Bahnhofplatz

Bahnhofplatz serves as the western gateway to Aachen, fronting the main station whose building dates to the Wilhelmine-era Gründerzeit around the turn of the 20th century. The square functions primarily as a transit hub — rail, city buses, and taxis converge here — but its geographic position gives it a distinctive character: Aachen is the only German long-distance rail station with direct connections into both Belgium and the Netherlands, making this plaza a daily crossroads for three nationalities. For visitors arriving by train, it is the first glimpse of the city before the medieval old town and cathedral open up a short walk away.