Aachen Cathedral

Aachen Cathedral

Aachen Cathedral
4.5
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  • Ina
    Drachten, The Netherlands845 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Highlight of Aachen, visiting the Cathedral
    This is a highlight when visiting the city of Aachen. Such a beautiful historic building with a special history from a long time ago. Beautiful on the inside, you can enter for free. The location is beautiful, surrounded by pleasant squares, shops and restaurants. Apparently you can also book a tour of the cathedral treasury, where there are interesting relics, but that was not done.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 April 2024
  • springlering
    Marietta, Georgia602 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    At a Loss for Words
    I love cathedrals. Each has its own personality. This one was totally unexpected. Small and “honey” compared to most, it was like sneaking into your favorite grandma’s hidden closet full of sequined gowns and jewels. The interior is covered in beautiful, glittering, colorful gilded mosaic work. Nearly every surface is a work of art. I don’t think I’ve ever been in such an inspirational building. I’m itching to get home and try to reproduce some of the mosaics in needlepoint and metallic thread. Just lovely. While you’re there, be sure to visit the treasury. It is jaw dropping.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 14 April 2024
  • claudie62
    Boulogne-sur-Mer, France1,493 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning
    You enter the cathedral through a small door opposite the choir, it's free. Magnificent octagon with very beautiful mosaics. Very beautiful choir with beautiful stained glass windows and the gold case containing (?) the body of Charlemagne. If you stand on the right side of the choir, in the corner, you can see Charlemagne's throne in the upper gallery (otherwise take a guided tour to see it up close.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 May 2024
  • Stefano S
    Ludwigsburg, Germany7,688 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful and full of history
    I've wanted to visit this cathedral for years and I finally did. The surprising thing for me was the size, from the outside it seems much larger than it actually is, however beautiful with unique mosaics...I immediately thought of Ravenna. The cathedral was the first historical site of the Germany to have entered the UNESCO world heritage site and was absolutely among the first 12 sites to be part of it and is absolutely worth visiting. We saw the cathedral with a guide, you enter for free and you pay €1 to do photo.The cathedral is linked to Charlemagne and is 1200 years old.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 May 2024
  • Guadalupe
    Bronx, New York4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awe-inspiring grandeur!!!
    The sheer scale of the space is incredible, with soaring vaulted ceilings and intricate stonework everywhere you look. The high altar is particularly impressive, a masterpiece of gold and detail. A must-see for any visitor to Aachen!
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 June 2024
  • CharlotteGaal
    Heerlen, The Netherlands140 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful place in an otherwise somewhat bleak environment.
    Surprisingly beautiful church with very nice mosaic ceiling. Surprised it was so small, at least the core part that is open to the public for free. Unfortunately, the surroundings are less beautiful, but the cathedral is definitely worth a visit.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 July 2024
  • Brittney R
    65 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful
    It's an incredibly beautiful cathedral. Free entry. The rooms you can go in are fairly limited though. They do offer guided tours (I think at a cost) and you may get to see more? We could see a group behind the roped off area while we were there. Not the best for strollers.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 3 August 2024
  • Faber689
    Basel, Switzerland6,121 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A World Heritage Site ...
    Aachen Cathedral is a World Heritage Site, but unfortunately only recently. The cathedral has suffered so much over the centuries and has been altered to such an extent that it did not seem homogeneous to us, but presents itself in a variety of changes and styles. Therefore: Yes, if I am safe to visit Aachen, but whether what is there today is worth a trip?
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 August 2024
  • Salismile
    359 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent!!!
    Aachen is the sweetest city to see! The main jewel of which, of course, is the Aachen Imperial Cathedral!!! The stunning beauty, sophistication and combination of mosaic fresco and stained glass colours will leave no one indifferent! The cathedral has a special personality both outside and inside, even against the background of the most important cathedrals in Germany. Interesting centuries of history!!! Aachen is mandatory to visit!!!
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 14 August 2024
  • A B
    41 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good, tour is a must
    Beautiful church, special because of the connection with Charlemagne. The church is quite small, but very nicely decorated. Booking a tour is a must to see Charlemagne's shrine and the throne. At 14.00 there is an English guided tour. The others are German speakers. Bookable at the Dominformation, in the vicinity of the Dom. Also visit the treasury.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 21 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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hatijyoumaki
Saitama Prefecture, Japan509 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
This is Germany's first World Heritage Site. It is impressive, reminiscent of the mosaics I saw in cathedrals in Ravenna, Northern Italy, and the stained glass is also beautiful.

On the day, you can't go all the way inside if you just wander in, so I joined a 45-minute German guided tour (DomFurung, 5€) from 11:00 and took my time to look around. There is also an English tour from 14:00, and the tour schedule is detailed on the official website. (I prefer German.)

To get there, walk left on the main street in front of Aachen Central Station for about 5 minutes to the large castle gate, then walk diagonally left on Franzstrasse for about 10 minutes and continue along the cobblestone road, and you'll arrive in about 15 minutes in total. I considered taking the bus, but considering the walk from the bus stop and the waiting time, I think it's safer to walk.

