Reminiscing about Aachen, Hamburg and Münster
When the opportunity arose for Gary and me to head back to Germany on a road trip, we jumped at the chance. Incredible architecture, fascinating history, friendly locals and an abundance of sausages. What more could you want?
So, in autumn 2019 we jumped in our car and caught Le Shuttle under the English Channel for another adventure. This time we were off to uncover the history and culture behind the cities of Aachen, Hamburg and Münster.
![The Pin image for our post - 'Our German autumn road trip memories'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Our-German-autumn-road-trip-memories-Pin4.jpg)
Our Memories
Our three-city road trip
The local tourist offices
Aachen Cathedral
![A closer look at the Barbarossa Chandelier attached to the centre dome of Aachen's Dom. From this view, you can see the detail of the arches and the ornate decoration of the dome itself.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-dome-of-Aachen-cathedral-Things-to-do-in-Aachen-Places-to-visit-in-North-Rhine-Westphalia-Visit-Germany-V5.jpg)
![An up-close view of the golden Karlsschrein. You can only get his close to the treasure via an organised tour of the Cathedral.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-detail-in-the-Karlsschrein-Things-to-do-in-Aachen-Places-to-visit-in-North-Rhine-Westphalia-Visit-Germany-V5.jpg)
When we visited the Dom, we were given a one to one tour by a lady that had been married in the Cathedral. It felt such a privilege as this incredibly ornate and beautiful building is so ancient.
It was Charlemagne ‘Charles the Great’ that instructed for the original octagonal chapel to be constructed between 793 and 813. Charlemagne died in 814 and is buried in a golden shrine within the chapel.
Where to stay in Aachen
St. Lamberti Church
![The St. Lamberti Church with its neo-gothic spire in dark stone, similar to that of Cologne Cathedral. Close inspection of the spire will lead you to the 3 cages used to display the corpses of Anabaptists rebels.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/St.-Lamberti-Church-Things-to-do-in-Munster-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
![Inside the bell tower of St. Lamberti Church at night looking out at the 3 Anabaptist cages, illuminated with a single light bulb.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-three-iron-Anabaptist-cages-on-St.-Lamberti-Church-Things-to-do-in-Munster-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
The Tower Keeper at St. Lamberti Church
The Tower Keeper at St Lamberti Church has been keeping the city of Münster safe for over 630 years. We were given the opportunity to visit the Tower Keeper. For the first time in over six centuries, the role is being undertaken by a lady, Martje Salje.
We climbed the 300 spiralling stone steps, and when we reached the top, it was magnificent and the night skyline across the city was breath-taking.
![Martje Salje, the Tower Keeper, blasting her horn at to sound the all-clear from the top of the spire of St. Lamberti Church.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Martje-the-Tower-Keeper-tooting-the-nightly-horn-Things-to-do-in-Munster-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
Following Martje out onto the top of the 246 feet (75 metres) tall tower was an incredible experience. Each evening, except Tuesday, Martje blows the horn from the top of the tower. In the direction of north, south and west at 9pm until midnight, every 30 minutes.
Unless there is anything untoward, Martje sounds the all-clear toot, and Münster can breathe a sigh of relief, that the city is free from fires or enemies beyond.
Where to stay in Münster
Speicherstadt
![A view of the Speicherstadt warehouse district of Hamburg at dusk. You look down the canal to the water castle with red brick buildings on either side with illuminated balconies.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-iconic-view-of-the-Speicherstadt-district-iconic-hamburg-must-see-germany-places-to-see-in-hamburg-things-to-see-in-hamburg-visit-hamburg-V5.jpg)
It’s a fantastic area to head to of an evening, as the sunsets and the evening light swathes across the historic warehouses it is delightful.
The Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.
