Römerberg (Frankfurt Town Hall Square)

The Römerberg in Frankfurt is the city's historic town hall square and the most photographed spot in Germany's banking capital. Framed by the stepped gables of the Römer, Frankfurt's city hall since 1405, and a row of colorful half-timbered houses, it is where emperors were feted, markets were held and where Frankfurt still celebrates today. For travelers landing at Frankfurt Airport, it is the natural first stop and one of the top things to do in Frankfurt.

A square at the heart of German history

The square takes its name from the Haus zum Römer, which the city council bought in 1405 and has used as its town hall ever since. In the Middle Ages the Römerberg hosted trade fairs, tournaments and courts. Between 1562 and 1792, Holy Roman Emperors were crowned in the nearby cathedral, and the celebrations spilled onto this square, with coronation banquets held inside the Römer's Emperors' Hall from 1612.

The 20th century brought darker chapters: Nazi students burned books here in 1933, and Allied bombing in 1944 destroyed almost the entire old town. The Römer was rebuilt after the war, while the half-timbered row opposite, known as the Ostzeile, was faithfully reconstructed in 1981–1983. Since 2018 the "New Old Town" between the square and the cathedral has added more rebuilt lanes.

What to see

• The Römer, with its three stepped gables, balcony and clock
• The Emperors' Hall (Kaisersaal), lined with portraits of 52 emperors and kings, from Charlemagne to Francis II, painted between 1838 and 1853
• The Ostzeile, a row of six half-timbered houses on the east side of the square
• The Fountain of Justice, standing here since 1543; its Justitia figure is unusual for having no blindfold
• The Old St. Nicholas Church, a small Gothic church with a carillon

Hours and admission

As of October 2026:

• The square is a public pedestrian zone, open at all times and free.
• The Emperors' Hall is free to visit and usually open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, according to the city, but it can close at short notice for official events. Call +49 69 21234920 before you go.

Access to the hall is through the courtyard in the lane to the left of the Römer, via a red sandstone spiral staircase; for step-free access, ring at the porter's desk at the front of the building.

How to get there

From Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, subway lines U4 and U5 run directly to the Dom/Römer station next to the square, or you can walk in about 20 minutes. From Frankfurt Airport, take the S-Bahn into the city center, a ride of roughly 15 minutes to the main station, and change there. The Deutschlandticket covers all local trains, subways and trams. Drivers should use the downtown parking garages, since the square is car-free.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, even on a short layover. Allow one to two hours for the square, the Emperors' Hall and the New Old Town. Visit early in the morning for crowd-free photos, or at dusk when the facades are lit and the skyscrapers glow behind the Römer. In Advent, the square hosts Frankfurt's Christmas market, but expect big crowds. Nearby, don't miss the Imperial Cathedral, St. Paul's Church, seat of Germany's first elected parliament in 1848, and the Iron Footbridge across the Main River with views of the skyline.

Christmas market 2026

Frankfurt's Christmas market runs from 23 November to 22 December 2026, Monday to Saturday 10 am to 9 pm and Sunday 11 am to 9 pm. It opens on 23 November at 5:05 pm on the Römerberg stage with the carillon of the Old St. Nicholas Church. The large Christmas tree in front of the half-timbered row arrives on 3 November. Programme, tips and all market squares are in our guide Frankfurt Christmas market 2026.