Free Aachen Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Aachen trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Aachen
Aachen photo 2
Aachen photo 3
All photos

Aachen, Germany, blends Charlemagne’s imperial legacy, cathedral architecture, healing thermal springs, museums and lively borderland culture for curious travellers.

Charlemagne’s Imperial City

Aachen stands at Germany’s western frontier, close to Belgium and the Netherlands, where Roman foundations, Carolingian grandeur and modern European life meet. Its historic centre is shaped above all by the cathedral and the former imperial palace of Charlemagne, whose court made Aachen the political and cultural centre of his empire in the early ninth century. The cathedral’s octagonal core, begun around 790, remains the city’s defining interior space and one of Europe’s most significant medieval monuments.
Read more about Aachen

Streets, Springs and Student Life

Beyond the cathedral square, compact streets lead to the Gothic Rathaus, atmospheric squares, museums and independent cafés. The old town has a youthful energy supplied by RWTH Aachen University, while traditional pubs and restaurants gather around areas such as Pontstraße. Warm mineral springs have attracted visitors since Roman times, and the Elisenbrunnen still provides a reminder of Aachen’s spa tradition. Contemporary Aachen is also shaped by its position in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine: Belgian and Dutch influences are evident in food, language, shopping and cross-border everyday life.

A Gateway to the Borderlands

Aachen is easy to explore on foot, with its principal monuments concentrated around the old centre, yet its setting rewards wider exploration. Parks, wooded hills and the nearby Dreiländerpunkt, where Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meet, place the city within a distinctive border landscape. Museums, seasonal markets and local specialities such as Aachener Printen add layers to a city whose identity is both deeply historical and unmistakably international.

When is the best time to visit Aachen?

Best: June–August · 21–23°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January652
February640
March1040
April1439
May1850
June (best)2169
July (best)2375
August (best)2273
September1856
October1449
November952
December658

Getting to and around Aachen

How to get there

Aachen has no major commercial airport of its own. International visitors commonly use Cologne Bonn Airport or Düsseldorf Airport, both connected to the wider region by rail and road, while Maastricht Aachen Airport serves a smaller range of flights across the border in the Netherlands. Aachen Hauptbahnhof receives regional and international trains, including services towards Cologne, Düsseldorf, Liège and Brussels; some high-speed connections require a change at Cologne or Liège. Long-distance coaches and motorways also connect the city with German and neighbouring Belgian and Dutch destinations. Check current operators and timetables before travelling, particularly for cross-border journeys.

Transportation

Aachen’s historic centre is compact and best explored on foot, although cobbled streets, occasional slopes and pedestrian areas make comfortable footwear useful. ASEAG operates the city’s extensive bus network, including services to suburbs and nearby border towns; tickets and routes should be checked through current local information. Taxis are available, and cycling can be practical on flatter routes, though traffic and hills require care. Driving is less convenient in the old centre because of pedestrian restrictions and limited parking. Regional trains are useful for longer journeys rather than ordinary sightseeing within the central districts.

Best attractions in Aachen

Aachen’s principal sights cluster around the historic centre, beginning with the cathedral’s extraordinary Palatine Chapel and its later Gothic choir. The adjoining Cathedral Treasury presents reliquaries, manuscripts and ceremonial objects linked to the city’s imperial and pilgrimage history. Across the square, the Rathaus occupies part of the former palace area and contains grand rooms associated with Aachen’s relationship to the Holy Roman Empire. The Couven Museum recreates an eighteenth-century bourgeois interior, offering a more intimate view of domestic life, while the Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum ranges across painting, sculpture and applied art. The Elisenbrunnen marks the continuing importance of the thermal springs, and the Centre Charlemagne places local history within a modern museum setting. Beyond the centre, Lousberg provides a green viewpoint over the city, while the nearby Dreiländerpunkt introduces the distinctive landscape where Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meet.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Aachen

Aachen Cathedral is the city’s central landmark, beginning with Charlemagne’s Palatine Chapel and later expanded with the Gothic choir; its octagonal form and imperial associations make it an exceptional monument of early medieval Europe. The cathedral Treasury holds further symbolic importance through its relics and liturgical objects. The Gothic Rathaus, built over elements of the former palace, displays the city’s long connection with kingship and imperial ceremony, while its façade is lined with statues of German rulers. The Elisenbrunnen is a nineteenth-century neoclassical expression of Aachen’s thermal identity, with mineral water still associated with the city’s springs. The Ponttor and Marschiertor, surviving medieval gates, provide tangible reminders of the former walls. Together these buildings trace Aachen’s transformation from Roman spa settlement and Carolingian residence to medieval civic centre and modern border city.

