Aachen and Monschau, Germany
Hallo liebe leser und zukünftige reisende, willkommen zurück auf meinem blog. Thank you Google translate, for my German is not so good. But my memories of visiting Germany are always good.
Following on from my last post on Maastricht and Valkenburg in the Netherlands, I will take you across the border to the nearby city of Aachen, and the picturesque village of Monschau. The latter is located in the Eifel National Park, a hilly, pineclad area which reminded me of the Harz mountains. I will also write about the Three Country Point, an attraction where you can walk across Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands in one visit!
Aachen and Monschau are important in German history and geography. The two are located close to both the Dutch and Belgian borders. Instead of invading armies crossing them, you now have tourists and motorists – how times have changed.
Aachen
Aachen is just across the border from the Netherlands and Belgium and is close to the German city of Cologne, some 60km away. Historically, Aachen was the imperial capital of Charlemagne (748-814 AD), a Frankish King who united most of Western Europe for the first time since the Fall of the Roman Empire. While a ruthless conqueror (especially to the German Saxons), Charlemagne was also a patron of culture and religion, ushering in the ‘Carolingian Renaissance’ of the Early Middle Ages. You can see this influence in Aachen’s Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built from 796-805 AD. Charlemagne himself is buried here in a golden and silver shrine. It has survived numerous attacks, from Viking raids in 881 AD to the Allied Bombings of World War Two in 1944. When I visited, what struck me was the Cathedral’s ornate mosaics. I felt transported back to the Early Middle Ages, and even to the Byzantine Empire. As a matter of fact, the Byzantine Churches San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy and the Hagia Sophia (now a mosque in Türkiye’s Istanbul), inspired the design of Aachen Cathedral. Aachen Cathedral’s pan-European connections throughout the ages make it a fitting place for the annual International Charlemagne Prize, an award to those who contribute to European unity and peace.
Aachen is not just famed for its Cathedral, but also as a university and spa town. Indeed, the Romans themselves used the thermal springs of Aachen for health purposes when they weren’t fighting the sausage eating barbarians. If you want to see Aachen’s Spa past, head to the neoclassical Elisenbrunnen where you can get a whiff of the sulphurus springs. It pongs, smelling like cabbages. The Carolus Thermen offers a full spa experience with a pool, sauna and restaurant; ideal if you are visiting for longer.
Aachen is also home to a unique delicacy, Printen. It is a type of gingerbread, not too dissimilar from the Lebkuchen you get at Christmastime. It is harder than normal gingerbread, but just as tasty and sweet. Printen’s firmness is due to the fact that instead of honey and cane sugar, it uses sugar beet syrup and molasses. The reason for this change of ingredients dates back to 1806 when Napoleon of France blockaded Britain’s exports of Cane Sugar to the Continent. The local Aachener’s decided to resort to local sugar beet syrup, ultimately creating the Printen you can find today. It comes in all shapes, sizes and toppings, from almonds to chocolate (my favourite). For an array of biscuity souvenirs, pop into the Lambertz shop across from the Elisenbrunnen.
Monschau
I’ve been to Monschau twice. Once on the same coach trip to Maastricht in 2019 (the one that took forever) and again after the Covid Pandemic with my family by car. Monschau has no train station, so a car is needed to reach here. If you want to go by public transport, there is a bus from Aachen Bushof to Monschau: the SB66 by ASEAG Express. I haven’t used this bus myself, but I’ve attached a link to the bus timetable for those who might use it (correct as of Sep 2026). It takes roughly 1 hour and costs €6–€9 per single ticket.
Monschau is one of the prettiest villages in Germany I’ve seen. I know loads will claim this title, but Monschau fits the bill for me. It has white timbered houses on winding cobbled streets, a rippling river (the Rur/Roer) and walking trails that lead into the forested hills. It also has a small castle which acts as hostel. Where Aachen transported me to the Byzantine and Medieval eras, Monschau transported me to a German fairytale setting.
Kaffe und Kuchen is a must for those visiting Monschau. The Germans make brilliant cakes. For a pleasant and authentic experience, head to the Café Kaulard close to Monschau’s Markt Square. It has charming traditional décor and a great selection of sweet treats. They too, sell Aachen Printen.
Wandering around Monschau was a delight, particularly when I visited in late summer and early autumn. The trees still had their foliage, bushy and complete. However, with a change in season on the way, you could catch the early glimpses of the autumnal colour palette. A beautiful contrast against the white timbered homes of medieval Monschau.
Driving back towards Aachen on the B258, whether by bus, coach or in your own vehicle, you will pass vast pine forests and very briefly a part of Belgium. In these forests are the ruins of the Siegfried Line, a Nazi defensive construction from the 1930s. The Nazis installed anti-tank ‘dragon’s teeth’ along the frontiers of Belgium, the Netherlands and France. The Line also prohibited refugees from escaping the dictatorship. It was rather ironic for the Nazi regime to construct such defensive fortifications as they were the aggressor/instigator of WWII. Almost a decade later, Allied forces broke through the Siegfried Line to defeat Nazi Germany.
The Three Country Point
Ending on a positive, uplifting attraction, I recommend the Three Country Point (‘Drielandenpunt’ in Dutch, 'Trois-Frontières' in French, and 'Dreiländereck' in German). In sharp contrast to the ruined Siegfried Line, which represented a divided war-torn Europe, this attraction celebrates a united, peaceful, modern Europe. Here you can see and literally walk across Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands in one visit. The Three Country Point has a visitor centre with amenities and an observation tower that you can climb, taking in the views of these three nations. It’s a must for any traveller in the area, and features on many coach tour itineraries.
The Three Country Point closes my article on Aachen and Monschau, two German gems with an illustrious history, stunning scenery, and of course delicious delicacies. Together with nearby Maastricht and Valkenburg in my previous article, Aachen and Monschau highlight Europe’s interconnectedness and Germany’s culture.
