What's the best way to get to know a city you've never visited before? By letting the locals tell you interesting stories and show you special places. A walk through Aachen is an absolute highlight. On a guided tour, you'll be served up fascinating information on a silver platter.

Right at the start 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 famous sights of the city center and learned about important events in the city's history, such as the canonization of Charlemagne and Roman influences, but we also got to see hidden corners that we would certainly have overlooked without a guide.

After the great fire in the 17th century, which destroyed large parts of the city, Aachen transformed from a medieval town into a center of modern industry and education. Today, Aachen is best known as the home of the renowned RWTH Aachen University, which has more than 65,000 students enrolled. The mixture of tradition and innovation continues to shape the cityscape to this day.

Anyone strolling through Aachen city center will quickly notice that the street signs are written in two languages: in addition to German, there are also signs in Ölcher Platt, the local dialect, which has strong influences from West German and Dutch.

After a walk in the fresh air in Aachen or a day full of discoveries, there is hardly anything better than relaxing at the Carolus Thermal Baths. The spacious thermal baths with their variety of pools and sauna areas offer an oasis of peace and relaxation. Here you can relax in the warm thermal water, unwind, and leave everyday life behind. A wide range of wellness facilities and several relaxation rooms spread over 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 their healing properties for centuries. According to legend, even Charlemagne used the healing powers of the springs to relieve his gout. Enjoy the pleasant warmth in the outdoor pools in the fresh air with a view of the colorful nature, or pamper yourself in the bubbling whirlpool. The clothing-optional area with its various sauna and steam bath options also offers ideal conditions for a relaxing afternoon.

After an exciting day, a delicious dinner in Aachen is a must. The Elisenbrunnen restaurant offers creative cuisine that will delight you with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes, all while enjoying a view of Aachen Cathedral. The stylish atmosphere of the restaurant clearly reflects the attention to detail and invites you to try a variety of delicacies. We were particularly impressed by the potato and spinach casserole with sheep's cheese and pine nuts, as well as the cheese spaetzle with parmesan chips. The refreshing lime and cranberry iced tea is also delicious. The Elisenbrunnen restaurant in the Elisengarten is the ideal place to end an autumn evening in Aachen in a unique atmosphere.

Aachen Cathedral is considered the city's landmark and is an outstanding architectural masterpiece. Especially in autumn, when warm sunlight streams through the colorful windows, a visit becomes an unforgettable experience. A guided tour gives you the opportunity to explore the cathedral in more detail and gain fascinating insights into its history and legends.

According to legend, 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 offered to finance 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, handing over the pope's soul to the devil seemed unthinkable, so the people of Aachen came up with a plan. They decided to send a wolf into the cathedral instead of a human being. The devil, blinded by greed, pounced on the animal and snatched its soul, only to realize later, in a rage, that he had been tricked. In his anger, 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 will not only have the opportunity to learn more about these fascinating legends, but also to enter areas of the cathedral that are normally not accessible. Let yourself be enchanted by the splendor of the colorful stained glass windows and the 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. Part of his bones are kept in the treasury. His royal throne – at least that is what is believed – can also be viewed during the 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 a guided tour. These usually last around 45 minutes and can be booked on site at the cathedral information center.

Where better to start a city break in Aachen than right in the heart of the city? We spent our autumn weekend at Motel One Aachen and can highly recommend this modern hotel. You are in close proximity to the most famous sights such as the Aachen Cathedral, the Elisenbrunnen, 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 atmosphere in the hotel. The modern rooms with a view of the city offer a comfortable retreat to relax after an eventful day. The extensive breakfast with lots of healthy and fresh food also made our day. At Motel One Aachen, you can look forward to regional dishes, fresh pastries, and healthy specialties.