The skyline view
The classic view of Frankfurt's banking towers — the only real skyline in Germany.
Simsalabimbam — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Simsalabimbam — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Flocci Nivis — CC BY 4.0 · Superbass — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Eiserner Steg is a pedestrian-only bridge across the river Main in the middle of Frankfurt. It was first built in 1868, blown up at the end of the Second World War and rebuilt in 1946. Today it is the city's best-known footbridge and the spot most photographs of the Frankfurt skyline are taken from. Thousands of padlocks left by visitors and couples hang from its railings, and an ancient Greek line from the Odyssey is set into the ironwork at the entrance. It is free and always open, linking the old town with the restaurants of Sachsenhausen across the water.
The classic view of Frankfurt's banking towers — the only real skyline in Germany.
Thousands of padlocks on the railings, with visitors adding more all the time.
The Main cruise jetty sits right below the bridge, with short river trips leaving from it.
Mainkai, 60311 Frankfurt
Saalhof and the RententurmThe Saalhof is a cluster of buildings on the north bank of the Main that contain2 minutes walk4.7
Historical Museum FrankfurtThe Historical Museum Frankfurt tells the city's story from the Middle Ages to t2 minutes walk4.2
Museum Angewandte Kunst (Applied Arts)The Museum Angewandte Kunst is Frankfurt's design museum: how humans have design2 minutes walk4.3
Old St Nicholas ChurchThe small red-roofed church on the south side of the Roemerberg is older than th3 minutes walk4.7
RömerbergThe Römerberg is the Frankfurt picture you know before you arrive: the square of3 minutes walk4.7Five minutes on foot, though most people stop for photographs, which makes it twenty minutes to half an hour. It is a stop on a walk rather than a day's destination.
Just before sunset and immediately after, when the light is warm and the towers are coming on. Midday light is harsh and the crowds are heavier. The bridge is open at night, so there is no rush.
Römerberg and the old town are a few minutes north, with Frankfurt Cathedral beside them. On the south bank are Sachsenhausen with its restaurants and the museum embankment. One walk links them all in half a day.