Ohhhh Heidelberg, you wonderful city! During our tour through Germany we also stopped in this beautiful city on the Neckar River. Almost 159,000 residents (including 31,000 students) live here in Heidelberg, surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of river, mountains, forests, green banks, hiking trails, and historic buildings. Heidelberg is a city you definitely have to see. Today we’ll reveal our best Heidelberg sights and show you what you can experience in one of the most beautiful German cities.
- Heidelberg Sights
- 1. Stroll through the Old Town
- 2. At the Kornmarkt
- 3. Church of the Holy Spirit
- 4. Heidelberg Castle & Garden
- 5. German Pharmacy Museum
- 6. Up to the Königsstuhl
- 7. The Botanical Garden
- 8. The Student Prison
- 9. The Old Bridge over the Neckar
- 10. Philosopher’s Walk and Thingstätte
- Popular Tours & Excursions
- Getting to Heidelberg
- Hotels in Heidelberg
- Local Transportation
- Food and Drink
- Heidelberg Sights – Conclusion
Heidelberg Sights
A variety of Heidelberg sights await you. The old town invites you to stroll and wander – there are many lovely shops here. We also really liked the surrounding nature. Heidelberg is a great mix of history, old town, modernity, charm, and nature. We have to admit that this city has since become one of our absolute favorites in Germany. But let’s get back to the topic: What can you actually discover in Heidelberg?
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1. Stroll through the Old Town
The Old Town is really pretty and cozy. Although there are many tourists in this area, you can still find a few quiet corners off the main street. Heidelberg is home to the longest pedestrian zone in all of Europe. The 1.6-kilometer-long main street in the Old Town remains unmatched to this day.
There you’ll find shops, numerous restaurants, bars, pubs, galleries, and bakeries. In addition to the well-known chains (H&M and Co.), you’ll also find smaller, local businesses. The winding alleys also lead you to several historical sites (Heiliggeistkirche, Jesuit Quarter, University with its student prison, and much more).
How about a visit to the Heidelberger Bonbon Manufaktur or the Chocolaterie St. Anna No. 1? There are various shopping and strolling routes in the Old Town. In addition to the main street, there are Steingasse, Plöck, the charming St. Anna Gasse, Märzgasse, Haspelgasse, Brückenstraße, Sofienstraße, Neugasse, and Untere Straße.
There’s something to discover everywhere. You can buy really pretty and sustainable things and gadgets at the wonderful Vierling! store (Theaterstraße). Jewelry, small items, and accessories are available at FriDa – a very special shop. At Holgersons on Sofienstraße, you can find playful home accessories and cool souvenirs.
2. At the Kornmarkt
The Kornmarkt in the Old Town is definitely one of the top sights in Heidelberg for us. While it’s not the city’s main square, it’s still home to many shops, restaurants, and cafés. From here, it’s not far to the Old Bridge, Karlsplatz, the Town Hall, or the castle, which you can see from the square. Start your stroll through the Old Town from here and just go with the flow.
3. Church of the Holy Spirit
In the middle of the beautiful Old Town is another Heidelberg sight: The Church of the Holy Spirit from the 14th century. It is one of the largest and most important churches in the city and is impossible to miss, even from a distance. The view from the other side of the river towards the old town is particularly beautiful. If you leave a small donation, you can climb the 208 steps and the church tower. From the viewing platform, you have a fantastic view of the old town, the Neckar River, and the castle.
4. Heidelberg Castle & Garden
The castle in Heidelberg is the most famous ruin in Germany and also the city’s landmark. The path leads from the old town up to the grounds via a small path. The castle is surrounded by incredible greenery and beautiful gardens. From the Scheffel Terrace you have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. We were there both in the afternoon and in the evening to experience the different lighting moods. We also brought a beer and a few snacks with us, of course.
Due to its long history, the long construction period of almost 400 years (until the last extension) and the changing rulers, the building impresses with the various architectural styles of each era. You can find parts of the building in styles ranging from Gothic to High Renaissance. Accordingly, it was considered a royal palace in the 16th and 17th centuries. 17th century, it became one of the most magnificent castles in Europe. Until, after various wars and a fire caused by two lightning strikes, it finally became the most beautiful ruin in Germany.
The admission costs €9.00 and includes the return trip on the cable car, entry to the castle courtyard, a tour of the Great Barrel, and entry to the German Pharmacy Museum. The interior of the castle can only be visited with a tour (+€6 per person). Tip: The ticket office is only open until 6:00 p.m., after which you can visit the grounds without a ticket.
