city’s college students. Leipziger Straße is a smaller

version of the “Zeil” shopping mile. Ginnheim is home 

to the “Asparagus,” Germany’s second-tallest television 

tower. Together with Eschersheim, this neighborhood is 

located on a hill above the Nidda, Frankfurt’s second, 

smaller river. The banks of the Nidda, which originates 

at the Vogelsberg and fl ows into the Main River at the 

“Wörthspitze” in Höchst, provide a popular recreation 

area for the citizens of Frankfurt. Not far from the complex 

of the Hessischer Rundfunk or HR, the local television 

broadcaster, is Dornbusch. In 1949 this part of the 

city almost became the home of the Bundestag, Germany’s 

Federal Parliament. The neighboring districts of Eckenheim 

and Preungesheim frame the Main Cemetery, 

which by itself is a special attraction in Frankfurt that 

invites you to take a little stroll and look for the graves 

of Frankfurt’s famous sons and daughters – not only on 

misty Sundays in November. On the other end of the 

liveliness scale is Bornheim. This “jolly village,” together 

with Bockenheim, is a favorite among the young and the 

young-at-heart. What Leipziger Straße is to Bockenheim, 

Berger Straße is to Bornheim: a small, yet vibrant shopping 

street outside of downtown, with weekly farmers’ 

markets, trendy cafés, and cider pubs. 

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 

Oberrad, Sachsenhausen, Niederrad, Airport. 

Frankfurt’s South, which comprises Oberrad, Sachsenhausen, 

Niederrad, and the Airport, 

11 

Ginnheim’s 

Asparagus 

(above), view 

of Oberrad 

(below) 

Photos: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main (Karola Neder, Harald H. Schröder, Tanja Schäfer)

Photos: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main (Karola Neder, Tanja Schäfer) 

12 

The Städel 

on the Main 

riverbank 

lies “dribbdebach”, which, in the local vernacular, means 

“beyond the [Main] river.” These are neighborhoods full 

of contrasts: Oberrad, the “City of Gardeners,” is a rural 

village where the herbs are grown that go into the famous 

“Grie’ Soß,” a green sauce that is a local specialty. 

On the other end is Niederrad, famous for its “Bürostadt” 

(Offi ce City). And in between lies Frankfurt’s largest and 

probably best-known district, Sachsenhausen. The Museum 

Riverbank, which is truly unique in Germany, traditional 

cider pubs, the bars around the Affentorplatz 

(Monkey Gate Square) and hip cafés along the Schweizer 

Straße: Sachsenhausen is a place to hang out for tourists 

and natives alike. “Brunnenkönigin” (Fountain Queen) 

and “Klappergass’,” Goethe Tower and professional bike 

racing – without Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt wouldn’t be 

half of what it is today. And the same applies to the airport: 

As one of the largest and busiest on the continent, 

the airport is a “city within the city,” with hospitals, shopping 

malls, and a population of 236 – believe it or not! 

WESTERN DISTRICTS 

Griesheim, Schwanheim, Nied, Höchst, Sindlingen, 

Zeilsheim, Unterliederbach, Sossenheim. 

Those who live in the Western parts of Frankfurt have a 

particular identity on top of being Frankfurters. The prestigious 

administrative center at the Bolongaro Palace, a 

china factory, a pedestrian zone, a palace and Frankfurt’s

13 

oldest church lend a special distinction to the main district 

of Höchst. This is the location where the Nidda joins the 

Main River in a picturesque setting, where timber-frame 

buildings and cobblestone streets make it easy to forget 

the big city around the corner. And yet, like no other part of 

the city, the West is characterized by an industrial culture: 

a railroad repair shop that was shut down a long time ago 

in Nied, waste dips in Griesheim (jokingly referred to as the 

“Alps”), the former compound of Hoechst AG in Sindlingen, 

and workers’ housing estates everywhere, many of them 

with small gardens: In the West, work and recreation are 

more intertwined than in other parts of Frankfurt. And the 

jobs themselves have also changed – old paint factories 

have been taken over by IT and bio-tech companies, and the 

Höchst industrial park has become one of Europe’s largest 

research centers, which also includes production facilities. 

And yet there is plenty of space for nature: Zeilsheim, for 

example, the westernmost district, is entirely surrounded 

by woods, and an alley of chestnut trees leads into town. 

Schwanheim, on the other side of the Main River, offers refuge 

to rare species of animals in the “Schwanheim Dunes” 

conservation area, and the districts of Unterliederbach and 

Sossenheim, as different as they are, are located at the foot 

of the Taunus mountains, linking the big city with nature. Hundertwasser 

NORTHERN DISTRICTS 

kindergarten 

Rödelheim, Hausen, Praunheim, Niederursel, 

in Heddern- 

Heddernheim, Riedberg, Bonames, Nieder-Eschbach, heim and view 

Berkersheim, Harheim, Nieder-Erlenbach, 

of the Nidda 

Frankfurter Berg. 

River 

Few districts are as quaint and peaceful as Frankfurt’s 

North and Northwest. Hausen, Rödelheim, Praunheim,

14 

Sybille Nicolai 

Actress, 

anchorwoman, 

author 

and Heddernheim are located directly on the Nidda River. 

Brentano Park (with the Bretano Bath), Volkspark Niddatal 

(Niddatal People’s Park), Römerstadt (Roman City), 

and Riedweisen (Ried Meadows) with the Eschersheim 

Open-Air Pool provide ample recreational value. But the 

old farming villages between Taunus and Wetterau are 

also characterized by – and frequently named after – the 

little brooks and creeks. There is no doubt that life, compared 

to the inner city, is more relaxed out here, where 

slow-running rivers and babbling brooks like Nidda and 

Eschbach determine the rhythm of life. 

In Berkersheim, show horses are led 

through the streets by their riders, while 

Harheim almost has the ambiance of 

a spa. Nieder-Eschbach and Bonames 

are linked to the inner city by subway connections, 

and Frankfurter Berg offers an excellent view 

of the peaks of Altkönig and Großer Feldberg. Kalbach- 

Riedberg, Frankfurt’s youngest district, is surrounded by 

nature. In Bonifatius Park and Kätcheslach Park, families 

feel as much at home as students from the neighboring 

science faculties. This district is not only home to the new 

“To me, Frankfurt is a 

wonderful mixture of 

miniature metropolis and urban village. 

Spectacular skyscrapers are located only a 

stone’s throw from local cider pubs, and from the English 

Theatre and Frankfurt’s Volkstheater (literally, People’s 

Theater) – and halfway down the road, you can hear 

enticing sounds ringing out from Germany’s best opera 

house. Next door, near the Central Station, you fi nd a 

multinational hodge-podge of shops and stores, and just 

a few steps further on, on the other bank of the Main, 

the “Städel” and its neighboring museums – evidence of 

Frankfurt’s traditional public spirit.”

