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Frankfurt Zoo
At 150 years old, Frankfurt’s zoo is second only to Berlin’s in terms of size. It means it can cram in a massive array of species, while working on breeding programmes for endangered animals such as the rusty-spotted cat, maned wolf and gorilla. Its biggest highlight is the Grzimekhaus, where artificial darkness is created in order to observe nocturnal animals going about their business. The zoo consists of 13 different areas, so visitors can see animals grouped together in similar habitats. As a children-friendly attraction, Frankfurt Zoo is a must for those travelling with kids.

Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1
Frankfurt
Germany
Tel: (069) 2173 3735.
Web: www.zoo-frankfurt.de
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1900 (summer); daily 0900-1700 (winter).
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes

Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank (Money Museum of the German Federal Bank)
Being the financial powerhouse of Germany, it’s no surprise that Frankfurt is home to this comprehensive museum about the history of money and finance. The attraction’s main focus is on Germany, but as the city plays home to the European Central Bank, visitors can get clued up on the Euro and the Eurozone too. For those who like to mix business with pleasure, there’s a good primer on complex monetary policy, as well as interactive games to keep young visitors entertained. There are also guided tours for anyone who wants to spend longer exploring the city’s historic connection with money and banking.

Wilhelm Epsteinstrasse 14
Frankfurt
Germany
Tel: (069) 9566 3073.
Web: www.geldmuseum.de
Opening hours: Mon-Tues 1000-1700, Wed 1000-2100, Thurs-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes

Goethe-Museum and Goethe-Haus
The home of Frankfurt’s most famous son, the author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832), was destroyed in an allied bombing raid during WWII. Thankfully, it was rebuilt to its original 18th century design and reopened in 1951. Be sure to check out each room, including the family music room, library, living room and Goethe's own puppet show and study.

Next door, the Goethe-Museum is home to some stunning German art, including paintings and sculptures that date from the baroque period of the 16th and 17th century, up to the romantic era of the 1800s. There are daily guided tours of the house (in German) at 1400 and 1600, and audio-visual guides are available to hire in several languages. Tours of the museum can also be arranged on request.

Grosser Hirschgraben 23-25
Frankfurt
Germany
Tel: (069) 138 800.
Web: www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1000-1730.
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes

Historisches Museum (Historical Museum)
The Historical Museum is housed in a complex of imperial buildings on Römerberg, overlooking the Main, and also includes a 12th-century palace chapel. Completely renovated since it was reopened in 2012, the museum traces the story of Frankfurt from its place as a key regional trading city in medieval times to its destruction in the WWII. Visitors can also learn about the traditions of ebbelwei (apple wine) in the museum cafe. There are guided tours on the last Saturday of each month and a number of rotating exhibitions about the city’s cultural offerings.

Fahrtor 2
Frankfurt
Germany
Tel: (069) 2123 5599.
Web: www.historisches-museum.frankfurt.de
Opening hours: Mon-Tues 1000-1800, Wed 1000-2100, Thurs-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes

Jüdisches-Museum (Jewish Museum)
Until the Holocaust, Frankfurt was home to Germany's second largest Jewish population, many of whom played a key role in the city's financial and cultural success. Housed in the Rothschild Palais (a mansion that was the former home of the Rothschilds), the Jewish Museum retraces this important community’s story from the 12th to the 20th century. The remains of Mikvah (women's ceremonial baths) in the former Jewish ghetto and special exhibitions are displayed in the supplementary Judengasse Museum (Jewish Alley Museum) on Kurt-Schzumacher-Strasse.

Untermainkai 14-15
Frankfurt
Germany
Tel: (069) 2123 5000.
Web: www.juedischesmuseum.de
Opening hours: Tues 1000-1700, Wed 1000-2000, Thurs-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes

Museum für Moderne Kunst (Museum of Modern Art)
A modern architectural counterpoint to Frankfurt’s superb historical buildings, the Museum of Modern Art is worth visiting to admire from the outside alone. Through the main doors, visitors are rewarded with a peerless collection of post–war art, predominantly by German and American artists. There’s work from modern masters including Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon and Joseph Beuys. In addition to its vast permanent collection, the museum also plays host to a series of impressive rolling exhibitions and has an excellent cafe-restaurant for hungry visitors too.

Domstrasse 10
Frankfurt
Germany
Tel: (069) 2123 0447.
Web: www.mmk-frankfurt.de
Opening hours: Tues 1000-1800, Wed 1000-2000, Thurs-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes

Palmengarten (Palm Garden)
Hidden away from the bustle of central Frankfurt, the Palmengarten is the perfect place to escape the noise of the city. As the largest garden of its kind in Germany, its botanical wonders are big enough for visitors to get lost in for an entire day. Head here to find filled greenhouses, over 300 different palms and a boating lake. Concerts are staged here in summer, as well as a number of exhibitions and events. Free guided tours (in German) are available on Sundays.

Siesmayerstrasse 63
Frankfurt
Germany
Tel: (069) 2123 3939.
Web: www.palmengarten-frankfurt.de
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1600 (Nov-Jan); daily 0900-1800 (Feb-Oct).
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes

Römerberg
In 1240, this low hill was the site of the city's first official trade fair. It’s surrounded by half-timbered houses, reconstructed after they were destroyed in 1945, and the former court chapel - the Nikolaikirche (Church of St Nicholas). The main attraction, however, is the Rathaus Römer (Frankfurt's city hall since 1405) with its Gothic stepped gables made of red sandstone. The coronation of German emperors was celebrated in the Kaisersaal (Emperor's Hall) on the upper floors and portraits of 52 emperors hang on the walls. It is still a working town hall, however, so unfortunately there are no dedicated tours.

Römerberg is also home to one of Germany’s best Christmas markets, which has taken place each December since the 14th century.

Römerberg, Römer
Frankfurt
Germany
Tel: (069) 2123 8800.
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes

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