--- title: "Frankfurt neighbourhoods" url: "https://www.visitfrankfurt.travel/en/experience/discover/frankfurt-neighbourhoods" language: "en" breadcrumb: "Root > Home > Experience > Discover > Frankfurt neighbourhoods" --- Frankfurt's neighbourhoods ========================== Forty-three city districts awaiting discovery - - - - - City walks through Frankfurt's neighbourhoods Discover Frankfurt from its most versatile side – with walks in selected neighbourhoods that reflect the unique character of this metropolis. From Bockenheim and the West End, where tradition meets modernity, to the lively Bridge Quarter, which attracts visitors with its creative atmosphere. Experience the historical beauty of Höchst, immerse yourself in the urban flair of the North End and Bornheim and be fascinated by the up-and-coming East End. Each neighbourhood tells its own story, shaped by architecture, culture and the people who live here. We invite you to explore Frankfurt off the beaten track. Follow our carefully compiled routes, which will take you to the hidden treasures and vibrant hearts of our city's neighbourhoods. Whether you're strolling down historical alleyways, immersing yourself in contemporary art or savouring the culinary diversity – every walk is a journey of discovery that brings you closer to Frankfurt's unique atmosphere. Get ready to discover seven fascinating neighbourhoods that show just how diverse, lively and inviting Frankfurt is. Bockenheim and the  West End - - Idyllic scene in the Frankfurt Botanical Garden with an open bookshelf and benches under colourful trees. - View of lush vegetation in Frankfurt's Palmengarten, with a glass house and the skyline in the background, surrounded by green trees. - Street scene on Leipziger Street with old buildings, subway sign, bikes, and clear sky. - About the walk How about heading off on a trip from the urban jungle to the tropics? At the Palmengarten, you'll find yourself travelling through different climate zones, exploring flora from all across the globe and observing butterflies. Rest assured, however, the West End and Bockenheim districts have plenty more to offer other than the popular Palmengarten. Here, architectural history and botany meet university flair! Both districts are directly adjacent to the city centre and may be reached in just a few minutes by both bus and train. Alternatively, you may also stretch your legs and make the journey on foot. On your walk, you'll discover a unique cityscape in all of its facets: On the one hand, it is characterised by noble, upper-class Wilhelminian-style architecture, but also by residential complexes, office buildings from the 1950s to 1970s as well as time-honoured houses that tell of Frankfurt's history right back to the Middle Ages. These time-honoured structures include, among others, the "Bockenheimer Warte" watchtower, a remnant of the city wall formerly encircling Frankfurt. which also gives the surrounding square its name. For an unusual photo opportunity, head to the entrance to the "Bockenheimer Warte" subway station, which looks as if a subway carriage is breaking through the earth's surface to travel underground, or to the Tyrannosaurus rex prowlng menacingly in front of the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History. With life-size dinosaur skeletons, mummies, minerals and many other exciting exhibits, the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History is one of the largest and most important natural history museums in Europe and amazes children and adults alike with its permanent and changing exhibitions. The former campus of Frankfurt's renowned Goethe University, which has shaped the district for more than 100 years and filled it with a youthful flair, also borders the Bockenheimer Warte. Opposite, one finds the Bockenheimer Depot, a former streetcar depot that today makes the hearts of dance and theatre fans beat faster. The large hall, where trams were once repaired, now serves as an impressive backdrop for the Frankfurt Theatre, the Opera and the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company. A stone's throw away, one finds Leipziger Strasse with its colourful, multicultural mix of independent shops and restaurants. Here, extravagant shops and boutiques including designer jewellery shops and esoteric bookshops meet Turkish vegetable markets and charming courtyards that are home to an old traditional coffee roasting house and a wine shop, for example. Not far from the former site of Goethe University is the new West End Campus. The monumental building ensemble around the Poelzig Building -- with its chequered history – lies at the centre of much of the university's student life. Other university campuses are located in Bockenheim (University Library), Ginnheim, Niederrad and Riedberg. The parks bordering the green university campus merge into one another and form a green oasis in the centre of the city. From here, one is able to stroll through the Korean Garden, enjoy a picnic in Grüneburgpark and explore the neighbouring Botanical Garden. The Bridge Quarter - View of a busy street in Frankfurt with historic buildings and pedestrians. - “Brücke” café-bar with bright facade, terrace, plants, and orange signposts nearby. - Street scene in Frankfurt's bridge district with old buildings, cafés, bicycles and cars. - Shopfront with colorful window in Brückenviertel, street lined with historic buildings. - Ice cream store with colorful sign, outdoor seating area and climbing plants in the Brückenviertel. - Cozy outdoor area of a reading