Where to stay in Hamburg
Elbe Tunnel
![Looking along the recently restored, brightly lit, tiled tunnel That takes you under the Elbe River. There is a footpath on either side and a narrow track in the centre for cyclists that was once used by cars.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-old-Elbe-Tunnel-Thinks-to-do-in-Hamburg-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
Aachen walking tour
![The Elisenbrunnen collonade which has two taps supplying the towns spa waters. At one end is the tourist information centre, at the other an ice-cream parlour.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Elisenbrunnen-Things-to-do-in-Aachen-Places-to-visit-in-North-Rhine-Westphalia-Visit-Germany-V5.jpg)
![The back of the Rathaus on a bright day, with blue skies. The gothic building is another place that should be on your to-do list when visiting.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-Rathaus-from-the-rear-Things-to-do-in-Aachen-Places-to-visit-in-North-Rhine-Westphalia-Visit-Germany-V5.jpg)
Münster Rathaus & Hall of Peace
![Münster's historic Rathaus has been lovingly restored following it's near destruction during World War Two. The ornate gothic gable end stood as a symbol to the towns Prince Bishop whose own home is a mere 250 meters away.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-Rathaus-at-dusk-Things-to-do-in-Munster-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
![Inside the Hall of Peace. The original wood panelling survives, having been put into storage during World War 2. Along the far wall are 13 sections of intricately carved panels running up half the weight of the wall, with portraits above them of those involved in bringing peace.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Original-wood-panelling-in-the-Hall-of-Peace-Things-to-do-in-Munster-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
Elbphilharmonie
![The Elbphilharmonie from ground level looking at the red brick base and the unique glass upper levels of this impressive concert hall.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Another-view-of-the-Elbphilharmonie-Thinks-to-do-in-Hamburg-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
I highly recommend heading to the viewing gallery to enjoy the 360-degree view across Hamburg, the Landungsbrücken piers and the city’s port.
A visit to the viewing gallery is free, grab your ticket at the main entrance and hop on the world’s first arched escalator. The top segment of Elbphilharmonie is constructed entirely of glass.
Enjoy an evening cruise
Café 1648
![The silhouette of two women in Café 1648 enjoying the 12th-floor panoramic view of St.-Paulus-Dom.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Enjoying-the-view-from-Cafe-1648-Things-to-do-in-Munster-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
Am Knipp – Aachen’s oldest Inn – 1698
![The outside of Am Knippat night. Dating from 1698, it is Aachen's oldest inn and serves traditional local food. A family-run business that's a great place to eat.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Am-Knipp-Inn-dating-from-1698-Things-to-do-in-Aachen-Places-to-visit-in-North-Rhine-Westphalia-Visit-Germany-V5.jpg)
Münsterländer Wurstpfanne
![A selection of local sausages, traditional food for the region, all served with sauerkraut in a cast-iron bowl at Altes Gasthaus Leve.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Munsterlander-Wurstpfanne-Things-to-do-in-Munster-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
Aachener Printen
![The Klein Aachener Printen gingerbread shop. There are many gingerbread shops in town, each selling there own Aachener Printen but Klein is the one we've always brought back from Cologne](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Klein-Aachener-Printen-Things-to-do-in-Aachen-Places-to-visit-in-North-Rhine-Westphalia-Visit-Germany-V5.jpg)
Reisfladen
![A section of Reisfladen, a local rice cake, similar to a custard tart but the filling is a thick rice pudding. One to try if you are in town, we had ours at the Van Den Daele café, again worth checking out even if the Reisfladen doesn't appeal.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Reisfladen-–-traditional-rice-cake-from-Van-Den-Daele-cafe-Things-to-do-in-Aachen-Places-to-visit-in-North-Rhine-Westphalia-Visit-Germany-V5.jpg)
Our Treasures
St Nicholas Church and tower
St.-Nikolai-Kirche is an emotional and touching place to visit. Hamburg suffered extensively during WWII, and St Nicholas Church stands as a poignant symbol to this.
The only sections that remain are the tower, spire and crypt, within the crypt is a fascinating museum.
