Crooked for hundreds of years, proudly "not collapsing but somehow standing"
Medieval Fairy Tale Town Walking Guide
1. Preparation Before the Trip 🎒
- Transportation: 20 minutes by bus from Aachen, recommended to buy the "Aachen-Monschau" day pass for a better round trip deal 🚍
- Outfit: Wear comfortable sneakers! Cobblestone streets + winding alleys, walking 20,000 steps depends on them 👟; bring a light jacket in spring and autumn, riverside wind is strong but great for photos~
- Essentials: Small wallet (cash is convenient for buying handmade chocolates/mustard), camera (every shot looks like a medieval masterpiece 📸)
2. Must-Visit Route 🗺️
1. Morning: Old Town Foodie Walk
Walk 5 minutes from the station to the "Old Ruhr Bridge," take photos of the red houses and Ruhr River together (morning sunlight is soft, river surface sparkles beautifully ✨) → Stroll along the riverside street to see half-timbered houses, don’t miss the flowers on the windows, you can almost touch the fairy tale vibes 🌸 → Buy a pretzel bun at the bakery next to the "Textile Workers Fountain," pair it with a local dark beer, and sit in the square to soak up the sun 🌞
2. Afternoon: Unlock Hidden Perspectives
Climb a 10-minute hill to "Monschau Castle," no need to enter the castle! The lawn at the castle gate offers panoramic views of the street, the half-timbered houses look like stacked building blocks 📸 → Explore the "Two Spiders Wall Art" alley, take photos with the street art, featuring a cute contrast vibe 🕷️ → Visit "Gerber Square" to watch locals feed pigeons and maybe catch a street musician playing the accordion 🎵
3. Evening: Riverside Leisure Time
Find a bench by the Ruhr River, watch the sunset turn the red houses golden 🌇 → On the way, buy a jar of Monschau’s special mustard, choose your spice level, perfect with bread!
3. Pitfalls & Easter Eggs ⚠️
- Pitfalls: Don’t wear high heels! The cobblestone streets are uneven and easy to twist your ankle; weekends are crowded with tourists, for empty shots arrive before 9 AM~
- Easter Eggs: The Christmas market in December is super lively! Streets are decorated with colorful lights, the aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread drifts for three blocks 🎄; some half-timbered houses have "house age plaques" at the door, the oldest is over 600 years old, older than your great-great-grandfather 👴