Things to Do in Aachen

Neoclassical fountain house built over thermal springs. You can drink the warm sulfur water from the tap—free of charge. The arcades provide shelter in rain.

🕐 24/7 (exterior always accessible)

💡 Bring an empty bottle. The water tastes strongly of egg; locals swear by its health benefits. Best visited at dusk when the building is lit up.

UNESCO World Heritage site with Charlemagne's throne, mosaic dome and Gothic choir. Free to enter the main nave during service times; treasury costs extra.

🕐 Mon-Sat 7am-7pm, Sun 1pm-7pm

💡 Arrive just after morning mass (around 8:30am) to avoid tour groups. The treasury is worth the €5 if you're interested in medieval relics.

Student-friendly street and adjacent square with cheap eats, street art and secondhand bookstalls. No entry fee; just walk and browse.

🕐 24/7 (shops vary)

💡 For a dirt-cheap lunch, try the currywurst at Imbiß am Büchel (€3.50). The square usually has free live music on warm Friday evenings from May to September.

18th-century townhouse museum showing period rooms with original furniture, porcelain and pharmacy. Entry costs €4.50 (free on first Sunday of the month).

🕐 Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon

💡 The ground floor pharmacy is the highlight. Ask at the desk about the guided 20-minute audio tour included in the ticket—it's not obvious.

Hilltop park with woodland trails, a viewing platform over the city and a small waterfall. Quiet compared to the city centre, good for a picnic.

🕐 24/7

💡 Follow the spiral path near the café up to the top—less steep than the main steps. Pair with a visit to the nearby Bismarckturm if you want views.