As the leaves on the trees turn the warm autumn colors of red and gold, a special atmosphere unfolds in Aachen's city center. Autumn offers the perfect opportunity to experience the charming city of Aachen and combine cultural highlights.
In this article Alex and Jasmin from Pocketful of Memories would like to invite you to an unforgettable autumn weekend in Aachen. Experience fantastic activities in the warm autumn sun and find out how you can relax even in rainy weather.
A guided tour through the old town of Aachen
What's the best way to get to know a previously unknown city? By letting the locals tell you interesting stories and show you special corners. A walk through Aachen is an absolute highlight. On a guided tour, you'll be served up exciting information on a silver platter.
Right at the beginning of our weekend in Aachen, we took part in a guided tour of the old town and got to know the history of Germany's westernmost city in a friendly and humorous way. In a small group, we not only discovered the well-known sights of the city center, learned about the important events in the city's history, such as the canonization of Charlemagne or the Roman influences, but also got to see hidden corners that we would certainly have overlooked without a guide.
After the great city fire in the 17th century, which destroyed large parts of the city, Aachen was transformed from a medieval city into a center of modern industry and education. Today, Aachen is best known as the home of the renowned RWTH Aachen University, where more than 65,000 students are enrolled. The mixture of tradition and innovation still characterizes the cityscape today.
Anyone strolling through Aachen's city center will quickly notice that the street signs are written in two languages: In addition to the German signs, there are also signs in Öcher Platt, the local dialect, which has strong influences from West German and Dutch.
A delicacy from Aachen
Have you ever tried the original Printen? No autumn weekend in Aachen would be complete without a taste of the famous Aachen Printen. The city's spicy specialty comes in delicious variations: From the classic version, which impresses with its intense spicy flavor, to the softer version, which tasted the best to us. And if you like it even sweeter, you can enjoy the Printen with white chocolate or covered in nuts - there's something for everyone. The traditional pastry consists of sugar beet syrup, aromatic spices, flour and water. These simple ingredients give the Printen a unique taste. Incidentally, only Printen that come from Aachen can be called Aachener Printen. If you like, you can sample the different varieties free of charge in the many Printen stores and then choose your favorite.
In addition to the Aachener Printen, we also fell in love with the Aachener Streuselbrötchen. You should also try these during your autumn weekend in Aachen.
The Carolus Thermen in Aachen
After a walk in the fresh air in Aachen or a day full of discoveries, there is hardly anything better than relaxing in the Carolus Thermen. The extensive thermal baths with their diverse pools and sauna landscapes offer an oasis of peace and relaxation. Here you can relax in the warm thermal water, unwind and leave everyday life behind you. A wide range of wellness facilities and several relaxation rooms on different floors allow you to enjoy a day of relaxation even in bad weather. The hot thermal water comes from Aachen's natural springs, which have been known for centuries for their healing properties. Legend has it that even Charlemagne used the healing powers of the springs to alleviate his gout. Enjoy the pleasant warmth in the outdoor pools in the fresh air with a view of the colorful nature or let yourself be pampered in the bubbling whirlpool. The textile-free area with its various sauna and steam bath options also offers ideal conditions for a relaxing afternoon.
Dinner at the Elisenbrunnen restaurant in Aachen
After an exciting day, an enjoyable dinner in Aachen is a must. At the Restaurant Elisenbrunnen you can expect creative cuisine with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes with a view of Aachen Cathedral. The stylish atmosphere of the restaurant clearly shows the attention to detail and invites you to try various delicacies. We were particularly impressed by the potato and spinach casserole with shepherd's cheese and pine nuts and the cheese spaetzle with parmesan potato chips. The refreshing lime-cranberry iced tea is also delicious. The Elisenbrunnen restaurant in the Elisengarten is the ideal place to round off an autumn evening in Aachen in a unique atmosphere.
Aachen Cathedral in the city center
The Aachen Cathedral is considered the city's landmark and is an outstanding masterpiece of architecture. Especially in autumn, when the warm sunlight streams through the colorful windows, a visit becomes an unforgettable experience. A guided tour gives you the opportunity to discover the cathedral in more detail and gain exciting insights into its history and fascinating legends.
Legend has it that Charlemagne dreamed of building the largest and most beautiful church in the area. However, when the city of Aachen ran out of money, a solution had to be found. The devil himself suggested financing the construction on the condition that he would receive the first soul to enter the finished cathedral. The offer was accepted and Pope Leo III was granted the right to solemnly consecrate Aachen Cathedral and thus be the first to enter it. However, leaving the Pope's soul to the devil seemed unthinkable, which is why the people of Aachen came up with a plan. They decided to send a wolf into the cathedral as the first figure instead of a human. The devil, blinded by greed, pounced on the animal and snatched its soul, only to later realize angrily that he had been tricked. In his rage, he is said to have slammed the door of the cathedral with such force that his thumb was torn off. Today, you can still feel this thumb in the doorknob of the cathedral.
During a guided tour of the cathedral, you not only have the opportunity to learn more about these fascinating legends, but also to enter areas of the cathedral that are not normally accessible. Be enchanted by the splendor of the colorful windows and fine goldsmith work as you stroll through one of the most famous pilgrimage churches of the time. The important Emperor Charlemagne was also buried in Aachen Cathedral. Some of his bones are kept in the treasury. His royal throne - or so it is believed - can also be viewed during the guided tour on the upper floor of the cathedral.
The imposing, light-flooded building leaves a lasting impression and leaves you in awe. Even in bad weather, we recommend taking part in a guided tour. This usually lasts around 45 minutes and can be booked on site at the cathedral information desk.
Spend the night at the Motel One in Aachen
Where better to start a city trip in Aachen than right in the heart of the city? We spent our autumn weekend at the Motel One Aachen and can highly recommend this modern hotel. You'll be in the immediate vicinity of the most famous sights such as Aachen Cathedral, the Elisenbrunnen fountain, the town hall and the decorated streets of the old town. The surrounding charming cafés and restaurants characterize the cityscape.
In addition to the perfect location, we were also impressed by the cozy ambience in the hotel. The modern rooms with a view of the city offer a comfortable retreat to relax in after an eventful day. The extensive breakfast with lots of healthy and fresh food also sweetened our day. At Motel One Aachen, you can look forward to regional dishes, fresh pastries and healthy specialties.
An autumn weekend in Aachen offers a wonderful mix of culture, nature and enjoyment. With its colorful nature and decorated city center, the city invites you to enjoy unforgettable moments. Immerse yourself in this diverse city and let yourself be enchanted by its charming atmosphere!
- Alex & Jasmin from Pocketful of Memories
