Off to Heidelberg!
The picturesque city on the Neckar River is
not only famous for its impressive castle, but it also has so much
more to offer. Since I live in Heidelberg’s Old Town myself, I know
the city inside and out – here are my personal recommendations for
you. For the guests of my vacation rental right in the heart of the
Old Town, directly on the pedestrian zone of the Hauptstraße, I’ve
compiled a selection of tips to help you experience Heidelberg from
its most authentic side. Whether it's hidden corners, the best
viewpoints, or secret tips for restaurants and cafés – I’ll show
you how to discover the city like a local.
Where is Heidelberg?
Heidelberg is located in
the southwest of Germany, nestled in the picturesque Neckar Valley,
surrounded by the foothills of the Odenwald. The city is part of the
state of Baden-Württemberg, and its central location in the
Rhine-Neckar region makes it easy to reach.
Facts about Heidelberg
With an area of around
109 km² and just under 160,000 inhabitants, Heidelberg is a
charming, manageable city that attracts tourists from all over the
world – 13.9 million per year, to be exact. Did you know that
Heidelberg has the longest pedestrian zone in Europe? It stretches
along the Hauptstraße and runs directly through the Old Town –
perfect for strolling and shopping. And right in this pedestrian zone
is my vacation rental, just a stone's throw away from the best
sights.
Old Bridge
The Old Bridge is one of
Heidelberg’s most famous landmarks. It connects the Old Town with
the opposite bank of the Neckar and was built in 1788 under Elector
Karl Theodor, who commemorated himself with a statue on the bridge.
The bridge is especially popular for its scenic view of the
Heidelberg Castle and Old Town. The Old Bridge is the ninth bridge
built at this location.
Bridge Monkey at the Old Bridge
The Bridge
Monkey is a popular photo spot for visitors to Heidelberg. A bridge
monkey was first mentioned at the Old Bridge in the 15th century. The
current bronze sculpture by Gernot Rumpf was installed in 1979.
Rubbing the mirror brings wealth, touching the monkey’s
outstretched fingers ensures a return to Heidelberg, and stroking the
mice (the artist’s signature) brings the blessing of children.
Heidelberg Castle
An absolute must! Towering
high above the city, the ruins of the castle offer breathtaking views
of Heidelberg. A special attraction is the Great Barrel, one of the
largest wine barrels in the world, which once held over 200,000
liters and was used to store the Elector’s wine. The court jester
Perkeo was the wine cellar master of Elector Karl Philipp,
responsible for the wine in the castle. Perkeo was famous for his
enormous wine consumption – it’s said he only drank wine and
never a drop of water. According to legend, he died when he was
accidentally served water one day. The castle is also home to the
German Pharmacy Museum, where you can discover a fascinating
collection of ancient medicines, remedies, and historical laboratory
equipment, offering insights into the history of pharmacy.
Heidelberg
Castle
Funicular Railway
From the valley station at
Kornmarkt, you can take the funicular up to the castle. For those who
want to hike, continue on to Molkenkur or Königsstuhl. There are
many beautiful hiking trails there. From the Königsstuhl, you’ll
have a breathtaking view over the Neckar Valley and the Rhine Plain –
on clear days, you can even see as far as the Palatinate
Forest.
Funicular
Railway
Heidelberg University and Student Prison
Founded
in 1386, Heidelberg University is the oldest university in Germany
and one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions. It has attracted
students from all over the world for centuries, shaping the life and
culture of the city. The historical Student Prison, used until 1914,
is particularly impressive. Misdeeds like nighttime disturbances or
duels led to this unusual punishment. During their imprisonment,
students could still attend lectures but had to spend the nights in
the prison. The walls of the prison are still covered with drawings
and inscriptions left by the inmates, offering a fascinating glimpse
into the student life of the past.
Old University, University
Museum & Student Prison, Augustinergasse 2, 69117
Heidelberg
University Museum
Student Prison
Kurpfälzisches Museum
Located directly across from the vacation apartment, the museum offers a great opportunity to explore the history of Heidelberg – not just on rainy days. You can enjoy an exciting virtual flight over Heidelberg throughout history or admire the jawbone of the Homo heidelbergensis in the archaeology section. In addition, there are always exciting temporary art exhibitions.
Kurpfälzisches Museum
Hiking in and around Heidelberg
For nature
lovers, Heidelberg offers numerous hiking trails. Around the
Königsstuhl, you’ll find beautiful trails through forests, with
many fantastic viewpoints. A particularly scenic trail is the
Neckarsteig, which winds along the Neckar Valley, offering
picturesque views and historical sights like castles and palaces. The
trail leads through dense forests, along riverbanks, and over gentle
hills – ideal for day hikes.
