By Vicky · Published Sep. 22nd, 2025
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Trier is a fantastic city to explore on a walking tour, filled with Roman monuments, medieval architecture, and charming streets.
Page Contents:
Location
This walk starts from Porta Nigra at the northern end of central Trier, 10 minutes from the train station.
Trier Walking Tour Map
Tips for Trier Walking Tour
- If you’re visiting on a Sunday, bear in mind that you can’t visit the churches during mass (often 10am-11am, some later).
- Several museums (Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Simeonstadt Museum) and the Forum Baths are closed on Mondays.
- Check out other walks on our Germany Hiking Page.
Best Tours in Trier
Top Sights in Trier
On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll see the main sights and attractions of Trier. Two days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Trier. In one long day, you could see many of the sights but not all, and not all the museums. Three days is also a good amount of time to spend visiting Trier – you could walk around at a more relaxed pace and visit most of the main museums.
- Porta Nigra
- Simeonstift Stadtmuseum
- Hauptmarkt
- Trier Cathedral
- Basilica of Constantine
- Rheinisches Landesmuseum
- Roman Amphitheatre
- Imperial Baths
- Barbara Baths
- Roman Bridge
- Forum Baths
If you prefer a guided tour, this guided tour of Trier* is a great option.
Roman Monuments in Trier
There are many Roman Monuments in Trier. The four main sights (admission fees apply, see below) are Porta Nigra, the Imperial Baths, the Amphitheatre, and the Forum Baths. Additionally, the Rheinisches Landesmuseum contains many Roman artefacts. Roman Monuments in Trier that you can see for free are the Basilica of Constantine, the Barbara Baths and the Roman Bridge.
Tickets in Trier
Antikencard
There are four main Roman Sites in Trier: Porta Nigra, Kaiserthermen, Amphitheater, Thermen am Viehmarkt. You can buy tickets to these individually (all €6), or get an Antikencard. There are two Antikencard types; they both include entry to the Rheinische Landesmuseum (€10) and are valid for the rest of the calendar year. You also get a discount to the Stadtmuseum Simeonstift and the Museum am Dom Trier.
The Rheinische Landesmuseum is an interesting museum with lots of Roman and more modern artefacts and information about the history of Trier. One drawback is the rather limited English – there is an audioguide with English, but it only highlights a few items. It is, however, worth visiting, especially at the start of your walking tour through Trier, as it will put the rest of your visit in context.
Antikencard Basic (€18): Entry to the Rheinische Landesmuseum plus two of Porta Nigra, Kaiserthermen, Amphitheater, Thermen am Viehmarkt.
Antikencard Premium (€28): Entry to the Rheinische Landesmuseum plus all four of Porta Nigra, Kaiserthermen, Amphitheater, Thermen am Viehmarkt.
Trier Card
The Trier Card (€16 single, €32 family) gives you free buses in Trier for three consecutive days. It also gives 10-25% discounts at several museums. It’s only worth it if you plan on spending at least two days in Trier and plan to use the buses a lot (and don’t have the monthly German-wide €58 public transport ticket).
Trier Walking Tour Route
This walking tour starts from Porta Nigra, the most famous Roman monument and symbol of Trier.
1. Porta Nigra
Key Information: Open every day, 9am-4/6pm. Tickets cost €6/5/3 for adults/concessions/children, or can be free with the Antikencard.
The Porta Nigra, or Black Gate, is a Roman city gate dating back to the 2nd century AD. It’s one of the best-preserved Roman structures north of the Alps and a symbol of Trier, which was once an important Roman city called Augusta Treverorum. During the Middle Ages, the gate was converted into a church, which helped preserve it from demolition. Later, in the 19th century, Napoleon ordered its restoration.
Today, it’s one of the top things to see in Trier. You can explore the passages and towers, and climb to the top for great city views. There are also explanation panels to read to learn about Roman Trier.
Directions: The city museum is right next to the Gate.
