Travel Guide Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a comparatively tiny historic river town, that is world famous for its gorgeous university, cobbled streets and stunning countryside nearby. Founded in 1386, it is Germany’s oldest, and especially famous for its impressive research facilities, especially in the field of science and literature. The castle of the city is one of its main attractions. It looks down on all the streets below and can be seen from miles away. The Baroque Old Town which is very beautiful and has perspicuously inspired artists and the greatest German thinkers is one of the city’s main attractions. 

Where is Heidelberg?

Heidelberg is situated in the southwest of Germany, very close to its border with France in the state of Baden-Württemberg, along the river of Neckar. It’s a small city, approximately 150,00 residents, mostly of whom are students at its famous university. While it is a small town, Heidelberg lies in a relatively populated part of western Germany, which makes it only around 75 km from the large and industrial city of Frankfurt. However, Heidelberg is actually in a semi-rural area, which lies amidst forest and in the heart of the Rhine Rift Valley.

When to Visit?

It’s perfect Heidelberg travel time during the summer because of the long days and fantastic walking weather (very handy if you are ascending to the Castle for those breathtaking views). The weather is clear and hot, with the outside eateries around the Cathedral can be enjoyed with a refreshing stein of beer, or SUP or kayak along the river.

Watch out for the heat in the summer although – it does get really hot in Heidelberg in July and August, with temperatures comfortably beyond 30 degrees Celsius. If you, like me, are a sun lover, these long blue sky days are perfect, but I realize they are not everyone’s favorite, especially if you don`t stay in a place with air conditioning! If this is your case, you like travelling to Heidelberg during winter time, where December would be the best option to get the best Christmas markets that this historic town has in full power.

How Long to Spend There?

Given that it’s a small city, on the first day you can reach it, pick accommodation and in a few hours, you will get a feeling of being in the city. Such as going out for dinner and a drink in the evening. The second day you can saunter around the main attractions, like visiting the Philosophers’ Way walk and the Castle on the hill and maybe feel the guts for a Spooky Tour in the city that centers around its history in the evening. You might want to spend a third day here in this city. Choose from day trips to Frankfurt, Stuttgart or the spa town of Baden-Baden in the Black Forest.

How to Travel to Heidelberg?

Here is how you can get to the city:

Train

As regards catching the train for Heidelberg, one can take it from many places in Germany as well as other European countries where they service these trains. In this city the main train station is the Heidelberg’s main station – Heidelberg Hbf. This station is built on the rapid (ICE) inter-city express train, which uses the well-developed German train network De Bahn. You can be in Berlin in 5 hours and 20 minutes from here, and other major European capitals, like Paris, in 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Bus

If funds are a major issue and you’re perhaps booking at the last minute (which means the cheapest train tickets may not be available), then we will recommend that you travel by bus to Heidelberg. Once more, you would be taking it from either Frankfurt or from Stuttgart, where Flixbus operates direct connections to Heidelberg. In addition to Berlin, Flixbus serves cities like Nuremberg, Munich and Cologne in Germany and cities outside Germany like Zurich, Reims and Prague in Europe.

Cycle or Drive

Another option is to use a bicycle or a car to get to Heidelberg. You will not go into too many diverse paths here, but only say that there are both good cycle trails and vehicle roads connecting Heidelberg to other places in Germany.

Top Attractions in Heidelberg

In Heidelberg, the major things to do are just going for a walk and enjoying the beautiful Baroque streets of the city, as well as finding the student atmosphere and having a pint whilst eating some sauerkraut in the centre around the Cathedral. Now for the more adventurous, some of the best things to do in Heidelberg are worth mentioning!

Snap Bridge & Monkey Statue

The Old Bridge in Heidelberg and the massive metal statue of a Monkey (“Bruckenaffe” in German) which stands at its entrance, are 2 of the most famous Heidelberg icons, for sure – having both of the pictures taken is definitely part of the top things to do in Heidelberg.

SUP on the River

Kayaking and SUP are some of the best ways to enjoy the central area of Heidelberg. Otherwise walking or cycling along the water is also very pleasant.

Have a Drink at the Max Bar

Right next to the Church of the Holy Spirit there is a famous student spot in Heidelberg called Max Bar. You will always saw it full of students when you visit. This is why, of course, you can simply cannot resist joining the crowds. Moreover, you can usually opt for a table to enjoy a delicious stein in a cozy place with the views of the city as my background.

Admire the Ancient Churches

When at Max Bar you may have run around the Heidelberg’s main church, though with so many different Baroque churches, you better add a couple more to the list too. At the very top comes the Jesuitenkirche that is one of the most distinguishing historic buildings in the city and therefore belongs on your list of the Heidelberg things to do. And in this neighborhood, the streets look pretty and there is great Middle Eastern food to be had at Mahmoud’s close by.

Hike the Philosopher’s Way

The trail is basically a lovely hill walk on the opposite side of the river to the town. It takes you through the garden where many great students of the past came to do deep thinking.

Pay attention to the views from here, but I then suggest to continue up to the top of the hill which will give you more wonderful views of the forest, some abandoned towers and ruins, good observation points and an amphitheatre that was used by the Nazis.

Visit Heidelberg Castle

An enormous Renaissance construction, and something of a German landmark, 11 million people annually would normally visit this spectacular bastion standing on a hill which commands a view over the city. The castle can be reached by any of the means at your disposal, by them being your foot and an exhausting climb or by the oldest funicular in the country!

What to Pack for Your Heidelberg Travels?

Here is what you can pack for your travel:

A Good Camera

No doubt you are going to go snap-crazy this is handled. You need a camera of good quality so you can take pictures of this city the way it deserves. Sony A6000 is small, lightweight, and an excellent travel camera.

Decent Walking Shoes

What fun is it to go to Heidelberg and not get out there and see this beautiful historic city with your own two eyes? Therefore, get yourself ready and purchase a decent pair of walking shoes – these trainers from New Balance are just perfect (and oh-so-stylish) for the purpose.

Light Waterproof Jacket

Regardless of the season, this is Germany, a country where you may be in for a thunderstorm every time! Avoid this inconvenience, bring yourself a lightweight and waterproof jacket. This The North Face is the best.

Compact Hiking Day Pack

You can never leave for a day trip without a sturdy backpack which allows me to feel like the weight of my bag is spread across my back and shoulders equally. This is my best lightweight backpack from Marmot because it is unfoldable and waterproof.

There is no question your ‘thirst for sight’ will make you thirsty for more. Stay hydrated and healthy (to save yourself from purchasing the bottles of water the earth doesn’t need) by travelling with a reusable water bottle in your day bag. This flat one, a little bigger than an A5 notebook, never fails to attract attention!

Deutsches Apotheken-Museum (German Pharmacy Museum)

While you are at the castle, this one of the Heidelberg Germany thing that you should do is check it out. Within the castle, the museum, including 11 rooms, talks about the past of medical science and pharmacies in Germany. In this there are lots of interesting things like how nature was used to heal in Middle Ages and some “remedies” such as using pulverized mummy for colds! Or the portable pharmacy kits from the 1600s. You are sure to enjoy the museum’s preserved interiors of pharmacies from the 17th to the 19th centuries as well as a working lab.