Best Things To Do in Aachen, Germany

Are you looking for what to do in Aachen?

PLACES TO SEE

  • Aachen Cathedral: The Imperial Roman Catholic Church is the most important tourist attraction of the city. Originally built in the Carolingian style modelled after the San Vitale Basilica in Italy, the Cathedral saw many structural and architectural changes over the years. After the death of Charlemagne, his ruins were buried in this church. While visiting the cathedral, avail the service of a tour guide to know the interesting history the Church and its liturgical treasury withholds.
  • Rathaus: Another one among the places to visit in Aachen is their old city hall which located between the Markt and Katschhof. It houses the coronation hall and the hall of emperors, where the replicas of German Imperial Jewels are exhibited.
  • St. Michael's Church: A Jesuit Collegium church built in 1628. The renaissance style construction with a grand façade, now serves as a Greek Orthodox Church.
  • Suermondt-Ludwig Museum: The major museum of Aachen which is home to one of the finest sculpture collections in Germany.
  • Jewish Synagogue: A Baroque style construction destroyed during the Night of Broken Glass in 1938, repaired and reopened in 1995.

Guided Tours

  • The tourist information centre will help you with your queries about visiting Aachen. They can also set you up with tours and travel guides.

Below we have a list of things to do in Aachen and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Aachen getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Aachen with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Aachen

Here is the list of things to do in Aachen and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Carolus Thermen Bad Aachen

    4.5 (919 Votes)
    Carolus Thermen Bad Aachen

    Leisure, Spa

    This lavish thermal spa is one of the best in the world… and it’s still amazingly affordable. Its water contains Sodium (Na), Chloride (Cl) and hydrogen carbonate (HCO3). It’s services include: The Indoor Thermal World – the terrace pool, the sparkling pool, the water-grotto, the whirlpool and the ravine. The Outdoor Thermal World – the sun pool, the rocky grotto...Read more
  2. Lindt Factory Shop

    4.6 (699 Votes)
    Lindt Factory Shop

    Shopping Center

    Chocolate lovers, come to the home of Lindt, close to the Aachen West train station. This factory shop is nothing less than paradise as far as your sweet tooth is concerned. Best of all, the chocolates sold here are almost 25-30% cheaper than what you’d find in retail stores. Every possible variety - truffles, nut chocolate, pralines, high cocoa content, the Advent, the chocolate Santa Cl...Read more
  3. Elisenbrunnen

    4.5 (1082 Votes)
    Elisenbrunnen

    Historical Site, Performance, Spa, Fountain

    Aachen is famous for its thermal spas. This 266 feet long neo-classical building in 1827 – an open pillared hall, and two pavilions – in the centre of which are two drinking fountains that spout thermal water. Rich in minerals, the sulphurous water can be smelt far before you enter the beautiful building. Some truly famous people have drunk from here, and you can see their names in ...Read more
  4. Tierpark Aachen

    4.5 (467 Votes)
    Tierpark Aachen

    Outdoors, Park, Zoo, Bird Watching

    This nine acre zoo mostly covers domestic animals in its 1000 specimens covering about 200 species, but there are also monkey’s camels, zebra, lynx, cheetah, antelopes, and ostriches. Unlike most zoos, you’re not banned from feeding all the animals. The whole purpose of the zoo is to help us connect with the animals; you can get animal feed at the zoo itself. It definitely thrills t...Read more
  5. Ponttor

    1 (719 Votes)
    Ponttor

    Historical Site, Statue, Heritage Building

    This 14th century gate was manned by soldiers and militia throughout the times when Aachen was a Free Imperial City. Today it’s used by German Youth and Scout groups. There’s not much do here, apart from go through the arch, and admire the statue on top. Check out the portcullis.  
  6. Internationales Zeitungsmuseum

    Museum, Specialty Museum

    Trace the history of newspapers from its origins to its role today in the museum. The interactive permanent exhibit is highly interesting and is backed up by many intriguing items. These include: The world’s smallest newspaper. "Curiosa" - strange, funny, comic papers all genres. Papers from WWII and WWI Documents of the German Reich press 19th century Jewish Press 200,000 international ...Read more
  7. Molkerei