Show more landmarks

Explore Aachen on the map

Plan your Aachen trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Aachen

Aachen’s food culture reflects its position between the Rhineland and the Low Countries. The city’s best-known speciality is Aachener Printen, a firm, aromatic spiced biscuit traditionally associated with Christmas but available throughout the year. Menus in traditional German restaurants may include hearty Rhineland dishes, seasonal vegetables, potato-based sides and regional beers, while Belgian influences appear in beer selection, confectionery and café culture. The old town and Pontstraße provide a mixture of established restaurants, student-oriented eateries, bakeries and international food, with cafés particularly prominent around the central squares. Market stalls and specialist shops add opportunities to sample local baking and everyday regional produce. Dining ranges from historic-style German cooking to contemporary kitchens, reflecting Aachen’s university population and its cross-border connections rather than a single, narrowly defined cuisine.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Aachen

Aachen’s evening life is shaped by its large student population, compact centre and cross-border setting. Pontstraße is the best-known concentration of casual pubs, bars and late-night eateries, with a youthful atmosphere that changes according to the university calendar. Around the old town, visitors will find traditional German establishments, relaxed beer bars, cafés that stay open into the evening and venues with a more contemporary style. The city also supports live music, theatre and cultural performances, although its nightlife is more intimate than that of Germany’s largest cities. Some evenings centre on seasonal events, concerts or performances at established cultural institutions rather than clubs. As elsewhere in Germany, carry identification, use marked cycle routes carefully and check current venue information, since opening patterns and programmes can vary.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Aachen

Aachen’s evening life is shaped by its large student population, compact centre and cross-border setting. Pontstraße is the best-known concentration of casual pubs, bars and late-night eateries, with a youthful atmosphere that changes according to the university calendar. Around the old town, visitors will find traditional German establishments, relaxed beer bars, cafés that stay open into the evening and venues with a more contemporary style. The city also supports live music, theatre and cultural performances, although its nightlife is more intimate than that of Germany’s largest cities. Some evenings centre on seasonal events, concerts or performances at established cultural institutions rather than clubs. As elsewhere in Germany, carry identification, use marked cycle routes carefully and check current venue information, since opening patterns and programmes can vary.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Aachen

Aachen’s main shopping streets include Adalbertstraße and Krämerstraße, where high-street retailers stand alongside smaller businesses leading towards the cathedral. The historic centre is particularly rewarding for specialist purchases: Aachener Printen, local confectionery, regional beer and carefully packaged food products make practical edible souvenirs. Independent shops and craft-oriented retailers appear among the old-town lanes, while regular markets bring flowers, produce and everyday goods to central squares. Seasonal Christmas markets around the cathedral and Rathaus are a major feature, though their stalls and dates are temporary. Visitors interested in traditional German goods can also look for ceramics, textiles and handmade items, while the city’s border position adds Belgian and Dutch products to the retail mix. Shopping streets may be pedestrianised, so plan to carry purchases rather than rely on a car close to the centre.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Aachen, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Aachen essentials

