Aachen
50°47′ N 6°05′ ECityPop. 263,703The Rhineland
Aachen suits rail travellers on the Brussels to Cologne line who want one compact, food-led Christmas market under Charlemagne's cathedral. It is small enough to see in half a day, so most people pass through rather than stay a week.
Photo Kateryna Baiduzha · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Who should base here
Aachen sits on the main line between Brussels and Cologne, so it works as a first or last night in Germany with a compact old-town market at the door. The whole market fits between the cathedral and the town hall, which keeps every walk short.
Eat in Aachen
Nobis PrintenBakery
Nobis has baked bread and Aachener Printen in the city since 1858, with shops in the city centre.
Take the train from Aachen
- Aachen to Colognefastest 33 min, published by Deutsche Bahn (checked Oct 10, 2026) · timetable
The market runs from 20 November to 23 December 2026 around the cathedral and the town hall, and Aachener Printen, the city's protected gingerbread, is what everyone carries home. The cathedral was the first German cultural site on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1978.
Worth knowing
- Buy Printen straight from an Aachen maker such as Nobis.
Quick answers about Aachen
Is Aachen worth visiting for the Christmas market?
Yes, as a half-day or overnight stop. The Aachen Christmas market runs from 20 November to 23 December 2026 around the cathedral and the town hall, and the city sits on the direct line between Brussels and Cologne.
Is Aachen a good place to stay?
Aachen sits on the main line between Brussels and Cologne, so it works as a first or last night in Germany with a compact old-town market at the door. The whole market fits between the cathedral and the town hall, which keeps every walk short.
Within 12 km
Places to stay nearby
