Best Things to See at the Städel Museum + Insider Travel Tips

Frankfurt was heavily bombed during World War II, so compared to other cities, it has fewer historical or cultural landmarks. That said, there’s one place I highly recommend visiting—the Städel Museum, founded in 1815. This museum is a must-see for anyone coming to Frankfurt! Its incredible art collection spans 700 years, featuring masterpieces from world-renowned artists like Botticelli, Rembrandt, Monet, and Picasso. If you’re even slightly interested in art, this place is absolutely worth a visit!

What Makes the Städel Museum Special?

Founded in 1815, the Städel Museum is one of Frankfurt’s top cultural highlights. So, what makes it worth visiting? Let’s break it down! 👇

1️⃣ 700 Years of Art in One Place
The museum’s collection spans from the 14th century to today, covering everything from Medieval and Renaissance art to Modern and Contemporary masterpieces. It’s like walking through centuries of European art history in one place!

2️⃣ Masterpieces by World-Renowned Artists
You’ll find works by Botticelli, Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, and many more. From Renaissance and Baroque to Impressionism and beyond, the collection showcases some of the greatest names in art.

3️⃣ Diverse Collection & Spacious Galleries
With 15,000㎡ of exhibition space, the museum features paintings, sculptures, photography, drawings, and prints—offering a wide variety of artistic expressions to explore.

(Plus, it’s fully accessible! I visited with a friend who had a stroller, and she couldn’t stop complimenting the amazing baby changing room! 👶✨)

Exploring the Städel Museum Collection

That day, I followed the museum’s guided tour app and explored the Old Masters and Modern Art sections. As for Contemporary Art, well… it’s not really my thing, so I skipped it and went straight to the special exhibition—a collection of Rembrandt’s works from the Dutch Golden Age.

📍 Old Masters

My friend asked which section I wanted to visit first, so I suggested starting on the second floor with the Old Masters collection.

Turns out, the building was heavily damaged during World War II and rebuilt in 1966, with several expansion projects over the years.

Sandro Botticelli – Idealised Portrait of a Lady (1480)

If you’ve been to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, you’ve probably seen Botticelli’s masterpieces—he was one of the most important painters of the Renaissance.

Botticelli broke away from the convention of painting only religious subjects and became known for his portraits of beautiful women. In fact, he was the first Italian artist to paint a woman’s portrait from the front. The woman in this painting, Simonetta Vespucci, was widely regarded as the most beautiful woman in Florence.

Although this is a profile portrait, it remains one of the most significant works in the Städel Museum’s collection!

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo – The Patron Saints of the Crotta Family, ca. 1750

Wandering around the museum… and suddenly—

↓ I stumbled upon a painting by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo! 🎨 If his name sounds familiar, it might be because he was the genius behind the world’s largest Baroque ceiling fresco, located in the UNESCO-listed Würzburg Residence in Germany.

At first, I mistakenly thought this painting depicted the biblical story of John the Baptist’s beheading by King Herod—but turns out, it’s a completely different event!

This artwork illustrates a legendary story linked to a noble family that once ruled Bergamo.

According to legend, Grata, the ruler’s daughter, brought back the severed head of St. Alexander, a martyr, to her father, who was still a heathen. Miraculously, fragrant flowers bloomed from the saint’s head. Moved by this divine sign, her father ultimately converted to Christianity.

As I continued exploring, I stumbled upon some gorgeous floral paintings and, and some mouthwatering food still lifes!

Jacob van Walscapelle – Still Life with Bouquet of Flowers, 1677

Harmen Loeding – Still Life with Fruit and a Chinese Porcelain Bowl with Strawberries, 1665

Johannes Vermeer – The Geographer, 1669

Johannes Vermeer, one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age, is best known for his iconic masterpiece Girl with a Pearl Earring.

↓ But did you know that the Städel Museum also has one of his works? The composition, lighting, and textures in this painting are absolutely stunning! Just look at how beautifully the fabric is painted!

The geographer in the painting has just finished measuring distances on a map with his compass. Now, he pauses to think. The globe and map behind him symbolize the Netherlands’ leading role in cartography during the Age of Exploration.

