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Aachen
Aachen is one of our favorite cities in Germany. We love walking around the Cathedral, having a café at the Market Square in front of the Townhall and visiting the zoo there. The Christmas market is also lovely! Here is our guide with what to do with kids, what to see and kids friendly restaurants in Aachen
The Cathedral
Emperor Charlemagne requested to have the Cathedral built in the 8th century and he was also buried there in 814. You can still see Charlemagne’s throne in the Cathedral. Coronations of over 30 German kings have taken place there. The history of the Cathedral includes a Viking raid in 881, becoming a draw for pilgrims after Charlemagne was declared a Saint in 1165 and suffering damages during World War II by the Allies



The Treasury of the Cathedral showcases objects about the era of Charlamegne, coronations of kings and pilgrimage


You can find details on opening times, services, guided tours and tours by kids for kids here:
https://www.aachenerdom.de/en/cathedral-news/visitor-information/cathedral/opening-hours/
Aachen Cathedral
Domhof 1, 52062 Aachen, Germany
https://goo.gl/maps/38s1v7mEYyt2MzFd6
The town hall
The Town Hall of the Imperial City of Aachen was built around 1350, a Gothic municipal palace on the foundations of the Charlemagne’s King’s Hall. The town hall is surrounded by a beautiful square with lots of cafés, the market square


City Hall Aachen
Markt, 52062 Aachen, Germany
https://goo.gl/maps/hCGUKAfSKabtWKEb6
The market square
This is a lively square right in front of the town hall. There is a 16th-century fountain with a bronze statue of Charlemagne
The square has many cafés and restaurants. There is a lot of space for kids to run around too. Every Tuesday and Thursday there is a market. This is also where the Christmas market in Aachen takes place.


Marktplatz am Rathaus
Markt, 52062 Aachen, Germany
https://goo.gl/maps/YWsBj8gytaSEgJoi8
Katschhof
The Katschhof square lies between the Cathedral and the town hall. There are many events taking place there, like the September Special, and of course the Christmas atmosphere is there in December.

Katschhof
Katschhof, 52062 Aachen, Germany
https://goo.gl/maps/5BNKxRRNsA3fa4eX7
Elisenbrunnen
There is also a small park next to the Cathedral, Elisengarten, with the neoclassical pavilion Elisenbrunnen. The water fountain there (one of the many in Aachen) is called Kreislauf des Geldes (Money Cycle). There used to be a tiny playground at the street next to it, but not anymore. There is also a café in the park, where you can relax watching the kids play






Aachen zoo
One of the most kids friendly activities is the zoo in Aachen. This is a small zoo, perfect for little kids. There are also playgrounds scattered around the zoo. The zoo is about 15 minutes drive from the city center
Aachen Zoo
A lovely little park with animals and playgrounds just 10 minutes from the center of Aachen! This is a rather small zoo – which makes it perfect for younger kids
Aachener Tierpark Euregiozoo
Ob. Drimbornstraße 44, 52066 Aachen, Germany
https://goo.gl/maps/S98Fj7TTKPAm2vHi6
Where to eat
We usually have a wurst at Hanswurst (you are in Germany, after all!). It is located right next to the Cathedral and the view while you are eating there is amazing




Hanswurst – Das Wurstrestaurant
Münsterpl. 6, 52062 Aachen, Germany
https://g.page/HanswurstAachen?share
There is also a small park next to the Cathedral, Elisengarten, with the neoclassical pavilion Elisenbrunnen. The water fountain there (one of the many in Aachen) is called Kreislauf des Geldes (Money Cycle). There used to be a tiny playground, but not anymore. There is also a café in the park, where you can relax watching the kids play


Restaurant Elisenbrunnen
Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz 14, 52062 Aachen, Germany
https://g.page/restaurant-elisenbrunnen?share
Then we usually walk around the Cathedral and the Treasury all the way to the town hall. There is a picturesque little street, where a place with great cupcakes and café is located, Barbarella!







Barbarella Café
Pontstraße 40-42, 52062 Aachen, Germany
https://g.page/barbarella_cafe?share
September Special Event
Last time we visited, we went during the September Special event in Aachen. There is a Ferris wheel and several attractions for kids around the Catehdral and the town hall. Usually there are concerts as well



You can find more details about the September Special here:
https://www.aachenseptemberspecial.de/
Christmas market
The Christmas market in Aachen takes place around the town hall and the Cathedral. It is a lively Christmas market with lots of attractions. We keep going every year, since it is so close to Brussels, that you can go just to spend the day
Aachen Christmas Market 2022
Aachen Christmas market is one of our favorite ones! It is so close to Brussels that you can visit for a day. You will find lots of practical details to plan ahead and activities to do with kids in our Aachen Christmas market guide!
Aachen also has one of the best Christmas markets in Europe that we have visited. Check the post below to see which others are worth a visit!
Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2022
The best Christmas markets with kids in Europe with lots of practical details to enjoy with your family!
Tip
Shop baby related stuff (and anything else, really) at DM for very low prices!
*As always, all places mentioned above are also on the World Wild Schooling Map
Aachen is about 1.5 hour drive E of Schuman, Brussels (the same by public transport)
A parking near the Cathedral can be found here
Parkhaus Am Dom
Jesuitenstraße 12, 52062 Aachen, Germany
https://goo.gl/maps/zPM1TpKLtYFanU2n6
Newsletter
Map
All places mentioned above are also gathered on the map!
Indoor and outdoor activities, kids friendly cafés/ restaurants, hotels and more all under separate layers
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