Things to Do in Trier: Top Attractions & Insider Tips

6 Facts About Trier

1. Trier is the oldest city in Germany — founded in 17 BC under the name “Augusta Treverorum”
2. There are nine UNESCO World Heritage buildings in Trier
3. With 110,000 residents, Trier is the fourth-largest city in Rhineland-Palatinate, after Mainz in Rheinhessen, Ludwigshafen, and Koblenz
4. The city was once known as the “second Rome“
5. Trier is only 30 minutes from Luxembourg
6. Karl Marx was born in Trier in 1818, and Günther Jauch’s great-great-great-great-great-grandfather signed his birth certificate

Where Is Trier in Germany?

Trier is located in the far west of Germany in Rhineland-Palatinate. From here, it only takes about 30 minutes to reach the Luxembourg border.

Koblenz in the Middle Rhine Valley is only about 120 kilometers away, and the Saarland is just 70 kilometers from Trier.

Trier is also part of the gorgeous Moselle region. If you have a bit more time, a day trip into the surrounding area is absolutely worth it.

The 12 Best Sights in Trier

As you stroll through Trier’s city center, you can easily imagine what life might have been like for the Romans back in the day.

Some visitors call the city an “open-air museum” — and it’s easy to see why. The things to do in Trier’s historic center are packed in one after another, and a full nine of them have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The area surrounding Trier also offers a great variety of attractions and excellent day trip destinations.

Porta Nigra

The Porta Nigra is the city’s defining landmark and an absolute must on any sightseeing tour through Trier.

The Porta Nigra — Latin for “the black gate” — dates back to Roman times, like so many of Trier’s buildings. It was built in 170 AD using around 7,200 stone blocks as one of four city gates.

Today it’s the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

In the Middle Ages, the Roman gate was converted into a collegiate church. It wasn’t until Napoleon, several hundred years later, that efforts began to restore the Porta Nigra to its original form.

The Porta Nigra is Trier’s main attraction, so the plaza in front of it can get really crowded during peak hours. You can also get a great view of the city gate from the Brunnenhof — it’s a little off the beaten path and usually much less overrun with tourists.

Trier Cathedral

Trier Cathedral is the oldest church in all of Germany. It was built as far back as 340 AD — meaning you’re standing before roughly 1,700 years of architectural history.

The building is a true architectural dream. In and around the church, you’ll find nearly every era of European art and architecture represented. And it’s not just very old — it’s also enormous. Hard to believe that today’s church makes up only a quarter of the original structure.

Inside, you’ll find a precious relic: the tunic of Jesus Christ, also known as the “Holy Robe.” The authenticity of the garment is disputed, as is often the case with relics.

Our tip: Don’t miss the Gothic cathedral cloister. With its honey-yellow walls and beautiful interplay of light, it’s a fantastic photo opportunity — and since it’s a bit tucked away, plenty of tourists walk right past it.

Church of Our Lady

Right next to the impressive cathedral stands the equally remarkable Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche).

It’s the oldest Gothic church in Germany, and its construction is dedicated to the Holy Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was also referred to as the “mystical rose,” which is why you’ll find rose motifs throughout the church.

With its colorful stained-glass windows and its unusual floor plan in the shape of a twelve-petaled rose, it’s really worth a visit.

The Church of Our Lady is connected to the cathedral by the cloister mentioned above. This cloister also leads to a tranquil courtyard — perfect for a short break with a stunning view.

Hauptmarkt

The Hauptmarkt is the central square in Trier and is often called the city’s “living room.” All the major streets converge here, including the two main shopping streets.

Sit down, order an iced coffee, and soak up the afternoon sun. With its colorful flowers, richly decorated building facades, and views of so many of Trier’s iconic highlights, the Hauptmarkt is simply gorgeous.

In the center of the square stands the Petrusbrunnen fountain. As the name suggests, it depicts the city’s patron saint, Peter, and symbolizes various virtues.

Electoral Palace and Palace Garden

The Electoral Palace was built directly adjacent to the Basilica of Constantine and expanded over time with various additions. From the 17th century onward, it served as the seat of the archbishops. Today, the palace is considered one of the most beautiful Rococo palaces in the world.

The adjoining Palace Garden is an architectural gem and is open at all times — an enchanting floral paradise reminiscent of ancient Roman garden design.

Our tip: Behind the palace, you’ll also find a water clock fountain featuring five bronze-colored animal figures that symbolize the different eras of Trier’s city history (horse, eagle, lamb, dog, and dove). A fantastic photo opportunity!

Note: Since the Electoral Palace is used as an administrative building, visits to the courtyard, foyer, staircase, and Baroque hall are only possible on specific dates.

