Aachen

Day 1: Charlemagne, cathedral and the springs

Aachen’s story begins with hot water and an emperor. Ease into the city with its UNESCO-listed heart, then follow the scent of sulphur to where the spa tradition still bubbles today.

• Morning: Explore the cathedral and treasury, then cross to the town hall for the historic coronation hall and city views (tower access is seasonal and weather-dependent; pre-book timed tickets for the cathedral where possible). Take a coffee on Münsterplatz and notice street names like Krämerstraße that hint at medieval trade.
• Midday: Lunch around Marktplatz; if it’s Tuesday or Thursday (7:00–14:00), graze at the weekly market for cheeses, bread and seasonal produce. Pick up Aachener Printen from a traditional bakery (try hartprinten for dunking, weichprinten for a softer bite); small shops may prefer cash.
• Afternoon: Visit Elisenbrunnen to feel (and smell) the hot sulphurous water at the drinking fountains and read the plaques of famous spa guests. Stroll via Elisengarten’s archaeology windows and the Stadtgarten to Carolus Thermen (15–20 minutes by foot or short bus ride).
• Evening: Unwind 2.5–4 hours in the Thermalwelt at Carolus Thermen (swimwear required). Etiquette essentials: shower before pools, keep voices low, wear flip-flops; bring a robe and two towels or rent on site, and hydrate often. Weekday evenings are calmer; in winter, the contrast of cold air and 34–38°C outdoor pools is glorious.

Day 2: Shopping corridors and the Burtscheid spa quarter

Aachen is a border-city shopping magnet with a lively, walkable centre. Plan around Sunday closures (most shops shut), and expect more Dutch and Belgian visitors on Saturdays.

• Morning: Start with coffee and a Printen taster in the old town, then browse independent boutiques around Krämerstraße, Annastraße and Hartmannstraße. Greet staff with a friendly “Guten Tag”, bring a reusable bag, and look for local specialists like coffee roasters and artisan workshops.
• Midday: Walk the Adalbertstraße axis to Aquis Plaza for high-street brands and lunch in the food court or a nearby café. It’s busier on Saturdays; consider Park + Ride to avoid central parking costs. Non‑EU visitors can ask for tax‑free forms on larger purchases.
• Afternoon: Choose one: dive into factory‑outlet heaven at the Lindt and Lambertz stores (expect strong temptation, especially after holidays), or head to Burtscheid’s Kurpark and Ferberpark for a calm stroll where some of Europe’s hottest springs rise beneath your feet. Spring/summer suit a park picnic; in autumn, the foliage is superb.
• Evening: Eat in the Pontviertel (student quarter) for easygoing international fare, then linger over drinks on Pontstraße. If it’s a Sunday (shops closed), swap today’s shopping for museums or a second, shorter soak at the baths.

Day 3: Museums, markets and the full sauna ritual

Blend a final dose of history with a deep dive into German sauna culture. Pace yourself: heat, cold, rest and repeat is the local rhythm.

• Morning: Visit Centre Charlemagne for a crisp overview of the city from Roman spa to Carolingian capital, then pop back to the town hall if you skipped it or join a cathedral tour focused on the Carolingian octagon. Combined tickets save time; check opening hours outside peak season.
• Midday: On Tuesday/Thursday, circle back to the weekly market at Marktplatz/Münsterplatz for a light lunch; in Advent (late Nov–23 Dec), the Christmas market fills the same squares with crafts, Printen and mulled wine. Otherwise, choose a café near Elisengarten for a quick bite (keep alcohol for after the sauna).
• Afternoon: Return to Carolus Thermen for the Saunawelt and plan around the hourly Aufguss ceremonies. Key etiquette: it’s textilfrei (no swimwear), sit/lie fully on a large towel (no sweat on wood), shower before/after, keep voices to a whisper, cool down completely (shower, plunge), then rest 15–20 minutes; skip or shorten sessions if you have cardiovascular issues or are pregnant.
• Evening: Dine at Restaurant Auszeit inside the sauna area or at the public Kochkultur after you exit with your chip wristband tab. End with a quiet walk through the Stadtgarten or a last look at the steam drifting from Elisenbrunnen. Typical bath hours run to late evening (admission until roughly 21:30; bathing ends before closing), but always check the day’s schedule.

By Air

• Maastricht Aachen (MST) – ~40 km. 35–45 min by car. Public transport: bus to Maastricht, then train via Heerlen to Aachen (~1.5–2 hrs). Limited flights.
• Cologne/Bonn (CGN) – ~85 km. 60–75 min by car. Train via Köln Hbf to Aachen ~1h10–1h30.
• Düsseldorf (DUS) – ~95 km. 70–90 min by car. Train via Düsseldorf Flughafen (Fernbahnhof) or Hbf to Aachen ~1h10–1h30.
• Brussels (BRU) – ~140 km. 1h30–2h by car. Train BRU Airport → Bruxelles-Nord → ICE to Aachen ~1h45–2h.
• Liège (LGG) – ~55 km. 45–60 min by car. Bus/train via Liège-Guillemins then to Aachen ~1.5–2 hrs.
• Eindhoven (EIN) – ~95 km. ~1h20 by car; ~2–2.5 hrs by train (changes).
• Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) – ~120 km. ~1h40 by car; shuttle + trains ~2.5–3.5 hrs.
• Frankfurt (FRA) – ~220 km. 2.25–3 hrs by car; ICE via Köln ~2h10–2h30.

By Train

• Main station: Aachen Hbf (plus Aachen West and Aachen-Rothe Erde for regional services).
• High-speed/long-distance:
  • ICE to Köln Hbf: 40–50 min; to Düsseldorf: ~1h10–1h20; to Frankfurt (via Köln): ~2h10–2h30.
  • ICE to Brussels (via Liège): ~1h15–1h25 to Bruxelles-Midi.
  • Paris typically via Brussels (ICE/IC to Bruxelles-Midi, then Eurostar): ~3–3.5 hrs total.
• Regional and cross-border:
  • Frequent RE services to Köln, Düsseldorf, Mönchengladbach, Ruhr area.
  • RE18 to Maastricht (via Heerlen): ~1h05–1h15, hourly.
  • SNCB trains to Liège-Guillemins: ~50–60 min, hourly.
• Local hub for buses: Aachen Bushof (central city bus interchange), a short walk from the centre.

By Bus

• Long-distance coaches (e.g., FlixBus) serve Aachen; main stop near the main station (Henricistraße).
• Typical times: Köln ~1h15–1h45; Düsseldorf ~1.5–2 hrs; Brussels ~2–2.5 hrs; Amsterdam ~3.5–4.5 hrs; Paris ~6–7 hrs.

By Car

• Motorways:
  • A4/E40 east–west to Köln and Liège/Brussels.
  • A44 to Düsseldorf/Ruhr area.
  • A544 spur to Europaplatz (city access). E314 via Heerlen towards Maastricht/Leuven.
• Approximate driving times: Köln 50–70 min; Düsseldorf 70–90 min; Maastricht 30–40 min; Liège 45–60 min; Brussels 1h30–1h50; Frankfurt 2.5–3 hrs.
• Practicalities: City-centre parking in multi-storey car parks; Park & Ride options (e.g., Tivoli) are often quicker and cheaper. Schengen internal borders—no routine checks.