Trier is a popular city in southwest Germany with beautiful walking streets, colorful buildings, and an amazing history to discover. After several visits, we have put together some of our favorite things to do in Trier! We’ll share everything from the Roman Gate to Trier Old Town, and so much more. Whether you’re just passing through for one day in Trier or have longer to visit, we got you covered!
Our First Trip to Trier Germany
We’ve now made several trips in Trier and we really can’t get enough of this city. From the very first moment we strolled through Old Town, we were in love!
Our initial visit was actually on an overnight stop on our 7 day cycling adventure with Boat Bike Tours. That day we cycled from Saarburg Germany and spent the night on our ship in Trier.
This gave us a few hours to explore the city, grab some dinner, and get a taste of what makes it special. It was obviously a short trip, but we loved it so much we decided to head back again!
Know that there are so many things to do in Trier that you could spend a few days. Yet, it’s also small enough where you can see it in just one day.
If you do plan to spend the night, there are two hotels that you shouldn’t miss out on. Romantik Hotel Zur Glocke and Hotel Villa Hügel are located right in the city center and easy walking distance to all the best attractions.
As you’ll see in this article, one day in Trier Germany is totally doable! While it is a popular stop on river cruises, you can also rent a car (check prices) and include it in a longer Germany itinerary.
Best Things to do in Trier Germany
1. Walk Through the Roman City Gate
Also known as Porta Nigra for its distinct color, Trier’s Roman gate is something to behold. Your first stop should be entering through this massive structure.
Trier is thought to be Germany’s oldest city and that can be seen immediately in its ancient ruins. The gate was built as part of walls that protected Trier by the Romans back in 170 AD.
It was one of four gates, which were the only places you could enter the Old Town. The coolest part about Porta Nigra is that you can actually pay a small fee to walk up the stairs to the top.
The gate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best things to do in Trier! Although much of the walls are gone today, this stands as a historic monument and reminder of its great history.
2. Explore Trier Old Town
Once you enter the Roman gate, you’ll be right in Trier Old Town. This is the heart of the city and home to so many amazing sites.
For better or worse, Karl Marx is Trier’s most notable resident. You can see his childhood home right after the entrance through the gate on the left.
There is also a large statue of him not far from here. The most ironic part of the father of communism’s house is that there is a dollar store located directly underneath it. Go figure!
One of the most fascinating places to see in Old Town Trier is the Jewish Quarter. This small neighborhood was once home to a thriving Jewish population. As with many places in Europe, they were expelled numerous times from the city.
There are many great restaurants around this area as well as churches, which we’ll discuss in detail next. Just know you’ll likely be spending a majority of your time in Old Town if you only have one day in Trier.
3. Visit the Historic Churches
Trier his home to many places of worship, as it has been the site of Christianity for many centuries. Luckily, two of its most famous churches are located right next to each other!
St. Peter’s Cathedral is the larger of the two and holds the title as the oldest cathedral in all of Germany. It was built by Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century.
A lot has been added to it over the years, with a stunning combination of Romanesque, Baroque, and Gothic architecture. Directly next to it is the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche).
This is one of the oldest Gothic churches in Germany, being constructed over 700 years ago. You are able to go inside both of these historic religious structures.
If you have time on your visit, you should also check out St. Matthias Abbey, the St. Paulin Church, and the Basilica of Constantine. They all of their own historical significance and help tell the story of Trier.
4. Hit the Trier Wine Stand
Ready for a drink? We certainly were on a hot summer day in Trier!
Smack dab in the center of Trier Old Town is a popular wine stand to stop by. It will be hard to miss it, as it’s always slammed with patrons in the afternoon and evenings.
We tasted so much great wine during our time in the Moselle region. Reisling is the specialty here and the vineyards can be seen all along the river valley. Be sure to check out the town of Zell Germany to taste the famous Black Cat Wine during your trip.
The unique part about this city stand is that it features different wineries throughout the year. From March to November, the wineries alternate sporadically to showcase their own blends to customers. Be sure to have some cash on you if you’re planning to stop here.
If you haven’t spent much time in Germany, know that it’s common for you to have to put down a deposit for your glass. After your finished with your wine, you can either keep it as a souvenir or return it for your money back.
5. Take a Walking Tour of Trier Germany
One of the best things to do in Trier is to take a guided walking tour! As we mentioned, we had the opportunity to go on one during our second trip to Trier.
While there’s plenty of history to see on your own, having a local guide walk us through the city was such a special experience. Our tour started at the Roman gate and took us all over Trier Old Town.
It’s also a great way to start your time in the city and get a historical introduction to it. We highly recommend this walking tour with wine tasting if you’re planning on booking one.
6. Trier Amphitheater & Roman Baths
By now you can see how much there is to do around Trier Old Town. However, you’d be sorely missing out if you didn’t venture off from the city walls!
The well-preserved Trier Amphitheater dates back to the 2nd century AD, making it over 1,800 years old. At its peak, it could seat around 20,000 spectators, who would come to watch the gladiator games.
It was fascinating walking both on and underneath the amphitheater and imagining what it must of been like so many years ago.
History lovers will also appreciate the Roman Baths on their visit. There are several dotted around the city, with the most famous being the Imperial Baths and the Barbara Baths.
It’s definitely worth touring these on your own to learn more about the history. Both can be reached easily by walking from Trier Old Town, or you can hop on the tourist train as well.
7. Eat a Traditional German Meal
After walking around to all the historic sites of Trier, you’re sure to be hungry! Something we enjoyed about this city were the endless restaurants and bars.
We loved grabbing drinks and a snack at Weinstube Kesselstatt and sitting with a view of St. Peter’s Cathedral. If you’re up for some fine dining, head to the Michelin rated Becker’s restaurant.
Brasserie ZUR SIM also offers great traditional meals near the Roman gate. Some other classic dishes from the region we enjoyed were saumagen, flammkuchen, and spießbraten.
Not in the mood for German food? Well, Trier Old Town also has plenty of international spots to try! You can have a bowl of ramen at Chibi-ya or grab a kebab at City Doner Trier.
Is One Day in Trier Germany Worth it?
Absolutely! If you couldn’t tell, we had such an amazing time in Trier Germany.
On both visits we only had a few hours to explore. Yet, with everything being centrally located and accessible, we had more than enough things to do in Trier.
Whether you’re heading here for a day trip or having more time in the area, you’re sure to have a blast in Trier! It was so nice to see it in the summer months when everything was in full swing.
However, if you’re traveling through this part of Germany in the winter, you’re in for a real treat. Trier is known for having one of the best Christmas markets in the entire country!
Have any questions on this article or want to share your own favorite things to do in Trier Germany? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
