Alte Oper (Old Opera) Frankfurt

The Alte Oper (Old Opera) on Opernplatz is one of Frankfurt's most photographed buildings and one of Germany's leading concert halls. Its neo-Renaissance facade stands out among the skyscrapers of the banking district. You can see it in two ways: admire and photograph it from outside, or go in for a concert or a guided tour. If you are visiting Frankfurt for a day, it is an easy stop on a walk through the city center.

History

The opera house was designed by the Berlin architect Richard Lucae and opened on October 20, 1880, in front of around 2,000 guests, including Emperor Wilhelm I. Citizens made it possible: 67 Frankfurt businessmen donated 480,000 guilders toward the building. Destroyed in World War II, it stood for decades as "the most beautiful ruin in Germany".

A citizens' initiative started the reconstruction in 1964 and raised a total of 15 million Deutschmarks in donations. On August 28, 1981, the building reopened as a concert and congress center, with Mahler's Eighth Symphony conducted by Michael Gielen. The inscription "Dem Wahren Schönen Guten" ("To the true, the beautiful, the good") still sits above the portal.

What to see and do

The Great Hall seats up to 2,450 and has mahogany paneling for excellent acoustics; the smaller Mozart Hall holds more than 700. Nearly half a million people attend more than 460 events each year, from classical concerts and jazz to touring musicals. The square in front is a popular meeting place with cafés.

Visiting and tours

As of October 2026, the Alte Oper is not a museum with set opening hours. The house opens one hour before each event, and leftover tickets go on sale at the box office from then. Guided tours last about two hours, take place on selected dates and start at the stage door; the October and November 2026 dates were sold out most recently, so book early. Photography and recording are not allowed in the concert hall, but you can photograph the exterior freely.

How to get there

The easiest way is public transport: U-Bahn lines U6 or U7 to "Alte Oper", S-Bahn lines S1 to S6 and S8 to "Taunusanlage", or bus 64. From Frankfurt Airport, take the S8 to Taunusanlage. The Deutschlandticket is valid on local lines, and a ticket for one of the house's own concerts includes free RMV travel. Parking garages are nearby, but the house warns of traffic jams near its garage.

Accessibility and families

All rooms can be reached by elevator, with wheelchair spaces in every hall, a ramp on the left side of the building and four public disabled parking spaces. The PEGASUS program offers concerts for children, including babies and toddlers.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes: even if you only see the facade, it is a classic Frankfurt photo spot, and a concert in the Great Hall is a highlight. Check the program before you travel.

Nearby

The banking district, the Zeil shopping street and Eschenheimer Tower are within walking distance.