The Eiserner Steg is Frankfurt’s best-known pedestrian bridge, crossing the River Main between the historic centre and Sachsenhausen. First opened in 1869, it was replaced in the early 20th century and rebuilt after being destroyed at the end of the Second World War. Today, its ironwork and distinctive trusses make it a familiar landmark on the city’s waterfront.
The crossing offers a perspective on Frankfurt’s contrasts: look west for the high-rise skyline, or back towards the north bank for the church towers and old-town buildings around Römerberg. Thousands of love locks attached to the railings add a more recent layer to the bridge’s history. On the south bank, the Museumsufer’s museums and riverside paths make it easy to extend a short crossing into an afternoon of exploring.
For warm light on the skyline, visit around sunset; weekday mornings are generally quieter if you want more room to linger. The bridge is a short walk from the Dom/Römer U-Bahn station and can get crowded on summer weekends, so allow a little extra time for photographs.