Currency and Payment
Germany uses the euro, with the international code EUR. Debit and credit cards, including contactless payments, are widely accepted in hotels, larger shops, museums and many restaurants, but smaller cafés, bakeries, market stalls and traditional establishments may still prefer cash or set a minimum card amount. Cash machines are available in the centre and at transport locations; international cards may incur fees depending on the issuing bank. Carrying a modest amount of euros is sensible, and visitors should select euros rather than their home currency when a payment terminal offers a choice.
Safety
Aachen is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary urban precautions remain appropriate. Keep wallets and phones secure in crowded pedestrian streets, at stations and on busy buses, and avoid leaving belongings visible in parked cars. At night, stay aware around transport interchanges and entertainment areas, particularly after drinking. Cyclists and buses share many central streets, so look carefully before crossing or stepping into a cycle lane. The border setting makes day trips easy, but travellers should keep identity documents with them and check travel requirements relevant to their nationality.
Emergency Situations
In Germany, call 112 for medical emergencies and fire, and 110 for the police. Operators can direct assistance even if the caller does not speak fluent German, although a clear description of the location is important. For non-urgent medical needs, pharmacies display the recognised Apotheken symbol and can advise on local services; out-of-hours arrangements vary. European visitors should carry their European Health Insurance Card where eligible, while other travellers should have appropriate insurance. In an emergency, ask hotel staff, station personnel or nearby police officers for help if using the telephone is difficult.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet staff and service workers politely, queue patiently and observe quiet behaviour inside the cathedral and other religious spaces. Dress respectfully when entering worship areas, and do not photograph restricted areas or services without checking local guidance. In restaurants, service is commonly paid at the table; rounding up or leaving a modest tip is customary when service has been satisfactory, rather than treating it as an automatic charge. Keep to marked pedestrian crossings, respect cycle lanes and validate or hold the correct public-transport ticket. Avoid touching historic surfaces or entering closed areas in monuments.
Local Tips
The cathedral, Treasury and Rathaus form the essential historic core, while the Elisenbrunnen and surrounding squares offer a useful orientation point for the city’s spa heritage. Pontstraße is associated with student cafés and casual evening food, whereas quieter streets around the old centre reveal restored façades and small businesses. Aachen’s border position makes Belgian and Dutch excursions easy, but the city itself deserves more than a brief stop. For a broader landscape, consider the wooded Lousberg area or the Dreiländerpunkt near Vaals, remembering that cross-border public transport and walking routes require separate local planning.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[hah-loh]
GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen[owf vee-der-zay-en]
YesJa[yah]
NoNein[nine]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[bit-teh]
Thank youDanke[dahn-keh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[ent-shool-di-goong]
How are you?Wie geht es dir?[vee gayt es deer]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[goot oont deer]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[shpre-khen zee eng-lish]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[ikh fer-shtay-eh nikht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möchte bitte die Speisekarte sehen[ikh merkht-eh bit-teh dee shpy-ze-kahr-teh zay-en]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[ikh ess-eh kine flysh]
Cheers!Prost![prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bitte bezahlen[ikh merkht-eh bit-teh bez-al-en]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![hil-feh]
Go away!Gehen Sie weg![gey-en zee vehk]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![roo-fen zee dee poh-lee-tsai]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![roo-fen zee ine-en ahrts]
I'm lostIch habe mich verlaufen[ikh hah-beh mikh fer-lou-fen]
I'm illIch bin krank[ikh been kr-ahnk]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte ... kaufen[ikh merkht-eh ... kow-fen]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[ikh sh-ow-eh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?[vee feel kaws-tet es]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[dahs ist tsoo toy-er]
Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?[kern-en zee den prys zen-ken]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[vee shpayt ist es]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[es ist ighn oor]
Half past (10)Halb (zehn)[halb (tsayn)]
MorningMorgen[mohr-gehn]
AfternoonNachmittag[nahkh-mit-tahk]
EveningAbend[ah-bent]
YesterdayGestern[geh-stern]
TodayHeute[hoy-teh]
TomorrowMorgen[mohr-gehn]
1Eins[ayns]
2Zwei[tsvay]
3Drei[dry]
4Vier[feer]
5Fünf[foonf]
6Sechs[zeks]
7Sieben[zee-ben]
8Acht[akht]
9Neun[noyn]
10Zehn[tsayn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/der...?[vo ist ighn/dehr]
What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?[vas ist dee ah-dreh-seh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir zeigen (auf der Karte)?[kern-en zee meer tsey-gen (owf dehr kar-teh)]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[vahn komt dehr nekh-steh (boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Eine Fahrkarte (nach ....)[i-ne fahr-kahr-teh (nakh)]

History of Aachen

Roman Springs and Early Settlement

Aachen developed around hot mineral springs already valued by the Romans, who called the settlement Aquae Granni, linking the waters to the Celtic or local deity Grannus. Roman bathing facilities and roads established the importance of the site, although the later medieval city grew from a different political foundation. The springs remained central to Aachen’s identity across the centuries, helping explain the city’s German name, Aachen, and its continuing reputation as a spa town. Archaeological evidence around the old centre demonstrates the long relationship between settlement, water and movement across this western border region.

Charlemagne’s Palace and Capital

Charlemagne selected Aachen as a principal royal residence in the late eighth century, and the palace complex became the centre of his rule during the final decades of his reign. The palace chapel, begun around 790 and later known as the cathedral’s Palatine Chapel, drew on Roman and Byzantine architectural ideas and was consecrated in 805. Charlemagne’s death in Aachen in 814 strengthened the city’s symbolic importance. His court attracted scholars, clergy and administrators, making Aachen a major centre of the Carolingian Renaissance and leaving a political and architectural legacy that still defines the city.

