Tweet17-11-2010 om 10:19 by Amanda Potter

Aachen in Germany is a lovely city within easy reach of the Maastricht Region and well worth a day trip any time of year, but especially now when the Christmas Market is going on. We visited the city last weekend and despite the rain enjoyed it immensely. Here are 5 things to check out in Aachen on a day trip.

1) Walking Tour


Start your visit with a walking tour of the city to enjoy the sites and learn a little history: from Charlemagne to horse racing and from medical spas to traditional fountains. We took the 1-hour English language tour offered by Aachen’s tourist office for just 8 euros.

2) Aachener Dom Cathedral


One of the most famous attraction in Aachen, the Aachener Dom was originally commissioned by Charlemagne and when it was completed it was the largest dome cathedral in eastern Europe. Today you can still view the stunning blue and gold ceiling and the large bronze chandelier shaped like the walls of “Heavenly Jerusalem” from Revelations. Tours are available in English, but may be cancelled without notice as the building is currently undergoing restoration.

3) Aachen Town Hall



Built in the 14th century on the local of Charlemagne’s former palace, Aachen’s Town Hall is a lovely combination of gothic architecture and baroque design. Each room inside the hall has a vaulted square ceiling and is decorated in a different manner. Upstairs you can see the former coronation room as well as the original Charlemagne statue (now replaced on the Markt with a replica). Tours of the Town Hall are just 2,50 euros and include a nifty audio guide about the building and Aachen’s history.

4) Printen



It seems that most cities have their special pastry, and Aachen is no exception with the spiced, gingerbread-like cookie Printen. The pastry gets its name from the tradition of shaping it in a wooden mold prior to baking. Printen shops are all over Aachen, but if you have a moment it’s worth stopping in a cafe or Printen bakery to sample it fresh.

5) The Spas

Aachen is known for its hot springs and spas where people enjoy the relaxing and potentially healing effects of the water. The Carolus Thermen Bad Aachen is a municipal spa and sauna facility open to adults and probably a good place to start if you want to explore the spa experience. Water from the Aachen hot spring fountains is not technically drinkable (it contains low levels of arsenic), but many people consume small amounts anyways.

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