Philosophers’ Walk and Snake Path
The Snake
Path in Heidelberg is a footpath that connects the Old Bridge to the
Philosophers’ Walk. It begins just above the Old Bridge, opposite
the Old Town, and leads steeply through terraced vineyards to the
forest, where it meets the Philosophers’ Walk. Though it’s
partially surrounded by bushes, trees, and vineyards, several viewing
platforms offer stunning views of the city. A detour to the
Philosophers’ Garden is especially worth it in spring and autumn.
The Philosophers’ Walk offers a true postcard view of the Old Town,
the river, the Old Bridge, the castle, and the Königsstuhl towering
above the city.
Climbing the "Himmelsleiter" to the
Königsstuhl
For those seeking a challenge, there’s the
"Himmelsleiter" (Heaven’s Ladder), just above Heidelberg
Castle, at the first bend of Molkenkurweg. It’s 1,200 uneven steps
made of roughly hewn sandstone, ascending 270 meters through the
beautiful Heidelberg forest. The climb ends near the Tinnunculus
Falconry on the Königsstuhl.
For the active: Mountain Biking at Königsstuhl
The
Königsstuhl offers a variety of trails for mountain bikers, catering
to both beginners and experienced riders. The well-marked routes lead
through dense forests and offer spectacular views of Heidelberg and
the Neckar Valley. There are also more challenging trails with steep
descents and technical sections.
Brauhaus Vetter
Hearty brewery cuisine and
local beer in a cozy, rustic atmosphere – one of my favorite
spots.
Steingasse 9, 69117 Heidelberg
Brauhaus
Vetter
Weinstube Schnitzelbank
I love the intimate,
cozy atmosphere. The wine selection is excellent, and the schnitzels
are definitely among the best in all of Heidelberg. Be sure to
reserve a table!
Bauamtsgasse 7, 69117 Heidelberg
Weinstube
Schnitzelbank
Wirtshaus Zum Nepomuk
Fine regional cuisine
with a direct view of the Old Bridge.
Obere Neckarstraße 2, 69117
Heidelberg
Kulturbrauerei
Here, you’ll find
house-brewed beer and seasonal specialties in a stylish, upscale
atmosphere.
Leyergasse 6, 69117 Heidelberg
Heidelberger
Kulturbrauerei
Zum Roten Ochsen
One of the oldest and most
traditional student pubs in Heidelberg, offering hearty regional
classics in a rustic atmosphere.
Hauptstraße 217, 69117
Heidelberg
Zum
Roten Ochsen
Der Kleine Spanier
A charming little Spanish
restaurant right by the Old Bridge. Here, you can enjoy authentic
Spanish cuisine with tapas and selected wines in a cozy
setting.
Hauptstraße 183, 69117 Heidelberg
Der
Kleine Spanier
La Bruschetta
“Little Italy” in the heart
of Heidelberg. Simple, cozy, Italian flair – always packed. The
best pizza in Heidelberg.
Plöck 52, 69117 Heidelberg
La
Bruschetta
Casa del Caffè
My favorite café in
Heidelberg, located on Steingasse right by the Old Bridge. It
features Jugendstil tiles, an Italian atmosphere, the best coffee in
town, delicious panini, and sweet treats.
Steingasse 7, 69117
Heidelberg
Casa
del Caffè
Conditorei-Café Schafheutle
Traditional café
culture with excellent cakes and pralines, located right next to the
vacation apartment.
Hauptstraße 94, 69117
Heidelberg
https://www.cafe-schafheutle.de/
Macaronnerie
Macarons and French pâtisserie
with delicious baguettes, croissants, tartelettes, bread rolls, and
excellent coffee.
Hauptstraße 211, 69117
Heidelberg
https://www.macarons-heidelberg.de/
A stroll through Märzgasse is a must! Here, you’ll find small, independent shops offering a refreshing alternative to mainstream stores. After a successful shopping day, treat yourself to an aperitif at Bar Amoroso (Märzgasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg).
CONTIGO Fairtrade
A fantastic shop offering unique products in areas such as home
design, tableware & décor, fashion & jewelry, and delicious
fair-trade coffee and espresso to try on-site or take
home.
https://contigo.de/contigo-fairtrade-shops/heidelberg/
Heidelberg’s Old Town is full of pubs. The best way to
experience them is by wandering through the Untere Straße and
letting yourself explore. You’ll find many cult pubs like Destille,
Mohr, Sonderbar, Hörnchen, Reichsapfel, and
Weinloch.
https://die-untere.de
Otherwise:
Palmbräugasse, Hauptstraße 185
Max Bar, Marktplatz
Orange, Ingrimstraße 26
The Dubliner, Hauptstraße 93