They say that Heidelberg is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Germany. Located in a privileged place, in the Neckar river valley, they make Heidelberg a very special place.
In this post I will tell you the 10 best places to see in Heidelberg, I will add some tips on areas to stay and accommodation, we will talk about its castle, one of the most beautiful in Germany, and what you can see around the city. Let us begin!
10 BEST PLACES TO SEE IN HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
1. Visit Heidelberg Castle
The city castle is located on the Königstuhl hill, it is one of the most beautiful castles in Germany, and it is an essential stop on your trip to Heidelberg.
It was built in red sandstone from the 13th century, undergoing numerous destructions and reconstructions during the following centuries. It is perched on the hill, 200 meters high, and with spectacular views of the river and the medieval town.
To visit the castle, keep in mind that you will spend a lot of time here. We spent about 3 hours touring it. It is an architectural complex of great historical value and incalculable beauty.
You can take a free tour of Heidelberg, to see the most emblematic places in the city.
To get to the castle you can do it by car, climbing the 300 steps or with a funicular that leaves from the historic center of the city. The price of the funicular is included in the entrance to the castle courtyard.
Once you start your visit to the castle, the first thing you will see is the main courtyard, where you can see the beautiful facades with reddish stones and Renaissance style.
In the castle not all rooms are open to the public. One of them is the Pharmacy Museum, where objects from romanticism and medieval times are displayed.
The world's largest wine barrel is also located here, with a capacity of 222,000 liters. Is awesome!
The castle gardens are also an essential stop. From the gardens you can see panoramic views of the castle and the city of Heidelberg.
2. Stroll through Karlsplatz, the main square in the historic center of the city
This rectangular-shaped square is surrounded by historical buildings. The buildings are beautiful in pastel colors and with flowers on the balconies. From the square you will also have views of the castle, which, being on top of the hill, is perfectly visible. In winter, at Christmas time, the Christmas market is set up here and Christmas carols are played every afternoon. In summer, ideal terraces are set up to stop for a drink. It is a very lively area of the city.
3. Marktplatz: the most beautiful square in the city
This beautiful square is located in the historic center. The place with the most activity during medieval times. From it you will also have partial views of the castle.
In it is the Town Hall building, the Church of the Holy Spirit and the fountain of Hercules.
Here you will find many cafes, bars, restaurants and some shops.
4. Visit the University of Heidelberg, the oldest university in Germany
In the historic center of the city you will find the old university. It was founded in the year 1386 and is the oldest university in Germany.
In addition to visiting the Old Heidelberg University building, you can also see the old University Library, founded in the 15th century. Currently, it has 24,000 students, divided into its 12 faculties.
5. Walk of the Philosophers
The Walk of the Philosophers is located on the opposite bank of the historic center. This walk is almost 4 kilometers long and is located on the Holy Mountain (Hailigenberg). In ancient times it was a place where artists and thinkers spent their time and had their studios.
Here you will find beautiful historical buildings and cobbled streets. In addition, from here you will have good views of the historic center, the castle and the Carlos Teodoro bridge.
If you visit this place, very close are the ruins of the Monastery of San Miguel and the Thingstätte, an amphitheater from the Nazi era.
6. Visit the Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit)
It is the main church of the city, located in the market square. It was built between 1398 and 1515 in red sandstone, with a Baroque roof and dome. This religious building has never been demolished because of a war, and was used to house the Palatine Library until the Thirty Years' War. From any of the viewpoints of the city, you will see it stand out.
7. Cross the Carlos Teodoro Bridge, a spectacular entrance to the city.
This impressive medieval bridge connects the two banks of the Neckar River and is named after the man responsible for its construction in 1788. It is a pedestrian bridge that once gave access to the city through a large gate.
The gate is wedged between two medieval twin towers, 28 meters high, one of which in ancient times was used as a prison cell. The towers belonged to the old city wall and, next to the gate, gave access to the historic center.
Next to the doors is a statue of a bronze monkey. A rather curious sculpture.
WHAT TO SEE NEAR HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
8. Visit Frankfurt
The city of Frankfurt is about 100km (One hour by car). Considered the most cosmopolitan city in Germany, Frankfurt has traditional and historical areas to discover, as well as very modern areas with skyscrapers.
You can read my post about everything to see and do in Frankfurt.
9. Visit Strasbourg
Strasbourg is located next to the border between France and Germany, on the banks of the Rhine River, and influenced by the gastronomy and culture of both countries.
It is only 120 kilometers from Heidelberg, so you can make a one-day visit or combine it in your route.
In it there are essential places to visit such as the European Parliament, the Court of Human Rights, the Council of Europe, the historic center, the Notre Dame Cathedral... If you want everything that can be seen in Strasbourg, you can read all the information at the post, what to see in Strasbourg.
10. Visit the Black Forest
One option to combine nature with your trip is to visit the Black Forest. Since it is close.
It is one of the most visited regions in Germany, for its charming towns and its spectacular landscapes. You can rent a car and tour this area.
Some of the most outstanding and beautiful towns/cities are Gengenbach, Triberg, Freiburg…
WHERE TO STAY IN HEIDELBERG
The best thing is that you stay as central as possible. There are many options. I leave you three cool options, central and with good references.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Germany a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
If you liked this article, subscribe to the blog so you don't miss out on upcoming destinations, curiosities, travel tips and inspiration for your trips.
A hug and see you soon!