Roman Bridge

The Roman Bridge is the oldest bridge in Germany. The first wooden bridge was built as far back as 17 BC, at the same time the city was founded. While the bridge has changed considerably since then, it’s retained its historic charm.

The bridge was already of great importance to the Romans, connecting major roads and waterways. And today it remains a vital transportation hub for cars, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The views along the Moselle River from here are wonderful, so a leisurely stroll across the Roman Bridge is a must.

Fun fact: In Roman times, pedestrians crossing the bridge would throw a coin into the river as an offering to the goddess Mosella, who was said to live there. Today, over a million coins are believed to still rest on the riverbed — though diving for them is prohibited.

Imperial Baths

A long, relaxing wellness day — the Romans knew how to appreciate that too! Back in the day, people would head to the baths and have slaves serve them all kinds of treats.

The Imperial Baths are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, even though their construction was never completed. When Trier became an imperial residence, the baths were built as a gift from the emperor to the people.

Today you can tour the ruins. Particularly interesting are the winding underground passages, which served among other purposes as a sewage system. Fair warning: it’s easy to get turned around in this labyrinth.

Amphitheater

Few structures are as emblematic of ancient Rome as the amphitheater — a semicircular arena with tiered seating where gladiatorial combat, animal fights, and just about every other kind of public spectacle once took place.

No surprise, then, that Trier has one too. The Trier Amphitheater was built in the second century AD and was among the ten largest arenas in all of Europe, with a capacity of over 18,000 spectators.

A trip to the amphitheater can easily be combined with other nearby points of interest, such as a short hike up the Petrisberg.

Markusberg and Mariensäule

Want to take a break from the old quarter and discover some sights in the surrounding area? The best panoramic view of the entire city and the Moselle River is from the Markusberg. From up here, you can see all nine World Heritage Sites at once.

The Markusberg is only about 300 meters high, so there are plenty of moderate hikes around the hill. We especially recommend a side trip to the 40-meter-tall Mariensäule column — though you can no longer climb the tower.

A 20-minute walk from the column also brings you to the Sirzenicher Waterfall, a place shrouded in numerous myths. Whatever the legends may say, the small waterfalls are ideal for relaxing and finding a moment of peace.

Petrisberg and Luxembourg Tower

The Petrisberg offers one of the best panoramic vistas over Trier’s historic center.

Even the Romans knew this — they built a military camp of 10,000 soldiers here to subdue the rebellious Treveri tribe. And much later, during World War II, a military camp was established here as well.

All that is history now. In 2004, the Luxembourg Tower was erected here as a symbol of friendship between the cities of Trier and Luxembourg. It’s also known as the “Tower of Dreams and Longings” — and once you’ve seen the view from the top, you’ll understand why.

Treasury of the City Library

With a city this old, it’s easy to imagine that a treasure or two has accumulated over the years. If you’re picturing gold coins, though, you’d be mistaken — what’s stored here are primarily cultural and historical treasures.

These include the Codex Egberti, which has been part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register since 2004, an original Gutenberg Bible, and a fish calendar that is unique in the world.

The treasury only reopened in 2021 after an extensive renovation and is now equipped with the latest multimedia technologies to make your visit as informative and engaging as possible.

Karl Marx Statue

As we mentioned in our six facts about Trier, Karl Marx was born here. To mark his 200th birthday in 2018, a Chinese artist gifted the city a 5.5-meter-tall bronze statue of the famous philosopher.

The statue stands on Simeonstiftplatz, where it towers over visitors like a giant. From here, it’s also not far to the Marx family home on Simeonstraße — though it can no longer be visited today.

If you’d like to learn more about Karl Marx, be sure to check out the museum on Brückenstraße. His former birthplace has been converted into a museum where you can explore his ideas and engage with current topics from his perspective.

Our Hotel Picks for Trier

As one of the most popular city trip destinations in Germany, Trier naturally offers a wide range of accommodations — something for every budget.

For even more hotel recommendations along the Moselle, check out our full guide:

22 truly special hotels on the Moselle

Restaurants and Cafés in Trier

When it comes to food and drink in Trier, you’ll find far more than just bread and wine like in ancient Rome. Around every corner you’ll discover a cozy little café, a modern restaurant, or a casual food stand.

Café Mohr

Café Mohr (open in Google Maps) is a small but wonderful café right in the heart of the historic center. When the weather is nice, you can sit outside in the little alleyways and sip on a delicious latte macchiato. Seriously good.

Coyote Cafe

At the Coyote Café (open in Google Maps), you can get just about anything — delicious cocktails, great coffee drinks, and Mexican dishes are all on offer. Every Sunday they serve a lavish breakfast buffet with live cooking and a waffle station.

