From Porta Nigra, make your way through Hauptmarkt, the main square in Trier. It’s a very photogenic spot, surrounded by ornate, colorfully painted medieval and Renaissance buildings. There’s lots to see here including:

• St Peter’s Fountain (Petrusbrunnen), a 1595 fountain dedicated to the city’s patron saint, St Peter and the Four Virtues.
• St. Gangolf’s Church (St. Gangolf Kirche), a large Gothic church with a white facade and apricot-coloured window details. 
• The Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum), full of miniature trains, dolls, wooden soldiers and other childhood delights. 
• The Market Cross (Marktkreuz), the oldest market cross in Germany, erected in 958.
• The House of the Three Magi (Dreikönigenhaus), an attractive residential building from 1230, which has been converted into a coffee shop. 
• The lively market stalls selling fruit, vegetables, and flowers (open every day except Sundays)

Take some time to take some photos, grab a coffee or snack from a local bakery (the pastries here are delicious!) and soak up the atmosphere in the main square. Then when you’re ready, it’s time for more sightseeing!

Just a short stroll away from the main square is Saint Peter’s Cathedral (Trierer Dom). It’s the oldest cathedral in Germany and while it’s impressive from the outside, just wait until you see inside! The moment you step inside, you’re struck by the grandeur of the place. Built on the site of the palace of Helena (the mother of Emperor Constantine), it showcases a stunning mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles.

Take some time to visit the peaceful courtyard, go down below to the catacombs, and admire the 4th-century Roman ceiling. Don’t miss the organ; it’s one of the most unique I’ve seen with its metal pipes decorated in intricate flowers. At the back of the cathedral, you can find the Holy Relic (Heiliger Rock), said to be the garment Jesus wore during his crucifixion. There’s also an underground crypt, and the quiet courtyards surrounding the complex. Entry is free, and there are brochures in multiple languages available for visitors.

Church of Our Lady in Trier

Right next door is the Church of Our Lady in Trier (Liebfrauenkirche), one of Germany’s earliest Gothic churches. It’s also free to enter and contains some really beautiful stained-glass windows. The high ceilings, stone walls and stained glass windows create a magical sense of peacefulness and timelessness.

Lunch in a Local Restaurant

Now it’s time to rest your feet and fill your belly! For lunch, I suggest visiting a traditional Weinstube (wine tavern) or one of the many restaurants around Hauptmarkt. My family and I enjoyed our lunch at Restaurant Kartoffel Kiste, where we tried local dishes like Blutwurst (Blood sausage) with fried potatoes and apple compote, Trierer Spießbraten (spit-roasted pork) and pork schnitzel. If that all sounds a bit heavy for you, don’t worry as there are fish-based and vegetarian dishes on the menu as well.

Alongside your meal, you may want to try one of the alcoholic beverages Trier is known for. Trier is on the banks of the Moselle River, a region known for its wine production (especially the Riesling grape – one of my personal faves!). There are countless wine bars and shops dotted around the city, and Moselle wine appears on most restaurant menus.

If you’re not a fan of wine, perhaps a cold refreshing cider instead? Known as Viez, this regional apple wine variant is beloved across Trier and neighbouring cities. There’s a pure apple Viez (often blended with pear, quince or elderberry) and a sweeter version. It is such an important part of southern Germany’s (and neighbouring Luxembourg’s) cultural heritage that Viez was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2024.

Afternoon Activities in Trier

At this point, I’d like to suggest some different activities, based on your interests. I will share what my family and I visited, along with some other sights that you might want to squeeze in.

Constantine Basilica

Built between 300 and 310 AD by Roman emperor Constantine, this Roman basilica (Konstantin-Basilika, also known as Aula Palatina) was once a 67-metre long throne hall. It’s now been converted into a Protestant church. Check out the modern black and metal organ by the entrance, with 6,000 organ pipes. It’s a bold contrast to the building’s historic brick interior.

At the bottom of the Palace Gardens, you can find the Trier Imperial Baths (Kaiserthermen), once one of the largest bath complexes in the Roman Empire. You can admire it from the outside or go inside to explore the underground tunnels, imagining how grand these 1600-year-old baths would have been in their heyday (€6 full price, concessions available).

Barbara Baths

Now you’ve seen the Imperial Baths, you may want to visit the Barbara Baths (Barbarathermen), which is around 10-15 minutes’ walk away. Stretching over 42,000 square meters, the Barbara Baths are the largest Roman baths north of the Alps. They were built in the 2nd century AD and the historic ruins can be viewed from an outdoor walkway. It’s free to enter, but you can’t get up close to the baths as they are covered by protective boards for protection and evacuation. There are information boards on site to help you picture what they would have been like. 

Roman Amphitheatre

Alternatively, you might want to walk ten minutes to the Roman Amphitheatre. This large space once accommodated 20,000 spectators, who watched gladiator fights and performances. You can get a real sense of the amphitheatre from the outside, but if you want to pay to enter, you can climb the stands for views and explore the underground passages (€6 full price, concessions available).

Karl Marx House

Did you know that Karl Marx, the world famous German philosopher, economist, historian and revolutionary socialist was born in Trier? Well, he was! So, if Roman ruins aren’t your thing (or the weather’s not on your side) you could visit Karl Marx’s childhood home. You can see exhibits on Marx & the history of Communism, with letters & personal possessions (€5 full price, concessions available). 

All too long, it’s time to start wrapping up your day trip in Trier. This one-day itinerary might sound like a lot of sightseeing but fortunately Trier city centre is very compact. In fact, it is only 1.4km from Porta Nigra to Kaiserthermen. Before leaving Trier, you could end your visit with a leisurely walk along the Moselle River. If you’re lucky, you might catch a magical sunset over the water.

Before leaving the city, why not treat yourself to a final glass of local wine? Here’s a list of wine shops and restaurants in Trier, dedicated to the nectar of the gods. I personally recommend Weinbar Trier, which is right by Porta Nigra. 

Self-Guided vs Guided Walking Tours

I am a fan of wandering and exploring on foot so have created this easy, self-guided walking tour for you. However, if you prefer a professional guided tour that covers the city’s highlights, check out this Guided City Walk with Wine Tasting and Guided Old Town Highlights and History Walking Tour.

How to Get to Trier

Trier is located in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, in a valley surrounded by hills and vineyards. The city is well connected by train, making it an easy day trip from places like Luxembourg, Koblenz, or Cologne. The main train station (Trier Hauptbahnhof) is just a 10–15 minute walk from the city centre. If you’re driving, there are several car parks close to the Old Town. 

How to Get Around Trier

Once you’re in Trier, everything is very walkable. Public buses are available, but most key sights can be reached on foot. You can also take a river cruise along the Moselle from Trier. These scenic river boat rides are seasonal and mostly scenic rather than for public transport.

I hope this one-day itinerary in Trier has been helpful! You might also be interested in my blog post How To Spend 3 Days in Rüdesheim am Rhine (Rhine River Valley Itinerary), another city known for its vineyards and wine production, less than 3hrs from Trier by car or train.

If you have any questions or suggestions for Trier, please leave them in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!