café in Frankfurt with blue umbrellas and plants. - About the walk The Bridge Quarter ("Brückenviertel)" is small but beautiful. Situated in the going-out district of Sachsenhausen, it measures less than one square kilometre. The historical quarter is only accessible by bridges spanning the River Main. Merely getting to this neighbourhood is an experience; strolling across Frankfurt's Alte Brücke, you end up directly on Brückenstraße. The neighbourhood is both trendy and cosy, making it very typical of Frankfurt. Here, you'll find second-hand shops set alongside local designers selling unique, handmade items, and traditional apple wine pubs situated next to urban cafés. With all of the arts and crafts, concept stores and street-food vendors, visitors of the Bridge Quarter have the luxury of spending time in a more relaxed, creative, individual and casual way than anywhere else. Frankfurt-Höchst - Half-timbered houses and an alley in the old town of Frankfurt-Höchst. - half-timbered-house-höchst-old-town-summer-castle-square.jpg - View of the historic Neues Theater Höchst building. - An empty hall with rows of blue velvet-covered seats and a stage with a red curtain. - About the walk As one of the largest industrial centres in all of Germany, the Frankfurt city district of Höchst has over the years gained worldwide renown. But many people don't know what else makes the district so special. Or did you know that the oldest building in Frankfurt is located in Höchst? Along the green banks of the River Main, not far from the picturesque old town, St Justin's Church, one of the oldest places of worship in Germany, towers above the rooftops. Here, Frankfurt's last ferry takes passengers from Höchst to Schwanheim. Close by, one finds the Schwanheim Dunes with their collection of rare flora and fauna. But that's not all. There is so much more to discover in Frankfurt-Höchst! Here, you have the chance to follow the Route of Industrial Heritage, visit two separate mediaeval castles, stroll through the heritage-listed old town or relax by the majestic River Main. Höchst Castle is located directly on the banks of the River Main and consists of two parts – the Old Castle, which was built as a Gothic customs castle in the 14th century, and the Renaissance Castle, which was built as an aristocratic residence. If you're interested in learning more about the history of the district, why not head off on a trip through time at the castles' museums? It's also worth lingering for a time in one of the cafés or restaurants on the picturesque castle square with its sweeping views. The nearby customs tower with its small garden and the Main Gate are also worth a visit. Just a few short walk along the riverside and you'll reach the idyllic Bolongaro Garden, which leads to the baroque-styled Bolongaro Palace. Built by the family of the same name, who as Italian cloth manufacturers established a trading post in Höchst centuries ago, Bolongaro Palace today houses Höchst's municipal administration. The pavilion in the Bolongaro Garden is one of the most beautiful and sought-after wedding venues in Frankfurt; truly fortunate are those who are able to tie the knot at this unique civil registry office. Another building of special significance is the Peter Behrens Building in Höchst Industrial Park, which is now an industrial monument and a reminder of the time when it was the technical administration building of the former Höchst AG. With its distinctive design language, its unusual colour scheme and the impressive incidence of light in the domed hall, the angular building is considered a masterpiece of expressionist architecture. Today, it serves as the headquarters of Infraserv Höchst, and may be visited during regular guided tours of Höchst Industrial Park. But Höchst is also known to many in another context. The history of porcelain is also closely linked to that of the district. The world-famous Höchst Porcelain Manufactory is the second oldest in all of Germany. The porcelain made in this historical town is so famous that the citizens of Höchst dedicated a museum to their “white gold”, situated at Kronberger Haus on Bolongarostrasse. Its collection is due to be integrated into the local civic museum following the renovation of Bolongaro Palace. The "Telescopes into the past" installation at Ettinghausen Square is also well worth seeing. It was inaugurated in 2010 in memory of the former synagogue, which was burned to the ground on Crystal Night. Through the telescope, you'll be able to see both the exterior and the interior of the virtual synagogue. North End and Bornheim - Intersection at Friedberger Landstraße, historic buildings, trees, and summer market. - A picturesque scene in Bethmannpark with a small white building complex and well-tended gardens surrounded by summer blooming nature. - View of a historic building in Frankfurt, trees and cobblestone square. - Market stalls with fruit and vegetables on cobblestone square in Frankfurt. - An idyllic view of Bethmannpark in Frankfurt, with lush vegetation, benches and walking paths. People enjoy the green surroundings. - A path in Bethmannpark in Frankfurt, lined with flowering plants and trees. People stroll or relax on benches. - People at a market stall in daylight. - About the walk Wilhelminian-style buildings and tree-lined boulevards reveal that the North End emerged as a city district back in the 19th century. Already a popular residential quarter in those days, it still impresses today with its varied streetscape on Oeder Weg and Berger Straße. Directly