We didn’t expect much from Aachen—but as our first stop on our interrail trip, it completely surprised us. From standing in three countries at once to exploring Charlemagne’s cathedral and winding through student-filled streets, here’s how we spent a day discovering this lively border city.

Overview

We’ll be honest—Aachen wasn’t initially high on our list when planning our interrail trip. But as our first stop in April 2026, it turned out to be a surprisingly engaging introduction to Germany.

Sitting right on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands, Aachen has a unique identity shaped by centuries of history, from Roman spa town roots to its role as Charlemagne’s imperial seat.

Arriving just before midday via Eurostar from London (with a smooth change in Brussels onto an ICE train), we had only one day here. Still, the city’s compact layout meant we managed to cover quite a bit.

What struck us immediately was how lively it felt—thanks largely to its student population, the streets buzz with energy, especially around the old town and Pontstraße.

If you’re planning a trip, we’d recommend staying at least 1–2 nights. While Aachen works as a day trip, giving yourself an extra evening lets you enjoy its atmosphere properly.

From a search perspective, this guide covers everything from things to do in Aachen to free things to do in Aachen, and even how to plan 2 days in Aachen

Travel to and Around Aachen

Travelling to Aachen

Getting to Aachen from London is surprisingly straightforward. We took the Eurostar to Brussels, then switched to an ICE train that brought us directly into Aachen Hauptbahnhof.

The total journey is comfortable and efficient—roughly 4.5 to 5 hours door to door. If you’re travelling on an interrail pass like we were, this route is both convenient and well-connected.

If you are looking for suitable flight options, make sure to check out the article below with top tips on how to find cheap flights.

📖

Read more Top Tips on How to Find Cheap Flights

→

Travelling Around Aachen

Aachen is compact enough to explore mostly on foot, especially the old town. However, if you’re short on time—as we were—it’s worth using taxis or Uber.

• Uber from the station to the Three Country Point: ~€15
• Local taxi: ~€20

Public transport is available, but with limited time, we found taxis saved us valuable hours. If you are fan of hop-on hop-off buses, you can also get a 24 hour ticket to explore Aachen.

🎟️

We suggest

Aachen 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus

See Aachen's highlights with a ticket to an open-top bus.

Check tickets

→

Where to Stay in Aachen?

Even though we didn’t stay overnight this time, it’s clear Aachen lends itself well to short city breaks. Here’s how we’d break it down based on areas:

Old Town (Altstadt) – Best for First-Time Visitors

If it’s your first visit, stay near the cathedral and Rathaus. You’ll be within walking distance of most attractions. Ideal for: sightseeing, atmosphere, short stays

Pontstraße Area – Best for Nightlife & Budget Eats

This is where Aachen’s student energy really comes alive. Expect bars, casual restaurants, and late-night spots. Ideal for: younger travellers, social atmosphere

Near Hauptbahnhof – Best for Convenience

A practical choice if you’re arriving late or leaving early, though slightly less charming. Ideal for: transport links, short stopovers.

If you prefer staying in a hotel, we recommend comparing rates on Booking.com or Trip.com to secure the best deal. Use the widget below to check real-time availability in for your travel dates.

Our Top Things to do in Aachen

Below are the places we visited whilst in Aachen. We also had a guided tour of the old town for 2 hours but did visit all places on our own.

Prefer a Guided Experience?

If you’d rather skip the logistics and see the main highlights with a local guide, this tour covers most of the attractions mentioned below. It’s especially useful if you’re short on time.

✔ Covers key landmarks
✔ Includes transport (if applicable)
✔ Highly rated by previous travellers

🎟️

We recommend this tour

Tour in Aachen

Explore Aachen with Passionate Tour Guides

Check Availability

→

1. Visit the Three Country Point (Dreiländereck)

We actually started our day outside Aachen at the famous Three Country Point, where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands meet.

To our surprise, the area felt more like a small fairground than a quiet landmark. There’s a funfair atmosphere, with plenty of people queuing to get that classic ‘standing in three countries’ photo.

There are also several nearby markers where you can take alternative photos—often with fewer crowds.

We decided to climb the adjacent tower (€5 entry). You can take the stairs or a lift—we opted for the lift given the long day ahead.

The views stretch across all three countries, though if we’re honest, they’re pleasant rather than memorable. Still, it’s a fun stop and worth about an hour of your time.

2. Explore Aachen Cathedral – Charlemagne’s Legacy

This was easily one of the highlights of our visit.