5. German Pharmacy Museum
Even if you’re not a museum-goer, you might enjoy the Pharmacy Museum in Heidelberg. In this museum, you can marvel at pharmacies from various eras, from the Renaissance and Baroque to the Biedermeier period. Also of interest are the laboratories from the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, as well as the various medicines and drugs from earlier times. If you’re traveling with children, you can visit the children’s pharmacy, where kids can have fun with herbs, leaves, and tea blends.
6. Up to the Königsstuhl
From the castle, you can continue to the Königsstuhl. This 567.8-meter-high mountain is just a stone’s throw from the old town (7 km). Up here, you’ll find peace and tranquility! From there, you’ll also have a unique view of the city of Heidelberg and the Neckar Valley. From the castle, a steep staircase (also called the “Stairway to Heaven”) leads up to the Königsstuhl.
You can also take the cable car. This runs from the Kornmarkt valley station via the castle and Molkenkur stations to the Königsstuhl. Once at the top, you’ll not only enjoy a magnificent view, but also visit the Märchenparadies amusement park and the Tinnunculus falconry. You can find more information about tickets and times here: Bergbahn Heidelberg.
7. The Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Heidelberg was founded in 1593 and is part of the Ruprecht-Karls-University. Here you will find over 14,000 plant species – the focus of the collection is in the greenhouses. The centerpiece is made up of 11 special collections, including Old World succulents, tropical orchids, cycads, and Mediterranean geophytes.
The Botanical Garden protects endangered plant species and offers numerous educational programs. Generally, you can visit the Botanical Garden year-round. Admission is completely free. However, the greenhouses are only open Monday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On Sundays and public holidays, you can visit between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (summer time) or 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (winter time). There is no admission charge here either.
8. The Student Prison
What’s it all about? Here at Augustinerstraße 24 is the last student prison in the city’s history. It used to serve as a prison for students of the Ruprecht-Karls-University. Today, of course, it’s no longer a prison but part of the museum dedicated to the history of the university. In the 14th century, the university had its own jurisdiction. With the establishment of this prison, prison sentences became common. At some point, however, “serving time” became more of a pleasure.
Everyone imprisoned here immortalized themselves on the walls with their name (or picture) and student association badge. That at least explains the colorful walls in the old student prison. You can visit the student prison every day from April to October between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. From November to March, the museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The combined ticket for the museum, the Old Auditorium, and the Student Prison costs €3 for adults and €2.50 for concessions.
9. The Old Bridge over the Neckar
We have strolled across this beautiful bridge many times. It connects the old town with the banks of the Neckar at the eastern end of the Neuenheim district. The bridge is a last great example of classical bridge construction in stone. This bridge was previously built of wood, but unfortunately, it was repeatedly destroyed by wars and floods.
Elector Karl Theodor subsequently had a stone bridge built over the river (1786-1788). Even today, you can admire the pretty medieval bridge gate. The view of the city and surrounding area from the bridge is particularly beautiful in the evening. On the other side, you can also relax on the Sit on the banks of the Neckar and sip your beer.
A popular photo motif is the Bridge Monkey, which is a symbol of ugliness, shamelessness, lasciviousness, and vanity. It is said that stroking the mirror (which the monkey holds in its left hand) brings prosperity. Anyone who strokes the outstretched finger of the monkey’s right hand will return to Heidelberg.
10. Philosophers’ Walk and Thingstätte
If the weather is nice, you should definitely take a walk on the Prophets’ Walk. In the past, scholars walked here in Stiff frock coats, even then, enjoyed the beautiful view of Heidelberg from the slope of the Heiligenberg. The mild climate, the vegetation, the spot in the sun, and the entire scenery will transport you from 0 to 100 in a totally relaxed state of mind.
The Thingstätte is another beautiful place. This site dates back to the Nazi era and is an open-air stage, formerly used as a stage for propaganda events. The so-called Schlangenweg connects the Old Bridge with the Philosopher’s Walk. The very steep path leads you up half a kilometer. Behind every bend, you will discover semicircular, brick seating areas where you can take a break or have a picnic. Perfect walking tour: From the Philosopher’s Walk to the Snake Walk, across the Old Bridge to the main street in Heidelberg’s old town (just under 4 kilometers).
Popular Tours & Excursions
As you’ve seen, there are many great sights in Heidelberg and plenty to discover. GetYourGuide offers some great tours and excursions that you can book in advance. This is perfect for travelers who don’t want to explore everything on their own. Guided tours also allow you to learn much more about the city and its people.
