Why CityAppTour?
Explore a city in 1 day
Stories from local guides
Pause whenever you want
Affordable
Stress-free navigation with audio guidance
English guide
Aachen's identity is deeply rooted in its imperial past as Charlemagne's favorite residence. The city where over 30 German kings were crowned blends Roman spa culture with medieval grandeur, creating a unique atmosphere where history feels tangible. The magnificent Aachen Cathedral stands as the heart of this compact city, surrounded by winding streets that reveal stories spanning over 2,000 years.
As you walk through Aachen, the distinct scent of the city's famous thermal springs mingles with the sweet aroma of Printen gingerbread wafting from traditional bakeries. With Aachen walking tours on your smartphone, you'll discover fascinating stories behind the facades while enjoying complete freedom to pause for a relaxing break at a café in the Marktplatz or to explore a museum that catches your eye. All the best tours in Aachen are available in English, ensuring you won't miss any of the rich historical context.
Besides our audio guides, there are many other ways to discover Aachen. Here are some suggestions that can enrich your visit:
Aachen Cathedral Treasury - Housing one of Europe's most important church treasuries, this collection includes priceless religious artifacts and Charlemagne's relics. The treasury complements perfectly what you'll learn on self-guided tours Aachen offers.
Carolus Thermen Spa - Experience Aachen's thermal tradition firsthand at this modern spa complex. Relax in various thermal pools and saunas, continuing the bathing culture that dates back to Roman times.
Aachen Town Hall (Rathaus) - Explore this Gothic masterpiece built on the foundations of Charlemagne's palace. The coronation hall upstairs features impressive frescoes depicting scenes from Aachen's imperial history.
Couven Museum - Step into 18th-century bourgeois life in this beautifully preserved townhouse museum, one of the must-see places in Aachen for those interested in historical interiors and daily life.
Elisenbrunnen - Sample the famous thermal water at this neoclassical pump room. While the sulfurous taste might be surprising, drinking from these springs is a quintessential Aachen experience.
Aachen Chocolate Factory Tour - Discover the sweet side of the city with a guided tour of a local chocolate manufacturer. Learn about production processes and enjoy delicious samples.
Three-Country Point - Visit the unique spot where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands meet. Just a short trip from the city center, it's one of the hidden gems in Aachen that offers a fun photo opportunity and beautiful forest walks.
Aachen Christmas Market - If visiting in December, don't miss one of Germany's most charming Christmas markets set around the cathedral and town hall. The festive atmosphere and regional specialties make this a seasonal highlight.
Guided E-Bike Tour - Explore Aachen and its beautiful surroundings on an e-bike tour that takes you through the city and into the rolling countryside. Perfect for seeing more in less time.
Best time to visit
Spring and early autumn offer the most pleasant temperatures for exploring Aachen on foot. Summer can be busy with tourists, especially during the CHIO equestrian festival in July. Winter visitors will enjoy the enchanting Christmas Market (late November to December 23rd), considered one of Germany's best.
Accessibility
Aachen is easily reached by train, with direct connections from Cologne (1 hour) and Brussels (1.5 hours). The historic center is compact and best explored on foot. Public buses connect major attractions outside the center. If arriving by car, use one of the park-and-ride facilities as parking in the center is limited and expensive.
Opening hours and holidays
Most shops in Aachen open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00, with major stores staying open until 20:00. Museums are typically closed on Mondays. Note that Germany observes numerous public holidays, including regional holidays specific to North Rhine-Westphalia such as Corpus Christi and All Saints' Day.
Comfortable on the go
Wear comfortable shoes as Aachen's historic center features cobblestone streets. The city's proximity to the Eifel mountains means weather can change quickly, so a light raincoat is advisable even in summer. Don't forget to bring a water bottle that you can refill at one of the thermal water fountains.
Local customs and etiquette
Germans appreciate punctuality and directness. When entering smaller shops, it's customary to greet with "Guten Tag." Tipping in restaurants is typically 5-10% by rounding up the bill. In cafés, try the local specialty "Reisfladen" (rice pudding cake) with your coffee.
There is no established free walking tour in Aachen of comparable depth or consistency. Occasional volunteer-led tours exist, but they rely on tips — typically €10–15 per person — which often ends up costing as much or more than the CityAppTour. With CityAppTour you know the price upfront, and you can start whenever you like.
Yes — Aachen is absolutely worth a visit. The city is home to Germany's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 1,200-year-old Cathedral where Charlemagne ruled and was buried. The compact old town is walkable in a day, and the city sits at the border of three countries — Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands — which adds a rare trilingual atmosphere you won't find elsewhere in Germany.
CityAppTour routes are created by content makers who have actually walked the city, dug into local history sources and gathered input from people who know the place well. For Aachen, that means tracing Charlemagne's legacy from the Cathedral through the old town to the thermal springs at Burtscheid — including the stories that most guidebooks skip over. The goal is a tour that feels like walking with someone who genuinely knows the city.
Plan around 2 to 2.5 hours for the walking tour, not counting stops for coffee, a Printen from a bakery or a look inside the Cathedral. The route covers the Cathedral quarter, the Marktplatz, the old town and key spots connected to Charlemagne's legacy — all at your own pace.
The tour is written for adults, with content on Carolingian history, medieval architecture and cathedral symbolism. Children aged around 12 and up generally follow the stories well. Younger children can still enjoy the walk and the impressive architecture, but some of the historical detail may not hold their attention.
Aachen is the only city in Germany where you can stand in a 1,200-year-old imperial cathedral built by Charlemagne, the man who united much of Europe. Unlike larger German cities, Aachen is compact, walkable and genuinely trilingual — German, Dutch and French are all heard in the streets. It feels less like a tourist city and more like a city locals actually live in.
Yes, the tour can be shared with the people you're traveling with. Check the app for the current sharing options and any available discounts for groups or couples.
A CityAppTour audio tour lets you explore Aachen entirely on your own schedule. You can pause at Charlemagne's throne, step into a café on the Markt, or revisit a spot without holding anyone up. There's no fixed departure time, no group to keep up with, and the tour is available in your language from the moment you download it — no booking required.
The Cathedral itself is free to enter, though a donation is appreciated. The Cathedral Treasury — which holds Charlemagne's relics and one of Europe's finest Carolingian collections — charges a separate admission fee of around €5. The Palatine Chapel, including Charlemagne's throne, is only accessible on a guided tour.
One full day is enough to cover the main highlights in Aachen: the Cathedral and its treasury, the Marktplatz, the old town and the thermal bath district of Burtscheid. If you want to explore at a leisurely pace, include a museum or a day trip into the Eifel hills, plan for two days.
Yes, the tour works completely offline once downloaded. That is especially practical in Aachen, where you may drift between German, Belgian and Dutch mobile networks — which can affect roaming. Download the tour on Wi-Fi before you leave, and you're set for the entire day.
Aachen is famous above all for Charlemagne and its Cathedral — the coronation church of 30 Holy Roman emperors and Germany's first UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. It is also known for Aachener Printen, a spiced biscuit similar to gingerbread, and for its thermal springs, which the Romans already used over 2,000 years ago.