2. Simeonstift Stadtmuseum
Key Information: Open Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm. Tickets cost €6/4.5 for adults/concessions. Free audioguide in several languages.
The Simeonstift Stadtmuseum (closed Mondays), also known as the City Museum of Trier, is a local history museum near Porta Nigra. It takes you on a journey through the city’s rich history, from Roman times to the present. The building is also interesting, a medieval church from 1037. It’s a great idea to visit this museum early on during your stay in Trier, as it will help you understand what you see elsewhere in the city.
Directions: Walk down the main street leading into the city from the Gate and you’ll soon reach a large square.
3. Hauptmarkt (Main Market Square)
The Hauptmarkt, or Main Market, is a lively square surrounded by old buildings with colourful facades. These buildings include the tall, white Steipe from the 15th century and the Rotes Haus, which shows the legend of the founding of Trier. The St. Peter’s Fountain stands in the centre, and there are plenty of cafes nearby.
St. Gangolf Church is another point of interest, hidden behind buildings at the far end of the square. Look for the narrow passage to enter—it’s easy to miss! Originally constructed in 958, after several reconstructions, the current structure is mainly Gothic, with some Baroque elements.
Brief History of Trier
Trier is often called Germany’s oldest city, as it was founded around 16 BC by the Romans, when it was called Augusta Treverorum. It became a major centre in the Roman Empire, with its strategic location on the Moselle River. During the Middle Ages, Trier remained an influential religious centre, governed by powerful archbishops. Today, Trier is famous for its well-preserved Roman monuments and medieval landmarks.
Directions: Head left out of the square to the spires of the two adjacent churches.
4. Trier Cathedral (Trierer Dom)
Key Information: Open daily, 6:30am-5:30/6pm, free entry.
Trier Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Saint Peter, is Germany’s oldest cathedral, home to the Holy Tunic (alleged robe of Christ). Founded in 310AD by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, it was originally a Roman palace church. Later, it became the seat of the Archbishop of Trier, one of the most influential ecclesiastical positions in the Holy Roman Empire.
Right next door is the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche), one of the oldest Gothic churches in Germany. Don’t miss the medieval stained glass windows and the painted twelve supporting columns inside.
Directions: Return to the main square and turn left along the main street. Turn left at the crossroads and you’ll see the next stop at the end of the street.
5. Basilica of Constantine
Key Information: Open Apr-Oct, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 2-6pm. Open Nov-Mar, Tue-Sat (Mon-Sat in Dec) 10am-12pm & 2-4pm and Sun 2-3pm. Free entry.
The Basilica of Constantine, or Konstantinbasilika, is a massive Roman throne hall constructed by Constantine the Great around AD 310. Since the mid-19th century, it’s been used as a Protestant church and is rather austere. However, in Constantine’s time, it was sumptuously decorated with a massive underfloor heating system that warmed the giant space. Apart from being a very impressive feat of construction, the Basilica is also known for its great acoustics, and there are concerts inside several times per year.
Directions: Head into the park and around the building. You’ll see the palace on your left.
The Electoral Palace, or Kurfürstliches Palais, is a Baroque palace with a beautiful Rococo façade and gardens. You can’t visit inside, but it’s very pleasant to stroll around the park in front. The Archbishops of Trier lived here, and being Electors of the Emperor, they were very influential and rich. They redesigned their palace several times, with the Renaissance facade built around 1756.
The Treasury of the City Research Library (open Tue-Sun, €6) is further into the park on the left. It houses several famous artworks and manuscripts, the principal one being the Codex Egberti. This is a Gospel book from the 10th century, considered a very important work of illumination. The Ada Gospels, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, and a couple of famous globes make this library museum actually quite interesting. There’s also a good audioguide in several languages.
Directions: In the park on the left, you’ll see a stone wall with a building behind. This is the museum and you’ve got to walk to the road around the front to reach the entrance.
6. Rheinisches Landesmuseum
Key Information: Open Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm. Tickets cost €10/8/3 for adults/concessions/children, or free with the Antikencard. Most text is in German, and while the audioguide is available in English, it’s slightly limited and covers only a few exhibits.
