Are you wondering what to do in Trier?
Trier is Germany’s oldest city with an incredible Roman history and an astonishing 8 orld Heritage Sites!
Trier is not on many travelers’ bucket lists and I have to admit even I only visited the city because my German friend recommended it to me.
But I have to say this city really surprised me with its rich and well-preserved history, its cozy atmosphere, and incredible architecture. And there are many things to do in Trier!
So I hope this guide will convince you to add Trier to your bucket list as well.
Trier: 2000 years of human history represented in architecture
Trier is a German city in the Moselle (Mosel) wine region, near the Luxembourg border.
Founded as Augusta Treverorum in 16 BC during the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus Caesar, Trier is Germany’s oldest city and contains several well-preserved Roman structures.
The city is often referred to as the “Rome of the North” because it served as the key city of the Roman northern territories.
Nowadays the city is also known internationally because it is the birthplace of Karl Marx.
Trier is a very walkable city with most of its key sights located within easy walking distance of the historic city center.
The Best Things to Do in Trier, Germany
1. Start at the Porta Nigra
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When you visit Trier you can’t miss the Porta Nigra.
The Porta Nigra is an impressive 2nd-century Roman city gate. It’s the world’s best-preserved Roman city gate and Trier’s landmark.
You can enter the gate and climb to the top for a beautiful view of the city.
The Porta Nigra is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Admission: € 4.00
For more information:
2. Check out the Hauptmarkt (Main Market)
The central market square, the Hauptmarkt, is a lovely town square surrounded by impressive buildings constructed over the centuries, showing you the rich history of Trier.
Around the square you find a great selection of shops, bars, and restaurants making it the perfect location for a break or some (souvenir) shopping.
Additionally, Germany’s oldest market cross, dating back to the year 958, can be found on this square.
3. Admire the Trierer Dom (The High Cathedral of Saint Peter)
The Trierer Dom or Dom St Peter is the oldest cathedral in Germany and houses an impressive collection of artworks, architecture, and holy relics.
You can’t miss this impressive piece of architecture when visiting Trier.
Once you are inside the cathedral walk all the way to the back where on the right side of the building you will find a door leading you to a stunning courtyard.
From there you can really see 2000 years of human history represented in architecture: look up at the cathedral and the neighboring church to see all the different building styles making the two structures into what they are today.
The Trierer Dom is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Admission: free
4. Have a Look Inside the Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)
The Liebfrauenkirche is located next to the Trierer Dom.
It is one of the two earliest Gothic churches in Germany and offers a lovely contrast to its older Romanesque neighbor.
The Liebfrauenkirche is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Admission: free
For more information: Wikipedia
5. Be Amazed by the Size of the Konstantin-Basilika (Roman Imperial Throne Room)
The Konstantin-Basilika, Constantine’s throne room, which is also called the Aula Palatina, was built by the emperor Constantine (AD 306–337) at the beginning of the 4th century.
It is the largest surviving single-room structure from Roman times. The Romans wanted the architecture to express the magnificence and might of the emperor.
Since the middle of the 19th century the building has been used as the first and oldest Protestant church in Catholic Trier.
And yes, you guessed it, The Konstantin-Basilika is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
When you visit this Basilika, walk around the building to have a look at the Kurfürstliches Palais (Electoral Palace) which is considered one of the most beautiful rococo palaces in the world and offers quite a contrast to the Basilika!
Admission: free
For more information:
6. Picture What Life Was Like at the Kaiserthermen (Imperial Baths)
These Roman baths date back to the 4th century AD.
Only its ruins remain but you get to explore and discover the far-reaching subterranean passageways with furnaces for heating along with the impressive outer walls.
Just imagine what the Roman bathing ritual was like and how much money and time was spent on creating these impressive baths…
The Kaiserthermen are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Admission: € 4.00
For more information: Trier-info.de
7. Learn More About History at the Rheinisches Landmuseum (Archaeological Museum)
If you want to get to know the lives of the Romans, you’ve come to the right place.
At this museum you can find the largest gold coin hoard in the world with about 2,600 coins, colorful Roman mosaics, impressive burial monuments, and a large model of Trier in Roman times.
The Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier is one of the most important archaeological museums in Germany. Its collection stretches from prehistory through the Roman period, the Middle Ages to the Baroque.
Admission: € 8.00 (various discounts available)
For more information
8. Explore the Area by Boat
Yes, there are more things to do in Trier than just admiring its rich history!
If you want to see more of the area around Trier a boat excursion is a great option. The landscape around Trier is truly stunning and the Moselle curves through it beautifully.
Different excursions are available depending on your preferences and the time of year.
For more information: Moselrundfahrten.de
9. Eat & Drink in Trier
When visiting Trier you probably want to enjoy some of the city’s best food and drinks as well!
Eat at Weinstube Zum Domstein. This restaurant by the main market square offers a truly original dining experience.
Try to get a table in the basement. There you’re surrounded by excavations from Roman times while enjoying original dishes based on old Roman recipes from Marcus Gavius Apicius dating back to 30 AD.
Tip: I highly recommend booking a table at least a day in advance since this restaurant is often fully booked.
Quality wine might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of visiting Germany but Trier has a long wine growing tradition, going back to Roman times.
Nowadays the Moselle Riesling grape is world-famous and other well-known varieties include Elbling, Pinot Blanc, Rivaner, and more.
I would recommend Weinstube Kesselstatt which has an incredible wine cellar.
10. Cycle and Hike Around Trier
This part of Germany has much more to offer than just historic buildings.
In recent years the area around Trier has developed into a popular destination for cyclists and hikers. Well maintained cycling trails allow for beautiful tours around the countryside.
Hikers can discover the unique hiking scene around Trier on the excellent hiking trails of the Saar-Hunsrück Climb, the Eifel Hiking Trail, or the Moselle Hiking Trail.
For more information about cycling and hiking around Trier go to the official tourism website or download thewhich is what I use to find the best hiking and cycling routes.
More Things to Do in Trier
I want to thank Trier’s Tourism office for helping me plan my visit to Trier and providing me with so much information about this beautiful city.
Their guided tour showed me so much of this city I am sure I would have otherwise missed.
I highly recommend the guided tour (available in different languages) and do visit the Tourism office, located next to Porta Nigra, for more information about things to do in Trier.
How to Get to Trier and Where to Stay
Trier has a large train station (Hauptbahnhof) located right on the edge of the city center. It offers good connections to most major cities.
Alternatively, you can rent a car with any of the major car rental companies (use to compare different rental agencies). Most hotels offer parking or will be able to direct you to the nearest public parking option.
Trier has a large number of hotels with something to suit any budget. s one of the best places to find all the hotels in and around the city with a best price guarantee.
Also check out my
One Final Tip: the Christmas Market in Trier
If you were planning to visit Trier in winter, definitely try to go during the time the Christmas market is in town.
It is one of the oldest and nicest Christmas markets in Germany and will undoubtedly add to your experience!
For more information:
Also Read:
Enjoy your visit to Trier!
Map of Things to Do in Trier
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Author: Sanne Wesselman
A traveler, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and visiting destinations all over the world. I created Spend Life Traveling to share “the good, the bad and the ugly” of traveling and living abroad. Visit the for more info.