“freshness center” – a giant wholesale market for fresh 

food – but also features the Bonifatius Fountain. 

EASTERN DISTRICTS 

Seckbach, Bergen-Enkheim, Fechenheim, Riederwald. 

In the historical core of the district, Seckbach is a quaint 

little village, with one timber-frame house tightly squeezed 

to the other in the hillside of the Lohrberg, Frankfurt’s 

only vineyard and a popular destination for outings. Right 

next to it, Frankfurt’s most “literary” district offers great 

vistas of the Main valley: Bergen-Enkheim, the only district 

made up of two separate villages. The “City Poet of 

Bergen” has a home here, the Bergen “Fools” defended 

their water castle, and the “Bergen Market” is Frankfurt’s 

last genuine livestock market. Enkheim, which lies below 

Bergen, offers excellent shopping and – in the “Enkheimer 

Ried” – a kind of recreation you don’t fi nd in many big 

cities. The former fi shing village of Fechenheim is located 

in an idyllic setting in a bend in the River Main, offering 

plenty of unspoiled nature in the Fechenheim Forest to 

the North and in the “Mainbogen” Nature Preserve to the 

South. And it goes without saying that the Riederwald district 

– Wald meaning “forest” – is surrounded by nature. 

15 

View from 

Lohrberg at 

the Frankfurt 

skyline 

Photos: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main (Karola Neder)

16 

Ë mobility 

GETTING AROUND IN 

FRANKFURT 

Buses and trains for new citizens of Frankfurt. Discover the new things. 

Get where you want to go. Arrive. 

Would you like to discover the city? Whether it’s a museum 

or a cider pub, a club or an offi ce, a cinema or a 

church – we’ll get you there: busses and trains in Frankfurt. 

traffi Q, the local public transport authority, provides 

a modern and comfortable public transport services for 

you. 

WHAT IS THE FASTEST WAY TO GET FROM HERE TO 

THERE? WHEN DOES MY BUS LEAVE? 

Being well-informed ensures that you will have a pleasant 

trip. traffi Q and RMV, the local network of publictransportation 

providers, offer you numerous options to 

get information and advice for any occasion, at home 

and on the move, printed, via Internet, by phone, or in 

person at the “Verkehrsinsel”. 

The Mobility Center “Verkehrsinsel” at the Hauptwache 

in downtown Frankfurt has a qualifi ed staff of 

specialists concerned with your mobility: bus and train, 

bike and car-sharing are our areas of expertise. 

Employees who know this city inside out will 

help you fi nd your way around your new home 

town and throughout the Rhine-Main region 

with dedication and individual advice. And 

of course you can also purchase your tickets 

here. The traffi Q team at the “Verkehrsinsel” 

is at your service Monday through Friday from 

9:00 to 20:00 hrs. and on Saturday from 9:30 

through 18:00 hrs.

In the timetable boards, the book of all Frankfurt timeta- 

bles, as well as in the timetables published individually 

for every tram line in Frankfurt, you can fi nd out easily 

when and where your bus, train or tram departs. You 

can obtain additional brochures about fares and special 

offers at the “Verkehrsinsel” at Hauptwache as well as 

the sales outlets of the VGF (Frankfurt municipal transportation 

company) – in various languages, of course. In 

addition, our traffi Q telephone service offers qualifi ed 

mobility consultation plus information on any connection, 

schedule or fare for all the trains and buses in Frankfurt. 

To get this and a few insider tips as well, just call 

01805 069 960* any day between 6 a.m. and midnight. 

At this number, you can also order free traffi Q brochures. 

For regional traffi c beyond the city of Frankfurt, call the 

RMV hotline at 01805 RMV INFO (= 7684636)*. 

* 0.14/min. from landlines within Germany, cell-phone charges vary 

Check the Web, too: www.rmv. 

de and www.traffi Q.de. At 

www.rmv.de, you are always 

up to date and can easily 

plan your trip with RMV’s 

electronic schedule information. 

At www.traffi Q.de, 

you will always fi nd the 

latest information on 

Photos: traffi Q, Corbis

Photos: traffi Q 

18 

Buses and 

trains for 


the subject of mobility in Frankfurt. On this Website, 

you can download all available brochures as well as the 

specifi c schedule for “your” line or “your” particular bus 

stop or train station. You will also fi nd detailed public 

transport information on your neighborhood. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? 

TICKETS IN THE RHINE-MAIN PUBLIC 

TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION (RMV) 

Frankfurt’s public transport is part of the RMV, which 

gives you easy access to the entire Rhine-Main region, 

from Wiesbaden to Fulda and from Marburg to Darmstadt 

– thanks to a joint fare system. This means that 

you need only one ticket to get from any point within 

this network to another, no matter how many times you 

change. 

The tickets are valid on all means of transportation that 

are part of the network (bus, tram, subway, suburban 

and regional trains). There are tickets for adults and for 

children (up to the age of 14). Children who are 5 years 

old or younger travel for free. Price category 3 applies 

throughout Frankfurt (tariff zone 50). 

Single tickets are valid for a single trip immediately after 

purchase. For short distances, we recommend special 

short-hop tickets (“Kurzstreckenfahrkarte”). If you want

to know whether your destination can be reached with 

one of those tickets, please refer to the list on the ticket 

vending machine where you want to purchase the ticket, 

or go to www.traffi Q.de. You can get single or day tickets 

at vending machines, at RMV sales outlets, or from your 

bus driver. 

Of course, you can get daily, weekly, monthly, and annual 

tickets for the RMV network. We are convinced that 

we have the type of ticket that suits your needs. You can 

get all of these tickets at the “Verkehrsinsel” at Hauptwache 

or at the VGF sales points, for example at the 

Hauptwache or Konstablerwache stations. 

The 9-o’clock monthly or annual ticket is a special offer 

for those who have a little more time in the morning. It 

is valid after 9 o’clock from Monday through Friday and 

around the clock on weekends. 

The best offer for pupils and trainees is our CleverCard. 

In order to benefi t from this reduced annual ticket, however, 

you have to prove your status by supplying a confi 

rmation from your school. 

The perfect solution for discovery tours 

with friends and family is the 

group day ticket. It allows groups 

of up to fi ve persons to travel for 

as many trips as you like on one 

day (until the end of service) 

on trains and buses within 

the RMV, including weekend 

night buses! You can test 

this offer right away by 

ordering a free group day 

ticket with the voucher 

contained in this kit. 

19

20 

BUSES AND TRAINS FOR EVERYONE – BARRIER-FREE 

TRAVEL IN FRANKFURT 

Are you traveling in a wheelchair or with a baby carriage 

on a subway train or with extra baggage on a bus? Our 

goal in Frankfurt’s public transportation system is to provide 

access to our network for everyone. Most stops have 

already been modifi ed to allow nearly level boarding of 

buses and trains. Nearly all underground subway stations 

are accessible via elevators. We are in the process 

of making more stops and stations accessible within the 

near future. Frankfurt regularly uses low-fl oor buses and 

trams, which – in conjunction with barrier-free stops and 

stations – make public transportation more accessible. 

