In Germany’s far west, the Aachen City Region lies in the border triangle, close to the Netherlands and Belgium. Historic town centres and major architectural landmarks meet a variety of natural landscapes and an extensive network of cycling and hiking routes. Cultural history, outdoor activities and experiences by the water are different sides of the same region. Choose which ones will shape your trip according to your interests.
Architecture and Urban History in Aachen
The Aachen Cathedral offers several perspectives on history: Charlemagne’s Palatine Chapel forms the core of the cathedral, which has retained its role as a church and as the most important pilgrimage site north of the Alps. The Cathedral Treasury is considered one of the most significant ecclesiastical treasuries in Northern Europe. The Elisenbrunnen offers a different perspective: this Neoclassical colonnaded building was designed by Johann Peter Cremer and Karl Friedrich Schinkel and reflects Aachen’s long spa tradition.
The old town also takes you through different layers of history. Narrow lanes and historic squares invite you to explore Aachen’s nearly 2,000-year history. The Centre Charlemagne traces the city’s development from its earliest settlement to the present day. At the Büchel Museum in the Rote Burg, you can see an art collection featuring works by Emil Orlik. The museum is housed in one of Aachen’s oldest townhouses, whose vaulted cellar dates back to 1450. The historic moated castle of Frankenberg was built in the 13th century and is a defining landmark of the Frankenberger Viertel.
Stolberg and Monschau have distinct historic townscapes: the medieval Stolberg Castle is the city’s prominent landmark, visible from afar. In Monschau, the historic old town lies directly on the Rur River. Together with Aachen’s buildings, these places offer different ways to discover the history of the Aachen City Region.
Forests, Valleys and Eifel Landscapes
Aachen Forest combines relaxation with cross-border nature experiences. Its extensive network of paths offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Passing picturesque boundary stones, you can cross almost seamlessly into Belgium and the Netherlands on foot, by jogging, on horseback or while out for a walk. In the Wurm Valley, the River Wurm runs between Herzogenrath and Aachen through a valley shaped by unspoilt nature and a rich variety of flora and fauna.
The Hohes Venn – Eifel Nature Park, which straddles the German-Belgian border, offers further landscape highlights, including raised bogs, limestone basins and other natural attractions. In April, millions of wild daffodils transform the valley meadows in the Perlenbach and Fuhrtsbach valleys near Monschau-Höfen into a sea of yellow blooms. At this time, you can join a guided walk or explore the area on your own. As this is a seasonal experience, check conditions and tour dates before your trip.
Hiking, Cycling and Time at Lake Blaustein
For a clearly defined hike, try the WasserWeg Blausteinsee: this themed circular trail is 5.2 kilometres long, starting and ending at the DĂĽrwiĂź-Blausteinsee car park. The Blausteinsee Leisure Centre offers diving, sailing, surfing and a bathing beach. This means you can enjoy a route and a range of water activities at the same named destination. Services and conditions may change; check the latest information when making specific plans.
If you prefer gravel biking, the Aachen City Region has seven mapped routes ranging from 26 to more than 40 kilometres. You can ride them at a leisurely or sporty pace. Unlike a signposted cycle path, these routes require digital navigation: you can follow GPX tracks or use the StädteRegion Aachen, Outdooractive or Komoot tour apps. As both the route offering and digital tools may change, check the information before setting off. The nearest stop to the starting point of Tour 2 in Aachen Forest is “Augustinerweg”; it is served by route 14. Check the connection again before your journey.
Find Accommodation to Suit Your Interests
If you’re looking for a hotel in the Aachen City Region, first decide which experiences you want to focus on: Aachen’s architecture and urban history, hiking and cycling, or the water activities at Lake Blaustein. These priorities lead to different search criteria within the region. When choosing, you can compare the locations of your planned activities with the location of your accommodation, without combining the different facets of the Aachen City Region into a single itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Monschau, Aachen, WĂĽrselen, Simmerath, Roetgen, Herzogenrath, Hahn, Eschweiler, Baesweiler, Alsdorf, Stolberg, Lammersdorf, Erkensruhr, Rurberg.
Back to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