adjacent, one finds the popular Bornheim district, which shares with the neighbouring North End a colourful range of owner-operated shops, independent boutiques, trendy bars, innovative restaurants and modern wine bars. Here, a weekly farmers' market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday around the Bornheim clock tower. And there's another unique location to discover: One of Frankfurt's smallest museums, the "Bernemer Museumslädchen", is also located in Bornheim. Bethmannpark with its Chinese garden, water park and Holzhausenschlösschen are the gems of the two neighbourhoods. While here, you should definitely stop off at one of the traditional “water-houses”, which have over the years been transformed into neighbourhood kiosks. These iconic little streetside shops, which used to sell bottled drinking water to the general public, are now a combination of corner market, urban soul and popular after-work meeting place. If you fancy a bit more action, head to the Eissporthalle, Frankfurt's indoor skating rink and home to Frankfurt's professional ice hockey team. It is of course also open to the public during non-playing times as a skating rink. Last but not least, there's the renowned Frankfurt Zoo. These zoological gardens, situated in the heart of the city, are home to more than 500 animal species from all around the world. Frankfurt East End - Walkers and cyclists at the riverside near ECB in Frankfurt. - Artistically designed room with sofas and colorful origami cranes. - People on a lawn near ECB and Osthafen Bridge in Frankfurt. - Creative studio with colorful rugs, framed art, orange sofa, bike, and artworks. - frankfurt-east-oosten-sundeck-summer-people.jpg - About the walk Few districts – if any – have undergone as much change as Frankfurt's East End. This chic residential neighbourhood exudes industrial charm, offers trendy nightlife options and welcomes locals and visitors to the green banks of the River Main. For decades, the Osthafen (East Harbour) ensured that the East End was considered a working-class district. Today, it presents itself significantly modernised and restructured, an up-and-coming quarter that is also the home of the new European Central Bank (ECB), a modern twin-tower high-rise erected on the site of the city's former wholesalers' market hall. The so-called "Skytower", which the ECB occupied in 2014, is not only a real eye-catcher on Frankfurt's eastern skyline, it is also open to the public by way of special guided tours. Hanauer Landstraße runs right through the East End and, as the heart of its business district, offers numerous shopping opportunities. It is also home to numerous car dealerships and designer furniture shops. The street also features various trendy nightlife locations, including numerous clubs, restaurants and bars. If you are looking for a little more culture, the Literaturhaus Frankfurt or the Romanfabrik invite to literary events for literature fans of all ages. Other cultural establishments include the Montez Family Art Association on Honsellbrücke, which hosts changing exhibitions of contemporary art, and the international theatre stages of the Mousonturm, situated in the former Naxoshalle factory hall. Finally, there's the world-famous "Ensemble Modern" orchestra, which attracts visitors with a wide variety of musical events. By the way, two of the district's bridges, Honsellbrücke and Deutschherrenbrücke, offer breathtaking views of the skyline and are known to be excellent places for taking memorable snapshots of your stay. There are numerous memorials commemorating Jewish life in the East End, which had a decisive influence on the district up until the outbreak of the Second World War. At Friedberger Anlage, for example, changing exhibitions on show in a high-rise bunker, which stood on the former site of the Orthodox synagogue that was destroyed during the Second World War, commemorate Jewish life in Frankfurt. A publicly accessible memorial at the former wholesalers' market hall bears witness to the dark history of the site as an assembly centre for deportations. The neighbourhood's industrial history is also very interesting. For example, at Wesel Wharf (east of the rafting bridge), a heritage-listed harbour crane and the disused tracks of the harbour railway create a special atmosphere in what is today a very family-friendly park. On warm days, the Flößerbrücke bridge offers a unique natural spectacle, the protected biotope being home to numerous sand lizards and wall lizards, which may be seen sunbathing during times of fair weather. Speaking of wildlife, Frankfurt Zoo is just a 15-minute walk away and is home to around 550 animal species from all over the world. If you're looking for a nice place to sunbathe and relax, simply head to Harbour Park, situated just a stone's throw from the ECB headquarters. The park truly has something to offer people all ages: Come and take a relaxing stroll along the banks of the River Main, take part in some sport or simply relax with a cool drink and a view of the river. One particularly special feature is the large BMX and skate park, which is unique in all of Germany. There are also open fields and courts for playing football, volleyball, basketball and badminton as well as two fitness trails featuring different levels of difficulty. The climbing balls, trampolines, mud area and playground are the perfect place for the youngest park visitors to let off some steam. Last but not least, water sports fans also get their money's worth in the East End. Further information - - - - -