The Heidelberg Travel Guide

Athena Theodorakis

Yes, there is indeed a Starbucks...My first visit there was with someone who was the type to live and die by 'normal U.S.' fare, and wanted Starbucks, and I couldn't imagine there'd be such a thing there, and finally talked him into having a coffee at a typical German place...then two blocks later, there's the Starbucks...

Nicole Bitters

it's been about 25 years since I have been to Heidelberg (when my father was stationed in Frankfort) but one of the few things I remember doing with my parents when I was a child was going to the "burning" of the bridge and castle. If it is the same way it use to be, pack a picnic (or have a meal at any pub around the river front) and wait for the... Read More sun to set and the seige to begin. there use to be lots of family activities before the show, I remember my dad and I chasing a mime through the park and restaurants.

Leah George

Heidelberg's my favorite place in the world. Lived there for 3 years. The whole place looks like a sunset. Get some gummibears at Baerentreff, check out the sights from Philosophenweg... stroll down the neckarwiese. Drink cappuccino in one of the many cafes on the fussgangerzone. The best time to go is for the Heidelberger Herbst festival in September when it's new wine and Zweibelkuchen time. Bring comfortable shoes and go up to the Thingstatte. It'sall pretty amazing.

Sheila Mobley Black

I have the most amazing pictures of the Neckar River from the Schloss. It is somewhat of a trek up to the Castle, but you will not be disappointed. Do not pass up the opportunity to go into the church and buy gummy bears there. They are the best!!

Fernanda Klinger

Beautiful Castle. I recommend the tours to learn about its history.

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle
[ source: Wikipedia ]

The Heidelberg Castle is a famous ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is located 260 ft. up the northern part of the Königstuhl hillside, and thereby dominates the view of the old downtown. It is served by an intermediate station on the Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway that runs from Heidelberg's Kornmarkt to the summit of the Königstuhl.

The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some rebuilt sections. The architecture contains elements of the Gothic and Renaissance periods. The castle gardens, the Great Vat (the world's largest wine barrel) and the remarkable Pharmacy Museum are also worth a visit.

Hours: Courtyard 8am - 6pm, Big Vat 8am - 6pm, Pharmacy Museum 10am - 5:30pm.

Admission: Combined entry for Castle yard, Great Vat and German Pharmacy Museum: Adults 3 €, Concessions 1.50 €.

Heidelberg Mountain Railway (Heidelberger Bergbahn)

Heidelberg Mountain Railway (Heidelberger Bergbahn)
[ source: Wikipedia ]

The Heidelberger Bergbahn, or Heidelberg Mountain Railway, is a two section funicular railway. The first section runs from a lower station at Kornmakt in Heidelberg's Old City, via an intermediate station at Heidelberg Castle, to an upper station at Molkenkur. Here passengers may change to the second section, which runs to the Königstuhl, a nearby mountain with good views over the city and the River Neckar.

The upper and lower sections of the funicular have different histories and are sometimes referred to separately by the names Königstuhlbahn and Molkenkurbahn respectively. These two sections present quite different appearances, with the upper section using wooden bodied cars of historic appearance, whilst the lower section uses modern style cars. Similarly the upper stations at Molkenkur and Königstuhl are to the original design, whilst those further down the hill at Kornmakt and Heidelberg Castle present a more modern image.

The Heidelberger Bergbahn runs every 10 minutes throughout the day, while the connecting upper section runs every 20 minutes throughout the day. The services start and end at times that vary from summer to winter.

Holy Ghost Church (Heiliggeistkirche)

Holy Ghost Church (Heiliggeistkirche), Heidelberg
[ source: Wikipedia ]

The Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Ghost Church) was built from 1344 to 1441, its tower completed in 1544 and is the largest regional Gothic church. The chancel contained the tombs of the Prince Electors of the Palatinate. Most of the commemorial tablets were destroyed in 1693. Of the originally 54 epitaphs, the only one to remain was the one of Prince Elector Ruprecht II (1352 - 1410). While once shared between Catholics and Protestants, the church now serves only a Protestant congregation.

The Palatinate Museum

The Palatinate Museum, Heidelberg
[ source: Heidelberg Tourism Bureau ]

Built in 1712 by J.A. Breunig, the Palais Morass is one of Heidelberg's finest baroque residences. It is now home to the extensive collections of the Palatinate Museum. Exhibits include paintings, prints, sculptures, arts and crafts and ancient artifacts. The museum also covers the history of the town and region, giving visitors a fascinating insight into the Palatinate and its capital Heidelberg. Though the main focus is the Roman Age, the archaeological collection displays finds from the Ice Age to the early modern period. The gallery of paintings and sculptures contains works from the late 15th to the 20th century, mostly by regional artists. A highlight is Tilman Riemenschneider's altarpiece of the Twelve Apostles from 1509, one of the key works of the late Middle Ages. Also, the outstanding works in the print gallery are among the best in southwest Germany.

Hours: 10am - 6pm daily, closed on Mondays.

Admission: Adults 3 €, Concessions 1.80 €.

University Botanical Garden( Botanischer Garden der Universität )

Cactus at the University of Heidelberg Botanical Garden
[ source: Wikipedia ]

Founded in 1593 as a medicinal herb garden, the botanical gardens are the oldest of their kind in Germany. The greenhouses contain unique collections. Outdoors, visitors will discover a broad range of interesting vegetation types such as bog, moorland, alpine garden, fern ravine, inland dune, natural vineyard and carefully maintained areas. Portions of the garden are open to the public daily except Saturday without charge.

Philosophenweg (Philosophers' Walk)

part of the Philosopher's Walk
[ source: Heidelberg Tourism Bureau ]

The former Linsenbühlerweg, a simple path through the vineyards in the 17th and 18th centuries, became the Philosophers’ Way in the late Romantic period. This change of name can be traced to the fact that Heidelberg’s university professors and philosophers found this path a congenial place where they could talk seriously and contemplate while enjoying the charming view of the Neckar.

This view of the town inspired also the poets Eichendorff and Hölderlin on their walks to write their poems. Among the attractions of this now world-famous walk are the Eichendorff Stone, a sandstone stele with a bronze relief of the poet, and the Merian-Kanzel, a sandstone platform from where in 1620 Matthäus Merian immortalized Heidelberg in an engraving. The Hölderlin-Anlage, an area at the Eastern end of the Philosophers’ Way dedicated to the poet Hölderlin, pays tribute to his ode to Heidelberg Lang lieb ich dich schon... (Long have I loved you…)

Even today, this world-famous path offers new sights and insights. Enjoy a beautiful view of Heidelberg and a climate that reminds you of the Italian Toscana. Many sub-tropical plants flourish in the Philosophengärtchen. The temperate climate is perfect for Japanese cherries, cypresses, lemons, bamboos, rhododendrons, gingko and yucca trees, and several other plants from the mediterranean, North Africa and Asia. Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788-1857) is one of the German poets who fell in love with Heidelberg and dedicated poems to the old town. A commemorative stone refers to the German Romantic who studied here 1807-08.

Heidelberg (official home page)