    4.1 (425 Votes)
    Molkerei

    Bar, Food And Drinks, Cafe

    This Aachen bar-cafe is quite popular with the younger and student crowd. However, it’s frank and friendly is kid-friendly too, so don’t be surprised to see families in here. They serve breakfast buffet and lunch too. In the evening, the lights become kind of atmospheric, and the DJ starts belting out popular songs. The food is great, and prices are dirt-cheap.
  8. Pontstraße

    Cafe, Pubs, Town, Streets

    Aachen is a university town and its students have made this street their favourite hangout. The cute little street is stuffed with little cafes, bars and eateries.Asian, Turkish, Italian, German and others that depend on these students for their livelihood.That’s why it’s the most hip place in the city. It’s a cool nightlife spot and a great place to finish your Aachen day wit...Read more
  9. Elisabethhalle

    4.4 (344 Votes)
    Elisabethhalle

    Historical Site

    Mere swimming pools don’t usually attract a lot of tourist attraction, but this one isn’t a mere swimming pool. It’s a 100 year old historic bath in a magnificent Art Noveau hall that evokes Germany in the 1920s. Curious effect? Yes. Effective? Very! Today it’s used by schools, sports clubs and the public! The highlights are: The Aesculap fountain. The Bathing Women rel...Read more
  10. Cafe Madrid

    3.9 (305 Votes)
    Cafe Madrid

    Food And Drinks, Cafe, Dance Club, Pubs

    The Pontstrasse caters to an older crowd too, here in Café Madrid. This somewhat posh and upscale bar-and-club-restaurant stays open till early hours of the morning on most weekdays. That said, it’s still a popular place for breakfast and lunch… and brunch. There are burgers, pizzas, and tapas.
  11. Merzbruck Airport Image
    ©
    Merzbruck Airport, Aachen is a small regional airport located in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, near the city of Aachen. It is owned and operated by the Airport Authority of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The airport is mainly used for general aviation, with a few commercial flights.The airport was originally built in the 1930s as a military airfield. During World War II, it ...Read more
  12. Neue Galerie/Sammlung Ludwig Image
    ©
    The Neue Galerie-Sammlung Ludwig, also known as the Neue Galerie Aachen, was founded in 1985 by the German art collector Peter Ludwig. It is located in the city of Aachen, Germany and is dedicated to showcasing modern and contemporary art.Peter Ludwig was a successful businessman and art collector who had a passion for collecting and promoting modern art. He had already established several muse...Read more
  13. Zoo Bünten GmbH Image
    ©
    The Zoo Bünten GmbH, located in Aachen, Germany, was started in 1966 by a group of local citizens who wanted to create a place for people to learn about and appreciate animals. The zoo was originally called "Tierpark Aachen" and was located in the Bünten district of the city.The founders of the zoo were inspired by the success of other zoos in Germany and wanted to bring the same experience t...Read more
  14. Zoo & Aquarium Bünten GmbH Image
    ©
    The Zoo & Aquarium Bünten GmbH in Aachen, Germany was started in 1966 by a group of local animal enthusiasts. They wanted to create a place where people could learn about and appreciate different species of animals from around the world.The zoo was originally located in the Bünten district of Aachen, but it has since moved to its current location in the Kornelimünster forest. The move was ne...Read more
  15. Schmitz Tobias Designbrauerei Ateliergemeinschaft Image
    ©
    The museum Schmitz Tobias Designbrauerei Ateliergemeinschaft was started in 1992 by the German designer Tobias Schmitz. It is located in Aachen, Germany and is dedicated to showcasing contemporary design and art.Tobias Schmitz, along with a group of fellow designers, founded the Ateliergemeinschaft (studio community) in Aachen in 1992. The goal of this community was to create a space for design...Read more
Aachen
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  • where can I find the best views of Aachen. Is there a cable car or similar

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    • You can visit Dreilandereck, also known as the Three-country Border, to enjoy some exceptional views in Aachen.  

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