Museum of Applied Arts Frankfurt: Tickets, Hours & Tips

On Frankfurt’s Museumsufer, museum lines up next to museum — and one of them is overlooked by many visitors, even though it’s especially worthwhile: the Museum of Applied Arts. If you’re interested in design, furniture, fashion, porcelain or craftsmanship, you’ll find here one of Germany’s richest collections, housed in an elegant white museum building with a park on the riverbank. Let me show you what awaits, when it’s open and how to plan your visit cleverly.

A museum for design and craftsmanship

The Museum of Applied Arts (formerly the Museum of Arts and Crafts) is devoted to applied art — that is, everything that combines form and function. The collection comprises more than 60,000 objects spanning a period from the 12th to the 21st century: furniture, textiles, ceramics and porcelain, glass, metalwork, book art and design from Europe and Asia.

What makes it special: this isn’t about paintings on the wall but about things people used, treasured and designed — from the precious Baroque cabinet to the iconic modern designer chair. That makes the place tangible and close to everyday life, even for visitors who don’t usually see themselves as art connoisseurs.

The building by Richard Meier

The building itself is an experience. The dazzling white museum was designed by the renowned US architect Richard Meier and is regarded as a key work of modern museum architecture. It groups around a historic villa and opens up with large glazed surfaces to the surrounding park and the Main. Walking through the light-flooded rooms is almost as lovely as the exhibitions themselves.

The collection and changing exhibitions

The permanent exhibition presents the collection’s highlights thematically and across eras. It’s complemented by changing temporary exhibitions that often take up current themes from design, fashion, graphics or digital culture, making the museum newly experienceable again and again. It’s precisely these temporary shows that are a reason to drop by more often.

A tip: before your visit, take a look at the current programme so you know which temporary exhibitions are running.

Opening hours (as of 2026)

• Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (extended)
• Monday: closed

The long Wednesday until 8 p.m. is ideal if you have no time during the day. On public holidays the times may differ — check them shortly before your visit.

Admission prices (as of 2026)

Admission is in the usual range for Frankfurt’s museums. The many concessions are especially welcome:

• Children and young people up to 18: free entry
• Every last Saturday of the month: free entry for all
• Holders of the Frankfurt Pass or Kultur Pass: one euro entry

It’s best to check the exact prices for adults and concessions on the official website, as they can change. If you want to visit several houses on the Museumsufer, consider the Museumsufer Ticket or the Museumsufer Card.

Getting there

The Museum of Applied Arts is at Schaumainkai 17, 60594 Frankfurt am Main, in the middle of the Museumsufer in Sachsenhausen. The most convenient way is by public transport: the U-Bahn station Schweizer Platz (U1/U2/U3/U8) is a few minutes away, as are several bus stops along the riverbank. From the Römer it’s a lovely walk across the Eiserner Steg footbridge. By car, parking in the district is limited — I clearly recommend the U-Bahn.

Practical tips for your visit

• Last Saturday of the month: free entry — the cheapest day for your visit.
• Use the long Wednesday: open until 8 p.m. and usually more relaxed than the weekend.
• Combine with the Museumsufer: the Städel, the Museum of Communication and other houses are right next door — a perfect day of culture.
• Allow time: for the permanent and one temporary exhibition, reckon on one to two hours.
• Enjoy the park: in fine weather the museum garden by the Main invites you to linger.
• Rainy-day tip: an ideal, weather-independent destination for a grey day in Frankfurt.

Is it worth it?

Yes — and for anyone enthusiastic about design, craft and form, it’s almost a must. The Museum of Applied Arts shows how much history, skill and aesthetics lie in everyday things, and the Richard Meier building is an experience in itself. Because it’s a little less crowded than the very biggest houses, you often experience culture here especially calmly.

My advice: come on the last Saturday of the month for free entry or on the long Wednesday, take your time over the details and combine the visit with a stroll along the Museumsufer. That turns an underrated museum into the highlight of your day of culture.