Medieval Coronations and Pilgrimage

After the Carolingian period, Aachen retained exceptional ceremonial status within the Holy Roman Empire. German kings were traditionally crowned in the cathedral from 936 until 1531, making the city a stage for imperial authority and a destination for courts, clergy and diplomats. Pilgrimage added another dimension: relics associated with the Virgin Mary, Christ and Saint John the Baptist were displayed during the Heiligtumsfahrt, a pilgrimage held at intervals that continues as a major religious tradition. The growing town developed around its sacred and political institutions, while trade benefited from the movement of people through the region.

Town, Trade and Religious Conflict

Aachen’s medieval prosperity rested on craft production, trade and its position between the Rhineland and the Low Countries. The city received important privileges, including imperial recognition as a free imperial city, but its religious and political life became contested during the Reformation. Protestant influence grew in the sixteenth century, while Catholic institutions retained deep roots and later regained strength during the Counter-Reformation. Wars and shifting alliances repeatedly affected the city. The surviving Rathaus, built partly over the medieval palace complex, and sections of the old urban fabric reflect Aachen’s development from imperial centre to self-governing commercial town.

Revolution, France and Prussia

French revolutionary forces occupied Aachen in 1792, and the city was incorporated into France in 1801. French administration brought legal and institutional changes, including the Napoleonic system, before Aachen passed to the Kingdom of Prussia after 1815. The nineteenth century brought industrial expansion, improved transport links and a renewed interest in the thermal springs. Aachen also became known for textile manufacturing, engineering and later electrical industries. Urban growth extended beyond the medieval centre, while railway connections strengthened the city’s role as a commercial and industrial gateway between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

War, Reconstruction and European Identity

Aachen suffered extensive destruction during the Second World War, particularly in 1944, when it became the first major German city captured by Allied forces. Reconstruction restored much of the historic centre, although the post-war city also acquired modern buildings and infrastructure. In 1950 Aachen received the first Charlemagne Prize, an annual award recognising contributions to European unity. The foundation and expansion of RWTH Aachen University further shaped the modern city as a centre for engineering, research and international education. Today, its cathedral heritage, borderland economy and European institutions coexist within a city rebuilt yet strongly anchored in its medieval past.

Aachen in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities near Aachen

The closest cities to Aachen, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Germany
More of the region

Explore more of Germany

Experience Germany: where history meets innovation, and urban energy blends with natural beauty. Discover diverse cultures, delicious cuisine, and stunning landscapes.

Explore Germany
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Aachen

Explore Aachen like a local with Evendo, your 100% free app-based travel guide. Discover attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with detailed tips and easy navigation.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and experiences
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Discover Aachen with Evendo, the free app that covers attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and experiences. Plan and book your entire trip seamlessly.

  • History and travel essentials for Aachen
  • Local advice to maximize your visit
  • User-friendly navigation through the app and city
  • "Near me" feature to find nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Are you planning a trip to Aachen, Germany? Make the most out of your visit with Evendo, the ultimate travel guide app that puts the city's best attractions, landmarks, and experiences at your fingertips. Aachen, known for its historical significance and vibrant culture, has so much to offer. With Evendo, you can explore iconic landmarks such as Aachen Cathedral, the historic Town Hall, and the picturesque Elisenbrunnen. Dive into the local culture by visiting renowned attractions like the Carolus Thermen spa and the Ludwig Forum for International Art.

Food enthusiasts will love the curated list of top restaurants including Ratskeller, where you can enjoy traditional German cuisine, and Restaurant One & Only for a fine dining experience. Nightlife seekers can discover the best bars and nightclubs, ensuring that your evenings are just as exciting as your days.

Evendo isn't just about discovering places; it's about enhancing your entire travel experience. The app provides rich details, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it incredibly easy to plan and organize your trip. Whether you want to book hotels, tours, tickets, or unique local experiences, Evendo has you covered.

With features like the history of Aachen, travel essentials, and a 'Near me' function that shows you what’s around your current location, navigating the city has never been easier. Plus, all this information is 100% free with no hidden costs or in-app purchases. Download Evendo today and unlock the best of Aachen and 7,000+ other destinations worldwide.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.