Aachen Cathedral
Aachen, Germany
Charlemagne’s octagonal palace chapel from around 800, with his marble throne and later Gothic choir, one of the first UNESCO sites in Germany. Entry is free outside services; the treasury charges a fee.
Aachen Cathedral grew out of Charlemagne's palace chapel, built around 800 and consecrated by Pope Leo III in 805. The octagon, with its dome over 31 meters (100 ft) high, took its cue from Italian and Byzantine palace churches. Between 936 and 1531, Roman-German kings were crowned here, seated on the marble throne in the west gallery. The Gothic choir hall (1355 to 1414) is nicknamed the “Glass House of Aachen” for its huge windows; it holds the Shrine of Charlemagne with the remains of the emperor, who died in 814. In 1978 the cathedral became the first German World Heritage Site.
You can see the throne only on a guided tour, with tickets sold on site at the cathedral information desk. The Cathedral Treasury ranks among the most important church treasuries north of the Alps. Every seven years the Heiligtumsfahrt pilgrimage draws visitors, most recently in 2023. Aachen's low emission zone lies on the way to the motorhome site on Branderhofer Weg; check sticker requirements and access beforehand (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Aachen, Germany
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 50.7747, 6.0839
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Stellplatz Bad AachenMotorhome stopover2 km from Aachen Cathedral · 46 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Aire de KelmisMotorhome stopover8 km from Aachen Cathedral · 7 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedFree
- Natur-Camping HammerbrückeCampsite8 km from Aachen CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Hoeve BelletCampsite10 km from Aachen Cathedral · 17 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- De GronselenputCampsite16 km from Aachen CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- WelkomCampsite17 km from Aachen CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityShowersWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Aachen Cathedral?
Aachen Cathedral is in Aachen, Germany, at GPS 50.7747, 6.0839. It is about 5 km from Vaals.
Can you camp near Aachen Cathedral?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Stellplatz Bad Aachen, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 93 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Aachen Cathedral?
Aachen Cathedral is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: South Limburg: Maastricht, Valkenburg and the three-country point.
What is there to see near Aachen Cathedral?
Places worth a stop nearby: Vaalserberg Three-Country Point (5 km), Valkenburg Castle ruins (20 km), Monschau (27 km) and Fort Sint Pieter and the Sint-Pietersberg caves (29 km).
When is the best time to visit Aachen Cathedral?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)