Curious if Aachen is worth visiting and what there is to do there? This guide shares all the best things to do in Aachen and more!
Aachen is a charming mid-sized city that’s often overlooked for Germany’s larger destinations. But Aachen is actually home to some cool history and unique things to do.
For example, Charlemagne, the first Roman emperor, resided over Aachen when it was an imperial city. And his Roman influence plus the geothermal waters in the region led to Aachen becoming a historic spa city—an attraction you can still enjoy today!
It’s also home to a vibrant college atmosphere thanks to one of Germany’s larger universities near downtown, which means excellent dining and some cool bars.
So, before you venture to Germany’s historic spa city, be sure to check out my guide sharing fun things to do in Aachen and more!
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Where is Aachen?
Aachen is along the western border of central Germany, not far from the Netherlands and Belgium. It’s in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and is closest to Cologne and Düsseldorf, both about an hour’s drive away from Aachen.
Is Aachen worth visiting?
If you’re visiting Germany and happen to be in the neighborhood, live in Germany, or are a history buff, Aachen is definitely worth visiting!
But if you’re planning a short visit to Germany, I’d say skip Aachen for Germany’s more popular destinations.
While Aachen is one of Germany’s most beautiful medieval cities, it is a smaller destination that only requires a day or weekend visit and is a bit out of the way of other popular spots.
Best Places to Stay in Aachen
Aachen isn’t overly big, so staying in the city center is most convenient. From the city center, most of Aachen’s attractions are easily reached by foot.
Here are some of the best hotels in Aachen:
- Novotel Aachen City is a reasonably priced 4-star hotel on the outskirts of downtown.
- Hotel Motel One Aachen is a stylish boutique hotel in a prime location, a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral.
- INNside by Melía Aachen is a bright and airy hotel with a rooftop bar and sauna.
- Parkhotel Quellenhof Aachen is a sophisticated hotel with a fitness center and an indoor pool between downtown and the Carolus Therman spa.
- B&B Hotel Aachen-City is a budget-friendly hotel that’s highly rated for its location in downtown Aachen and usually below $80 a night.
19 Fun and Exciting Things to Do in Aachen, Germany
We spent two days, one night in Aachen, and managed to see most of the best things to do in Aachen! Here’s what’s good to have on your to-do list for your Aachen visit.
1. Marvel at the incredible architecture of the Aachen Cathedral.
Cost: Free, €1 donation to take pictures
The Aachen Cathedral is probably one of the most beautiful cathedrals I’ve visited in Europe. It’s a Roman Catholic Church that dates back to Charlemagne’s reign in the early 800s, making it one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe. The first thing to capture your attention is the glittering mosaics that cover most of the arched ceilings. The cathedral also features a central and intricate mosaic image depicting religious scenes and The Karlsschrein, a golden shrine that contains Charlamagne’s remains.
2. Witness old relics at the Aachen Cathedral Treasury.
Cost: €6 for adults
Around the corner from the main entrance to the cathedral is the Aachen Cathedral Treasury. This small museum is dedicated to displaying various church artifacts from various time periods. They had art, textiles, shrines, and more on display. You don’t need more than an hour to visit the treasury, and it’s a great spot for those interested in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.
3. Go on a tour of the gothic Aachen Rathaus (Town Hall).
Cost: €6 for adults, €10 for guided tour
Dating back to the 14th century, the Aachen Rathaus is a beautiful gothic building in the old part of the city. On the weekends, you can take part in guided tours through the town hall’s most noteworthy rooms and see a replica of the Crown Jewels. Otherwise, it’s possible to enter for a small fee. At the very least, it’s worth seeing the beautiful building from the outside.
4. Stroll the Main City Square and see the Charlemagne Statue.
In the main city square, you can catch sight of a historic fountain and statue of Charlamagne, formally known as the Karlsbrunnen. The square is also where the gothic town hall entrance is located, and many terraces for coffee or dinner.
5. Visit an ornate 16th-century townhome at the Couven Museum.
Cost: €6 euros + additional fee for special exhibits
The Couven Museum is a beautiful pink mansion with a Rococo interior that hosts various art exhibits periodically. The museum is affordable to enter and conveniently in the center of the old city, a short walk from the town hall.
6. Feel the naturally heated waters at the Elisenbrunnen Pavilion.
The Elisenbrunnen is an eye-catching Neoclassical pavilion from 1827. Characterized by a rotunda with columns, there are two fountains with naturally heated water springing from the ground. In fact, the Romans once had traditional baths to take advantage of the area’s naturally heated waters. You can feel the heat from the fountain waters, which also smell like sulfur.
The area is pretty lively, with many events held at the Elisenbrunnen and locals lounging in the park.
7. Stroll through the medieval Ponttor gate.
The Ponttor is one of two still-standing historical gates that once controlled access info and out of the old city walls. It dates back to the 1600s, and when you stroll through it, you feel transported to medieval times.
The gate is about a 15-minute walk from the city center. While you’re in this part of the city, I recommend stopping by Bakery Kaussen at Ponttor, a family-owned bakery that’s been around for decades. It was delicious!!
