Frankfurt Neighbourhoods

WESTEND: FRANKFURT'S TOP ADDRESS

Frankfurt's most exclusive residential district, directly adjacent to the Bankenviertel. Wilhelminian villas, embassy residences, Goethestraße and the Grüneburgpark define the area. Many senior bankers walk to work. Westend-Süd is urban and prestigious, Westend-Nord quieter and greener.

NORDEND: URBAN, VIBRANT AND CENTRAL

Frankfurt's largest and most popular residential district. Gründerzeit period buildings, a dense café culture on Oederweg, boutiques and a strong neighbourhood feel. Nordend-Ost is quieter and family-oriented, Nordend-West more urban and lively.

SACHSENHAUSEN: CULTURE, RIVER VIEWS AND APFELWEIN

Frankfurt's cultural heart south of the Main. The Museumsufer with over 13 museums (including the Städel), the upscale Schweizer Straße and traditional Apfelwein taverns. Sachsenhausen-Nord offers Main river views and urban dining, Sachsenhausen-Süd borders the Stadtwald and is quieter.

OSTEND: THE ECB DISTRICT

Dramatically transformed since the European Central Bank opened in 2015. Contemporary architecture, the Hafenpark on the Main and a growing restaurant scene. ECB staff can walk to work. More moderate prices than Nordend or Westend.

BOCKENHEIM: BEST VALUE FOR MONEY

The former university quarter combines a central location with significantly lower prices than Westend or Nordend. Leipziger Straße dining scene, Palmengarten next door. U4, U6 and U7 reach the Bankenviertel in 10 minutes.

BORNHEIM: THE VILLAGE WITHIN THE CITY

Frankfurt's longest shopping street, Berger Straße, is the centre. Independent boutiques, one of the city's best weekly markets (Wednesday and Saturday) and a strong community feel. Attractive for expats seeking an authentic Frankfurt neighbourhood.

EUROPAVIERTEL: MODERN AND TRADE-FAIR ADJACENT

Frankfurt's newest district on the former freight rail yard. Germany's tallest residential tower (Grand Tower), Skyline Plaza and the Europa-Allee. Walking distance to Hauptbahnhof, Bankenviertel and Messe Frankfurt (two to five minutes).

INNENSTADT & BANKENVIERTEL: THE FINANCIAL CENTRE

Zeil for shopping, Goethestraße for luxury boutiques, the reconstructed Neue Altstadt with half-timbered houses and Römerberg. Very limited housing stock and correspondingly premium-priced. Ideal for executives wanting zero commute time.

GALLUS: CENTRAL AND TRANSFORMING

South-west of Hauptbahnhof, rapidly gaining appeal through proximity to Europaviertel and the Messe. New developments offer modern furnished apartments at more moderate prices. Best airport connectivity: S8/S9 from Hauptbahnhof in 12 minutes. 2-bed from 1,600 €.

BAHNHOFSVIERTEL: MAXIMUM URBAN

Frankfurt's most polarising and most exciting neighbourhood. International restaurant scene on Münchener Straße, short distances everywhere, more bars per square metre than anywhere else in the city. Not for families, ideal for young professionals seeking urban living. Studios from 1,300 €.

NIEDERRAD: UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND MAIN RIVERBANK

Directly on the Main with Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt as the major employer. Solid quality at significantly lower prices. S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof in 8 minutes, airport in 12. 2-bed from 1,500 €.

RÖDELHEIM: AFFORDABLE WITH GOOD CONNECTIONS

West of the city centre with Brentanopark as a green oasis. S3/S4 to Hauptbahnhof in 10 minutes. 2-bed from 1,400 €.

GATEWAY GARDENS: AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK

Frankfurt's newest business district adjacent to the airport. Condor, Lufthansa and numerous logistics firms. S-Bahn direct to city centre in 15 minutes. 2-bed from 1,600 €.

OBERURSEL: TAUNUS HILLS AND INTERNATIONAL FAMILIES

At the foot of the Taunus mountains with the Frankfurt International School (FIS) as a magnet for international families. U3 to the city centre in about 25 minutes. 2-bed from 1,400 €.

ESCHBORN: DEUTSCHE BÖRSE AND LOWER BUSINESS TAX

Home to Deutsche Börse and many financial services firms. S3/S4 to Hauptbahnhof in about 20 minutes. 2-bed from 1,500 €.

RIEDBERG: NEW-BUILD CAMPUS DISTRICT

Entirely new residential quarter around Goethe University's science campus. Modern architecture, family-friendly infrastructure. U8/U9 to the city centre in 20 minutes. 2-bed from 1,500 €.

HÖCHST: HISTORIC AND QUIET

Historic old town with half-timbered houses on the Main. Close to Industriepark Höchst (Sanofi-Aventis). Quieter and more affordable but longer commutes. 2-bed from 1,300 €.

TAUNUS BELT: KRONBERG, BAD HOMBURG, KÖNIGSTEIN

Prestigious green living for executives and families. Kronberg (villa colony, international schools, near Deutsche Börse in Eschborn), Bad Homburg (spa town, excellent S-Bahn), Königstein (forest location, panoramic views). S-Bahn to the city centre in 20 to 30 minutes. 2-bed from 1,600 €.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: FRANKFURT NEIGHBOURHOODS

WHICH NEIGHBOURHOOD IS BEST FOR EXPATS?

Westend and Nordend for premium living near the banks. Sachsenhausen for culture and river views. Ostend for ECB proximity. Bockenheim for the best value.

WHERE IS THE MOST AFFORDABLE?

Höchst (from 1,300 €), Rödelheim and Oberursel (from 1,400 €) offer the lowest rents with good connections.

WHICH NEIGHBOURHOOD IS BEST FOR FAMILIES?

Nordend, Westend, Oberursel (FIS), Sachsenhausen-Süd and Riedberg offer international schools, parks and family-friendly infrastructure.

WHERE DO ECB EMPLOYEES LIVE?

Ostend (walking distance to the ECB), Sachsenhausen and Bornheim. The European School Frankfurt is in Nordweststadt.

WHERE DO BANKERS AND CONSULTANTS LIVE?

Westend (walk to the Bankenviertel), Nordend and Sachsenhausen. Bockenheim as a more affordable alternative with direct U4 connection.

HOW LONG ARE THE COMMUTES?

Frankfurt is compact. From all central districts you reach the Bankenviertel in 5 to 15 minutes. Even from Oberursel or Eschborn it is only 20 to 25 minutes. The DeutschlandTicket (63 €/month) covers all local transport.

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