Heidelberg, Germany: travel guide
Castle ruins above a baroque old town on the Neckar
Germany's most romantic city — a Renaissance dream of red-sandstone castle ruins brooding over a Baroque old town on the Neckar River, tended by Germany's oldest university (founded 1386).
About Heidelberg
Heidelberg is a university town on the Neckar river, overlooked by the red sandstone ruins of its castle. The long pedestrian main street, a baroque old town and the old stone bridge give the town the romantic character that has attracted poets and painters for generations.
Things to do in Heidelberg include climbing or taking the funicular to the castle, strolling the Hauptstrasse, crossing the Alte Brücke and walking the Philosophers' Way on the opposite bank for views back over the rooftops. Student cafés and small bars give the place an easy, youthful feel, and the university is among Germany's oldest.
Heidelberg suits a day trip or a relaxed overnight stay. Spring blossom and autumn colour are especially lovely.
- Country
- Germany
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Berlin
- Nearest airport
- FRA
Last updated
Top places to visit in Heidelberg
Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss)
castle ruins · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Germany's most celebrated castle ruins — red sandstone walls looming above the Baroque old town on a forested hillside, accessible by the Bergbahn funicular (built 1890, still running). The Renaissance Ottheinrichsbau wing…
Heidelberg Old Town (Altstadt)
historic town centre · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Germany's longest pedestrian zone at 1.6 km — the Hauptstraße runs the full length of the compact old town, lined with Baroque townhouses, boutiques, bakeries, bookshops and cafés. The University Square (Universitätsplatz) anchors the…
Alte Brücke (Karl-Theodor-Brücke)
historic bridge · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Heidelberg's most photographed sight after the castle — an 18th-century stone bridge crossing the Neckar with the castle and the forested Heiligenberg hillside as backdrop. The bridge monkey statue (1979) is a Heidelberg talisman: rub the…
Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Walk)
scenic footpath · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A sun-drenched footpath on the sunny south-facing Heiligenberg slope, 40 m above the old town with continuous views of the castle, old town and Neckar valley. Named for the Heidelberg University philosophers (Hegel, Goethe, Hölderlin,…
Heidelberg Karlstor Old Bridge
sandstone-bridge · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Karl-Theodor-Brücke (Old Bridge) — Heidelberg's spectacular 18th-century sandstone bridge over the Neckar, with the iconic Bridge Gate, the famous Bronze Monkey statue, and the most photographed Heidelberg view.
Heidelberg Christmas Markets
christmas-market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Heidelberg Christmas Markets — the spectacular medieval-themed Christmas markets in the historic old town, with the famous Universitätsplatz market, the Castle terrace winter wonderland, and the magical Neckar Valley atmosphere.
Heidelberg Philosophers Walk
philosophers-path · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Philosophenweg (Philosophers' Walk) — Heidelberg's spectacular hilltop path opposite the castle, where philosophers (Hegel, Hölderlin, Goethe) walked, with the iconic Old Town and Castle views.
Heidelberg Old Bridge Walk
old-bridge · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Karl Theodor Bridge (Alte Brücke) — Heidelberg's iconic 1788 stone arch bridge over the Neckar, with the famous Bridge Monkey statue, the historic gate towers, and the spectacular Old Town views.
Heidelberg Castle Funicular
funicular · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry €11 (≈ ₹1,170)
The Heidelberg Funicular (Königstuhl Bergbahn) — the historic 1890 funicular climbing to the Castle and Königstuhl summit, with the spectacular panoramic views over the Neckar Valley.
Heidelberg Neckar River Walk
riverside-walk · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The Neckar River walking path — the spectacular riverside walk from Heidelberg Castle past the Old Bridge with the famous bronze monkey statue, the historic Karlstor gate, and the picturesque river panoramas.
Heidelberg Schwetzingen Palace
baroque-palace · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · entry €12 (≈ ₹1,280)
A day trip to Schwetzingen Palace — the spectacular 18th-century summer palace of the Palatinate Electors, with the magnificent baroque-rococo gardens (one of Europe's finest), the Turkish mosque, and the elaborate landscape.
Heidelberg Marketplatz Square
medieval-square · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Marketplatz — Heidelberg's spectacular medieval main square with the historic Hercules Fountain, the elaborate baroque Town Hall, the Holy Spirit Church, and the central old town heart.
Things to do
- Heidelberg Castle & Altstadt Guided Walking Tour Cultural · 3 h · from EUR 34 per person
Where to stay in Heidelberg
- Altstadt (Old Town) about EUR 130 per night
The only sensible place to stay in Heidelberg — inside or immediately adjacent to the 1.6-km pedestrian zone, with the castle visible from your hotel window and every restaurant, café and sight within 15 minutes walk.
Hotels
- Hotel Europäischer Hof Heidelberg 5-star · EUR 195 to EUR 680 per night
- Steffi's Hostel Heidelberg 2-star · EUR 22 to EUR 80 per night
- Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg 3-star · EUR 95 to EUR 195 per night
Where to eat
- Zum Roten Ochsen German, Palatinate · about EUR 26 per person
- Schnitzelbank German, Palatinate · about EUR 20 per person
Getting to Heidelberg
Nearest airport: Frankfurt (FRA), about 70 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Tram
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Castle Funicular Price Confusion
Heidelberg Kornmarkt U-Bahn station
Touts sometimes approach tourists at the funicular station (Kornmarktplatz) selling 'premium' Castle tickets bundled with funicular, garden and museum access at inflated prices. The official combined ticket (EUR 9) is sold at the funicular station ticket desk.
How to avoid it: Buy tickets only from the official machines or ticket desk at the Kornmarkt Bergbahn station. EUR 9 is the correct official price.
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Frequently asked questions about Heidelberg
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Heidelberg?
- The highest-rated places in our Heidelberg guide are Heidelberg Karlstor Old Bridge, Heidelberg Philosophers Walk, Heidelberg Old Bridge Walk, Heidelberg Schwetzingen Palace, Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Walk).
- Where should I stay in Heidelberg?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Heidelberg: Altstadt (Old Town).
- How do I get around Heidelberg?
- Ways to get around Heidelberg covered in our guide: Tram, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Heidelberg?
- Scams reported to us for Heidelberg include Castle Funicular Price Confusion. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Heidelberg?
- The nearest airport to Heidelberg has the code FRA.