Other measures – from call buttons 

and ramps to announcements 

for the visually impaired 

– facilitate the use of buses 

and trains for users with limited 

mobility. As a passenger, 

please offer your help 

to others – senior citizens, 

people who are visually 

impaired or have walking 

disabilities and parents 

with baby carriages will 

be grateful. If you yourself 

need help, please do 

not hesitate to ask our staff or your fellow 

passengers. You will fi nd more information for customers 

with limited mobility in our traffi Q brochure, „Barrierefrei 

unterwegs” (“Barrier-free Travel”) and in our network 

map that includes information on barrier-free travel. 

Mobility Information Centre: 

traffi Q “Verkehrsinsel” at Hauptwache 

Business hours: 

Mon–Fri 09:00–20:00 hrs. 

Sat 09:30–18:00 hrs. 

Phone: 

01805 069 960 (€ 0,14/min. from 

landlines within Germany, cell-phone 

charges vary) 

daily 06:00–24:00 hrs. 

Internet: 

www.traffi Q.de 

JUST FOR YOU: THE 10-MINUTE GUARANTEE 

If you arrive more than 10 minutes late at your destination, 

we’ll give you your money back. This offer applies 

to all RMV regional bus lines, trams, busses, and sub-

ways within the city of Frankfurt, in Offenbach county 

(Kreis), in the city of Darmstadt, and in Darmstadt-Dieburg 

county. All you have to do is let us know about the 

delay within three days – preferably via Internet. You will 

fi nd further information on the 10-Minute Guarantee as 

well as an online form to apply for the refund at www. 

traffi Q.de. 

LATE-NIGHT SERVICE 

It is never too late to get to know Frankfurt’s nightlife. 

Late-night bus lines converge at the Konstablerwache 

rendezvous point. On weekends and 

before public holidays, Frankfurt’s 

night buses take discotheque 

visitors, partygoers, movie fans 

and other “restless” people to all 

the districts of Frankfurt as well 

as the surrounding region – every 

half hour. You will fi nd more information 

for “night owls” in the late-night bus schedule or at 

www.nachtbus-frankfurt.de. 

TAXICABS AND BIKE TAXIS 

In case you need a cab, you can call one of the following 

dispatch numbers: 250001, 230001, 230033, 792020. 

If you are looking for a special kind of ride for two, try 

Frankfurt’s “Velotaxis.” These cycle rickshaws give you a 

close-up view of the city while they take you to your desti- 

21 

Photo: traffi Q

22 

Flexibility 

through public 

transportation 

nation. For more information, visit www.0700velotaxi.de. 

PARKING GUIDANCE SYSTEM 

Sometimes, it takes a bit of good luck to fi nd a parking 

space in Frankfurt. For this reason, an automated 

guidance system was installed for the downtown area 

that helps drivers fi nd their way around and directs them 

straight to the closest available parking garage. To fi nd 

further parking options plus additional traffi c information 

for Frankfurt, visit www.mainziel.de. 

BICYCLE 

Bike lovers will fi nd that Frankfurt is a bicycle-friendly 

city. Apart from numerous well-marked bike paths, “parking 

spaces” for bikes can be found nearly everywhere. 

RMV, the local network of public-transportation providers, 

offers a Bike & Ride service in addition to bike 

rentals and a variety of other possibilities to combine 

traveling by bus, train, and bicycle. For more information 

on bike tours and rentals, go to www.frankfurt.de 

> “Leben in Frankfurt” > “Verkehr”. If you don’t own a 

bike, it is easy to rent one from Call a Bike, available at 

major intersections. For more information, go to www. 

callabike-interaktiv.de.

Ë jobs + education 

LEARNING AND 

WORKING 

Whether you have questions relating to jobs and education, 

want to take an exam to receive credentials in a specifi c line 

of work, or just want to know what to do in order to start 

your own business successfully, you should contact either 

the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce, service 

center hotline 2197-1280, www.frankfurt-main.ihk. 

de, or the Frankfurt Chamber of Trade, phone number 

97172-0, www.hwk-rhein-main.de for qualifi ed assistance. 

You can fi nd a GUIDE TO FRANKFURT’S SCHOOLS 

on our Website, www.frankfurt.de, or you can obtain it 

from the Bürgerberatung (Citizens’ Advice Service). 

The FRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 

has 1,700 students from 50 different countries. 

www.fi s.edu 

ISF INTERNATIONALE SCHULE FRANKFURT 

is located in the district of Sindlingen. It has 1,100 students 

and offers classes in English from kindergarten 

through to 13th grade. www.isf-net.de 

23 

Photos: traffi Q, iStockphoto

Photos: Stephanie Agethen, Städelschule, Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main 

24 

University 

Campus Westend 

(Poelzig 

Building 

The JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL offers el- 

ementary and middle-school education in Japanese. 

www.jis-ffm.de 

The FRANKFURT EUROPEAN SCHOOL offers classes 

for the staff of European Union institutions, with limited 

vacancies for additional students. Classes are held 

in English or French. www.eursc.org 

FRANKFURT ADULT EDUCATION CENTER (VHS) 

supports and assists life-long learning for the general 

population, including a variety of language classes. 

www.vhs.frankfurt.de, phone: 212-71501 

GOETHE UNIVERSITY 

with 36,000 students is among Germany’s ten largest universities. 

It has four campuses with 16 faculties, offering 

170 different courses of studies. www.uni-frankfurt.de 

Getting to the Westend Campus: 

by subway train (U-Bahn): U 1, 2, 3 to Holzhausenstraße 

by bus: line 36, 75 to Campus Westend 

UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 

FRANKFURT AM MAIN 

is the only university in the greater Frankfurt area that 

offers technical studies in addition to social studies and 

economics. It has more than 8,000 students. www.fhfrankfurt.de

STÄDEL SCHOOL 

The State College for the Fine Arts is an art academy 

for aspiring painters, photographers, and architects, but 

also offers classes for amateurs. www.staedelschule.de 

COLLEGE FOR MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS 

The only college for music, theater, and dance in the 

State of Hesse. Nearly 1,000 students are enrolled here. 

www.hfmdk-frankfurt.de 

FRANKFURT SCHOOL OF FINANCE AND 

MANAGEMENT 

This private business school offers part-time continuing 

education in addition to academic studies. 

www.frankfurt-school.de 

SANKT GEORGEN GRADUATE SCHOOL OF 

PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY 

is a graduate school recognized by both the 

Catholic Church and the Government for the 

training of priests and theologians. 