The Rheinisches Landesmuseum has a large collection of archaeological objects, spanning over 200,000 years. The main focus is on Roman artefacts, including mosaics, sculptures and the Trier Gold Hoard (one of the most significant Roman treasure finds ever discovered in Europe, with roughly 11.5kg of gold). It’s definitely worth visiting, even if there are limited explanations if you don’t speak German.
Directions: Continue along the main road, then cross over and head down the small street. Signposts point you towards the Amphitheatre.
7. Roman Amphitheatre
Key Information: Open every day, 9am-4/6pm. Tickets cost €6/5/3 for adults/concessions/children, or can be free with the Antikencard.
The Roman Amphitheatre of Trier is an arena that was used for gladiator contests. Today, a lot of the structure and seating has disappeared, but you can still get a sense of what it was like in Roman times. You can explore some underground chambers, and there are quite a few informative signs to guide your visit.
You can see into part of the amphitheatre without going in if you walk up the street behind it. You will also reach a viewpoint over the city. You could also continue further, walking into the vineyards.
Directions: Head back towards the Museum, but this time visit the grand ruins on your left.
8. Imperial Baths
Key Information: Open every day, 9am-4/6pm. Tickets cost €6/5/3 for adults/concessions/children, or can be free with the Antikencard. Note, it may be closed when wet.
The Imperial Baths, or Kaiserthermen, are the remains of a huge Roman bath complex from the 4th century AD. Back in Roman times, the complex offered hot and cold baths, sports, general relaxation and more. This was all made possible through great plumbing and pipes. Inside the area, you can walk through underground tunnels for a real feel of Roman engineering.
Directions: Continue walking through the park and turn left at the end. Then turn right on the street with the central avenue of trees. The following bath complex will be on your left.
9. Barbara Baths
The Barbara Baths (free entry, open 10am-4/6pm) are an open-air complex in the middle of a normal residential complex. The remains are less complete than the other baths, and there’s less information displayed about them, so it doesn’t take too long to visit. It was actually the largest bath complex outside of Rome, though only one-third of it has been excavated and not much of it is preserved.
Directions: Continue along the street to the river and turn right.
9. Roman Bridge
The Roman Bridge across the Moselle is the oldest standing bridge in Germany, built around 170AD. Parts of it have been replaced since then, though the stone foundations are still mainly Roman.
Directions: Head along the street opposite the bridge, leading back towards the town centre. Keep left and eventually you’ll see the Karl Marx House (open Tue-Sun, €6) on your left. This museum is dedicated to the life and works of Karl Marx, the famous philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist. Head right at the junction to reach the square.
9. Forum Baths
Key Information: Open Tue-Sun, 11am-5pm. Tickets cost €6/5/3 for adults/concessions/children, or can be free with the Antikencard.
The Forum Baths, or Thermen am Viehmarkt, were discovered only in 1987, during excavation for a car park. A large glass structure now protects the ruins, which are more extensive than is apparent from the outside. These baths are smaller in scale than the Imperial Baths, but give a better idea of how normal Romans lived. If you have time, visiting both is well worthwhile.
Directions: This is the last stop on the Walking Tour of Trier. The main square is not far away, and it’s very pleasant to wind your way through the nearby streets.
Best Places to Stay in Trier
Apartment: S.F.C. Apartments* – a conveniently located studio-apartment near the train station and not far from the Porta Nigra. With a small kitchen, you’ve got everything you need for a good-value short stay in Trier.
Hotel: Ibis Styles Trier* – a stylish hotel with a really great location in the centre of Trier.
Guidebooks to explore more of Germany
For more walking tours and hikes in Germany, see our Germany hiking page.
FAQS: Trier Walking Tour
Trier is definitely worth visiting as it’s perhaps one of the most interesting and historic cities in Germany. There are many wonderfully preserved Roman monuments, grand Medieval churches, good museums and cute streets in the city centre.
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