Unleashing the Charm of Aachen: A Perfect Day Trip

Exploring Aachen, Germany on a budget - discovering the charm of medieval architecture and delicious local cuisine.

21 June 2023

A trip to Aachen, Germany on a limited budget can still offer a rich experience. The city is home to beautiful architecture including the Aachen Cathedral and the Elisenbrunnen. Visitors can also enjoy local cuisine such as Aachener Printen, a traditional gingerbread-like cookie.

Day trip plan

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Day

Aachener Dom and Local Culture

  • Begin your day with a visit to the grand Aachener Dom, an impressive cathedral that blends Carolingian, Gothic, and Baroque styles and houses Charlemagne's throne.
  • Take a stroll along the cozy alleyways and charming squares of the old town, soaking up the authentic atmosphere of this historic city.
  • Visit the Couven Museum, a restored 18th-century bourgeois residence that exemplifies local architectural and decorative styles of the time.
  • Have a cheap but delicious lunch at the popular Café Einstein, known for its hearty soups, sandwiches, and cakes.
  • Visit the Ludwig Forum for International Arts, a contemporary art museum housed in a modernist former factory building, and admire their exhibitions of avant-garde paintings, sculptures, and installations.
  • End your day with a pint of local beer at the cozy PubQuiz 101, a British-style pub that offers pub quizzes, live music, and a great selection of drinks.
  • Enjoy your short but memorable stay in Aachen, and don't forget to take home some of the local gingerbread or printen as a sweet souvenir.

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Aachen by plane is to fly into the Cologne-Bonn Airport and take a connecting train or bus to Aachen.

Car

Driving to Aachen is possible and there are good connections to major highways from neighboring countries. However, be prepared for heavy traffic and limited parking options in the city center.

Train

A direct train to Aachen can be taken from various cities in Germany, including Cologne and Dusseldorf. The Aachen Hauptbahnhof is the main train station in Aachen.

Boat

There are no boat options to reach Aachen as it is not located on a major body of water.

Bus

Taking a bus to Aachen from major European cities like Brussels, Amsterdam, or Paris is a convenient and affordable option. The Aachen central bus station is located in the city center.

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