Aachen in 1 Day for Friends - Ponttor city gate
In Collaboration with World City Trail PTE LTD. Updated on February 1, 2026.
Playful, social self-guided scavenger hunt through Aachen’s old town. Start at Ponttor and follow the World City Trail app to solve puzzles, hear short audio stories, and unlock local secrets at 10+ highlights (24/7 start; 2 hours suggested). Designed for groups of friends who want a fast, energetic way to discover the city, photograph icons, and finish at a café or beer garden.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with World City Trail PTE LTD, inspired by the tour Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Audio Tour. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Ponttor city gate
- Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche
- International Newspaper Museum
- Aachen Rathaus (Town Hall) & Katschhof
- Puppenbrunnen & Hühnermarkt
- Couven‑Museum & Kramerstraße
- Aachen Cathedral (Dom)
- Elisenbrunnen and lively squares
Itinerary
Day 1
Two-hour self-guided scavenger hunt using the World City Trail app. Start at Ponttor and finish at Elisenbrunnen. Times are a suggested continuous route for a lively group pace.
Start: Ponttor — medieval city gate kickoff
Begin at the Ponttor city gate to unlock your first puzzle and the audio introduction to Aachen’s old fortifications. Great photo-op to start team selfies.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive a few minutes early to pick your teams and set up the app—there's space by the gate for group photos.
- Ponttor faces Pontstraße — it's a popular street for local cyclists; watch for bikes when setting up a group shot.
- If you need coffee to wake up the group, there’s a bakery on Pontstraße about a 2–3 minute walk.
Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche — quick audio history stop
Use the app’s short audio to learn the church’s role in Aachen’s community and solve a local-legend puzzle outside the church.
Tips from local experts:
- Keep voices low near the entrance—this stop can be used for a quick team-strategy huddle without disturbing worshippers.
- Look for the decorative portal details described in the audio; they're perfect for a playful photo challenge between teammates.
- If a team finishes the clue early, race to the nearby square for a micro‑challenge: best close-up architectural photo wins a bonus point.
International Newspaper Museum — outdoor puzzle and context
Solve the clue that references Aachen’s press history while standing near the museum entrance (no entry needed). The audio gives a quick snapshot of press life in the city.
Tips from local experts:
- You don’t need to enter — use the audio and photo prompts from the plaza to complete the task quicker.
- Look for poster displays and historic headlines near the entrance mentioned in the app to validate answers.
- Best for groups: assign one ‘archivist’ to spot text on signs while others scan for visual clues—teamwork speeds you through the puzzle.
Markt & Aachen Rathaus (Town Hall) — scoreboard moment
Arrive at the bustling Markt and Rathaus to tackle civic-history questions and take the group photo in front of the Town Hall and its frescoed façade.
Tips from local experts:
- The Markt has street vendors in summer—perfect for a quick snack if someone needs energy during the game.
- Stand in front of the Rathaus for the best panorama photo; try to include the Katschhof tree line for scale.
- If your group wants a mid‑hunt treat, grab Aachener Printen from a bakery on the Markt—perfect competitive fuel.
Puppenbrunnen & Hühnermarkt — playful fountain clue
Solve a character-based riddle beside the Puppenbrunnen (doll fountain) and collect a fun team photo with the sculpture.
Tips from local experts:
- The Puppenbrunnen is a favorite quick stop for groups—use it for your funniest team photo and timestamp it for the app challenge.
- This small square can get busy; pick an angle early so other groups don’t block your shot.
- If someone in your group is shy about photos, set a 30‑second timer — it keeps the flow moving and avoids delays.
Kramerstraße — rapid street-challenge (shopping lane)
Walk Kramerstraße and complete the scavenger tasks that point out historic shopfronts and local signage—great for quick team scavenger wins.
Tips from local experts:
- Kramerstraße is a lively shopping street — assign one teammate to collect a printed receipt or photo of a shopfront as proof for a clue.
- Keep an eye on the clock: this leg is short and dense with photo‑clues, so split responsibilities (finder, photographer, reader).
- If anyone wants to browse, set a 5–7 minute personal break limit to keep the group on schedule.
Couven‑Museum exterior & Klosterplatz area — culture clue
Listen to a short audio about bourgeois life in Aachen and answer the app trivia while standing on Klosterplatz outside the Couven‑Museum.
Tips from local experts:
- You only need the outside clues—entering the Couven‑Museum is optional and would add time, so save it for a follow-up visit.
- Klosterplatz has benches—use them for a quick 2‑minute strategy huddle to allocate remaining clues.
- Summer afternoons bring students to this square; if you need quieter photos, angle toward the church to avoid crowds.
Aachen Cathedral (Dom) — iconic checkpoint
The app’s audio tells the Dom’s story and gives a multi‑part riddle about Charlemagne. Use the Katschhof-side view for the best group shot.
Tips from local experts:
- The Dom is a must‑see — use the audio to guide your answers, but avoid blocking the entryways if queues form.
- For a show‑stopper photo, position the group on the Katschhof steps with the cathedral façade behind you.
- If your team wants an extra point, find the coronation chapel detail mentioned in the audio and snap a close‑up.
Kreislauf des Geldes — quirky sculpture clue near the market
Locate the ‘Kreislauf des Geldes’ (cycle of money) sculpture or fountain and answer a money‑themed puzzle in the app—fun for competitive scoring.
Tips from local experts:
- This small public artwork is usually near the market — split up to spot it quickly so you can record the required photo evidence.
- Use this stop to check your running score in the app and challenge another team to a ‘fastest answer’ mini‑duel.
- If the sculpture is crowded, take a panoramic shot including the surrounding storefronts to satisfy photo requirements.
Finish: Elisenbrunnen — celebratory drinks and results
End at Elisenbrunnen. Record your final answers, compare scores, and celebrate at nearby cafés or beer gardens in the Friedrich‑Wilhelm‑Platz area.
Tips from local experts:
- Elisenbrunnen is surrounded by cafés and terraces—pick one with a large table to share results and photos comfortably.
- This is a great spot to plan post‑hunt plans: many bars in the area welcome groups and can take reservations for evenings.
- If your team wants to continue the friendly rivalry, pick a local pub for a 30‑minute debrief and award small prizes (best photo, fastest clue, best laugh).
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 8 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Friends |
| Transfers | - |
| Restaurants | - |
| Total Activities | 10 |
| Total Places | 10 |
| Activities Types | Attraction, Neighborhood, Culture |