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City in Germany — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇩🇪
Country
Germany
Type
City
Best time to travel
April–October
Budget/day
85–130 €
Getting there from Germany
Heidelberg can be reached by IC/ICE from Frankfurt (1h), Stuttgart (40 min), and Mannheim (15 min).
About Heidelberg
Heidelberg is the epitome of German Romanticism and enchants with its majestic castle ruins that tower high above the Neckar and the baroque old town. The city at the confluence of the Neckar and Rhine has inspired poets, painters, and musicians — from Goethe to Mark Twain and the Heidelberg Romantics around Clemens Brentano and Achim von Arnim. The Old Bridge with the Bridge Gate and the Bridge Monkey is one of the most photographed motifs in Southern Germany. The Philosopher's Path on the opposite bank of the Neckar offers a legendary panoramic view over the city, castle, and river valley. The Heidelberg Castle itself houses the Great Barrel — a wine barrel with a capacity of 221,726 liters — and the German Pharmacy Museum. The Ruprecht-Karls-University, founded in 1386, is the oldest university in Germany and shapes the youthful and international flair of the city with around 30,000 students. The student prison, where disobedient students were once locked up, is a popular curiosity with its graffiti walls. The Hauptstraße, one of the longest pedestrian zones in Europe, runs through the old town with its baroque facades, bookstores, and cafes. The Heidelberg Spring is one of the most prestigious music festivals in Germany. The Neckar boat trips, hikes on the Neckarsteig, and the Palatinate cuisine with Pfälzer Saumagen and Handkäse round off the experience of this timelessly beautiful city.
Top 5 highlights in Heidelberg
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Heidelberg Castle
The world-famous castle ruins tower over the old town and house the Great Barrel with a capacity of 221,726 liters.
Old Bridge
The baroque bridge with the Bridge Monkey and the view of the castle and old town is one of the most photographed motifs in Germany.
Philosopher's Path
The elevated path on the northern bank of the Neckar offers the best view of the city and has been appreciated by poets and thinkers.
Heidelberg University
Founded in 1386, the oldest university in Germany shapes the city with the student prison and the Old Auditorium.
Old Town Hauptstraße
The 1.6 km long pedestrian zone is one of the longest in Europe with baroque facades, cafes, and boutiques.
Hotels in Heidelberg
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Heidelberg
Recommended travel time
April–October
Summer
Warm, 22–30 °C, one of the warmest regions in Germany
Winter
Mild, 0–6 °C, rarely snow
How much does a holiday in Heidelberg cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
45–65 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
85–130 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
180–300 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
Book a package holiday to Heidelberg
Compare thousands of package holidays to Heidelberg and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Heidelberg
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
The funicular to the castle and further to the Königstuhl saves the steep ascent and offers great views.
Visit the Philosopher's Path in the late afternoon for the best light on the old town.
The student prison in the old town shows the humorous history of student punishments.
In summer, the castle hosts the castle festival with open-air concerts and theater performances.
The Heidelberg Castle illumination with fireworks takes place three times in summer – a magical experience.
Food & drink in Heidelberg
These specialties you must try!
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