- Walking Tour of the Old Town (1.5 hours)*
- Heidelberg Crime Tour: Murderers, Maids, Misdeeds*
- 2-Hour Kayak Tour on the Neckar River*
- Heidelberg: Sightseeing Bus and Castle Tour*
- HeidelbergCARD for 1, 2, or 4 days including lanyard*
- 2-Hour Night Watchman Tour of Heidelberg*
Getting to Heidelberg
Heidelberg has a very good public transport network and is easily accessible by bus or train. We traveled from Mainz with the Flixbus*. The trip only cost us around €10. Of course, you can also travel by train. From Hamburg, for example, it’s only 5 hours, and from Zurich 3.5. If you live nearby, you can easily take a great day trip to Heidelberg. With the Baden-Württemberg Ticket, you can travel through the state all day for just €23.
Heidelberg itself doesn’t have an airport, but there are several in the surrounding area. Frankfurt International Airport, for example, is only about 45 minutes away. Other airports nearby include Karlsruhe, Hahn, Mannheim, Stuttgart, and Strasbourg. The cheapest option, however, is certainly ☞ Flixbus*. Depending on your starting point, you can get a ticket for as little as €3. Flixbus also offers 173 different bus connections from Heidelberg.
Hotels in Heidelberg
Heidelberg awaits you with several beautiful hotels, as well as guesthouses and guest rooms. We’ve selected a few hotels for you that we would also book ourselves. We always attach particular importance to reviews from previous guests and the location. Do you know of another nice place to stay that you would recommend? Feel free to write it in the comments.
Qube Hotel Bergheim
Book a room here*
The Qube Hotel Bergheim is located in the center of the beautiful German city of Heidelberg. This 4-star hotel awaits you with modern rooms, Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a hotel bar. From the roof terrace, you have a fantastic view of the city.
4.5 out of 5 points on Tripadvisor
Hotel Zur Alten Brücke*
Book a room here*
The Hotel Zur Alten Brücke is located in the heart of the charming old town. It is just 500 meters from the castle, making it the perfect starting point for your trip. Comfortable rooms with views of the Neckar River, the old town, and the bridge await you. In the morning, you can fortify yourself for the day ahead with the breakfast buffet.
4 out of 5 points on Tripadvisor
Arthotel Heidelberg
Book a room here*
The boutique design hotel Arthotel Heidelberg is located right next to the university in the old town. Look forward to modern rooms and suites, a rich breakfast in the morning, views from the roof terrace, and a central location. Perfect for your short break in Heidelberg.
4.5 out of 5 points on Tripadvisor
Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg
Book a room here*
The Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg is also located in the old town. Here, in this traditional building, you can expect an in-house brewery, modern and bright rooms, a sunny beer garden, and delicious regional dishes. Previous guests especially appreciate the central location at the foot of the castle.
4 out of 5 points on Tripadvisor
Local Transportation
Heidelberg is generally a small city that’s great for exploring on foot. The city center is easily accessible by local train. A day ticket costs €6.50. If you’re only going to be in the old town and surrounding areas, you don’t even need the bus or train.
Your two healthy feet will take you to all the beautiful places. You can also rent a bike in the city and start your sightseeing tour (☞ e.g., at VRNnextbike). However, Heidelberg’s most beautiful sights are located on the mountain – so think carefully about whether you need a bike.
Food and Drink
Heidelberg has a lot to offer when it comes to food and drink. In the Old Town and surrounding area, you’ll find cool cafés. Visit, for example, Coffee Nerd, Unter Freunden, Mildner’s, Kaffeezimmer, or La Fée Bar Café. You can have a really good breakfast at Café Rossi or Your Green Love.
If you want a beer or something else refreshing in the evening, head down Untere Straße. We highly recommend the small, rustic Sonder-Bar. Jinx, on the other hand, is a modern bar with a club atmosphere and loud music for dancing and fun. Mel’s Bar and P11 are also popular.
In the Old Town and the rest of the city, you’ll find many good restaurants. The Schnitzelbank is very popular with tourists. Here you can find regional specialties and good wines. Delicious Thai food can be found at Bay Jok. Hearty German cuisine and home-style cooking are served at the rustic Seppl Restaurant and Hackteufel.
Sushi and other Japanese specialties are available at SameSame Sushi Bar. The small corner restaurant “Raja Rani” with red benches and ornate chairs offers delicious Indian cuisine and tandoori dishes. You can get delicious burgers at “Die Kuh die lacht.”
Heidelberg Sights – Conclusion
Heidelberg is a really cool city that we really liked. We would have loved to spend our 20s here, too. It doesn’t surprise us that so many students live in Heidelberg (31,000!!!). Firstly, there’s a top university there, and secondly, the city offers everything you need: cafes, cool stores, pubs, bars, restaurants, lots of nature, and friendly people. HEIDELBERG ROCKS! We highly recommend you visit this city someday.