8. Snap a photo of the historic Graushaus, Aachen’s OG town hall.
The Graushaus is one of the oldest buildings in Aachen and was built all the way back in 1260. It was the city’s first town hall before eventually becoming a prison and a museum today. It’s only open to certain groups who make advance appointments, but it’s worth snapping a pic. It’s conveniently near the cathedral.
9. Try Aachener Printen, a gingerbread cookie native to the city.
During your visit, be sure to grab yourself a bag of Aachener Printen. This soft and spiced gingerbread-like cookie is a type of lebkuchen, a German treat that’s popular at Christmastime. The most popular place to try Printen is from the Nobis Printen bakery right across the way from the cathedral. The shop itself is also super cute, and offers various other treats that’ll make your mouth water. The chocolate-covered Printen was my personal fave.
10. Make an effort to try Aachen’s other specialties.
If you’re anything like me, you love eating local food as a way to experience the culture. And for food lovers, Printer isn’t the only uniquely Aachen treat worth trying!
Aachen specialties worth trying:
- Rice pancake/tart
- Blood sausage
- Pot roast
- Bahkauv beer
11. Treat yourself with a visit to Carolus Thermen, Aachen’s popular spa.
Cost: Starts at €14 euros + extra for access to various areas
Aachen is known as Germany’s spa city, so what better way to spend time in Aachen than with a visit to the spa? The bubbling hot sulfur springs beneath the city were revered by the Romans that once called Aachen home, and now you can enjoy them yourself! The Carolus Thermen is Aachen’s most famous spa that features large thermal baths, saunas, and spa treatments.
12. Admire works of art at the Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum.
Cost: €6 euros
The Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum is housed in an 1800s palace and boasts a unique collection of paintings and works of art. This is one of the best things to do in Aachen for art lovers and architecture lovers too. The museum is a bit out of the main city center and is about a 12-minute walk from the cathedral.
13. Dine at the Aachener Brauhaus, a traditional beer hall.
The Aachener Brauhaus is a cozy, traditional German beer hall in the city center. The restaurant rocks a really cool interior, complete with wooden booths, rustic elements, and old-timey paintings. They serve classic German and Aachener dishes like roast beef and blood sausage with potatoes and sauerkraut on the side (amongst other things). You should make a reservation to ensure you can snag a table, especially on the weekends.
14. Grab a nightcap from one of Aachen’s coolest bars.
One benefit of visiting a university town is that there’s usually a cool bar scene! Making grabbing a nightcap or a drink after a long day of exploring is a fun and chill way to wrap out the visit. Some cool spots we visited and had on our list include:
- The Gin Library: craft cocktails in a modern and intimate space
- Grotesque: A popular absinthe bar oozing a retro vibe and cozy interior with sofa seating (reservations recommended).
- Uptown Sky Lounge: a contemporary space with a rooftop terrace and a live DJ.
- Rethel Irish Pub: a divey but cool Irish pub with beers, shots, and an outdoor terrace right downtown.
15. Time your visit for the famous Aachen flea market held in Katschhof.
The Aachen flea market (Flohmarkt in German) is one of the country’s most popular markets. The big event is held four times a year, with dates being announced on the Melan market website. Vendors set up their tables selling antiques and various items in the Katschhof, one of Aachen’s main city squares bordered by the Aachen Cathedral and the backside of the town hall.
Other markets and events are often held in Katschhof, like Aachen’s Christmas market and smaller flea markets. If anything, walking through Katschhof for the classic cathedral view is a must.
16. Or for Aachen’s charming Christmas market.
Typically held from mid-November to the end of December, the Aachen Christmas market is an annual tradition oozing with cheer. This special market is filled with stalls selling locally made items and classic Christmas treats. What makes this one unique from others in Germany is that the market is beautifully framed by the towering cathedral on one side and the town hall on the other.
17. Get a history lesson at the Centre Charlemagne.
Cost: €6 for adults
Centre Charlemagne is a museum dedicated to sharing the history of Aachen, its Roman past, and of course the reign of Charlemagne, the first Roman emperor. The museum also hosts rotating exhibits that change every so often. You can find the Centre Charlemagne museum conveniently in the Katschhof square overlooking the Aachen Cathedral and the Town Hall.
18. Take a day trip to the charming small town of Monschau.
Monschau is a super charming medieval town 50 minutes south of Aachen. If you have a car and time to spare, it’s well worth the effort to get there. It’s known for its cobblestone streets and wonky half-timbered buildings along the Roer River.
19. Visit The Three Country Point, where Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium meet.
Maze cost: €6 | Tower cost: €3.50
At the Three Country Point, you can stand in three countries at once! While that moment only requires a minute or so to snap a photo, the area around the point is actually a park filled with restaurants and things to do. There are two towers you can climb for a bird’s eye view, a hedge maze you can attempt to beat, and wooded walking trails. The Three Country Point is a 20-minute drive from downtown Aachen.
