We visited Trier during our week-long trip in June 2025 and used it as a convenient base for further exploration towards Völklingen and Luxembourg. Yet, the highlight was clearly Trier itself, with its abundance of Roman monuments and overall charming flair. We highly recommend planning at least two days in Trier if you want to see everything associated with the WHS (we missed out on the Igel column, as it was a bit further away). In the overview below, I aim to share some details and tips about the sites we visited.

Porta Nigra

By far the most famous and impressive of the Roman buildings, the Porta Nigra is a well-preserved city gate. Its name stems from the blackened sandstone, and it is unknown what the actual Roman name was. Serving as the northern city gate, it showcases semi-circular towers towards the outside and, with three accessible levels, is quite high compared to other known city gates. According to our tour guide, this was not just for defensive purposes, but also because Trier (or, as it was known to the Romans, Augusta Treverorum) served as one of the regional capitals of the Roman Empire during the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. So, of course, even the city gate of such an important city had to convey the power and awe associated with the Empire.

While the building is impressive from the outside alone, a trip inside is definitely recommended. Not only will you receive further information, but you will also find traces of the structure’s history after the Roman period, as the gate was later converted into a Christian church.

If you understand German, we highly recommend taking part in an event tour. We visited the Porta Nigra as part of the tour “Das Geheimnis der Porta Nigra” (The Secret of the Porta Nigra), where an actor assumed the role of a Roman centurion and the group of visitors became new recruits tasked with defending the Roman Empire. Alongside details about the Porta itself, we also learned about defense strategies and the tasks of the guards at the time. The tour was quite enjoyable and the two actors were able to motivate all guests to participate – especially the kids!

Depending on the season, the Porta can be visited from 9 am until 4 to 6 pm. The entrance fee at the time of writing is 6 EUR per adult. If you wish to also visit the Amphitheater, the Imperial Baths, the Forum Baths, and the local archaeological museum for the Roman period, you can buy a combined ticket—the Antikencard Trier. Depending on the option you choose, you can get reduced entrance to some or all of the included sites.

Roman bridge

According to the tourism site of Trier, this stone bridge over the Moselle is the oldest standing bridge in Germany. You can reach it via a 15- to 20-minute walk from the city center and enjoy a stroll along the riverbanks. Close by, you will also find the Barbara Baths, which are another part of the WHS.

Barbara Baths

We were extremely surprised to learn that these baths were once the second-largest bath complex in the Roman Empire after the baths in the capital itself. Unfortunately, not much is visible today. The majority of the ruins have not yet been excavated, and what is visible can be “accessed” via a metal walkway spanning the complex.

Your visit will take about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how much time you spend reading the information signs along the walkway, which explain the history of the Barbara Baths and bathing culture in the Roman Empire. Entrance is free of charge.

Imperial Baths

Another bath that belongs to the WHS is the so-called Imperial Baths, located in the south of Trier. This complex was constructed during the reign of Constantine the Great and is in much better condition compared to the Barbara Baths. Interestingly enough, they were never finished as planned and served only for a limited time as baths before being transformed into a military complex.

You can easily spend an hour in the area, getting lost in the ruins, learning about the history of the place and its period of construction, and exploring the cellars. These underground passageways were used by the staff of the baths to ensure everything worked as desired.

The Imperial Baths can be visited on their own or as part of the Antikencard Trier, which combines the entrance fees of various sites, granting a discount compared to purchasing individual tickets.

Amphitheater Trier

After the Imperial Baths, we continued to the Amphitheater, as they are easily combined on foot. The theater is actually cleverly integrated into a hill and was part of the city wall, serving as a city gate when no games were held.

Today, you can still walk over the ranks, although most of them are covered by grass. Yet, it is still possible to grasp the extent this site once had, as it hosted thousands of spectators. You can roam the arena and the cellar structure as well.

As with the Porta Nigra and the Imperial Baths, the theater can be visited as part of the Antikencard. Additionally, the theater also offers an event tour following the footsteps of the “Gladiator Valerius,” which blends a guided tour with a theater play. While we did not participate in the tour itself, we heard from a few people on our Porta Nigra tour that they thoroughly enjoyed the story of Valerius. As with “Das Geheimnis der Porta Nigra”, the tour is only available in German.

Aula Palatina

This former palace basilica from the era of Constantine the Great serves today as a Protestant church. Located near the Imperial Baths, it can be entered free of charge—just be aware that it will not be accessible to the public during services. While plain inside, the structure impresses with its sheer scale. Various information signs inside inform about its history and function, from Roman times to the aftermath of World War II.

Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saint Peter dates back to the time of Constantine the Great but was destroyed, rebuilt, and expanded over the centuries. The result is a truly impressive and grand combination of European architectural styles, ranging from Romanesque to Gothic and Baroque elements. Having already visited a multitude of cathedrals all over Europe, this one still managed to leave an impression—something that admittedly gets harder and harder the more we have seen (Europe, and especially Germany, just has A LOT of churches and cathedrals!).

Next to a charming courtyard and various burial sites, the Cathedral is also known for its relics. The most famous is the “Seamless Robe of Jesus,” which is said to have been worn shortly before he was crucified.

The Basilica of Our Lady

Located right next to the Cathedral, this 13th-century church is smaller than the Cathedral, but has its own charm due to its stained glass windows and Gothic style. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Basilica is deeply steeped in symbolism associated with St. Mary.

We finished our visits to the monuments of Trier after the Basilica and ended up with a nice glass of white wine at a garden restaurant just outside the two churches. A perfect ending to a charming day in a city that truly managed to surprise us.