Ms. Lian

The best Japanese restaurant in Trier is Ms. Lian (open in Google Maps). You’ll find beautifully presented sushi, house-made lemonades and teas, pho soups, and excellent desserts.

Burgeramt

Burgeramt (open in Google Maps) is hands down the best burger joint in Trier — and the only outpost of the hugely popular original location in Berlin. Vegetarian or not, every burger on the menu is simply outstanding.

Shopping in Trier

Trier isn’t only home to a wealth of beautiful sights — it’s also a great destination for a casual browse or a full-on shopping spree. Here are the three best shopping spots in Trier.

Simeonstraße

Simeonstraße is the main shopping street in Trier and ranks among the busiest pedestrian zones in all of Germany. The street leads to the Porta Nigra and passes by many historic buildings, making it ideal for combining shopping with trier sightseeing.

Neustraße

Neustraße also runs through a historic neighborhood with beautiful buildings. Alongside well-known chain stores, you’ll find plenty of small boutiques, local designers, and shops selling handcrafted souvenirs — plus great cafés and restaurants along the way.

Trier Galerie

With over 70 stores spread across three floors, the Trier Galerie is the largest and most well-known shopping center in Trier and the surrounding area. Whatever you’re looking for, you should find it here — ideal for a rainy-day outing.

City Tours in Trier

Based on our own experience, we genuinely recommend joining a guided city tour. With a local guide, you gain a whole different perspective on a place and come away with truly special memories. You can choose between public tours and private group tours.

Here are our three favorite guided tours through Trier.

#1 Classic City Tour of Trier

On this tour, you’ll be taken to the most important landmarks and top attractions in Trier. It’s especially great if you’re short on time but want to see and learn as much as possible.

Book the classic city tour of Trier

#2 Night Watchman Tour

Trier by night has a very special charm. This tour also lets you avoid the usual tourist crowds and enjoy the city’s peaceful atmosphere in the evening hours.

Book the guided night watchman tour in Trier

#3 Wine Meets History in Trier

In the Moselle region, a wine tour is a total must. In addition to several delicious varieties of wine, this tour through Trier also offers plenty of fascinating information about the city’s most important highlights.

You can also take a guided tour through the oldest wine cellar in Germany — which happens to be located right here in Trier.

Book the guided tour of Trier with wine tasting

Book the tour of Germany’s oldest wine cellar

Getting to Trier

Trier is well connected by both train and bus. The train is usually the fastest option — just keep in mind that no high-speed ICE trains serve Trier, only regional services, so you’ll likely need to transfer at least once.

From many cities, Flixbus is a solid budget-friendly alternative worth considering.

Flying only makes sense if you’re traveling from farther afield. The nearest airport is in Luxembourg, which means you’d still need to factor in about 40 minutes by car to reach Trier.

If you arrive by bus or train, you’ll pull right into Trier’s main station. From there, every corner of the city is easily accessible and you can start exploring right away.

Book train tickets

Book bus tickets

Getting Around Trier

In Trier, all the must-sees are easily reachable on foot. If you’d like to explore areas a bit outside the city center, Trier also has a well-developed public transportation network.

Public Transit in Trier

Public transit in Trier runs on buses and is generally quite reliable. If you just need to get from point A to point B, your best bet is a single ticket for €2.20 per trip.

The network is divided into different fare zones. For the typical sights, you’ll mostly be moving around Trier-City and only need to pay for fare zone 1.

Trier transit schedules and route info

Trier and the Antiken Card

Antiken Card: Available in various versions (starting at €12), this card gives you entry to two to four of Trier’s Roman sites (Imperial Baths, Amphitheater, Porta Nigra, Baths at the Viehmarkt) as well as admission to the Rhineland State Museum and several additional discounts.

Get the Antiken Card

Travel Guides for Trier

Want even more info for your trip to Trier — or just prefer having something in print? Here are our picks for the best travel guides.

Our three favorite travel guides for Trier:

This guide introduces 111 insider spots, some of which will likely be new even to locals. Each location comes with interesting and surprising facts — perfect if you want to explore a little beyond the usual tourist trail.

111 Places in Trier That You Shouldn’t Miss

If you only have a few days for a short trip, we’d suggest “Trier in a Weekend.” It includes suggested routes and all the top highlights that shouldn’t be missed on your city exploration — perfectly tailored for a quick getaway.

Trier in a Weekend

The Reise Know-How books are classics in the travel guide world. This one includes not only a handy city map but also a free web app to guide you through the city and to all the key spots.

Reise Know-How City-Trip Trier

Those were our tips for things to do in Trier. Have you ever visited Germany’s oldest city? Which sight was your favorite? And do you have an insider tip you’d like to share with us? Let us know in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!