9 Activities
Explore Aachen: Route to Relaxation
Starts from
Cologne
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
9
Duration
12 hours
Length
43 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Cologne
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hours
Length
43 mi
Jon Glavinas
Travel Expert
- Experience the details of Germany's first UNESCO Patrimony List cathedral.
- Relax in the thermal spas of Aachen that were first used by the Romans.
- Eat Aachen's famous Printen - a sweet cake with a secret recipe.
Aachen's locals still have held on to the tradition first founded by the Romans - to relax and rejuvenate in the thermal spas. This itinerary takes you to the city focused on spas and wellbeing, with the first stop at a well-reserved 13th-century castle. You'll visit the Aachen Cathedral, which was commissioned by Charlemagne over 1200 years ago, and you'll see why it's heritage-listed after viewing its historical detail.
After a stroll around town and a quick lunch, it's time to get into relaxation mode. You'll head to the main spa in the city and jump in one of the many thermal pools before choosing other well-being and spa activities available in the centre. After a soak, you can replenish your taste bud with a famous printer. Before dinner, you'll leave Aachen and head for Düren where you can join residents at the local swimming pond. Finally, have a nourishing dinner in Düren before you head back with a rejuvenated stomach, heart and soul.
After a stroll around town and a quick lunch, it's time to get into relaxation mode. You'll head to the main spa in the city and jump in one of the many thermal pools before choosing other well-being and spa activities available in the centre. After a soak, you can replenish your taste bud with a famous printer. Before dinner, you'll leave Aachen and head for Düren where you can join residents at the local swimming pond. Finally, have a nourishing dinner in Düren before you head back with a rejuvenated stomach, heart and soul.
Aachen's locals still have held on to the tradition first founded by the Romans - to relax and rejuvenate in the thermal spas. This itinerary takes you to the city focused on spas and wellbeing, with the first stop at a well-reserved 13th-century castle. You'll visit the Aachen Cathedral, which was commissioned by Charlemagne over 1200 years ago, and you'll see why it's heritage-listed after viewing its historical detail.
After a stroll around town and a quick lunch, it's time to get into relaxation mode. You'll head to the main spa in the city and jump in one of the many thermal pools before choosing other well-being and spa activities available in the centre. After a soak, you can replenish your taste bud with a famous printer. Before dinner, you'll leave Aachen and head for Düren where you can join residents at the local swimming pond. Finally, have a nourishing dinner in Düren before you head back with a rejuvenated stomach, heart and soul.
After a stroll around town and a quick lunch, it's time to get into relaxation mode. You'll head to the main spa in the city and jump in one of the many thermal pools before choosing other well-being and spa activities available in the centre. After a soak, you can replenish your taste bud with a famous printer. Before dinner, you'll leave Aachen and head for Düren where you can join residents at the local swimming pond. Finally, have a nourishing dinner in Düren before you head back with a rejuvenated stomach, heart and soul.
Jon Glavinas
Travel Expert
- Experience the details of Germany's first UNESCO Patrimony List cathedral.
- Relax in the thermal spas of Aachen that were first used by the Romans.
- Eat Aachen's famous Printen - a sweet cake with a secret recipe.
Day Itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
43 mi0.3 mi
The Sights, Spas and Sanctuary of Aachen
Aachen is a town built to nourish you from the outside in with Roman hot springs and spas still loved by the locals. Your route will take you to some incredible nature stops along the way, to the sights inside the city, on to a spa session and to grab some famous gingerbread biscuits for the drive back.
If you want a day escape to the thermal spa town of Aachen, this route offers the best the town has to offer.
If you want a day escape to the thermal spa town of Aachen, this route offers the best the town has to offer.
10:0045 min
Laufenburg Castle
Castle
Open Details
You can't miss Laufenburg Castle on your route to Aachen. This well-preserved 12th-century castle has stood strong on the hilltop, looking much younger than it really is. It's situated within a forest clearing, so it becomes even more magical with its natural backdrop. It opens from 10 am every day, and earlier on weekends.
16.5 mi
40 min
11:305 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Use this car park to explore Aachen on foot. You'll visit the Cathedral, explore the city's authentic streets and sample local specialities for lunch.
