Parks
Elisenpark
This park is ideal for a short break from a stroll through the city, because the Elisenpark is the only green area in Aachen that is located within the Allenring. The park is located directly behind the drinking hall and lobby of the famous Elisenbrunnen. According to internetsailors, Aachen is a city located in Germany bordering with Belgium and the Netherlands.
Kaiser-Friedrich-Park
This park is located in the south of Aachen. In addition to a small lake with ducks and swans, it also offers a playground and an excursion restaurant. The lake can be sailed with boats, which you can also rent here. In the summer months, the park is often used by groups of runners in the evenings. Right next to the park are a tennis court, the Hangeweiher swimming pool and open-air pool, the park of the old clinic and the public observatory.
Spa park Monheimsallee
This spacious area is located in the northeast of the city. The spa park is ideal for engaging in sporting activities. But there is also an observatory here. A barbecue area and the beer garden in the Carolus thermal baths are available for culinary delights. In addition, a small vineyard with almost 100 vines spreads out on the site.
Park on the Lousberg
The oldest park built by citizens in all of Europe has existed since 1807. The original park development has of course disappeared over the centuries, even if remains can still be seen here and there. These include, for example, the Kerstensche Pavilion, the pillars of the Belvedere and the obelisk. The park is dominated by the 48 meter high Belvedere water tower from 1956. It houses a rotating tower restaurant and offers a wonderful view over Aachen
Von-Halfern-Park
In the southwest of Aachen is the Von-Halfern-Park, which impresses with trees and plants that are up to 200 years old and come from all parts of the world. The park was named after Friedrich von Halfern, a cloth manufacturer and city councilor from Aachen. This had created the park. His son sold it to the city of Aachen – together with the nearby Gut Hochgrundhausamt. Since 1925, the city’s residents have been able to visit the park.
www.oekologie-zentrum-aachen.de/html/halfern.html
Westpark
As the name suggests, located in the west of Aachen, the Westpark was laid out in 1885 and at that time even included a zoo. Nowadays only the small pond (= artificially created pond) reminds of the latter. The park is close to the Technical University and is therefore a popular meeting place, especially for students.
Rivers
Maas
Aachen is located in the catchment area of the Maas, a 925 kilometer long river that has its source in France, flows through the north of France, Belgium and the Netherlands, where it flows into the North Sea south of Rotterdam. Its catchment area is 34,548 km2.
Rur
This 170 km long tributary of the Meuse flows through Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands and should not be confused with the Ruhr in the Ruhr area. The river has its origin in the High Fens Nature Park in Belgium. From there the Rur flows near Monschau over the German border and through the Eifel National Park. In the Netherlands it finally flows into the Meuse. Together with the Rurstausee, the Rur forms the second largest reservoir in Germany in terms of volume.
Tip!
The Rur is very popular with canoeists. The whitewater opportunities near Monschau, between Düren and Linnich and between Linnich and the Dutch border are highly recommended. In addition, the Rurufer cycle path runs along the Rur, which is particularly interesting between Düren and Linnich.
Worm
This river in the Aachen region is just 53 kilometers long. It rises in the Aachen forest and finally flows into the Aachen basin. The Wurm flows into the Rur north of Heinsberg (near Kempen). The river under Aachen has been canalized since the 18th century, but comes back to light behind Europaplatz. The rather short river acts as a natural outflow for the cold and warm streams that flow together in the Aachen basin. In addition, there are countless interesting buildings such as mills, castles and palaces along the Wurm.
Tip!
The Wurmtal nature reserve is located near the cities of Würselen and Herzogenrath, an approx. 445 hectare recreational area that is worth more than just a visit.
Zoological Garden
Aachener Tierpark Euregiozoo
The Tierpark of Aachen is located at the Drimborner Wäldchen (= between the districts of Forst and Beverau) and extends over an area of 8.9 hectares. About 1,200 animals from 210 species live here. In addition to native animals, the zoo is also home to monkeys, camels from Asia, lynxes, zebras, Watussi cattle and many more. There are also 70 species of waterfowl to see. The park also impresses with an approximately 2 hectare lake, which dams the water of the Beverbachs flowing through the zoo. There is also a Roman sarcophagus in the park. This was found in 1793 at the Palant house, the ancestral seat of the influential von Palant family in the Weisweiler district of Eschweiler.
opening hours | February 16 – 15.10.: 9 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. 16.10. – 15.11.: 9 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. 16.11. – 15.02.: 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. |
Contact | Obere Drimbornstrasse 44 52066 Aachen Tel: 0049 – (0) 241 – 5 93 85 Fax: 0049 – (0) 241 – 57 26 96 Email: |