Aachen Cathedral isn’t your typical Western cathedral. Built around 800 AD as part of Charlemagne’s palace complex, its octagonal Palatine Chapel stands out immediately. Inside, the mosaics and rich decorations give it a distinctly Byzantine feel, very similar to Hagia Sofia in Istanbul or Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice.

One thing to note is that Aachen was the primary coronation city for 31 Holy Roman Kings between 936 and 1531. Initiated by Charlemagne (who was crowned in Rome, but favored Aachen), Kings were crowned in the Palatine Chapel and enthroned on the Marble Throne of Charlemagne. Coronations shifted to Frankfurt in 1531.

What really caught our attention was the deep blue dome—something you rarely see in Catholic churches in Western Europe.

The cathedral also houses significant relics, including:

• The dress of Mary
• The swaddling clothes of Jesus
• The loincloth of Jesus
• The decapitation cloth of John the Baptist

Charlemagne himself is buried here, adding another layer of historical weight. (His coffin is the one behind the relics.)

A detail that’s easy to miss but worth noting.

The cathedral features 16 ancient marble and granite columns, brought from Rome and Ravenna by Charlemagne. These weren’t just decorative—they symbolised a connection to the Roman Empire.

Some were even taken by French forces in the 18th century before being returned later.

2.1. The Aachen Pilgrimage (Heiligtumsfahrt)

Every seven years, Aachen hosts a major pilgrimage where these relics are displayed to the public. It draws visitors from across Europe and highlights the city’s longstanding religious importance.

2.2. Visit the Aachen Cathedral Treasury (Domschatzkammer)

If you have even a mild interest in history, don’t skip this.

The treasury holds an impressive collection of medieval artefacts, including:

• The Cross of Lothair – a symbol of imperial power and one of the finest examples of Ottonian art
• A bust of Charlemagne (albeit no one knows how he looked like)
• Various golden reliquaries and manuscripts

One thing to note: accessing the treasury isn’t straightforward. You’ll need to exit the cathedral, buy tickets from the Dominformation building, and then enter a separate building opposite.

Also, using the German term “Domschatzkammer” helps when asking for directions as many locals might not know the English word.

3. Roman Portico (Roman Portikus)

This is one of those subtle stops that’s easy to overlook, but once you’re there, it really ties together Aachen’s Roman roots with its present-day atmosphere.

Located around the Katschhof area, the Roman Portico is a reconstruction inspired by Aachen’s early Roman settlement. While you won’t spend a huge amount of time here, it’s a nice visual reminder that long before Charlemagne, this was already an important spa town built around thermal waters.

What we actually enjoyed most wasn’t just the structure itself, but the setting. This area sits right between the Cathedral and the Rathaus, which means you’re surrounded by some of Aachen’s most iconic architecture.

We ended up lingering here longer than expected—partly because it’s a natural pause point, but also because it’s one of the better spots to sit down, grab a beer, and take it all in. There are a few terraces and cafés nearby where you can relax while looking directly onto the Cathedral, which feels particularly special as the light changes throughout the afternoon.

Support CheckinAway

Add us as a preferred source on Google

It helps our guides show up more often when you search.

Add now

→

It’s not a headline attraction, but it works perfectly as part of a walking route through the old town—especially if you’re looking to slow things down for a moment and enjoy the setting rather than rush between sights.

4. Stop by Elisenbrunnen – Aachen’s Thermal Heritage

Aachen’s history as a spa town becomes clear here.

At Elisenbrunnen, you can still smell (and taste, if you’re brave) the sulphurous thermal waters. It’s not exactly pleasant, but it’s part of the experience.

The site also includes remnants of Roman baths, a reminder that Aachen’s story goes back long before Charlemagne. Actually one of the reasons it’s thought that Charlemagne set court here was exactly because of the thermal waters as it was believed he had rheumatism.

5. Walk Pontstraße to Ponttor – Feel the Student Energy

This stretch gave us a completely different side of Aachen.

Pontstraße is lined with bars, kebab shops, Lebanese restaurants, and casual eateries. It’s lively, slightly chaotic, and very much driven by the student population. Here you can see murals and modern graffiti on walls showcasing the blend of old and new.

At the end of the street stands Ponttor, a well-preserved medieval gate. Even with some roadworks during our visit, it still made for an impressive sight.

6. Discover Puppenbrunnen – A Playful Local Favourite

This fountain quickly became one of our favourite small discoveries.

