Trier
Trier is a Moselle city in western Germany, with Roman gates and baths beside medieval churches and wine country close by.
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Trier sits on the Moselle River in Rhineland-Palatinate, close to the Luxembourg border. The Romans founded it, and the Porta Nigra, a Roman city gate, stands near the center. The Roman Baths and the Amphitheater are a short walk away. Trier's Roman monuments, together with the cathedral and the Church of Our Lady, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Most sights sit within a short walk of the Hauptmarkt, the main square. One full day covers the main Roman and medieval sights, and an evening adds the wine bars along the river. Stay in the old town so most sights are close to your bed. Trains and buses run from Trier to the Moselle villages and to Luxembourg for day trips. Trier suits travelers who like history at a walkable scale. Late spring to early autumn suits walking the old town best, and two to three days allows time for both the city and the valley.
Trier in five
- Start at the Porta NigraThe Roman city gate stands at the north end of the pedestrian center. Visitors can walk through and climb inside, and the old town begins just beyond it. Check the opening hours on the city's official visitor page.
- Ask about a combined Roman sites ticketThe Imperial Baths, the amphitheater and several museums charge separately. Check the city's official page for combined tickets before you pay at the first gate.
- Add the Basilica and the cathedralThe Basilica of Constantine is a huge brick hall, and the cathedral and the Church of Our Lady next to it are part of the same UNESCO listing. Plan about an hour for the three.
- Visit the Karl Marx House if it interests youA museum in the house where Marx was born covers his life and the legacy of his ideas. It is a short walk from the center, and opening hours vary, so check before going.
- Take the train along the MoselleRegional trains run from Trier to Koblenz along the river, and Luxembourg City is about an hour away. Use Trier as a gateway to wine villages.Moselle Valley travel guide
Things to do in Trier
See all attractions in Trier
Need to know
- Airport
- Luxembourg (LUX), about 1.5 hours via the city and train; Frankfurt (FRA) 3+ hours
- Getting there
- Regional trains from Koblenz about 2 hours; Luxembourg City about 50 min
- Getting around
- On foot; the Roman sites are within 15 minutes
- Best base
- Old town, between the Porta Nigra and the Hauptmarkt
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with the Moselle
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain16 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low0°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh7°Low1°Cold, quietFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cool, thawMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, thaw
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°Spring, mildAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Warm, wine barsMayRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, wine bars
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Hot, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Hot, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Wine harvestSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wine harvest
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Fall colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low3°Gray, dampNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray, damp
- DecemberRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low1°Christmas marketDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Trier, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Trier
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
3
- Feels like
- 2°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 10%
Trier
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°2°10%Monday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Tue7°0°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed8°1°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°2°0%Thursday: Clear. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri8°0°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat6°1°6%Saturday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun8°2°12%Sunday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 09:40 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JunRock am RingKoblenz, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Luxembourg Cityabout 50 min by trainA small capital with a ravine old town and fortifications.Read the guide
- Moselle Valleyfrom 40 min by bus or trainVineyard villages, castles and tasting rooms on the river.Read the guide
- Koblenzabout 2 hours by trainA river-junction city with a fortress and a cable car.Read the guide
Before you go to Trier
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Rules for Trier, checked
- Schengen 90/180-day rule: non-EU visitors may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, including Germany. Count your days before booking a long stay.Source
- EU Entry/Exit System: passport details and fingerprints are recorded at the German border for non-EU visitors. Check the current status on the official EU travel site.Source
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire in Germany. Save the number in your phone before you arrive.
- Most shops in Germany close on Sundays, so buy groceries and other supplies on Saturday.
Plan around Trier
Winding river and vineyard villages
Read the guideKoblenz travel guideWhere the Moselle meets the Rhine
Read the guideRhine Valley travel guideThe UNESCO gorge, a few hours east
Read the guideLuxembourg travel guideA small country about an hour away
Read the guideAll of GermanyRegions, trains, entry rules and money for Germany
Read the guideEES and entry rulesWhat border registration means for a Germany trip
Read the guideTrier FAQ
Is Trier worth visiting?
Yes if you like Roman history. The Porta Nigra, the Imperial Baths and the Basilica are in a compact walkable center, and the surrounding wine hills add a second reason to stay.
How many days do you need in Trier?
One day covers the Porta Nigra, the Basilica, the cathedral and the baths. Add a second day for the Moselle villages, a wine tasting or a trip to Luxembourg.
Is Trier the oldest city in Germany?
It claims to be, and its Roman roots go back more than 2,000 years. Other cities make similar claims, so treat it as a local boast rather than an official title.
Can you do Trier as a day trip from Luxembourg?
Yes. Trains take about 50 minutes, and the Roman monuments fit in a day. Check the return times if you stay for dinner.
Which Roman sites are in Trier?
The Porta Nigra, the Imperial Baths, the amphitheater, the Basilica of Constantine and the Roman bridge are the main ones. The cathedral and the Church of Our Lady are the early Christian stops.