Things to do in Aachen
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Pasta
Fish-shaped ravioli paired with salmon creme is just one of the creative offerings at this popular pasta shop. All noodles are made fresh daily and available for take-away or for eating on the spot, preferably on the terrace. Avoid the lunch-hour rush.
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Rathaus
Aachen's Rathaus, a splendid Gothic pile festooned with 50 life-size statues of German rulers, including the 30 kings crowned in town. It was built in the 14th century atop the foundations of Charlemagne's palace of which only the eastern tower, the Granusturm, survives. Inside, the undisputed highlights are the Kaisersaal with its epic 19th-century frescoes by Alfred Rethel and the replicas of the imperial insignia : a crown, orb and sword (the originals are in Vienna).
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Cathedral Treasury
The cathedral treasury is a veritable mother lode of gold, silver and jewels. Focus your attention on the Lotharkreuz, a 10th-century processional cross, and the marble sarcophagus that held Charlemagne's bones until his canonisation; the relief shows the rape of Persephone.
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Apollo Kino & Bar
This cavernous basement joint does double duty as an art-house cinema and a sweaty dance club for the student brigade. Alt-sounds rule on Mondays, salsa on Tuesdays, but on other nights it could be anything from dancehall to disco, house to power pop.
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Leo Van Den Daele
Leather-covered walls, tiled stoves and antiques forge the yesteryear flair of this rambling cafe institution. Come for all-day breakfast, a light lunch or divine cakes (the strudel and the Belgian Reisfladen, made with rice, are specialities).
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Edo
Aachen's Japanese food lovers have Edo, the city's first certified organic restaurant, on the speed dial. The sushi, the grilled duck and the tenderloin steak all get rave reviews. Or book a seat at the Teppan grill and go for the whole menu.
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Dom
It's impossible to overestimate the significance of Aachen's magnificent cathedral. The burial place of Charlemagne, it's where more than 30 German kings were crowned and where pilgrims have flocked since the 12th century.
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Am Knipp
Hungry grazers have stopped by this traditional inn since 1698 and you too will have a fine time spiking your cholesterol level with the hearty German cuisine served amid a flea market's worth of knick-knacks. Lovely beer garden as well.
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Café Madrid
A perennial favourite along this buzzy nightlife drag, this hipster joint in a former clothing shop does tapas, cocktails and light meals. Breakfast is served until late and cocktails cost just around €4 from 17:00 to 20:00.
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Malteserkeller
Elvin Jones and Bill Ramsey used to be regulars at what was once a venerable jazz venue. Changing tastes and financial realities have translated into an expanded musical menu that includes electro-funk, house, Nu Skool and punk.
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Ludwig Forum Für Internationale Kunst
In a former umbrella factory, the Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst trains the spotlight on contemporary art (Warhol, Immendorf, Holzer, Penck, Haring etc) and also stages progressive changing exhibits.
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Gaststätte Postwagen
This place, tacked onto the town hall, oozes olde-worlde flair from every nook and cranny and is a good place for classic German meals. The downstairs is made to look like an 18th-century postal coach (hence the name).
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Starfish
A cornerstone of Aachen's dance-club scene, Starfish keeps things interesting with four different dance floors playing house and charts, rock and soul. It's about 2.5km northeast of the city centre.
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Carolus-Thermen
Oriental pools, honey rubs, deep-tissue massages and soothing saunas are among the relaxation options at the Carolus-Thermen, a snazzy bathing complex on the edge of the city park.
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Domkeller
Near the cathedral, this casual pub has drawn students since the 1950s with its woodsy ambience and fair beer prices. In summer, the action spills out onto the sloping, cobble-stoned square.
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Aoxomoxoa
This laid-back dance club hums with different music nightly (from rock to Gothic to metal), charges no cover, and numbers cheap drinks and a friendly, mixed clientele among its assets.
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Pontstrasse
The main bar-hopping drag is student-flavoured Pontstrasse (locals say Ponte). For listings pick up the free Klenkes in cafés, pubs and the tourist office.
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Suermondt Ludwig Museum
The Suermondt Ludwig Museum is especially proud of its medieval sculpture but also has fine works by Cranach, Dürer, Macke, Dix and other masters.
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Ratskeller
Michelin-starred silver-service restaurant in the historic town hall.
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Sausalitos
Park yourself on the patio of this perennially popular cantina overlooking Markt, sip a fruity cocktail and indulge in a dose of people-gawking. Pretty good Tex-Mex sustenance, too.
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