Germany with Kids: What are the best things to do in Trier?

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There are some really interesting things to see and do in Trier, so I’ve put together a guide on a how to spend a day in Germany’s oldest city with the kids. The city is packed with history and stunning architecture – and it’s really walkable so it’s an incredibly easy place to navigate with kids, whilst being budget friendly too. Nestled in the Mosel Valley, in the Rhineland Palatinate region, Trier is not only a gateway to Roman history but it’s also such a gorgeous place to visit – it’s a really charming city.

When was Trier founded and why is it so famous?

Trier is so famous because it’s considered to be the oldest city in Germany, founded as far back as 16 BC by the Romans. It was originally established as Augusta Treverorum under Emperor Augustus and quickly grew into a major Roman administrative hub. What makes Trier truly special – and worth popping on your travel list – is its treasure trove of Roman ruins and UNESCO-listed landmarks. It’s a history-lover’s dream without the crowds you might find in bigger cities, making it a fantastic budget-friendly spot for families keen to mix education with adventure. So, if you’re lucky enough to spend a day in Trier, here are the 5 best things to see and do with the kids:

1. Kickstart the adventure at Porta Nigra

Begin your day at the Porta Nigra – you can park nearby at the Kaufhof car park for just €2 per hour (so cheap for city parking) and it’s just a two minute walk from there. The Porta Nigra is one of the most iconic Roman monuments in Trier. Dating back 2000 years, this massive stone gate is the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps. Wander outside and admire it for free, or head inside to explore further as it’s really reasonably priced at just €8 for a family ticket. It’s the perfect spot for family photos with its towering arches as a backdrop, and the views over the city are brilliant. Kids will enjoy climbing the spiral staircases and peeking out of the old windows while you soak in the history of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

2. Grab lunch at the Hauptmarkt

From there head up the main street to the Hauptmarkt, Trier’s beautiful, bustling main square. This vibrant marketplace is packed with colourful buildings, lively cafes and street vendors selling fresh produce and local treats. While the square is free to wander, it’s an excellent spot for a budget-friendly picnic. If you haven’t got lunch with you, visit a local bakery and grab some freshly baked goodies – we found everything in the city to be really reasonably priced. You can grab some fresh fruit from one of the market stalls, and the ice-cream shop sells ice-creams for just €1.70 if you need something to cool you down – it was 30 degrees when we visited, so of course we had to get ice-cream!

3. Visit Trier Cathedral

Just a short walk from the Hauptmarkt (literally about two minutes away!) you’ll find Trier Cathedral (Dom St. Peter) – though it’s been rebuilt, expanded and restored over the years, it actually dates back to around 270 AD. This grand Roman Catholic church is the oldest in Germany and a must-see for any family visiting the city. Entry is completely free, and it’s a fantastic way to introduce your kids to the beauty of medieval architecture. Inside, the sheer size of the cathedral is sure to wow the whole family, and there’s plenty to see, from the intricately designed stained-glass windows to the towering pillars and arches. There are also special tombs and relics, just make sure you time your visit when there isn’t a service running so you can wander around freely.

4. Play and relax at Trier Palace Gardens

Next, have a pit stop at the peaceful Palace Gardens (Palastgarten), just one minute from the Cathedral, located right next to the Electoral Palace and the Imperial Baths. The gardens are free to enter and provide a lovely green space for the whole family to unwind. With beautiful lawns, fountains and flowerbeds, this is a great spot for a relaxing walk. Kids can run around freely on the spacious lawns or play hide-and-seek among the trees while parents relax on a bench or spread out a blanket for a rest. If you have the energy, take a short stroll to the nearby Imperial Baths (Kaiserthermen), where you can see remnants of ancient Roman bathing complexes (entry to this site is ticketed).

5. Explore the Ancient Roman Trier Amphitheater

Finally take a 15-minute stroll, or hop on a bus, to Trier Roman Amphitheater, located just outside the main city. Built around 100 AD, this amphitheater once held up to 20,000 spectators and hosted everything from gladiator battles to wild animal hunts. You can explore the underground chambers where the gladiators and animals were kept before the shows. The amphitheater’s grassy open space is perfect for kids to run around and imagine life as Ancient Romans. It’s another affordable place to explore – at just €8 for a family ticket – and it might be worth checking out the schedule for re-enactments as we saw a gladiator event advertised too. If you want to save on entry fees, you can still enjoy the amphitheater’s impressive exterior for free and take a short walk around the grounds.

Is Trier worth a visit – and how many days do I need?

Trier is definitely worth a visit – we loved exploring the oldest city in Germany and it’s such a great option for kids as it’s very walkable, it’s easily do-able in one day (with most sights within a few minutes of each other) and it’s very budget friendly. The mix of Roman and German architecture makes it such an interesting place to visit – it’s utterly unique – so make sure you have a visit to Trier if you’re in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, you won’t be disappointed by this charming place. You might even want to download a free audio guide or self-guided walking tour app before you arrive. This will allow you to explore Trier’s historic sites at your own pace, with fun facts to keep the kids interested, without the cost of hiring a guide. (You can use the land train to get about if the little ones fancy it too!)

Where are the best places to stay near Trier with kids?

Trier is around a 5 hour drive from Calais, so it’s an easy road trip if you’re taking the Dover to Calais ferry from the UK. If you’re looking for a great place to stay near Trier with the kids, we stayed at Landal Warsberg Campsite in nearby Saarburg and travelled into Trier city centre for the day. Staying outside of the city centre is a brilliant way to avoid high accommodation prices – and Trier is an easy 30 minute drive from Saarburg. You can also benefit from the brilliant child-friendly swimming pool and facilities that the campsite has too – this one had a lot on offer to entertain the kids. It’s a great campsite and we paid just £204 for 4 nights – booked through Eurocamp – read my full review for more information: Eurocamp Holiday Review: Landal Warsberg Campsite, Saarburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

Trier to / from Luxembourg

Trier is also really close to Luxembourg so it’s an excellent day trip from there too, even if you’re not actually staying in Germany. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to travel from Luxembourg to Trier, you’re in luck – it’s both easy and affordable! The quickest and most economical option is to hop on a direct regional train from Luxembourg City’s main station to Trier. Trains run frequently, roughly every hour, and the journey takes about 40-50 minutes. Best of all, tickets are reasonably priced, with return fares often under €10 if you book in advance or take advantage of local cross-border deals.

If you’re looking for an affordable base in Luxembourg, we stayed in a Eurocamp Premium holiday home at Birkelt Camping Village and it was less than £250 for 5 nights. You can find my full review here: Eurocamp Holiday Review: hu Birkelt Village Campsite, Luxembourg. The campsite comes with swimming pools, activities, entertainment and everything else that makes a good child-friendly family holiday. It’s an excellent, budget-friendly base for a family holiday in Luxembourg – and it’s not far from all of the things you’ll want to see and do with kids. Birkelt Camping Village is just a 50 minute drive from the city of Trier.

Whether you’re visiting Trier for its Roman ruins, or charming Christmas markets in the winter, this short trip is perfect for families looking for an affordable day out. So if you’re in Saarburg, Luxembourg or another part of Germany close by – make sure you visit Trier, it’s such a fantastic city to visit with kids, with lots to see and do without breaking the budget.