According to the museum’s audio guide, this is neither a traditional portrait nor a story-driven painting. Instead, Vermeer masterfully captures a moment of intellectual reflection, as the geographer explores the world—not through travel, but through thought. This depth of meaning makes the painting both intellectually and artistically captivating.

(And yes, this is another one of those “you have to see it in person” paintings—my camera just couldn’t capture its brilliance!)

Pieter Janssens – Interior with Painter, Woman Reading and Maid Sweeping, ca. 1665 – 1670

I entered a room which is filled with realistic depictions of the lives of the poor, offering a glimpse into the struggles of the lower classes in the 17th century. But among them, this painting stands out.

The stark contrast between the maid sweeping and the luxurious home she’s cleaning is striking. The details in this artwork are simply fascinating—the paintings and mirror on the wall, the way natural light streams through the window, and the ornate floor tiles all add to the richness of the scene. It’s a beautifully detailed snapshot of two very different worlds coexisting under the same roof.

📍 Don’t Miss the Museum Rooftop

👉 We discovered a way to the museum rooftop! From the Old Masters gallery on the second floor, step through the glass doors, and you’ll find yourself in a stylish staircase hall. Just follow the stairs up, and you’ll reach the rooftop!

✨ Don’t miss it—take a moment to enjoy the beautiful view of the Main River!

📍 Modern Art

Now onto the Modern Art section! Personally, I found this area even more fascinating than the Old Masters.

Max Beckmann – Ice on the River, 1923

When in Frankfurt, it’s always great to check out local artists—and this piece by Max Beckmann captures the Main River, the Iron Bridge, and the Frankfurt Cathedral.

Chunks of floating ice drift across the Main River, a rare sight that I’ve never actually witnessed in all my years in Frankfurt! ❄️

I wonder if the artist ever imagined that today, this entire area would be filled with skyscrapers! 🏙️

Max Beckmann – The Synagogue in Frankfurt am Main (1919)

This is another painting by Max Beckmann, depicting a Jewish synagogue in Frankfurt.

Today, this building no longer exists—it was tragically burned down during the Nazi era and has become a part of history. 🕍🔥

Claude Monet – The Luncheon (1868-1869)

Of course, I couldn’t miss a painting by my favorite artist—Monet! 🎨✨

This piece is easy to spot, but be prepared—there’s always a crowd of guided tour groups gathered around, discussing every detail. (Honestly, I just wanted to quietly enjoy Monet’s work… is that too much to ask? 🥺)

Monet is best known for his Impressionist paintings, but this one has a more realistic style, which feels quite different from his usual work. My friend even commented that it resembles Édouard Manet’s style—I’ll take their word for it, haha! 😆

About the Painting – The Luncheon

According to the museum guide, Monet painted this when he was still in his 20s, making it one of his early masterpieces. Seated at the table are his wife and their son, while a guest leans by the window and a servant stands in the background. The table is set with food, capturing an ordinary yet intimate moment of family life.

(That wrinkled round tablecloth looks incredibly hard to paint! But if you look closely, you can still spot some of Monet’s signature brushstrokes in the fabric. 🎨)

At the time, large-scale paintings were typically reserved for historical, religious, or mythological themes. But Monet boldly used a large canvas to depict something as simple as his own family’s daily life—a groundbreaking approach for its time! One of the defining features of Impressionism is its ability to capture a fleeting moment, and this painting does exactly that. ✨

Auguste Renoir – Reading Girl, 1880

Nearby, there were several Impressionist paintings, but this one completely stole my heart! 😍

Everything about it—the girl’s gaze, the colors, the flowers, the composition—is just so beautiful! I could honestly stare at it all day.

I’m seriously tempted to buy a replica and hang it in my home… hehe! 🤭🎨💕

Pablo Picasso – Portrait of Fernande Olivier, 1909

I’ll admit—I’ve never really understood Picasso’s art, but when you come across an authentic masterpiece, you’ve got to take a moment to appreciate it!