www.sankt-georgen.de 

JOB AGENCY, FRANKFURT AM MAIN 

Fischerfeldstraße 10–12, 60311 Frankfurt 

phone: 01801 555111 (employees) 

phone: 01801 664466 (employers) 

e-mail: Frankfurt-Main@arbeitsagentur.de 

www.arbeitsagentur.de 

25

26 

Ë service 

WHAT THE CITY 

HAS TO OFFER 

MOTOR VEHICLES 

Would you like to register a new motor vehicle or order 

your vanity plate? In these and other cases, you will 

have to go to the Motor Vehicle Registration Offi ce: Am 

Römerhof 19, phone: 212- 42750. In matters relating 

to your car’s safety, you will have to contact the TÜV 

Service Center: Am Römerhof 15, phone: 79160, www. 

tuev-hessen.de. And whenever you have car trouble or 

your car breaks down on the road, you can turn to either 

of the two automobile clubs with headquarters in Frankfurt: 

ADAC Hessen-Thüringen, breakdown service 

hotline: 0180 2222222, or AvD, breakdown service 

hotline 0800 9909909. 

GOVERNMENT/CITIZENS’ ADVICE 

Are you looking for a specifi c government offi ce, department, 

or institution in Frankfurt? Or for information 

about public and cultural life in the city? Or do you have 

any problems with the administration? The Citizens’ Advice 

Service (Bürgerberatung) at Römerberg 32 will be 

glad to give you advice and information on anything 

you would like to know about 

Frankfurt: call 212- 40000 or 

send an e-mail to buergerberatung@stadt-frankfurt.de. 

WASTE MANAGEMENT 

You have bulky waste that you 

would like to have picked up free 

of charge? Or would you like to

know where to fi nd the nearest collection point for biological 

or hazardous waste? You can get this information 

from the call center of the Frankfurt Waste Disposal Service 

(FES). They are the experts on all matters relating to 

waste disposal, recycling, and sanitation: phone: 0180 

33722550, www.fes-frankfurt.de. 

HEALTH 

You will fi nd important tips on vaccination and nutrition, 

as well as addresses to contact in an emergency, on our 

Website www.frankfurt.de. For personal consultation, 

contact the city’s Public Health Department, phone: 

212-33970, or the Environmental Department, environment 

hotline: 212-39100. 

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Citizens with disabilities will fi nd special services on our 

Website www.frankfurt-handicap.de. The city’s Offi cial 

Representative in Charge of People with Disabilities may 

be contacted at 212-35771. 

CHILDREN 

Whether you need individual counseling or general 

information from a competent source – the Frankfurt 

Children’s Bureau is your contact for all matters concerning 

your child – phone: 212-39001, www.kinder 

Photos: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main, FES, Stadt Frankfurt am Main

Photos: SIDI-Sportmanagement, iStockphoto, Tourismus + Congress GmbH 

28 

Birgit Prinz 

Soccer World 

Champion and 

World Soccer 

Player 

“As a native of Frankfurt, 

I feel very attached to this 

city. Frankfurt is so captivating because 

of her strong contrasts and her diversity. 

On the one hand, you have the vibrant life of a big city 

in the Germany’s banking capital, on the other hand peace, 

tranquility, and recreation in one of the many public parks. 

In particular, Frankfurt has a lot to offer in terms of highlevel 

competitive sports. Apart from the Eintracht Frankfurt 

soccer team, the Skyliners Frankfurt basketball team, and 

the Frankfurt Lions ice-hockey team, I can recommend, of 

course, that you watch a match of the 1. FFC Frankfurt in the 

women’s Federal Soccer League.” 

buero-ffm.de. You can get information on schools and 

daycare centers at the City School Department, phone: 

212-33891. If you want to get an overview of the many 

things offered especially for children, take a look at 

the cultural program for children, “Frankfurter Flöhe,” 

at www.kinderkultur-frankfurt.de, where you will also 

fi nd the current program. 

RELIGIOUS LIFE 

Frankfurt’s religious life is characterized 

by a great diversity. You can fi nd the two 

major Christian denominations (Catholic 

and Lutheran) together on the Web at www.kirchefrankfurt.de. 

All other religious communities in Frankfurt 

are listed at www.frankfurt.de (English) > “Living 

in Frankfurt” > “Churches and Religions”. 

MULTICULTURAL FRANKFURT 

People from more than 170 countries live in Frankfurt. 

In order to make it easier for them to live together, the

Department of Multicultural Affairs (AmkA) wants to offer 

its assistance in all walks of life – phone: 212-38765, 

www.stadt-frankfurt.de/amka. 

SENIOR CITIZENS 

Whether you need tips for senior citizens, information on 

ambulatory care for the elderly or on welfare legislation 

– the Senior Citizens’ City Hall provides advice and information: 

Hansaallee 150, phone: 212- 49911, www. 

aelterwerden-in-frankfurt.de. 

HONORARY SERVICES 

Would you like to offer your services on an honorary 

basis? The „Citizens’ Commitment Section – Honorary 

Offi ce and Foundations“, phone: 212-35501, www. 

buergerengagement.frankfurt.de, will be glad to answer 

your questions and inform you about your options. 

“Büro Aktiv,” an innovative institution for the young and 

the young-at-heart, provides a wide variety of honorary 

services – phone: 97201730, www.bueroaktiv-frankfurt. 

de. 

29

Photos: traffi Q, iStockphoto, Monika Rittershaus (Oper Frankfurt, Guiseppe Verdi) 

30 

Ë culture + entertainment 

THEATERS AND 

MUSEUMS 

Opera house and playhouse, ballet and independent theaters, museums 

and galleries – with a diverse and very ambitious program of cultural 

events, the City of Frankfurt has gained international fame and recognition. 

Join us on a “KulTour” of the city! 

Alte Oper 


ALTE OPER (OLD OPERA HOUSE) 

City, Opernplatz 1, 

Ticket hotline: 1340400, www.alteoper.de 

Since it was reopened in 1981, Frankfurt’s Old Opera 

House has become an integral part of the city’s cultural 

scene. Every night, the mahogany-paneled “Großer Saal” 

(2,450 seats) – famous for its acoustics – and the smaller 

“Mozartsaal” (720 seats) offer a wide variety of events 

with international ensembles and soloists: symphony and 

chamber concerts, lieder recitals, classical and modern 

music, but also jazz, rock and pop, light entertainment, 

cabaret, or – during the summer and before Christmas 

– events featuring dance, musicals, and entertainment 

for children. 

