Known as the “Fifth Avenue of Germany” and located in the heart of Frankfurt, the Zeil is a central street, major shopping district, pedestrianised area and popular tourist destination of the city, declaring one of the highest turnovers in Europe. With a range of shopping facilities, from independent boutiques to grand department stores selling exclusive labels and high-street brands, there is something for every visitor to Zeil. The district is also full of impressive architecture, local landmarks and urban features, stretching between the Hauptwache plaza in the west to the Konstablerwache square in the east.
One of the main shopping centres of the Zeil is called Zeilgalerie, which contains both a range of shopping facilities and a rooftop viewing platform, offering beautiful city views and a unique perspective of the nearby Taunus Mountains. Another shopping centre is the Kaufhof department store, which contains specialised high-end labels and is a convenient shopping destination, although visitors can alternatively discover the smaller hidden shops full of antiques and vintage items. To take a break from shopping, visitors can relax in the may cafes or restaurants in the area, or at one of the markets selling classic German food, including quintessential baked goods, local cheeses, wines and fresh vegetables. Indeed, visitors can find many gifts and souvenirs along the Zeil, as well as international fashion labels, such as classic German apple wine, Frankfurt merchandise or cultural literature and art and national brands.
The Zeil is easily reachable by public transport and is connected by the U-Bahn, S-Bahn and local bus services from the nearby stations of Hauptwache and Konstablerwache. From the major train station, Konstablerwache, there are direct links to Frankfurt Airport, which visitors can reach in less than 20 minutes.
The Zeil has a long history of being one of the most popular and busiest streets in Germany and has been a central hub of the city since the 1800s when it was also renowned for its architecture of grand homes and buildings. Many were destroyed in World War I, and the area became a pedestrianised zone with modern skyscrapers, rather than restored old buildings. It faced a major regeneration project in 2008 when the zone was extended and became an even busier shopping district.