Picasso spent a summer in the countryside near Saragossa with his lover, Fernande Olivier. In this portrait, he blends the natural landscape of the mountains and forests with her face, creating a unique fusion of nature and emotion. 🎨✨

↓ Wandering around aimlessly… and discovering even more amazing artworks! 🎨✨

(Whispering… 🤫) Honestly, I think the woman in this painting is even more beautiful than the famous Florentine beauty! And that fur—how did the artist manage to paint it so realistically?! It looks so difficult! Haha. But of course, Botticelli’s work carries both artistic and historical significance. 🎨✨

The museum also has a Contemporary Art section, but… it’s not really my thing. So, I skipped it and went straight to the special exhibition instead! 😆

📍 Limited-Time Exhibition: Rembrandt’s Amsterdam

This exhibition is only available for a limited time (Nov 27, 2024 – Mar 23, 2025). I’m not sure when you’ll be visiting Frankfurt, but it’s always worth checking the museum’s special exhibitions, as they frequently change throughout the year!

📌 Heads up! In 2026, there will be a major Monet exhibition, featuring works by the French Impressionist master himself! If you’re planning your trip, keep this in mind:
🔹 Title: Monet on the Normandy Coast – The Discovery of Étretat
🔹 Exhibition Dates: Mar 19, 2026 – July 5, 2026

The Dutch Golden Age exhibition explores how this once-small fishing village transformed into a powerhouse of trade, exploration, and scientific progress in the 17th century.

↓ Did you know? In the Netherlands at the time, capital punishment was legal, and the bodies of executed criminals were often used for scientific study. 😮

Arent de Gelder – Self Portrait as Zeuxis Portraying an Ugly Old Woman, 1685

↓ This painting by Arent de Gelder, a student of Rembrandt, is filled with humor and wit! At the time, it was common for artists to paint self-portraits and studio scenes as a way to showcase their skill. But de Gelder took it a step further—he added a theatrical twist, making the composition even more lively and engaging.

In the painting, de Gelder is midway through his work, glancing at the viewer with a cheeky, amused smile, as if he can barely hold back his laughter while painting his rather unflattering model. Not only does he depict the elderly woman in front of him, but he also reproduces her likeness on the canvas within the painting, creating a clever “painting within a painting” effect. His palette, held in one hand, even displays the dominant colors used in the artwork—rich browns and warm oranges, a style clearly influenced by Rembrandt’s late works.

↑ This composition is inspired by the legend of Zeuxis, an ancient Greek painter who was said to have laughed himself to death while painting an old woman who insisted on modeling for him. De Gelder’s work seems to carry a similar sense of satire, playfully challenging conventional beauty standards of his time. Since he was financially independent, he had the freedom to create art on his own terms, making this painting a witty and personal artistic statement. 🎨😆

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn – The Blinding of Samson, 1636

↓ This painting, The Blinding of Samson, is part of Städel Museum’s permanent collection in Frankfurt, but since it’s also a Rembrandt masterpiece, it has been temporarily moved to the special exhibition.

In the Old Testament, Samson was a judge and warrior blessed with immense strength, which came from his uncut hair—a secret no one was supposed to know. However, his lover Delilah, a Philistine, tricked him into revealing this source of power.

While Samson was sleeping, Delilah shaved his head, and immediately summoned her people to capture him. Stripped of his strength, Samson was tied up and brutally blinded.

The dramatic lighting, with a strong spotlight effect, makes the entire scene feel almost like a theatrical performance.

↓ As Samson writhes in pain, Delilah glances back at him with a complex mix of triumph, fascination, and disgust.

This painting was one of the most dramatic acquisitions in the history of the Städel Museum! The museum’s director at the time, Ludwig Justi, pushed hard to secure the deal and eventually negotiated a price of 336,000 marks with its previous owners, the Schönborn family in Vienna.

However, the museum couldn’t afford this hefty sum alone. In just a few days, 85 private donors collectively contributed 167,700 marks, with additional large contributions from the city of Frankfurt and the museum association. Thanks to their efforts, the purchase was finalized in May 1905.

Alright, alright—I know the €18 admission fee might seem a bit steep, but after seeing so many incredible works, I’d say it was worth every cent! 😆🎟️

Trip Planning

How to Get to the Städel Museum?