Created in 1975, it features bronze puppet-like figures with movable parts. Each represents an aspect of Aachen’s life—from trade to local culture.

It’s interactive too, so don’t be shy about giving it a spin (literally).

7. Visit Aachen City Hall (Rathaus) & Climb for Views

Aachen’s Rathaus is a striking building that blends Gothic and Baroque elements.

Inside, the highlight is the Coronation Hall (Kaisersaal), where German kings once celebrated their coronations. The frescoes depicting Charlemagne’s life add a lot of context.

You’ll also find references to Napoleon, who left his mark on the city.

As you head up the stairs, there’s a fantastic photo spot where the cathedral lines up perfectly in the background.

7.1. Marktplatz am Rathaus – Classic Aachen Views

The square in front of the Rathaus is one of the most photogenic spots in the city.

It’s a great place to pause, grab a drink, and take in the surrounding architecture.

8. Chicken Thief Fountain Square (Hühnermarkt)

One of the more atmospheric corners of Aachen’s old town, Hühnermarkt is where you’ll find the quirky “Hühnerdieb” (Chicken Thief) fountain. At first glance, it’s just another bronze statue—but once you know the story, it becomes much more entertaining.

Created in 1913 by sculptor Hermann-Joachim Pagels, the statue depicts a thief attempting to steal a chicken, only to realise—too late—that it’s actually a rooster. The loud crowing gives him away, making the whole scene feel like something straight out of a medieval cautionary tale.

We liked this spot not just for the statue itself, but for the atmosphere around it. It’s one of those places where you can slow down a bit—grab a beer, sit outside, and soak in the old-town vibes. There are plenty of small taverns and beer gardens nearby, and it feels slightly less rushed than the main square.

9. Find the Bahkauv Statue – Aachen’s Strangest Legend

If you enjoy a bit of local folklore, keep an eye out for the Bahkauv statue—one of Aachen’s more unusual sights.

The Bahkauv is a mythical creature tied to the city’s history and, more amusingly, its drinking culture. According to legend, it would lurk near springs and at night ambush drunken men, jumping onto their shoulders and forcing them to carry it around before eventually attacking them. Not exactly the kind of thing you want to encounter after a few beers on Pontstraße.

There’s also a historical twist. A statue of the creature was first erected in 1902 over a well associated with the legend, but it was later melted down during World War II. The current version, built in 1967, is what you’ll see today.

We wouldn’t go out of our way just for this, but it’s one of those fun, slightly odd details that adds character to the city. If you stumble across it while exploring, it’s worth a quick stop—if nothing else, it’s a good conversation starter.

Best Time to Visit Aachen

Aachen works well year-round, but here’s how we’d think about it:

• Spring (March–May): Mild weather and fewer crowds
• Summer (June–August): Lively atmosphere, outdoor dining
• Autumn (September–October): Pleasant temperatures
• Winter (November–December): Christmas markets add a cosy charm

We visited in April, and despite slightly gloomy weather, the city still felt vibrant.

📖

Read more How to Plan a Trip: Best tips for your Next Holiday Plan

→

Where to Eat in Aachen?

Am Knipp – Traditional German Comfort Food

This was our main meal stop at Am Knipp, and it didn’t disappoint.

The interior alone is worth it—covered in traditional tiles and family heirlooms, it feels like stepping into someone’s living history.

We tried:

• Bread with pork lard and lardons (rich, indulgent, very German)
• Hunter schnitzel with mushroom sauce
• Schnitzel with red pepper sauce

The potatoes were sautéed rather than deep-fried, giving them a slightly lighter feel.

Overall, hearty, satisfying food—though we wouldn’t have minded a slightly crispier schnitzel.

Nobis Printen – Try Aachen’s Famous Gingerbread

You can’t leave Aachen without trying Printen – a local staple. We went to the Nobis Printen store just by the Cathedral Square, albeit there are printen in most bakeries and specialist shops.

These gingerbread-like biscuits date back to medieval times and were traditionally given to pilgrims visiting the city.

They’re dense, spiced, and… very tough.

If you’ve got dental fillings, proceed with caution!

Final Thoughts

Aachen might not be the first city that comes to mind when planning a Germany itinerary, but it’s a rewarding stop—especially on an interrail route.

With its mix of imperial history, quirky landmarks, and lively student atmosphere, it offers more variety than you might expect for a small city.

If you’re passing through, give it at least a night. You’ll appreciate it more once the day-trippers leave and the city settles into its evening rhythm.

---

---

---