Frankfurt Hop-On Hop-Off Skyline Bus Tour

The Römer and St Paul's Church

The tour begins in the historic heart of Frankfurt at Paulsplatz, next to the Römerberg square. The Römer, with its three stepped gables, has served as the city hall for almost 600 years, and its Imperial Hall once hosted the banquets of newly crowned emperors. Opposite stand rebuilt half-timbered houses and the Old Nikolai Church.

A few steps away, St Paul's Church is known as the cradle of German democracy: in 1848 the first freely elected German parliament met here. Hop off at this stop for at least an hour to see the square, the cathedral and the new old town. It is the best place to start a Frankfurt sightseeing tour.

Goethe House and the Main Tower

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's greatest poet, was born in 1749 in a grand townhouse on Großer Hirschgraben. The Goethe House has been rebuilt with original furnishings, and the adjoining museum explains his life and times. Goethe House opening hours vary by day, so check before you hop off.

In the banking district nearby, the Main Tower is the only skyscraper in Frankfurt with a public viewing platform, about 200 metres above the street. The view over the skyline, the river and the Taunus hills is spectacular. Allow about 45 minutes, including the security check; tickets for the platform are bought on site.

The trade fair, the Senckenberg Museum and the Zoo

West of the centre, the route passes the Messe, Frankfurt's vast trade fair grounds, marked by the tall Messeturm, and the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. With its dinosaur skeletons, it is one of the largest natural history museums in Europe and a favourite with families.

On the eastern side of the loop, Frankfurt Zoo, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest zoos in Germany. A stop at the zoo or the Senckenberg Museum is a good way to break up a day with children. With a 24-hour ticket you can easily combine both with the historic sights.

The Museum Embankment and Alt-Sachsenhausen

Crossing the River Main, the bus follows the Museumsufer, where about a dozen museums line the southern bank, including the Städel art museum and the German Film Museum. The Eiserner Steg footbridge nearby is the best spot for skyline photos.

Alt-Sachsenhausen, the old quarter south of the river, has cobbled streets and traditional restaurants. This is a good place to end the day, walking back across the river to the old town. The best time to start the Frankfurt hop-on hop-off tour is late morning, so you can enjoy the river in the afternoon light.