Getting there: by regional train (S-Bahn): S 1–6, 8, 9 

to Taunusanlage, 

by subway train (U-Bahn): U 6, 7 to Alte Oper, 

by bus: n1/n11, n2 to Alte Oper 

SCHAUSPIEL (PLAYHOUSE) FRANKFURT 

City, Neue Mainzer Straße 17, 

Ticket hotline: 1340400, Municipal Theaters: phone: 

212-37000, www.schauspielfrankfurt.de 

All-time classics – from Friedrich Schiller’s The Maid of 

Orleans to Bertolt Brecht’s Threepenny Opera – are performed 

in the “Big House” and the “Small House,” but also 

in other, quite original locations, along with contemporary

plays. In addition, lounge events, morning performances, 

co-productions, guest performances, and theater festivals 

are always popular with the Frankfurt audience. 

Getting there: by subway train (U-Bahn): U 1–5 

to Willy-Brandt-Platz, by streetcar: line 11, 12 to 

Willy-Brandt-Platz, 

by bus: n1, n8 to Willy-Brandt-Platz 

OPER FRANKFURT (FRANKFURT OPERA) 

City, Willy-Brandt-Platz, Ticket hotline: 

1340400, Municipal Theaters: phone: 212-37000, 

www.oper-frankfurt.de 

The Frankfurt Opera, under the directorship of Bernd 

Loebe, always ranks among the top positions in media 

surveys about the nation’s best opera houses. The house 

on Willy Brandt Square was repeatedly named “Opera 

House of the Year.” The schedule includes works by Monteverdi, 

Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Britten, and many other 

composers of operas. In addition, there are vocal recitals 

with renowned singers in the evening, chamber music 

with musicians from Frankfurt’s Museum Orchestra in 

the morning, and numerous special events – including 

an extensive program for children of all ages and their 

families. Moreover, the schedule regularly features “shoestring 

events” for audiences with a limited budget. 

Getting there: by subway train (U-Bahn): U 1–5 to 

Willy-Brandt-Platz, by streetcar: line 11, 12 to Willy- 

Brandt-Platz, by bus: n1, n8 to Willy-Brandt-Platz

Photo: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main Photo: Norbert Miguletz (Kunsthalle Schirn) 

32 

MUSEUM FÜR MODERNE KUNST 

(MUSEUM OF MODERN ART) 

Old Town, Domstraße 10, phone: 212-30447, 

www.mmk-frankfurt.de 

The MoMA’s forty rooms, all different from each other, 

were designed by world-famous architect Hans Hollein. 

The unique layout with its transitions and open spaces 

offers one-of-a-kind insights and perspectives on the focal 

points of the collection, such as American art of the 

1960s and 1970s. Also on exhibit are the works of important 

German artists like Beuys, Palermo, and Ruthenbeck, 

as well as video and performance installations. In 

addition, special exhibits frequently complement the 

presentation of the collection. 

Getting there: by regional train (S-Bahn): to Konstablerwache, 

by subway train (U-Bahn): U 4, 5 to Römer, 

by streetcar: line 11, 12 to Römer/Paulskirche 

SCHIRN KUNSTHALLE (SCHIRN ART GALLERY) 

Old Town, Römerberg 6, phone: 2998820, 

www.schirn-kunsthalle.de 

Although the Schirn Art Hall does not have a collection of its 

own, it is one of Germany’s best-known exhibition halls. In 

cooperation with museums from around the world, it offers 

a broad range of high-quality exhibits on a wide variety of 

subjects over an area of 2,000 m2 ² (21,500 sq. ft.) – everything 

from ancient through modern art to photography. 

Getting there: by subway train (U-Bahn): U 4, 5 to 

Römer, by streetcar: line 11, 12 to Paulskirche 

STÄDESLSCHES KUNSTINSTITUT UND 

STÄDTISCHE GALERIE 

(STÄDEL ART INSTITUTE AND CITY GALLERY) 

Sachsenhausen, Schaumainkai 63, phone: 6050980, 

www.staedelmuseum.de 

2,700 paintings and 600 sculptures – the Städel, one of 

the leading art museums of international renown, presents

masterpieces of European art from the early 14th century up 

to the present. The collection of graphic art, which includes 

100,000 drawings and graphics from the late Middle Ages to 

the present, is one of the most important in all of Germany. 

Getting there: by subway train (U-Bahn): U 1–3 to 

Schweizer Platz, by streetcar: line 15, 16,19 to Otto- 

Hahn-Platz, by bus: line 46 to Städel 

VOLKSTHEATER FRANKFURT 

(FRANKFURT FOLK THEATER) 

Großer Hirschgraben 21, phone: 288589, 

www.volkstheater-frankfurt.de 

In addition to classics like Goethe’s Faust, Frankfurt’s 

Folk Theater, 

Museums 

We have listed below a 

selection of museums and 

theaters. You can fi nd a 

more extensive list on the 

cultural pages of www. 

frankfurt.de Website. 

Deutsches Filmmuseum 

(German 

Film Museum) 

Sachsenhausen, 

Schaumainkai 41 

phone: 961220220 

www.deutschesfi 

lmmuseum.de 

Getting there: by subway 

train (U-Bahn): U 1–3 to 

Schweizer Platz or Willy- 

Brandt-Platz; U 4, 5 to 

Willy-Brandt-Platz 

by streetcar: line 15, 16 to 

Schweizer Straße/ 

Gartenstraße 

by bus: line 46 to 

Untermainbrücke 

Deutsches Architekturmuseum 

(German 

Museum of 

Architecture) 



phone: 212-38844 

www.dam-online.de 








Gartenstraße 

by bus: line 46 to Untermainbrücke 

Historisches Museum 

(Historical Museum) 

Old Town, Saalgasse 19 

phone: 212-35599 

www.historischesmuseum.frankfurt.de 


train (U-Bahn): U 4, 5 to 

Römer 

by streetcar: line 12 to 

Römer/Paulskirche 

Jüdisches Museum 

(Jewish Museum) 

City, Untermainkai 14–15, 

phone: 212-35000 

www.juedischesmuseum.de 






Museum für Komische 

Kunst (Museum for 

Comic Art) 

caricatura museum frankfurt 

Weckmarkt 17 

phone: 212-30161 

caricatura.museum@stadtfrankfurt.de 

www.caricatura-museum.de 



Dom/Römer 


Römer/Paulskirche 

33 

Museum für Angewandte 

Kunst (Museum 

of Applied Art) 



phone: 212-34037 

www.museumfuerange 

wandtekunst.frankfurt.de 








Gartenstraße 


Untermainbrücke 

Portikus 

City, Alte Brücke 2, 

Maininsel 

phone: 96244540, 

www.portikus.de 



Römer 


Börneplatz 

by bus: line 30, 36 to 

Schöne Aussicht

Photo: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main 

The Senckenberg 

Museum 

founded in 1971, presents favorite plays from the long 

tradition of writing in Frankfurt’s local dialect. It is also 

the only theater in Frankfurt that performs in the open 

air during the summer months, namely in the courtyard 

of the Dominican Monastery. 


to Hauptwache, by subway train (U-Bahn): U 1–3 to 

Willy-Brandt-Platz or Hauptwache, 

by streetcar: line 11, 12 to Willy-Brandt-Platz 

SENCKENBERG NATURMUSEUM 

(NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM SENCKENBERG) 

Senckenberganlage 25, phone: 75420, 

www.senckenberg.de 

The Senckenberg Museum is one of the largest natural 

science museums in Germany, and it houses the country’s 

largest dinosaur display. On an area of 6,000 m2 (64,584 sq. ft.), visitors will fi nd many unique exhibits, 

and they are introduced to the latest fi ndings in biology, 

paleontology, and geology. For young explorers, guided 

tours for children are offered regularly as an integral part 

of the museum’s educational program. 