🚆 By Public Transport

Transport options	Nearest station	Walking distance
I guess all trains?	Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Frankfurt Central Station)	~ 13 minutes
Underground U1, U2, U3 and U8	Schweizer Platz	~ 10 minutes
Tram 15 and 16	Otto-Hahn-Platz	~ 6 minutes

📌 Although Frankfurt Central Station is the easiest option, I’d actually recommend taking the Underground U1, U2, U3, or U8 and getting off at Schweizer Platz instead. This area is safer compared to the surroundings of Frankfurt Central Station. Plus, you’ll find plenty of charming cafés around Schweizer Platz—perfect for grabbing a coffee before or after your museum visit! ☕✨

📌 Locals in Frankfurt often use the RMVgo app to buy tickets via PayPal and check train schedules. You can also use DB Navigator for journey planning.

When organizing your trip, you can visit the RMV website to check routes and train frequency.

🚗 Driving to the Städel Museum: Parking Options

While public transport is the most convenient way to get around Frankfurt, I’ve also gathered some parking information for those planning to drive. 🚙💨

Car Park 🅿️	Address	Walking Distance
Parking Garage Untermainanlage	Untermainanlage 1	~ 9-11 minutes
Schauspiel Frankfurt	Willy-Brandt-Platz 5	~ 11 minutes
Parkhaus Alt-Sachsenhausen	Walter-Kolb-Straße 16	~ 15 minutes

📌 Right in front of the museum, there are a few parking spots, but be warned—they come with a hefty price tag. 💸

📌 Next to the museum, there’s a small outdoor parking area that’s free of charge—but spaces are limited, so it’s all about luck! 🍀

🕰️ Städel Museum Opening Hours

Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun	10 am – 6 pm
Thur	10 am – 9 pm
Mon	closed

⭐️ Good news! The Städel Museum is open on Sundays, so no need to worry about a quiet Sunday with nothing to do! 🎨✨

📌 Note: On certain special days, such as around Easter holidays, the museum may be closed. Be sure to check the official website when planning your visit! ✅

🎟️ Städel Museum Ticket Prices

	門票價格
Adults	€18
Reduced (e.g. students)	€16
Children under 12 years	Free admission

📌 Special Deal: Every Tuesday after 3 PM, tickets are only €9! 💰

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to visit this must-see museum in Frankfurt, consider planning your trip on a Tuesday between 3–6 PM to take advantage of this discount!

🎧 Guided Tour Information

I don’t know much about how to appreciate art, so when I planned my visit to the Städel Museum, I thought it might be a good idea to join a guided tour.

After looking into it, I found that in-person guided tours aren’t always available. However, the museum offers a free app called “Städel Highlights”, which has an English audio guide. This makes it easy to explore and learn about the artworks at your own pace!

📌 The museum offers free Wi-Fi, but you can also download the audio guide in advance. Most importantly, don’t forget to bring your Bluetooth earphones for the best experience! 🎧✨

⏳ Recommended Visit Duration

The Städel Museum is huge, with an incredibly rich collection. If you truly love art, I’d recommend setting aside a full morning or afternoon to enjoy it at a relaxed pace. After all, this museum is one of the Top 10 attractions in Frankfurt on TripAdvisor!

Originally, I thought an hour would be enough to check out the highlights—but once I got there, I quickly realized that was totally unrealistic. There are so many fascinating artworks near the highlights that it felt impossible to just walk past them!

In the end, I spent three hours exploring—and that was just a quick walkthrough. (Not to mention, the special exhibition was so good that I ended up spending extra time there!) 😆

☕ What’s Nearby? Local Café Recommendation

After exploring the museum, if you’re in the mood for a relaxing coffee break, you have a few great options!

Besides the museum’s own café, I’d recommend:

📍Café im Liebieghaus – Just a 3-minute walk from the museum, perfect for a quiet and cozy coffee break.

📍 Moka Roasters – Located near Schweizer Platz Underground Station, this café serves fantastic coffee—definitely worth a visit if you’re a coffee lover! ☕✨

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a deeper cultural experience in Frankfurt, the Städel Museum is definitely worth a visit. Highly recommended! ✅

📌 Did you find this article helpful?
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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.

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! 🇩🇪 ✨