Frankfurt Money Museum: Touch a Real Gold Bar—For Free?!

Did you know Frankfurt isn’t just Germany’s financial capital—it’s also home to the European Central Bank? Many visitors stop by the iconic euro symbol for a quick photo, but if you’re curious to dive deeper into the world of money, there’s a hidden gem waiting for you: the Money Museum of the Deutsche Bundesbank (Geldmuseum).

Best of all? It’s completely free to enter!

Inside, you’ll find fascinating exhibits on how banknotes are printed, what inflation really means, the interesting history of out-of-control inflation, as well as currencies from around the world. There are also plenty of hands-on experiences—try checking if a bill is real, or the highlight for many visitors: touching a real gold bar and feeling just how heavy it is!

Our Experience of Visiting the Money Museum

Entry and Tickets

We saw online that the museum is free, but just to be polite, we still asked at the front desk when we arrived—
and yes, it really is free to enter!

Before heading in, the staff kindly asked us to leave our coats and backpacks in the cloakroom.

Language Availability

No worries if you don’t speak German—all exhibits are available in both German and English.
And if you’re still stuck, well… that’s what AI translators are for these days, right? 😄

Kids are given an activity sheet to complete, and if they finish it, they get a little reward!
(The sheet was in German—if any readers have seen it available in other languages, feel free to share in the comments!)

How Euro Banknotes Are Printed

To be honest, cash is still widely used in Germany.
Many in the older generation, especially those who lived through dictatorship, remain cautious about electronic payments.

One video at the museum really stood out—a bank official says:

“Using cash is a symbol of freedom.”

Digital money certainly brings convenience and many benefits,
but it’s also fascinating (and a little unsettling) to think about how it might reshape our society in the long run…

Learning About Euro Security Features

I think this museum is great for a family visit—there are fun interactive stations where kids can learn more about Europe and money in an engaging way.

Banknotes from Around the World

One of the coolest parts of the museum is seeing banknotes from all over the world—a colorful journey through global currency.

Understanding Inflation

This section introduces the value of money and the history of inflation—
how the purchasing power of money changes over time.

This display cleverly mimics a European supermarket cheese counter, where each country is represented by a block of cheese labeled with its inflation rate.

My inner thoughts:
When I moved to Germany eight years ago, I remember the prices clearly—
as a newcomer, budgeting for daily life was essential.
Inflation is very real, and lately, everything just feels so much more expensive!

Germany’s History of Hyperinflation

Although the museum was about to close, I still managed to catch a glimpse of Germany’s hyperinflation period—a truly shocking chapter in economic history.

During World War I, inflation spiraled out of control: prices skyrocketed, the value of money plummeted, and at one point, a single coin was worth one trillion marks—just enough to buy a loaf of bread or a cup of coffee!

It instantly reminded me of modern-day Zimbabwe.
Human history really does repeat itself…

At first, I had no idea how many zeros were in a Billion—turns out, in German,
“Billion” = “Trillion” in English!
So the German Billion has three more zeros than the English billion? That’s wild!

But honestly, whatever the number of zeros—the sad truth is, this note was worth almost nothing…

It’s terrifying to think that your hard-earned money could suddenly become worthless overnight.

Grand Finale: Touching a Real Gold Bar

One of the most exciting parts of the museum comes at the end—you actually get to touch a real gold bar!

You can even try lifting it to feel how heavy it is. For a free museum, this is such an impressive and generous experience!

The gold bar is worth around €400,000, so of course, it’s safely sealed inside a thick, bulletproof glass case. You can only reach your hand inside through an opening—but it’s still super fun!

Our kid didn’t quite finish the activity sheet… but still got two chocolate gold coins as a prize! (YEAH!)

As we left, we stopped for one last photo.

Extra note: The Frankfurt TV Tower isn’t a tourist attraction—you can’t go in—but you’ll definitely spot it while you’re in the city!

Planning Your Visit

How Much Time Should You Budget?

Suggested visit time: 1.5–2 hours

It really depends on your pace. Are you the type who likes to dive deep into each exhibit, learning new things you never knew before? Or are you more of a casual visitor, happy just to browse and discover something new?

Since the museum is free and not heavily advertised, we didn’t expect much—we thought it might be a small space with just a few exhibits. We arrived just 1.5 hours before closing, and at first, we took our time, reading everything and explaining the displays to our child.

But surprise—the museum was way bigger than expected! We had to rush through the second half before it closed.

There were even a policeman with gun politely asking visitors to leave at closing time!
(Probably because of that gold bar… 😆)

There’s also a souvenir shop and a café, but sadly, we didn’t have time to check them out.

Opening Hours

Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on Saturdays

🆓 Free entry
♿ Accessible and family-friendly

You can check the latest info on the official website.
Note: The museum will be closed from May 1 to May 11, 2025.

Where is the Money Museum?

The Money Museum is located in Frankfurt’s Bockenheim district, a lovely area full of charming cafés (I’ll save those for another blog post!).

Address: Wilhelm-Epstein-Straße 14, 60431 Frankfurt am Main

How to Get to the Money Museum?

Note: The Deutsche Bundesbank headquarters and the museum entrance are about 100 meters apart, so be sure to head to the correct entrance!
The main bank entrance is strictly guarded and not open to the public.

By Public Transport

First, take the U-Bahn (U1, U2, U3, or U8) to Dornbusch station.
Then transfer to Bus 34 heading toward Mönchhofstraße/Gallus and get off at Deutsche Bundesbank.

Prefer walking? You can skip the bus and walk 500 meters straight down Am Dornbusch street—it’s an easy and pleasant stroll.

By Car and Parking 🅿️

We drove there that day, and there were some parking spaces available right in front of the museum.

Final Thoughts

If you’re visiting Frankfurt—whether for business or with family—don’t just stop by the euro sign for a quick photo.

For a deeper and more meaningful experience, make time to visit the Money Museum.

Even just feeling the weight of a real gold bar is a unique memory worth having!

Recommended! ✅

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Looking for more things to do in Frankfurt?

🔗 Goethe House – Discover the life and legacy of Germany’s literary giant, plus must-see exhibits in his former home.

🔗 Städel Museum – A Must-Visit in Frankfurt! Home to masterpieces by world-renowned artists like Botticelli, Rembrandt, Monet, and Picasso.

Looking for day trips from Frankfurt?

🚄 Cologne – Just an hour by high-speed train, home to the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks. Perfect for a day trip!

🚄 Würzburg – Reachable in about an hour, this historic city is famous for the UNESCO-listed Würzburg Residence, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

🚄 Heidelberg – About an hour away, this charming university town is known for its stunning castle and picturesque old town. A great day trip option!

🚄 Limburg an der Lahn – About an hour away, this medieval town boasts Germany’s oldest half-timbered houses and the impressive Limburg Cathedral, known for its unique spires.

📌 First time visiting Germany? Don’t miss: “10 Essential Travel Tips for Your First Trip to Germany!“ This guide is packed with practical advice to help you plan a smooth and enjoyable journey.

✨ Enjoy your time in Germany! 🇩🇪 ✨