ECB Visitor Centre

Why is it important that prices remain stable and what does this mean for your purchasing power? How do we make sure that your savings are safe in the bank? What have Europe’s main achievements been? Find out the answers to these questions and many more at our Visitor Centre.

Visits begin with an introduction by an ECB guide. You will then have time to explore the interactive displays and informative visuals to learn more about who we are and what we do, and have the opportunity to ask questions. Tablet computers are also available to enhance your visit.

Can’t visit in person?

Take the virtual tour and explore our Visitor Centre wherever you are in the world! If you have a VR headset, put it on for an even more immersive experience! For more information on how to use VR mode, see the FAQs below.

Information for visitors

Visiting times
Monday and Friday at 16:00 CET
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 CET
Duration of visit
90 minutes
Registration
  • To register for a visit, send an email to visitor.centre@ecb.europa.eu
  • Visits can be requested up to three months in advance and no later than four weeks before the date of the visit
  • See our privacy statement for information regarding the processing of your personal data
Language of visit
English or German (please indicate your language preference in your email). The tablets provide information in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish
Entry
Free of charge, valid national ID card or passport required
Group size
Individuals or groups of up to 45 participants – indicate the number of places you wish to reserve in your email
Minimum age
We recommend a minimum age of 16

Already made a booking?

Here’s some practical information to help you prepare for your visit. Also, remember to leave enough time for the security check.

Frequently asked questions

What can I see and do in the Visitor Centre?

The Visitor Centre has a range of textual, visual and interactive elements that explain the ECB’s work and activities, including:

  • the ECB’s mission to keep prices stable
  • the ECB’s role in safeguarding the financial system by detecting and mitigating risks and supervising banks
  • the role of the euro in connecting people, businesses and countries across Europe
  • the ECB’s institutional framework and Europe’s achievements

Ever wondered how it feels to be part of the ECB Governing Council? Take a seat in our replica Governing Council meeting room and learn more about what we do at the ECB with our panoramic video!

You can also pick up a tablet at the beginning of the tour to access further information on the ECB, the EU’s national central banks and the euro area.

How can I request a visit?

Send an email to visitor.centre@ecb.europa.eu with the following details:

  • brief description of your group
  • number of participants
  • preferred language (English or German)
  • suggestions for suitable dates, bearing in mind our visiting times (see above)

We will then check whether we can accommodate your request and get back to you within a week.

How do you assess visit requests?

Visit slots are mainly allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority is given to first-time visitors, taking into account a fair representation of nationalities.

In which languages is the content available?

The texts and the audio content of the exhibition panels are available in three languages: English, French and German.

Registered visitors provided with a tablet can access additional in-depth content in six languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Do you offer special visits for younger audiences?

We do not currently offer special programmes for younger audiences. We recommend a minimum age of 16.

What parts of the ECB building can I visit?

The Visitor Centre is located in the former Grossmarkthalle area. Access to the office towers is not possible.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of the Grossmarkthalle, we recommend contacting the Elsaesser Foundation.

How do I get to the ECB?

We recommend using public transport, as parking around the ECB is limited. The closest public transport stations are Frankfurt Ostendstraße (S-Bahn), Ostbahnhof (U-Bahn, regional trains and bus), and Ostbahnhof/Sonnemannstraße tram and bus).

For large groups, some parking spaces for buses and coaches are available next to the main entrance. If you would like to reserve one of these parking spaces, please inform us by email. However, please note that we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request.

Can I visit the Visitor Centre without registering for a guided visit?

The Visitor Centre can only be visited as part of a guided tour at the times listed above and is closed on weekends and bank holidays. However, you can explore the Visitor Centre at any time via a virtual tour. For an even more realistic experience, put on some VR goggles!

How can I access the virtual tour using a VR headset?

Install the Google Street View app on your mobile phone (iOS, Android). Search for the European Central Bank and tap on one of the official ECB photos showing the inside of the building. Press the VR headset icon in the top right-hand corner to start the VR mode, put your phone in your VR device and enjoy the immersive experience!