Getting there: by subway train (U-Bahn): U 4, 6, 7 to 

Bockenheimer Warte, 

by streetcar: line 16 to Bockenheimer Warte, 

by bus: line 32, 50 to Senckenbergmuseum 

DIALOGMUSEUM 

Hanauer Landstraße 145, phone: 904332144, 

www.dialogmuseum.de 

A truly “enlightening” experience awaits visitors of the

Dialog Museum, although they won’t be able to see a 

thing! In complete darkness, their senses will be trained 

to “see” the world in the way of a blind person, as one 

of them will be their guide through the exhibit. In the 

“Taste of Darkness” restaurant, the palate will be tested: 

How much does our sense of taste rely on our eyes, and 

will our taste buds work equally well in total darkness? 

Getting there: by subway train (U-Bahn): U 6 to Ostbahnhof, 

by streetcar: line 11 to Osthafenplatz, 

by regional train (S-Bahn): to Ostendstraße 

Theaters + 

Museums 

Künstlerhaus 

Mousonturm 

Bornheim, 

Waldschmidtstraße 4 

phone: 40589520 

www.mousonturm.de 


train (U-Bahn): U 4 to 

Merianplatz; U 6, 7 to Zoo 


Waldschmidtstraße 

by bus: line 30, 36, 

all night-buses to 

Konstablerwache 

Tigerpalast (Tiger 

Palace Cabaret) 

City, 

Heiligkreuzgasse 16–20, 

phone: 9200220 

www.tigerpalast.de 

Getting there: by regional 

train (S-Bahn): S 1–6, 

8, 9 to Konstablerwache 

by subway train (U- 

Bahn): U 4–7 to Konstablerwache 

by streetcar: line 11, 12 

to Konstablerwache 

by bus: line 30, 36, 

all night-buses to 

Konstablerwache 

Komödie (Comedy) 

City, Neue Mainzer Straße 

14–18, 

phone: 284580 

www.diekomoedie.de 


train (S-Bahn): S1–6, 

8, 9 to Taunusanlage 


Bahn): U 1–5 to Willy- 

Brandt-Platz 


to Willy-Brandt-Platz 

Fritz Rémond Theater 

Ostend, Bernhard- 

Grzimek-Allee 1 

phone: 435166 (box offi 

ce), www.fritzremond.de 



Zoo, by streetcar: line 14 

to Zoo,by bus: n5 to Zoo 

Die Dramatische Bühne 

(The Drama Stage) 

Bockenheim, Leipziger 

Str. 91, phone: 61993726 

www.dramatischebuehne.de 



Leipziger Straße 

Neues Theater Höchst 

(New Theater Höchst) 

Höchst, Emmerich-Josef- 

Straße 46a 

phone: 33999933 

www.neues-theater.de 


train (S-Bahn): S 1, 2 

to Höchst Bahnhof 

by bus: lines 51, 53, 

54, 57, 58, 59, n8 to 

Höchster Markt 

35 

The English Theatre 

City, Gallusanlage 7 

phone: 24231620 

www.english-theatre.org 



8, 9 to Taunusanlage 

by subway train 

(U-Bahn): U 1–5 to 



to Willy-Brandt-Platz 

Goethe-Museum 

City, Großer 

Hirschgraben 23–25 

phone: 138800 

www.goethehausfrankfurt.de 



8, 9 to Hauptwache 


Bahn): U 1–3, 6, 7 to 

Hauptwache 

Festhalle 

(Festival Hall) 

Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1 

phone: 75756404 

www.festhalle.de 


train (U-Bahn): U 4 to 

Festhalle/Messe 


to Festhalle/Messe 

by bus: line 32, 50 

to Festhalle/Messe, 

“City” entrance

36 

Ë activities and fi tness 

SPORTS AND RECREATION 

Eintracht Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Lions, traditional clubs and health 

clubs, runners’ meets and public pools – whether it is a major sporting 

event, or just your personal workout with fun or sports and games with 

the kids: “taking part” is what counts in Frankfurt. 

REBSTOCKBAD (REBSTOCK POOL) 

Rebstock, Zum Rebstockbad 7, phone: 2710891100 

www.rebstockbad-frankfurt.de 

Water fun at the Rebstock Pool: for example, in the wave 

pool, the pool with the diving board, or the open-air pool 

– plus the giant double slide and the kiddie pool. At an 

extra charge: massage, steam bath, Mongolian sauna 

– in Frankfurt’s No.1 fun pool. 

Getting there: by bus: 34, 50 to Rebstockbad 

by streetcar: line 17 to Rebstockbad 

EISSPORTHALLE (ICE-SKATING RINK) 

Bornheim, Am Bornheimer Hang 4, phone: 212-30308 

(admission), www.eissporthalle-frankfurt.de 

Skaters have a choice between four ice-skating rinks 

– two of them indoors – plus a 400-meter (1312-ft.) 

circular open-air track and a roofed outdoor skating 

area outside. The indoor rink is also used by Frankfurt’s 

professional ice-hockey team, the Lions, for their home 

games in the German Ice-Hockey League (DEL). 

Getting there: by subway train (U-Bahn): U 7 to Eissporthalle/Festplatz 

by streetcar: line 12 to Eissporthalle/Festplatz 

by bus: line 38, 103, n5 to Eissporthalle/Festplatz 

COMMERZBANK-ARENA 

Niederrad, Mörfelder Landstraße 362 

phone: 238080121, www.commerzbank-arena.de 

The conversion of the old “Waldstadion” (Forest Sta-

dium), which was begun in June 2002, was completed 

three years later. The new, multi-purpose Commerzbank 

Arena now has a capacity of up to 55,000 spectators. 

Home games of Eintracht Frankfurt, the local professional 

soccer team, in Germany’s premiere soccer league, 

the Bundesliga, are played here, but business and other 

major events have also found a new home. 

