Navigating the Districts of Frankfurt, Germany

Altstadt

Frankfurt’s Altstadt, meaning “Old City,” is the heart of the city, and has history dating back hundreds of years. The main square is called Römer Square, and there are many reconstructed representations of historic buildings that had been destroyed during World War II. Nevertheless, there still is a good deal of culture in the area.

Innenstadt

Innenstadt, the center of Frankfurt, has many landmarks, such as Zeil, which is a very long strip of shops. One section that touches Innenstadt is Bankenviertel, which is full of many banks, financial buildings and skyscrapers. There is also the fancier Opera Quarter, considered one of the most beautiful parts of the city. There are also many nightclubs and restaurants.

Sachsenhausen

Sachsenhausen is divided into the northern and southern districts, and is located on the south bank of the Main river. It is a central part of the city, sitting across from Altstadt. It is a better place to see historical structures than Altstadt, because not all of the older buildings were destroyed. The southern part of this district is famous for having nightlife action, such as bars, taverns and restaurants. There are also some famous cider houses, which make their own Apfelwein (apple wine). One section of town is completely new, but overall this district has an older feel than the rest of the city. There are also an array of museums, as well as trendy cafes and boutiques. Many tourists and younger locals are found in this part of Frankfurt.

Bornheim

Bornheim is also called “The Funny Village,” and is the most highly populated district of Frankfurt. There is a central shopping and pedestrian zone called Bergerstrasse, where there are many shops and farmers markets that set up on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Bergerstrasse

Another nice hang-out area is around Bornheim Mitte, which is full of cinemas, restaurants, cafes and bars with nice terraces. Many young people hang out around Bornheim.

Westend

Westend is perfect for business people, where there are many skyscrapers and law firms and other types of offices. Apart from that, Westend is mostly a residential area that has narrow roads. Though densely populated, it is not the most practical place to live, as there are no hospitals, police stations or fire stations in the area. There still are a handful of cultural spots in Westend, such as the Festhalle, which holds many exhibits and concerts.