It has always-flowing hot water pouring from the animal's head which has high sulphure content. Very close to city shops and bus stop and tourist information.
This the location of the originals baths of the hot springs of Aachen which led Charlemagne to build his castle here. The water, pouring out of a brass lion's head is really hot - 50 C - and you gotta try it. It's not too bad. Sulphur - rotten eggs - it must be good for you. But if you look up the hill toward the Chapel, you can imagine Charles le Gros coming down for a late night dip on a cold night, as the Romans did before him. The whole experience will take less than fifteen minutes, but it gets the Town Hall and the Dom in perspective. Before you leave, get some ice cream next door. Really. The berry gelato is AMAZIng.
Good choice of German food from all regions. Nice location right at the center of Aachen. As a German (no longer living in Germany) I can recommend it if you want to try some of the tradtional German dishes (Wiener Schnitzel, Nuernberger Bratwuerstchen, saisonal highlights like asparagus in spring
The water of Elisenbrunnen is said to be healing. In fact it's water rich in sulfur (and believe me, it does smell of rotten eggs).It's worth a trip.
This is next to a lovely little park which must be beautiful in summer. Even in December the setting is very attractive. Outside the Tourist Information Office there was a traditional market, quite separate from the Christmas Market around the Rathaus. The building itself is quite charming.
The high sulfur content in the thermal water makes it smell like rotten eggs. The tables on the walls list names of famous people of the past centuries that bathed in Aachens thermal waters.Also right there: Tourist Information and my favourite ice cream parlour in town.
The smell is unmistakable. If you have been to active volcanic areas or mud pools, the smell will be all to familiar. There are two taps/fountains where the water comes out as far as I could see. It is warm/hot to the touch. I was pleasantly surprised with the preserved archaeological dig centered in the park behind the hot water spring. Descriptions are in English and is basically a crash course into the history of Aachen. Perhaps this should be the stop for visitors in Aachen.
Nice atmosphere supported by background music and alert waiters made a good experience.Had the special tiramisu, that, however, have nothing to do with the original italian dessert. Maybe the restaurant should find a different name for that to avoid misunderstanding, confusion and disappointment.
The Elisenbrunnen and the park behind are the real center of Aachen. The Elisenbrunnen is a beautiful old building built to sulfur springs. In the building is also the Tourist Info and a restaurant. The park is a beautiful archaeological site with lots of information about the different eras that are uncovered.
As the Elisenbrunnen is right in the centre of town it is hard to miss it. You will also be able to smell it, due to the sulphure in the water ;) Behind it is a small park where you can sit and relax in summer. For a drink and very good food have a look at EB restaurant on the right.