You can't make a reservation for the guided tour, so I bought a ticket at the information center on the west side of the cathedral on the day. The meeting point for the tour is in front of the information center.
The coin lockers at Aachen Station are located at the back of the disabled toilet between platforms 1 and 2 in the underground passage, and although there were a few available just after 9am, there were no vacancies by around 11am when I was leaving, and the person who had been waiting was happy to use the locker I had opened.
The station map shows that there should also be one between platforms 6 and 7, but perhaps the number has been reduced as the station is undergoing renovations.
Google
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

2CAtravelers
Brattleboro, VT829 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
This is quite an historically significant church right in the middle of the old town. Unfortunately they are looking to make money so they even try to charge a fee to take pictures. Tourists crowd the cathedral which detracts from the experience. It is truly beautiful inside although only special groups are allowed into the altar area. We're glad we visited here but bothered by the sheer number of tourists inside.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

empathology
Rotterdam, The Netherlands617 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
Aachen's cathedral dominates the city centre, but the real beauty comes from its lavish interior. It's been beautifully restored and is clearly lovingly maintained and whilst it's not the largest cathedral it certainly impresses with wow-factor when you enter and take it in. The exterior is also impressive though it's hard to gauge the size as it's surrounded on all sides with the small streets of the old city.

This doesn't have the vastness of (say) Cologne or St Pauls, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in the rich religious imagery inside. Entrance is free (charges apply to the museum) - so if you're close-by, do go!
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cannuckk
Langley, Canada379 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Couples
Too many times when visiting a famous European church we have taken advantage of free admission and simply wandered through the building, getting some sense of the power of the architecture and artistry but having a minimal look into the history. Not this time. On the advice of a borrowed guide book we purchased (5 euros each) a tour, and boy are we glad we did. Getting that knowledge about the way the church was constructed ( over many years and different architectural styles) and the personalities involved over the years gave us a much greater appreciation for the historical significant of what we were seeing-. As other reviewers have noted, the tours get an up close and personal look at Charlemagne’s Sarcophagus, the throne room and other fascinating details in the church. And, our tour guide was both informative and entertaining. My advice? Take the tour. Take the tour. Take the tour.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Isavarese
Varese55 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
Arriving in Aachen at 8 in the morning, we wandered around the city because the cathedral opened at 10.30 and we were almost tempted to give it up. Once inside, however, the wonder of the place repays the wait. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen, the mosaics surpass even those of Ravenna in beauty and majesty. Absolutely worth seeing
Google
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Darren D
Texas808 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
There is no charge to tour the cathedral, and the only requirement is to remove your hat upon entrance. At Christmastime, when we visited, there were many festival booths surrounding the cathedral and city hall, which adds extra beauty with lights, Christmas trees, etc. The cathedral is beautiful on the outside and even more stunning inside. If in Aachen, it is easy to find.
Written 26 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

StevenKolsteren
Groningen, The Netherlands189 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
The palace chapel is a very important building in history. Its shape derives from the Byzantine imperial city of Ravenna and shows the power of Charlemagne. The mosaics are 19th century additions, but still the offer a magnificent experience. The cathedral was closed during our visit because of a 'pilgrimage' of 1600 awestruck children, and opened at 15 hours. It was well worth the wait. Free entrance. The 1 euro fee for taking photos is ignored by many, just ask for a small donation.
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BiggiReisefan
Moerlenbach, Germany109 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Solo
The cathedral is worth seeing. Through the Christmas market it was very crowded.

The attached treasury can be visited with a ticket of 9 euros. This is a bit much but it is also worth seeing as many objects can be seen, among others, by Charlemagne.

I've known Aachen Cathedral for a long time because I've been there several times years ago and I think it's not as well known as Cologne Cathedral but there were just 30 emperors crowned in Aachen and historically also very interesting.
Automatically translated
Written 19 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

L C
San Francisco, CA2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Solo
I have travelled three thousand miles twice to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and have left disappointed both times.

My first visit, the Cathedral was closed for an event, without warning or explanation. The website warns you that this may happen, but doesn't post the closures, so it is not until you've expended considerable effort and money that you find out.

My second visit, the one non-German tour was sold out by the time I got into Aachen You can't book these tours on the web in advance, so you run the risk that you can travel hours and end up out in the cold.

At this point, I am out hundreds of dollars, largely due to their capricious closures, and refusal to use the web to allow advanced booking. They need to understand that this is world monument of international importance, and treat it as such.

As best as I can tell from the guidebooks and what I saw, very little of the Charlemagne era structure is still visible. I won't be travelling a third time to see what amounts to a lot of baroque frill and modern reconstruction.
Written 11 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

godefroy L
Boulogne-sur-Mer, France15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Couples
A cathedral rich by its Gothic architecture of the oldest but therefore the interior leaves you inefable in front of the stained glass windows. The path under the mosaic crossings that gives you to be under the celestial vault illuminates the beauty of the work of the fellow builders. That's remarkable.
Automatically translated
Written 7 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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