What is the MAIN TOWER?
The MAIN TOWER is one of the tallest skyscrapers in Frankfurt's banking district, and the only one with a public open-air viewing platform. It sits at about 200 m, on the roof, with a 360° view over the skyline ("Mainhattan"), the River Main, the Old Town, the cathedral and, on clear days, the Taunus hills.
A high-speed lift takes you up in under a minute. There's no glass between you and the view, just a railing, which makes it one of the best photo platforms in Germany. The MAIN TOWER Restaurant & Lounge a few floors below is separate and needs its own booking.
Ticket prices
Tickets are sold in the official online shop at any time, or at the foyer desk during opening hours. The Frankfurt Card gives a discount on the single adult ticket (bought on site at the MAIN TOWER desk).
Online saves the ticket queue, not the security queue
An online ticket means you skip the desk, but everyone goes through the same bag check and shares the same lifts. Timing your visit matters more than how you buy.
🎟️ Skip the ticket line
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The security check
Before the lift, visitors go through an airport-style check: bags are scanned and you may pass a metal detector. Access can be refused. Everything you bring goes up to the platform with you, as there's no left-luggage.
- Travel light. Large suitcases and big backpacks slow you down and may not be allowed.
- Tripods are allowed, but they're screened too.
- Leave sharp objects and anything you'd confiscate at an airport at your hotel.
When a queue forms, it's usually here, not at the ticket desk, because only a few people can be screened and taken up at a time.
How busy is the MAIN TOWER?
Our crowd data shows a weekday pattern that surprises many visitors. Tuesday and Wednesday are the busiest days, followed by Thursday, Friday and Monday, while Sunday is the quietest day of the week, with Saturday close behind. School trips, business visitors and tour groups fill the weekday daytime slots.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for MAIN TOWER, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Quietest time
Sunday, 6-9 pm
How to skip the queues
- Buy online so you go straight to the security line.
- Go at 10 am on opening, or on a Sunday.
- Use the late opening. On summer Fridays and Saturdays the platform is open until 11 pm, and evenings are the calmest time.
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset if you want golden hour and the lights coming on. In winter, sunset is in the late afternoon, well before closing.
- Travel light to get through the bag check quickly.
- Check the weather. In storms and high winds the platform closes or is restricted.
What you'll see
- The skyline: the Commerzbank Tower, the Messeturm, the European Central Bank and the other banking towers, close enough to feel you could touch them.
- The Old Town: the Römer, the cathedral and the river bridges.
- The River Main winding east and west.
- Frankfurt Airport, with planes landing, on the horizon to the southwest.
- The Taunus hills to the north on clear days.
Getting there
The entrance is on Neue Mainzer Straße. Follow signs for the observation platform (Aussichtsplattform).
Mistakes to avoid
- Arriving in the last 45 minutes: the last lift goes up 45 minutes before closing.
- Bringing a big suitcase on the way to or from the airport.
- Going on a midweek lunchtime, the busiest slot in our data.
- Paying full price on a stormy day: the platform may be restricted or closed.
- Assuming the restaurant ticket includes the platform. They're booked separately.
Is the MAIN TOWER worth it?
Yes. At €9 it's good value for a skyscraper viewpoint, and being outside in the open air at about 200 m is very different from looking through glass. It's Frankfurt's best view of its own skyline. Go on a clear evening or a Sunday for the most relaxed visit.
Pair it with
- The Römerberg and the New Old Town, a short walk away.
- The Städel Museum across the river, via the Holbeinsteg footbridge.
- Frankfurt Cathedral, which also has a tower you can climb.
- An evening walk along the Main after sunset at the top.
Check today's crowd forecast for the MAIN TOWER.
FAQs
How much does the MAIN TOWER cost?
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€9 for adults, €6 reduced and €20 for a family of two adults with up to three children aged 6-12. Online tickets have a €0.50 service charge.
Do I need to book the MAIN TOWER in advance?
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No, you can buy at the foyer desk. Booking online skips the ticket desk, but everyone shares the security check and lifts.
Is there a security check at the MAIN TOWER?
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Yes. Bags are screened in an airport-style check before the lift. Travel light, and don't bring large luggage.
What are the MAIN TOWER's opening hours?
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In summer, Sunday-Thursday 10 am-9 pm and Friday-Saturday 10 am-11 pm. In winter, Sunday-Thursday 10 am-7 pm and Friday-Saturday 10 am-9 pm. The last lift goes up 45 minutes before closing.
When is the MAIN TOWER least busy?
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Heading to MAIN TOWER?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 1 November 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
