Xanten (Germany North Rhine-Westphalia)

Xanten is a Rhine River cruise port and town in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia state/NRW (Wesel district) with population around 22,000.

Xanten is famous for its Archaeological Park (among the world's largest open-air museums) built over Roman colony Colonia Ulpia Traiana. Other popular tourist attractions include the medieval downtown and artificial lakes offering watersport activities. The town is visited by around 1 million tourists annually, ranking it among the most visited German parks. In 2012, it was expanded to about the whole area of the Roman colony after Bundesstrasse 57 (federal highway) was moved away.

Xanten is also famous for being Germany's only town which name begins with the letter X. The town borders Lower Rhine and Rees (north), Kalkar and Uedem (west), Wesel (east) and Sonsbeck and Alpen (south). The nearest airport is in Weeze (international airport) located approx 25 km (16 mi) away. The nearest intercontinental airport is in Dusseldorf (60 km / 37 mi away).

Xanten's lakes Nordsee (noth lake) and Sudsee (south lake) are linked by a channel, Town's Leisure Center (Freizeitzentrum) was opened in 1982.