Heidelberg is a historic university town.
The former royal city Heidelberg is known for its picturesque old town, the impressive Heidelberg Castle and the longest pedestrian zone in Europe. From the Königstuhl and the Philosophenweg you can expect fantastic views.
- Travel period: 3 days
- Best time to travel: June to September
- Main dish: 15 €
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Arrival
From Frankfurt International Airport you can reach Heidelberg in 45 minutes by train or car. The tourist information can be found in Heidelberg at the main railway station and in the old town.
Hotel
We recommend Hotel Meininger*. The 3-star accommodation is located about ten minutes' walk from the main railway station and about two kilometers from the old town. A tram stop is nearby. Parking spaces are available for a fee. Another well-recommended hotel is the Star Inn*.
Places of interest
InHeidelberg, there is the oldest university in Germany; it is located on the longest pedestrian zone of Europe. In the museum, founded in 1386, you will get an exciting tour of its history from the era of the Palatinate Electors through the Romantic period, the Third Reich and up to the present day. With a combined ticket you can also visit the magnificent auditorium and the Karzer, the historic student prison. Afterwards you will reach the market place, which is framed by historic houses, the town hall and the Holy Spirit Church. In its centre there is the Hercules Fountain.
Next to that there is the Kornmarkt with the the Heidelberg mountain railway. The lower cable car first takes you to the Heidelberg Castle, which you can visit for a fee or at least enjoy the beautiful view of the city for free. You reach the Molkenkur station, where you change to the historic original car from 1907, which takes you up to the Königstuhl . From the 567-metre-high mountain you have a fantastic view over the Neckar and the Rhine plain, and on a clear day even as far as Alsace. Here you will find signposted hiking trails, a falconrya café with regional specialities and for children a fairytale paradise.
A beautiful circular trail is the Philosophers' Trail, one of the most beautiful trails in Europe. From the old town you take the Theodor-Heuss-Bridge and in a few minutes you are in the countryside. The Philosophers' Trail offers a magnificent view of the old town, the castle and the Neckar. Halfway along the way you can relax in the Philosophers' Garden among exotic plants. The signposted Schlangenweg leads downhill to the Old Bridge "Alte Brücke", a landmark of Heidelberg. The medieval bridge gate was once part of the city wall.
There are also some culinary highlights in Heidelberg. At Diller Schneeballenträume you can eat a 300-years-old speciality which is rolled in sugar or cinnamon, covered with a delicious glaze and with various fillings. The Heidelberg Sugar Shop awaits you with colourful sweets from all over the world and in the Heidelberg Candy Factory you can watch the handmade gourmet sweets being made.
The Heidelberger Kulturbrauerei taps the beer of your choice into a bottle to go. „Seppl“ serves the specialties of the brewery kitchen at antique wooden tables. The historic student restaurant Zum Roten Ochsen entices with hearty German cuisine and a museum-like interior. The Essighaus serves hearty home cooking, vegetarian and seasonal dishes. Here you can eat the most delicious Spätzle and Sauerbraten of Heidelberg. And schnitzels in a hundred variations are available at the Heidelberg Schnitzelhaus „Alte Münz“.
Weitere Infos zu Urlaubszielen in Deutschland gibt es auch auf der Reiseseite DerBesteUrlaub.de.
Transport in Heidelberg
The old town is closed to car traffic and can be explored on foot. Heidelberg has been awarded several times as a bicycle-friendly city . Under the Theodor-Heuss-Bridge there is a next bike rental station .
If you want to use public transport: The day ticket is worth it from the 3rd ride on. Information and route maps are available Monteverde. All available parking spaces including prices can be found parking space.
