Cities · From the hotel: 40 km · 45 min by car
🚗 45 min
Aachen Cathedral grew out of Charlemagne's palatine chapel and is regarded as a masterpiece of Carolingian architecture. In 1978 it was inscribed together with its treasury as the first German monument on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Charlemagne was buried in the palatine chapel in January 814.
The town hall was built from 1349 on the remains of the Carolingian royal hall. Between the town hall and the cathedral lies the Katschhof, a popular square for markets and festivals. From here it is only a few steps to the cafés and lanes of the old town.
Aachen is a spa town with more than 30 thermal springs in Aachen and Burtscheid; the Romans already used the hot springs. Today the Carolus Thermen invite you to bathe and sauna, and the Elisenbrunnen in the centre presents the spring water in a neoclassical pump room.
Aachener Printen are a spiced gingerbread and the city's signature souvenir. Since 1950 the International Charlemagne Prize for services to European unification has been awarded here. In summer the CHIO Aachen horse show attracts visitors from all over the world.
Visit the cathedral and treasury, walk across the Katschhof to the town hall, see the Elisenbrunnen and try Aachener Printen. For relaxation, visit the Carolus Thermen.
It is about 40 kilometres and around 45 minutes by car. By train, you can reach the main station from Düren.
Aachen lies in the tri-border area of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Three Countries Point on the Vaalserberg is quick to reach from the city.
Tip: Allow about two hours for the cathedral and treasury, then treat yourself to Printen and a stroll across the Katschhof.
Getting there: It takes about 45 minutes by car. The main station can be reached by regional train from Düren; in the city centre you avoid the search for a parking space.
