There is a lot to marvel at in Aachen, starting with the Aachen Cathedral, the country’s first cultural asset to be granted UNESCO status. The cathedral encompasses the most significant treasure chamber north of the Alps. It also served as the patriarchal throne of the kingdom, which has seated 32 German Kaisers and Kings. Additional impressive town-wide attractions include the paintings and sculptures in the Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum and the modern art in the Ludwig Forum for International Art, a former umbrella factory in Bauhaus style. The Couven Museum, showcasing the city’s middle- to upper-class lifestyles; the Gothic City Hall and the International Newspaper Museum are also worthwhile stops for visitors.

The town’s abundance of nature welcomes visitors as they approach Aachen as it is situated in a valley surrounded by fields, woods and hills. At its portals — close by where three countries meet: Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium — visitors will find the nature reserves of the Aachen Forest, the Ardennes and the Eifel. The warm water springs here have exhilarated guests and have been enjoyed for more than two thousand years. Since Roman times, the town has enjoyed excellent accessibility to the rest of Europe. Today, Aachen is reachable by motorways from Cologne and Düsseldorf, Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. Airport locations include Maastricht/Aachen, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Brussels and by fast train from Cologne/Düsseldorf, Brussels, Paris/London.

Aachen is a real pleasure for pedestrians. The streets invitingly beckon the casual stroller and offer an opportunity for relaxation. Explorers enjoy a break taking in the atmosphere in Old Town — a great experience that includes the many restaurants, cafés and pubs. Al fresco opportunities abound with tables and chairs everywhere in the pedestrian zones and small squares starting in spring. And when muse and mind are contented, one can always try one´s luck in the international casino, enjoy carnival festivities or indulge in the famous Aachen Printen — a spicy delicacy.

Aachen expertly combines seemingly contradictory elements into one sparkling entity. It’s a metropolis nestled in natural surroundings, with a southern Germanic atmosphere, an historic tradition and all the allure of modern living.