- Trier served as one of the four capitals of the Tetrarchy, earning it the title 'Roma Secunda' or Second Rome in the 3rd century AD.
- The city is located in the heart of the Moselle wine region, which has been producing wine since the Roman occupation of the valley.
- Trier Cathedral is officially the oldest church in Germany, with its core foundations dating back to the 4th century.
- The city's Roman monuments, including the Porta Nigra and the Barbara Baths, have been designated as a single UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986.
- The local 'Petrusbrunnen' market square served as the medieval economic hub, where residents once held the right to stage markets and public trials.
About Trier
Trier holds the distinction of being Germany's oldest city, established by the Romans as Augusta Treverorum in 16 BC. It serves as an open-air laboratory of Roman architecture, featuring the massive Porta Nigra and the expansive Trier Amphitheater. The city's religious heritage is anchored by the Trier Cathedral and the adjacent Church of Our Lady, both of which are central to its medieval urban fabric. Beyond its classical past, the city is the birthplace of Karl Marx, whose residence now functions as a commemorative museum.
Highlights of Trier
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Explore the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, constructed from sandstone blocks without mortar.
Temples
Visit the oldest bishop's church in Germany, which integrates Roman walls from the era of Emperor Constantine.
Historical places
Descend into the underground cellars and tunnels of this ancient arena where gladiatorial combat once occurred.
Historical places
Walk through the massive ruins of the imperial bath complex, once the largest thermal baths in the Roman Empire outside of Rome.
Museums
View one of the most important archaeological collections in Germany, documenting the transition from Celtic to Roman culture.
Museums
Tour the preserved 16th-century house where philosopher Karl Marx was born in 1818.
Places of interest
Cross the Moselle River on a bridge whose stone foundations date back to the 2nd century AD.
Places of interest
Hike up to this sandstone column for an elevated panoramic perspective of the entire city and the Moselle valley.
Top things to do in Trier
The 119 highest-rated places in Trier, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
The Porta Nigra is the largest and best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, constructed in Trier around 170 AD....
2
Temples
Trier Cathedral (Trierer Dom) is the oldest church in Germany and serves as the cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese...
3
Historical places
The Trier Amphitheater is a UNESCO World Heritage site constructed around 100 AD, utilizing a natural hillside to suppor...
4
Historical places
The Kaiserthermen, or Imperial Baths, represent one of the largest Roman bathing complexes ever built outside of Rome. C...
5
Museums
The Karl Marx House is the preserved birthplace of the philosopher, located in an 18th-century Baroque building in centr...
6
Museums
The Rhineland State Museum Trier (Rheinisches Landesmuseum) houses one of the most significant archaeological collection...
7
Places of interest
The Roman Bridge in Trier, known locally as the Römerbrücke, is the oldest bridge in Germany still used for road traffic...
8
Places of interest
The Mariensäule in Trier is a 40-meter-high sandstone monument erected on the Pulsberg hill overlooking the Moselle vall...
9
Temples
The Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche) in Trier is the earliest Gothic church in Germany, constructed between 1230 an...
10
Historical places
The Barbara Baths are the remnants of one of the largest Roman thermal complexes north of the Alps, dating back to the 2...
11
Historical places
The Petrusbrunnen, also known as the St. Peter's Fountain, is a prominent late-Renaissance fountain located in the cente...
12
Temples
St. Matthias' Abbey in Trier is the only Benedictine monastery north of the Alps that holds the grave of an apostle. The...
13
Historical places
The Electoral Palace in Trier, known as the Kurfürstliches Palais, stands as one of the world's most significant example...
14
Historical places
The Römervilla Mehring is an exceptionally well-preserved Roman country estate, or villa rustica, situated in the Mosell...
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The Römische Villa urbana in Longuich is one of the largest and best-preserved Roman villa complexes in the Moselle vall...
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Museums
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Temples
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Historical places
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Parks
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Museums
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Trier on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Trier
May through September, as the mild climate is ideal for exploring the extensive outdoor Roman ruins and the nearby Moselle riverfront.
2-3 days, allowing enough time to explore the Roman core, visit the local museums, and walk to the elevated viewpoints like the Mariensäule.
The city center is highly walkable, with most major historic sites concentrated within a short distance; a local bus network serves the outer districts.
Staying near the Hauptmarkt provides immediate access to the central historic sites and the city's pedestrian-friendly core.
Mid-range; while standard German dining and accommodation prices apply, the dense concentration of sites reduces transit-related costs.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 119 curated attractions in and around Trier, ranked by traveller ratings.
Porta Nigra is the highest-rated place to visit in Trier right now.
The largest category is temples, with 32 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Berlin, Munich, Hamburg.
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