What Makes Aachen So Special?

What Makes Aachen So Special?

Play
Zuzanna

Zuzanna

Join me for a quick city tour and find out my top 5 highlights in beautiful Aachen!

Aachen. A relatively small town in North Rhine-Westphalia where 15% of the population are students. Why does it attract so many young people and what makes it stand out? Spoiler alert: THE FIZZ is preparing a great surprise for all current and soon-to-be Aachen students.

What makes Aachen so special? 

That was the first question that popped into my head after my highschool teacher’s “big announcement”. You see, Aachen was supposed to be our last class trip destination before going our separate ways to universities. From all of the places in Germany, what made Aachen stand out so much? Let me show you what this “city to fall in love with” has to offer.

Carolus Thermen

The name of the city Aachen can be derived from the Old High German word “ahha” which stands for water or stream. The hotsprings of Aachen have been well known for more than 2000 years and are inseparably connected with the history of the town. The Carolus thermal waters which remind us of the Ancient Roman bathing tradition, are nowadays one of the most modern wellness baths in Europe. If you are looking for the perfect escape from everyday life, you have just found your spot to relax.

What Makes Aachen So Special? aachen cathedral at night germany 2021 08 26 17 00 34 utc

The “Dreiländereck”

What would you say for a weekend hiking trip with spectacular panoramic views? Aachen, as the most western city in Germany, is located only 5 kilometres away from the highest hill in the Netherlands, the 323-meter-high Vaalserberg. This is the place where the German border meets Belgium and the Netherlands. Except for various hiking trails, the area attracts the “three-country labyrinth” as well as an impressive skywalk, a viewing platform with a glass floor. Now tell me: didn’t you ever dream about being in three places at once?

“Charlemagne guides you through Aachen”

For our city explorers out there, let you be guided by Charlemagne through the historic centre of Aachen! The route starts at the Elisenbrunnen fountain, the symbol of Aachen as a spa and bathing city and leads past the most important sights of the town. Follow the traces of the Emperor of the Romans, if you don’t want to miss any special places!

What Makes Aachen So Special? old aachen town hall at night 2021 08 26 17 00 34 utc

“Ponte”

Did you know that every fifth inhabitant of Aachen is a student? That is one of the reasons why studying in Aachen can be described as a vibrant and unique experience. The student lifestyle revolves around the northwestern city district, the Pontviertel, referred to as “Ponte”.

Starting with the Ponttor behind you, the Pontstraße leads you through the town’s market square. Walking down the main street, you pass by various pubs, bars and clubs for a good evening out. A few meters further, you come across cafes and restaurants where you and your fellow students meet for a break between classes. And guess what: you can get a full lunch with a side dish and a drink for less than 15 euros!

Aachener Printen

Craving for something sweet after lunch? Then you have to try the city’s local speciality, Aachener Printen! Somewhat similar to gingerbread, they are originally sweetened with honey and in the shape of a bar. Printen are made from a variety of ingredients such as cinnamon, aniseed, clove, cardamon, coriander and of course ginger, which exact mixture is a close kept secret of the individual bakeries. These ingredients are usually associated with Christmas, but due to the great demand for Printen, they are available all year round – for to go with your ice coffee during summer and as a sweet gift from Santa.

What Makes Aachen So Special? alexander schimmeck gTgm 0 V51E unsplash

A great city to work

While the vibrant student life and the quality of education was what brought you to the city in the first place, it is also a great place to work! No matter if you are a student and just want to increase your monthly budget or if you already graduated and are looking for a full-time job, Aachen offers a big variety in jobs you just have to know where to look. As a student or young professional it is always helpful to concentrate your search on a jobboard that offers positions exactly for your current situation. While the amount of jobboards seems to be infinite, websites like YoungCapital or StudentJob cater specifically to your needs and your situation. Next to part or full-time jobs they also offer many interships or jobs that are only in your semester holidays.

In Conclusion

Looking back at that one-week excursion to Aachen in high school, I can only say: it was worth it! The city may not be big, but it has a lot to offer, especially for students. It was ranked as one of the top 10 student cities in Germany. It offers high-quality education with one of the most famous technical universities in Europe yet an affordable student lifestyle. The historical site of the city is enriched with modern facilities and the natural monuments with present-day solutions. The best part is that Aachen shares its borders with the Netherlands and Belgium. You can hop on a bus and be within 20 minutes at a fish market to buy fresh seafood from the Dutch or go shopping for a Kwak beer at the Belgian side of the border.  

So what would possibly make this city even more attractive for students? Let me tell you: a brand new student accommodation!

What Makes Aachen So Special? eifel landscape panorama near stolberg germany 2021 08 28 22 59 46 utc

All photo rights by International Campus GmbH.