Aachen Cathedral

Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom) in the city of Aachen, right on Germany's border with Belgium and the Netherlands, is the church Charlemagne built as the heart of his empire around the year 800. It became Germany's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, saw the coronation of 30 German kings and still holds Charlemagne's remains. With its glittering octagon and soaring Gothic "glass house" choir, it is one of the most important churches in Europe and an easy, rewarding stop on any trip through western Germany.

Why Aachen Cathedral matters

Charlemagne, the first emperor in Western Europe after the fall of Rome, made Aachen his favorite residence and had a palace chapel built here in the late 8th century, inspired by churches in Ravenna, Rome and Constantinople. Its eight-sided octagon, about 31 meters tall, was the first domed building north of the Alps since antiquity. Charlemagne died in 814 and was buried in his church.

From 936 to 1531, German kings were crowned here, sitting on Charlemagne's simple marble throne. In the late Middle Ages the city added the Gothic choir, consecrated in 1414; its windows are more than 25 meters high, which is why it is nicknamed the "glass house of Aachen." The cathedral survived World War II bombing structurally intact.

What to see

• The octagon: marble columns, golden mosaics added in the early 20th century and the huge Barbarossa chandelier, donated by Emperor Frederick I.
• The Gothic choir: home of the gilded Shrine of Charlemagne and the Shrine of Mary, two masterpieces of medieval goldsmith work.
• Charlemagne's throne: upstairs in the gallery, accessible only on a guided tour.
• The Cathedral Treasury: next door, considered the most important church treasury north of the Alps, with the Cross of Lothair and the bust of Charlemagne.

Opening hours and tickets

Entry to the cathedral is free. Tourist visits are usually possible Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays and holidays 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (as of October 2026). Services, weddings and concerts often change these times, so check the official website on the day.

The choir and the throne can only be seen on a 45-minute guided tour (adults €8.50, reduced €4.50), bookable online up to a month ahead or at the Dom-Information office on Johannes-Paul-II.-Straße, where tours start. The treasury is open Monday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 5 p.m. January to March); adult admission is €7, and audio guides are available in English and five other languages. Taking photos inside the cathedral costs a symbolic €1; tripods, selfie sticks and flash are not allowed.

How to get to Aachen Cathedral

Aachen is about 70 km west of Cologne, roughly 35 to 40 minutes by ICE or a little longer by regional train, and it is also served by high-speed trains from Brussels. From Aachen Hauptbahnhof (main station), the cathedral is a walk of about 15 minutes through the old town. Regional trains and city buses accept the Deutschlandticket.

Drivers will find 24 parking garages in the city; the closest is the Parkhaus am Dom on Jesuitenstraße. The Park+Ride ticket (€5 round trip for up to five people) is a good alternative.

Tips for your visit

• Arrive at 11 a.m. on a weekday for the quietest experience.
• Book a guided tour in advance on weekends; the throne is the highlight most visitors miss.
• Wheelchair users ring the bell at the entrance, and staff set up mobile ramps.
• The cathedral is an active church: no sightseeing during services, and dress and behave respectfully.
• The next great pilgrimage, when the relics are displayed, takes place June 17 to 25, 2028.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely. Aachen Cathedral is compact enough for an hour, yet few places in Europe connect you so directly to Charlemagne and the medieval Holy Roman Empire. Combine it with the Gothic town hall on the Katschhof square, a taste of local Printen gingerbread and a stroll to the Elisenbrunnen fountain for a perfect day trip from Cologne, Düsseldorf, Brussels or Maastricht.

Christmas market 2026

From 20 November to 23 December 2026 the old town around the cathedral and the town hall becomes a Christmas village, open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. Exceptions: 6 pm to 9 pm on the Sunday of the Dead (22 November), until 10 pm on 12 December and until 8 pm on the last day. In April 2026 the market received the "Excellent European Christmas Market" quality label. Tips on Printen gingerbread, routes and getting there are in our guide Aachen Christmas market 2026.