Trier combines Roman and Christian World Heritage with culture in the cathedral, impressions at the Main Market and regional wine.
Roman monuments and striking buildings
The UNESCO World Heritage ensemble in Trier includes Roman and Christian monuments such as the Moselle Bridge, the Imperial Baths, the Porta Nigra, the Imperial Baths, the Aula Palatina, the cathedral and the Church of Our Lady. The surviving monuments are an outstanding testament to Roman civilisation. The city centre can therefore be explored through its buildings, from ancient architecture to Christian churches.
The Constantine Basilica is considered the largest column-free hall building of antiquity. Its main organ has more than 6,000 pipes; concerts are held in the basilica several times a year. Concert dates and programmes may change, so it is worth checking the current listings before your visit.
The Roman Bridge is freely accessible, although temporary works may affect access. Its basalt piers date from the mid-second century; it is considered Germany’s oldest bridge. The Main Market is also home to the Market Cross, erected in 958 and considered Germany’s oldest.
The cathedral and city museum: different perspectives
Trier Cathedral of St Peter brings together European architectural styles from the time of antiquity in a compact space. It also displays the Holy Tunic, traditionally believed to be the garment Jesus wore at the Crucifixion. An animal-themed search gives children a way to explore the entire cathedral; the format may be adapted by the cathedral.
The Simeonstift City Museum displays original sculptures associated with the Steipe, the St Peter’s Fountain and the Market Cross on the Main Market. Models show Trier around 1800 and after the bombings of the Second World War. The museum thus focuses both on individual works and on changes to the cityscape.
The city museum’s visitor programme includes family tours, upcycling workshops and museum trails. Activities and dates may change; check the current programme before your visit. This lets you pair the museum’s exhibits with an activity that suits you, without limiting your visit to a single way of engaging with them.
Explore on foot or by bike, with time to enjoy the finer things
Trier’s cultural attractions in the Old Town can be visited on foot, with opportunities to shop and eat along the way. If your focus is on culture in the Old Town, this may help you choose a suitable starting point. For a specific accommodation, check how its location suits the places you plan to visit.
For cycling trips, the Moselle Cycle Route lists official stages from Nittel to Trier and from Trier to Mehring. This gives you a clear choice for planning your stages: make Trier your destination from Nittel or your starting point for Mehring. The route is mostly flat and largely paved along its stages, and is separated from motorised traffic. Surface and traffic conditions may change temporarily; check the latest information before setting off.
At the Main Market, the wine stand presents selected wines from the Moselle, Saar and Ruwer wine-growing regions; at least two wineries are represented each week. The stand is seasonal, and participating wineries may change. Viez, the region’s traditional apple wine from between the Moselle and Saar, is known in varieties such as pure apple, as well as blends with pear, quince or elderflower.
Another cycling tour in the Trier-Saarburg destination
In the wider Trier-Saarburg destination, the Tälchen Tour is listed as a moderately challenging circular route. It begins and ends in Konz, is 37.28 kilometres long and is listed as taking about 2 hours and 45 minutes. This tour offers a clearly defined regional cycling option; the Moselle Cycle Route stages mentioned above are another way to include Trier in a cycling trip.
Discover more destinations: Welschbillig, Ehrang, Geisfeld, Saarburg, Leiwen, Freudenburg, Biebelhausen and Mannebach.
Go to the wider travel overview: Trier-Saarburg.
