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The View from Main Tower: Frankfurt's Public Skyscraper Deck
Main Tower is one of the few high-rises in Frankfurt with a public viewing platform, offering a panorama of the skyline locals call Mainhattan. What to know before you go up.
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Frankfurt is the only city in Germany with a true cluster of skyscrapers, a skyline so distinctive that locals nickname it Mainhattan. The best place to appreciate it is from the top of the Main Tower, one of the few high-rise buildings in the city with an observation platform open to the public.
The tower rises around 200 metres above the banking district, with its antenna reaching higher still, and it was completed at the turn of the millennium. Its most useful feature for visitors is a viewing platform near the summit, reached by a fast lift, which offers an open-air panorama in every direction.
From the top the geography of Frankfurt becomes clear. The River Main curves through the city below, the historic Romerberg and cathedral sit to the east, and the surrounding neighbouring towers of the financial district crowd close by. On a clear day the view extends out to the low hills of the Taunus range beyond the city.
Because the platform is outdoors, the experience depends heavily on the weather, and a bright, clear day is worth waiting for. The tower is a popular spot at sunset, when the changing light on the glass towers is at its most dramatic. There is a fee to go up, and a restaurant and bar occupy floors near the top for those who want to linger.
The Main Tower is centrally located and easy to reach on foot or by U-Bahn from the main station. Checking the current opening hours and any weather-related closures before setting off is advisable, since the platform can shut in high winds or storms.
The Main Tower takes its name from the river rather than any claim to be the main tower of the city, and it is owned by a regional bank whose offices fill much of the building. While several of Frankfurt's skyscrapers are taller, including the Commerzbank Tower that ranks among the highest in Germany, most are closed to the public, which is what makes the Main Tower's open platform unusual. For visitors who want to understand the shape of Frankfurt, going up early in a stay is a good idea, as the view makes sense of how the medieval core, the river and the modern financial district fit together.