Getting there: by regional train (S-Bahn): line 7–9 to 

the Stadium („Stadion”) 

by streetcar: line 21 to the Stadium („Stadion”); 

on game days: special trains of streetcar lines 20 

and 21 from Central Station („Hauptbahnhof”) 

SOCCER IN FRANKFURT 

No matter what league – from district to premiere: 

Soccer in Frankfurt covers a wide variety of options, 

whether you would like to join a club or just watch a 

match. The poster boys and girls of Frankfurt’s soccer 

scene are the “1. FFC” (women), www.ffc-frankfurt.de, 

and “Eintracht” (men), www.eintracht-frankfurt.de. And 

Frankfurt is a city of world cups: In 2006, hundreds of 

thousands celebrated the “miraculous” FIFA World Cup 

in men’s soccer, and seven ladies from the 1. FFC were 

part of the women’s national team the won the women’s 

World Cup for the second time in a row in 2007 – and in 

2011, Frankfurt will host the fi nal of the women’s soccer 

World Cup. 

Photos: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main (Alexander Heimann), iStockphoto

Photo: Palmengarten Frankfurt 

Get that 

jungle feeling 

at the 

Palmengarten! 

SPORTS CLUBS 

From aerobics through 

roller hockey to yoga, 

from fl amenco to gymnastics 

for children – the 

sports clubs of Frankfurt offer a wide range of options for 

all ages. You can fi nd a list of clubs through the “Vereinsfi 

nder” (club locator) on our Website, www.frankfurt. 

de > “Sport” > “Sportvereine”. With 16,000 members 

practicing 184 different sports, Turngemeinde Bornheim 

1860, phone: 4600040, www.tgbornheim.de, is 

the largest sports club in the State of Hesse, offering 

700 hours of training per week in various categories. 

PALMENGARTEN (PALM GARDEN) 

Westend, Siesmayerstraße 61 

phone: 212-36689, www.palmengarten-frankfurt.de 

The spacious park offers an oasis of tranquility in the heart 

of Frankfurt. Plants from all over the globe have found a new 

home in this botanical paradise. Explore rainforests, deserts, 

and savannahs, and enjoy the beauty of the plant kingdom! 

In addition, you will fi nd changing exhibitions plus a diverse 

cultural program here. One of the highlights is the annual 

Rose and Light Festival, which takes place in June. 

Getting there: by subway train (U-Bahn) U 4, 6, 7 to 

Bockenheimer Warte 

by bus: line 36, 50, 75 to Palmengartenstraße, line 

36, 75 also to Palmengarten 

STADTWALD (CITY FOREST)/“STADTWALDHAUS”/ 

NATURE TRAIL 

Location: in the southern part of the city 

phone: 683239, www.stadtwaldhaus-frankfurt.de 

Frankfurt’s “Stadtwald“ (City Forest), the largest urban 

forest in Germany, welcomes about six million visitors 

every year. A network of trails 450 kilometers (280 

miles) long provides ample space for joggers, hikers, and

horsemen. In addition to several educational trails, visitors 

who would like to learn more about the City Forest 

can go to the “StadtWaldHaus” (CityForestHouse), an 

information center for forestry and ecology located close 

to the Oberschweinstiege. A “forest experience trail” 

combines elements of a sensory trail with the contents 

of an educational nature trail. Getting there: by streetcar: 

line 14 to Oberschweinstiege 

GRÜNGÜRTEL (GREEN BELT) 

www.gruenguertel.de 

With an area of about 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres), 

the Green Belt is the “green lung” of Frankfurt and also 

its most important recreation zone. It provides ideal surroundings 

for a hike, a ride on horseback, or simply some 

relaxation after an exhausting day at work. Bikers can 

also use the Green Belt to enjoy nature. To avoid getting 

lost, we recommend using the bike route planner for 

Hesse at www.radroutenplaner.hessen.de. And there is 

also an educational program for the little ones called 

“Discover, study, and learn in the Green Belt,” which introduces 

children to the mysteries of nature, big and 

small. 

Sports + 

Recreation 

Sportamt (Sports 

Bureau) Frankfurt 

Hanauer Landstraße 54, 

phone: 212-33565 

www.sportamt.frankfurt.de 

Zoologischer Garten 

Frankfurt (Frankfurt 

Zoological Garden) 

Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 

Tel.. 212-33735, 

www.zoo-frankfurt.de 

Getting there: 


Bahn): U 6, 7 to Zoo, 

by streetcar: line 14 

to Zoo 

Spiridon Lauftreff 

(Runners’ Meet) 


Babenhäuser Landstraße 

sports facility 

www.spiridon-frankfurt.de 

Tuesday Night Skating 

phone: 622703, start 

Tuesdays at 20:30 hrs. 

at the Deutschherrnufer, 

near the Old Bridge (Alte 

Brücke), www.t-n-s.de 

(March thru October) 

T-Hall, climbing 

Fechenheim, Vilbeler 

Landstraße 7, phone: 

94219381, www.t-hall.de 

Getting there: 


Mainkur 

39 

Volkssternwarte 

(People’s Observatory) 

Bockenheim, Robert- 

Mayer-Straße 2–4, 

phone: 704630, www. 

physikalischer-verein.de 

Getting there: subway 

trains (U-Bahn): U 4, 

6, 7, streetcar line 16, 

busses line 36, 50 to 

Bockenheimer Warte 

Galopprennbahn 

(Gallop Track) 

Niederrad, Schwarzwaldstraße 

125, phone: 

6780900, www.rennklub-frankfurt.de 

Getting there: by streetcar: 

line 21 to Rennbahn 


Rennbahn

40 

Ë activities + fi tness 

INSIDER-TIPS 

KLEINMARKTHALLE (LITTLE MARKETS HALL) 

City, Hasengasse 5–7, phone: 212-33691, 

Mon–Fri 08:00–18:00 hrs., Sat 08:00–16:00 hrs., 

www.kleinmarkthalle.de 

In this functional building from the 1950s, Frankfurt celebrates 

food in all its variety: The scent of spicy herbs and 

exotic fruit penetrates the air. Pyramids of local vegetables, 

piles of Italian pasta, and delicacies from the Middle East 

are sold at more than 50 stalls. Gourmets from Frankfurt 

and from countries around the world come here to taste 

Frankfurt’s beef sausage as well as delicious daily dishes. 


to Konstablerwache 

by subway (U-Bahn): U 4, 5 to Dom/Römer 

by streetcar: line 11, 12 to Römer/Paulskirche 

MAINTOWER 

City, Neue Mainzer Straße 52–58, 

phone: 3650-4740, www.maintower.de 

Get to know Frankfurt from a different point of view – 

from above. There is no point in the city from which you 

can look further than from the observation platform of 

Main Tower. At a height of 200 meters (656 ft.), you can 

look across skycrapers and the historical city center all the 

way into the Taunus mountains. Getting there: by regional 

train (S-Bahn): S 1–6, 8, 9 station Taunusanlage, 

by subway (U-Bahn): U 1–5 to Willy-Brandt-Platz, by 

streetcar: line 11, 12 to Willy-Brandt-Platz 

BRIDGE ILLUMINATION 

Main River Bank 

The banks of the River Main are always an inviting place

for a stroll, for jogging or relaxation, but in the evening 

hours they develop a particular charm. In the fading 

light of the sun, the illumination of the bridges and the 

promenade turn the embankment into a magical place. 

