Overview
Aachen sits at the point where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands meet, and its history is as significant as its location. Charlemagne chose this city as his capital in the 8th century, and the Aachen Cathedral — where 30 Holy Roman Emperors were crowned — was the first German site to receive UNESCO World Heritage status. Today Aachen is a lively university city (home to RWTH, one of Europe s top technical universities), which keeps prices student-friendly and the nightlife energetic. The famous thermal springs that attracted the Romans still feed world-class spa facilities. The euro is the currency.
Daily Budget Breakdown
- Budget travelers ($65/day): Stay in hostels or budget hotels, eat at university canteens and bakeries, walk the compact Old Town, visit the free-entry cathedral, and enjoy the lively student atmosphere of the cafes and pubs around the Pontstrasse.
- Mid-range travelers ($155/day): Book a hotel near the cathedral, enjoy traditional Rhineland cuisine and Aachen’s renowned Printen gingerbread, visit the Cathedral Treasury and Couven Museum, soak in the Carolus Thermen spa, and take a day trip into the Eifel National Park.
- Luxury travelers ($380+/day): Stay at the Pullman Aachen Quellenhof or a luxury spa hotel, dine at the city s finest restaurants, book a private guided tour of Charlemagne s Aachen, and enjoy premium thermal bath experiences.
Where to Save
Aachen Cathedral is free to enter and absolutely magnificent — Charlemagne s octagonal chapel, Byzantine-inspired mosaics, and the Barbarossa chandelier are all visible without a ticket. The Old Town is compact and walkable in an hour. University-town pricing means excellent pub meals, coffee, and beer at student-friendly prices along Pontstrasse. The Deutschland-Ticket covers regional trains from Cologne (just 40 minutes). Aachen s famous Printen (spiced gingerbread) from Nobis or Klein costs a few euros and makes great gifts. The Dreilandereck (three-country point) where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands meet is free and fun.
Where to Splurge
The Aachen Cathedral Treasury is one of the most important collections of medieval ecclesiastical art in northern Europe — the entrance fee is well justified. Carolus Thermen, the city’s premier thermal bath fed by Aachen s famous hot springs, is a luxurious few hours of Roman-style bathing. A day trip to the Belgian chocolate shops of Eupen or the Dutch city of Maastricht (both under 30 minutes) takes advantage of the tri-border location. The RWTH Campus and science exhibitions occasionally host world-class events. Christmas time transforms the cathedral square into one of Germany s most atmospheric Christmas markets.