![Looking up at the tower of bombed of St Nikolai-church tower from the nave. This ruined church has now become a memorial and museum to the bombing of Hamburg during the Second World war.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/St-Nikolai-church-tower-Thinks-to-do-in-Hamburg-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
![A view from the neo-gothic St Nikolai-church tower across the Rathaus to the been Binnenalster and beyond. On the right of the frame is a gargoyle, part of the tower structure.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/A-view-from-St-Nikolai-church-tower-Things-to-do-in-Hamburg-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
You are able to visit the top of the tower a lift has been installed and transports you 247 feet (75 metres) above, to a platform within the spire.
There are historic storyboards within the spire that follow the church’s history through time. The views from here are incredible too.
Aachen’s Fountains
![A brass statue of old man, bent over, hand out, begging for loose change next to Circle of Money fountain.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Beggar-at-the-Circle-of-Money-Fountain-Things-to-do-in-Aachen-Places-to-visit-in-North-Rhine-Westphalia-Visit-Germany-V5.jpg)
![A bronze fountain of puppets with adjustable joints to allow you to interact with the feature.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Bronze-Puppenbrunnen-with-hinged-limbs-Things-to-do-in-Aachen-Places-to-visit-in-North-Rhine-Westphalia-Visit-Germany-V5.jpg)
Each bronze character depicts the changing hands of money. Whether it’s a young girl receiving pocket money or a beggar pleading with a banker. All the while, the water feature is flowing in never-ending circles.
Keep a lookout for the interactive bronze Puppenbrunnen and the Hühnerdieb - ‘Chicken Thief’.
Chilehaus
![The sharp end of the Chilehaus office building at dusk under mauve to purple skies. This stylish 10-storey office block looks like a vision of the future as seen from the 1920s.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-pointy-end-of-chilehaus-discover-hamburg-iconic-hamburg-must-see-hamburg-places-to-see-in-hamburg-things-to-see-in-hamburg-V5.jpg)
Miniatur Wunderland
I’m sure there is a big kid inside everyone waiting to get out, if so, then head over to Miniatur Wunderland, in Hamburg’s Speicherstadt district.
I was going to refer to it as a model village, but it’s actually more of a city.
![A scale model of the Elbphilharmonie at Miniatur Wunderland, with visitors inspecting the level of detail in the exhibit.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Hamburgs-Elbphilharmonie-Miniatur-Wunderland-Hamburg-Germany-V5.jpg)
HafenCity Universität U-Bahn station
![Looking along the platform of HafenCity Universität U-Bahn station where the overhead lighting is projecting Has now transitioned to red lighting.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/HafenCity-Universitat-in-red-Thinks-to-do-in-Hamburg-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
![The modernist styled HafenCity Universität U-Bahn station in its blue phase where the overhead lighting is projecting a blue glow around the across the platform.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/HafenCity-Universitat-in-blue-Thinks-to-do-in-Hamburg-Places-to-visit-in-Germany-V5.jpg)
Let us know!
Things to do differently
One for next time
![Looking up, past the Käthe Wohlfahrt stall, to Hamburg's Rathaus lit up at dusk](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Hamburg-at-Christmas-Hamburg-Germany-V5.jpg)
I love nothing more than planning a trip and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Germany road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.
Our Disappointment
We ran out of time
Points of Note
Low Emission Zone (LEZs), Autobahns and Tolls
Germany - Be aware that some German towns and cities have Low Emission Zones. Therefore, you will require a sticker for the windscreen of your car, to signify which category your car emissions fall into.
We found the following websites useful; also, you can apply online in advance for the sticker for €6 (2019). The Urban Access Regulations in Europe details all the European emission zones and the Senate Department for Environment is where you can purchase you Germany LEZ sticker.
When you drive along an autobahn in Germany, you may not even be aware that you are on one (they are not signposted). It’s not until you feel the vibration of a vehicle whisking past your window that you know you’ve arrived. I would like to highlight that in my opinion, German drivers are quite considerate.
France - If you are driving from the UK you will undoubtedly be travelling across France. In France, you pay the tolls as you go, and I recommend using a credit card as it is a lot quicker and simpler passing through.Disclaimer
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