Römerberg has been Frankfurt's main square for centuries, and it is still where the city gathers, whether for a festival, a football celebration or the Christmas market. On the west side stands the Römer, a trio of stepped gables that has served as the city hall since 1405 and remains the seat of the Lord Mayor. Opposite it runs the Ostzeile, a row of half-timbered houses rebuilt after the wartime destruction of the old centre, and in the middle of the square the Fountain of Justice stands over the cobbles. Behind the Römer, between the square and the cathedral, lies the New Old Town, which opened in 2018. It holds 35 new buildings, of which 15 are faithful reconstructions of historic houses, laid out on the lines of the medieval lanes. You can walk through it freely, drift into courtyards, and look for details such as the Goldene Waage house, the Struwwelpeter Museum and the small Stoltze museum in Haus Weißer Bock, which is free to enter.
Why it matters
For hundreds of years Frankfurt was the city where Holy Roman emperors were chosen and crowned, and the Römer was the stage for the celebrations that followed. The medieval centre was almost entirely lost in 1944, and the square you see today is a mixture of careful reconstruction and postwar compromise. The Ostzeile was rebuilt in the 1980s, while the strip behind the Römer was long occupied by a concrete office block, which was demolished to make way for the New Old Town.
Opinions about the result are divided, with some visitors finding it a touch too polished and others loving the lanes and the way they open onto small squares. Either way it is a gentle place to start getting your bearings.
Seeing it well
Arrive early in the morning, before the tour groups, when the light is soft on the gables and the lanes are almost empty, or return at dusk when the square is floodlit. Take a slow loop through the New Old Town to the cathedral, then come back along the Main for a view of the river.
The shops and cafes in the rebuilt houses keep ordinary opening hours, and a guided walk adds the stories behind each facade, which is useful here because so much is reconstruction. Interior visits to the Römer itself are limited, so check with the tourist information office on the square if you hope to see the Kaisersaal.
Getting there and pairing it
The Dom/Römer U-Bahn stop is a minute away, the Hauptbahnhof is a pleasant twenty-minute walk, and the Eiserner Steg footbridge to the Museumsufer is only a few minutes down the lane. Pair the square with the cathedral, the Historisches Museum, the Kleinmarkthalle, or a river cruise from the Eiserner Steg. From late November the whole area is transformed by the Christmas market, which makes the square busier but unforgettable.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided stroll across the square and through the lanes of the New Old Town, with optional guided walks that run from the tourist information office.
Best time
Early morning for empty photos, dusk for the lit gables, and a weekday if you dislike crowds; the square is at its busiest on weekends and during the Christmas market.
How long
One hour covers the square and a loop through the new lanes, and two hours lets you add the small museums and a coffee.
Tips
Wear shoes for cobbles, step into the courtyards, and ask at the tourist office about guided walks and any open days at the Römer.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers who want to see the classic Frankfurt postcard and understand how the old centre was rebuilt.
- Families
- Open space, fountains and short distances make it easy with children, and the Struwwelpeter Museum nearby suits school-age kids.
- Couples
- Walk the lanes at dusk, then cross the Eiserner Steg for a drink on the river.
- Pair with
- The cathedral, the Eiserner Steg footbridge, the Kleinmarkthalle and a Main river cruise.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Is Römerberg free to visit?+
Yes, the square and the lanes of the New Old Town are public spaces that are open at all hours. You only pay if you enter a museum or take a guided tour.
Is the New Old Town genuinely old?+
It opened in 2018, and 15 of its 35 buildings are faithful reconstructions of historic houses while the rest are new buildings in the traditional spirit. It sits on the line of the medieval lanes that were lost in 1944.
Can I go inside the Römer?+
The city hall is a working building, so visits are limited and usually part of guided programmes or special openings. Ask at the tourist information office on the square for current options.
What else is nearby?+
The cathedral, the Historisches Museum, the Eiserner Steg and the Museumsufer are all within a few minutes on foot. The Kleinmarkthalle is about five minutes north.
When is the square at its best?+
Early morning and dusk are the quietest and most photogenic times. In late November and December the Christmas market fills the square with stalls and lights.