0.2 mi
5 min
11:451 hr
Aachen Cathedral
Church
Open Details
Aachen Cathedral is a stunning representation of imperial ambition. It was actually commissioned by Charlemagne over a thousand years ago.
This iconic cathedral was the first of Germany's to make it on to UNESCO's Patrimony list - just look at all its incredible details, heritage architecture and historical materials.
Now You can visit the Cathedral or the Cathedral Treasury for an even better look into its history. You also may also book a guided tour on their website.
This iconic cathedral was the first of Germany's to make it on to UNESCO's Patrimony list - just look at all its incredible details, heritage architecture and historical materials.
Now You can visit the Cathedral or the Cathedral Treasury for an even better look into its history. You also may also book a guided tour on their website.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:001 hr
Hanswurst
German Restaurant
Open Details
For lunch, you can keep it short but delicious at Hanswurst which offers German specialties at a convenient pace. Go for a German sausage, schnitzel or pretzel for a quick bite to remember.
0.2 mi
5 min
14:151 hr
Elisengarten
Park
Open Details
It's time to take in the spectacular town by foot. Firstly, walk through Elisegarten to experience the greenery of the city. But lots of the best the city has to offer if at street level, so after the garden walk along Hartmannstrasse, Kleinmarschierstrasse, Schmiedstrasse and Annastrasse to get a strong understanding of the town and to experience gorgeous German urban and traditional architecture, shops and culture.
2.1 mi
15 min
15:302 hrs
Carolus Thermen
Spa
Open Details
Okay, so you've done quite a bit of exploring and I know what you're thinking, what about all the relaxing? Aachen is known for how well it does spa and wellness, handed down from when the Romans used the city for its rejuvenating thermal spas. Thankfully, locals have held on to the traditional, and you can unwind and relax in a crowd-favourite, Carolus Thermen.
This fantastic wellness centre has many options to suit everyone. You should definitely check out the main thermal spa and soak like a Roman, before following it with another rejuvenating experience like a massage or sauna.
It's so great of a spa, it gets pretty popular. There is no need to book your visit online, but you may book their additions and treatments you'd like on their website.
This fantastic wellness centre has many options to suit everyone. You should definitely check out the main thermal spa and soak like a Roman, before following it with another rejuvenating experience like a massage or sauna.
It's so great of a spa, it gets pretty popular. There is no need to book your visit online, but you may book their additions and treatments you'd like on their website.
1.6 mi
10 min
17:4545 min
Printenbäckerei Klein
Bakery
Open Details
After treating your mind, body and spirit to the hot baths, time to treat your taste buds with the town's signature delicacy, Printen. It's a type of sweet cake that's recipe has been protected since its creation and passed down through the generations of Aachen locals. Printenbackerei Klein makes some of the best, so make sure to try some here while in the special city that created it.
They're closed Sundays, so if you're travelling on this day, head to one of the many other Printen stores around town.
They're closed Sundays, so if you're travelling on this day, head to one of the many other Printen stores around town.
18.4 mi
30 min
19:0045 min
Düren-Echtz Swimming Lake
Lake
Open Details
Leave Aachen but keep your bathing suit close, before dinner you'll get to cool off again in Düren-Echtz Lake, a swimming pond loved by locals all year round.
If you're visiting when it's hot, the pool will be the perfect way to cool down. There are some water activities as well. If it's colder months, you take a walk around the pond and have a drink at the kiosk.
After a visit to the local pond, head to Düren for dinner.
If you're visiting when it's hot, the pool will be the perfect way to cool down. There are some water activities as well. If it's colder months, you take a walk around the pond and have a drink at the kiosk.
After a visit to the local pond, head to Düren for dinner.
4.3 mi
15 min
20:001 hr 30 min
Das Brauhaus
Restaurant
Open Details
Das Brauhaus is a classic pub that serves some of German's best beer as well as delicious food. During the warmer months, the restaurant offers a terrace overlooking the Catholic Church.
You may book ahead and find food and drinks options on their website.
You may book ahead and find food and drinks options on their website.