Together with the illuminated skyscrapers, the various 

colors along the river are truly a feast for the eyes. 

GROSSES STADTGELÄUTE 

(GRAND SOUNDING OF THE CITY’S BELLS) 

City 

The old town features many churches and steeples. Four 

times a year, the church bells chime in to give the city a 

unique voice. On these very special occasions, the bells 

of the ten participating join to form a harmonious chime 

that is heard all over the city. Dates: Saturday preceding 

the fi rst Sunday of Advent, 16:30–17:00 hrs.; Christmas 

Eve, 17:00–17:30 hrs.; Holy Saturday, 16:30–17:00 hrs.; 

Saturday before Pentecost, 16:30–17:00 hrs. 

“The beauty of Frankfurt 

is that it is actually a walkable 

little town. In the downtown area, 

between the Museum Riverbank and 

the City Library, between the Zoo and the Senckenberg 

Museum, you can actually do everything you have to do 

on foot. Unfortunately, it never works, because there are 

so many interesting distractions along the way.” 

Michael Quast 

Actor, cabaret 

artist, and 

producer 

Photos: Presse- und Informationsamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main (Karola Neder), Corbis, Ute Schendel

Ë good to know 

33X SELECT 

CONTACTS 

Fire emergency 

Frankfurt/Main Fire 

Department, phone: 112 

Paramedics 

Frankfurt/Main Fire 

Dept. dispatch center, 

phone: 112 

Police emergency 

Frankfurt/Main Police 

Headquarters, phone: 110 

Emergency fax number 

for the hearing or 

speech impaired 

fax: 110, 112, or 7553333 

Association of Single 

Mothers and Fathers 

Adalbertstraße 15–17 

60486 Frankfurt 

phone: 97981884 

www.vamvbundesverband.de 

Association of 

Binational Families 

and Couples 

Ludolfusstraße 2–4 


phone: 71375618 

www.verbandbinationaler.de 

Babysitter and Daycare 

Agency 

Zeil 29–31 


phone: 559405 

www.btv-frankfurt.de 

Bulky Waste Hotline 

FES Waste Counseling 

FES Service Center 

Zeil 94a 


phone: 01803 3722550 

www.fes-frankfurt.de 

Call a Bike 

phone: 0700 05225522 

Consumer Association 

of Hesse 

Große Friedberger Straße 

13–17 


service hotline: 

01805 972010 

www.verbraucher.de 

Crisis Counseling 

Hotline for Children 

and Adolescents 

phone: 0800 1110333 

www.kjt-frankfurt.de 

Crisis Hotline 

Lutheran: 

phone: 0800 1110111 

Roman Catholic: 

phone: 0800 1110222 

Dental Emergency 

Service 

Frankfurt University 

Hospital 

Theodor-Stern-Kai 7 


phone: 6301-6713 

(Admission Patient Files) 

phone: 6301-5877 

(Emergency Service) 

Mon–Fri 17:00–23.30 hrs. 

Sat+Sun and public 

holidays 08:00–23:30 hrs. 

After 23:30 hrs., please 

call the Emergency Service 

of Dentists Participating in 

Health-Insurance Plans in 

Hesse at 6607271 

Drug Abuse Emergency 

Service 

Elbestraße 38 


phone: 2426440 

www.drogenberatung-jj.de 

Emergency Medical 

Service (EMS) – 

Outpatient Clinic 

Health Center 

Galluswarte 

Mainzer Landstraße 265 


phone: 19292 

Emergency Mothers’ 

Service 

Family and Senior 

Citizens’ Aid 

Sophienstraße 28 


phone: 776611 

www.notmuetterdienst.org 

Frankfurt Tenants’ 

Association 

Zeil 43 


phone: 280050 

www.frankfurtermieterverein.de 

Frankfurt Ticket 

Order hotline: 1340400 

www.frankfurt-ticket.de 

Gas, water, power 

emergency 

Mainova AG 

phone: 21388110 

www.mainova.de 

German Weather 

Service 

Frankfurter Str. 135 

63067 Offenbach 

phone: 8062-0 

weather service hotline: 

01805 9139913


train (S-Bahn): S1, 8, 9 

station Ledermuseum 


to Offenbach city limits 

(„Stadtgrenze”) 


Deutscher Wetterdienst 

www.dwd.de 

Girls’ Hangout 

FeM e.V. 

Eschersheimer Landstraße 

534 


phone: 53055119 

www.fem-ffm.de 

Independent Patient 

Information 

Rohrbachstraße 29 


phone: 94548964 

Legal Information 

Frankfurt Bar Association 

phone: 17009846 

www.rechtsanwalts 

kammer-ffm.de 

Frankfurt Lawyers’ Society 

phone: 282669 

www.frankfurteranwaltsverein.de 

Medical Emergency 

Ward 


Hospital 



phone: 6301-7410 


line 12, 15, 19, 21 to 

Universitätsklinikum 

Pediatric Emergency 

Service 

Frankfurt-Höchst 

Municipal Hospital 

Gotenstraße 6–8 


phone: 3106-3322 


train (S-Bahn): line S1, 2 

to Höchst railroad station 

by bus: line 50, 59, 253, 

804 to Kliniken Höchst. 

Pediatric Emergency 

Service 


Hospital 



Bldg. 32, entrance C 

phone: 6301-7170 


line 12, 15, 19, 21 to 

Universitätsklinikum 

Prevention Council 

– Violence-See-Help 

Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 45 


phone: 212-31476 

www.gewalt-sehen-helfen.de 

River Cruises 

Primus Line 

Mainkai 36 


phone: 1338370 

www.primus-linie.de 

Security Hotline 

Public Affairs Offi ce 

Task Force 

phone: 212-44044 

Self-Help Contact 


Jahnstraße 49 


phone: 559444 

www.selbsthilfe-frankfurt.net 

Social-Pedagogical 

Family Aid – 

Caritas Association 

Rüsterstraße 5 


phone: 97206044 

www.caritas-frankfurt.de 

43 

Teachers’ Cooperative 

– Education and 

Communication 

Kasseler Straße 1a 


phone: 9706360 

www.lehrerkooperative.de 

White Ring – Aid 

Organization for 

Crime Victims and 

Their Families 

Großer Hirschgraben 15 


phone: 252500 

emergency hotline for 

victims: 01803 343434 

www.weisser-ring.de 

Women’s Emergency 

Call Frankfurt 

Kasseler Straße 1a 


phone: 709494 

www.frauennotruffrankfurt.de

Living in Frankfurt - Frankfurt am Main

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