Heidelberg

Travel Guide
Heidelberg Church of the Holy Spirit showing a city and heritage elements
A romantic Baroque town, Heidelberg is a popular destination right on the River Neckar and hosts one of Europe’s oldest universities. 

Nestled in a valley of the Odenwald Mountains, Heidelberg has some of the warmest weather Germany has to offer. The city is a popular destination for tourists wanting to enjoy the romantic scenery around the town, discover the history or just go for a pleasant walk along the Neckar River.

Founded in the fifth century, Heidelberg has an impressive history. The town center is full of gothic and romantic architecture, which surrounds beer gardens and cozy cafes. A winding, mile-long pedestrian street offers shopping and will take you to the triumphal arch, Karlstor, which was erected in honor of Prince Karl Theodor. 

From here, take the funicular railway up to Heidelberg Castle, which towers above the town center. This famous structure was a Renaissance masterpiece, rebuilt on several occasions, before fires and wars took its toll on the original structures. Now, Heidelberg Castle is an architectural wonder with facades from various historical eras. It is the town's trademark, and considered one of the most important Romantic ruins in the world. 

The castle is also home to a beautiful Renaissance garden spread across several terraces on the Königsstuhl Mountain. Before the destruction of the castle and its surroundings, this garden was considered the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Hike there today to enjoy breathtaking views of Heidelberg town and the Old Stone Bridge.

Many of the town’s old structures survived the heavy bombings of the Second World War, though after the war it was occupied by American troops. To this day, Heidelberg is the headquarters for the US military in Europe, which gives the town a large and noticeable American population.

Lastly, it wouldn’t be a trip to Heidelberg without visiting Heidelberg University, one of the oldest universities in Europe. Wander the ancient halls where famous scientists like Jürgen Habermas and Karl-Otto Apel did much of their thinking. The university attracts new students every year, ensuring that this old, romantic town also has a youthful side, from stylish bars to annual music festivals.

Where to stay in Heidelberg

Heidelberg which includes food

Bergheim

4.5/5(41 area reviews)

Travelers choose Bergheim for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Heidelberg (West) Central Station Tram Stop or Heidelberg Seegarten Tram Stop and check out top sights like Körperwelten Museum.

Bergheim
Neckarwiese showing a bay or harbor and a park

Neuenheim

5/5(15 area reviews)

Unique features of Neuenheim include the river views and historic sites. Make a stop by Neckarwiese or Philosophenweg while you're exploring the area.

Neuenheim
Rohrbach which includes road cycling as well as an individual femail

Rohrbach

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Rohrbach, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Heidelberg University Library and Neckarwiese.

Rohrbach
Perfect view to Heidelberg from the Palace.

Bahnstadt

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Bahnstadt and surrounding area, you can visit Heidelberg Zoo and Neckarwiese.

Bahnstadt
Der Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark in Heidelberg vor dem Rugby-Länderspiel Deutschland gegen Samoa am 14. Juli 2018.

Heidelberg-Kirchheim

3.5/5(9 area reviews)

Heidelberg-Kirchheim is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can plan an outing to Neckarwiese and Heidelberg University Library while you're in town.

Heidelberg-Kirchheim
Leonardo Hotel Heidelberg
Leonardo Hotel Heidelberg
Pleikartsfoerster Str. 101, Heidelberg, BW
The price is ¥9,482 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
¥9,482
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (960 reviews)
"Amazing stay!"

Reviewed on Nov 13, 2023

Leonardo Hotel Heidelberg
Hotel Bayrischer Hof
Hotel Bayrischer Hof
Rohrbacherstr. 2, Heidelberg, BW
The price is ¥10,994 per night from Apr 8 to Apr 9
¥10,994
per night
Apr 8 - Apr 9
Stay at this hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Heidelberg ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (871 reviews)
"Good hotel, good location. I only had expected that they would make our bed every day, but they didn't"

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Hotel Bayrischer Hof
PLAZA Premium Heidelberg
PLAZA Premium Heidelberg
Sofienstraße 6, Heidelberg, BW
The price is ¥19,582 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥19,582
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Heidelberg Castle and Christ are located nearby. Discover ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (55 reviews)
"Good stay and very pleasant staff."

Reviewed on Feb 22, 2024

PLAZA Premium Heidelberg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Boardinghotel Heidelberg
Boardinghotel Heidelberg
Haberstraße 15, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Heidelberg Castle and SAP Corporate ...
9/10 Wonderful! (157 reviews)
"Inexpensive hotel located about 10 minutes drive from downtown. Easy to find pain public parking downtown. Roomy, comfortable, and had a mini kitchen."

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2023

Boardinghotel Heidelberg
SUYTES Business Studios
SUYTES Business Studios
Czernyring 40, Heidelberg, BW
Stay at this aparthotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Roadside Theater and Schatzkammer are located nearby. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (163 reviews)
"Excellent room, comfortable and with fine bathroom facilities. It is a bit difficult to reach SUYTES as the access road Czernyring is closed due to roadworks. Tricky if you walk from the train station and cross Montpellierbrucke."

Reviewed on Nov 7, 2023

SUYTES Business Studios
GuestHouse Heidelberg
GuestHouse Heidelberg
Bergheimer Str. 24, Heidelberg
Stay at this aparthotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Heidelberg Castle and Körperwelten Museum ...
9/10 Wonderful! (155 reviews)
"Great location. Kitchenette we’ll set up."

Reviewed on Oct 24, 2023

GuestHouse Heidelberg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Heidelberg

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
148
" "5 - Excellent 72.9064039408867%
4 - Good
45
" "4 - Good 22.167487684729064%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 4.433497536945813%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.49261083743842365%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 20, 2020

Visit the castle!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 7, 2020

I can’t get enough this city! I have been going to Heidelberg since August 2016... this was my 10th trip to this gorgeous / precious city and I know I will be back again soon.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Dec 30, 2019

Nice smaller city well worth a visit. Exemplifies the best of Germany in many ways.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 17, 2019

The winter markets are incredible. The castle was incredible and the views from there were breathtaking.

3/5 - Okay

Kathy
Dec 13, 2019

Typical big German city. Streets are hard to maneuver. Thank goodness for navigation.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Dec 12, 2019

Heidelberg is beautiful but once you get out of town there’s a lot of graffiti. The autobahn safe under repair so traffic was rarely “fast”

Cities near Heidelberg