The Städel Museum is one of Frankfurt’s essential cultural stops, with a collection tracing more than 700 years of European art. Founded in 1815 through the endowment of banker Johann Friedrich Städel, it has grown from a private collection into one of Germany’s most significant art museums.
The galleries move from medieval religious paintings and Dutch Golden Age works to French Impressionism and contemporary art. You can encounter paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Botticelli alongside works by Francis Bacon and Gerhard Richter. The underground contemporary art gallery, opened in 2012, is a highlight in its own right: circular skylights punctuate the garden above and bring daylight into the space below.
Set on Frankfurt’s Museumsufer, the Städel is easy to combine with a riverside walk or a visit to the nearby Liebieghaus sculpture museum. Allow at least three hours for the collection, and book ahead for major exhibitions or holiday visits. The museum is generally closed on Mondays; check current opening hours before you go.