Photo: BishkekRocks · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Heidelberg
A castle ruin, a stone bridge and Germany's oldest university on the Neckar.
Germany's old university town on the river Neckar: a red-sandstone castle ruin on the wooded hillside, a long car-free main street, a stone bridge and a path along the opposite slope with the classic view of it all. Small, walkable and full of students.
Places to see
Heidelberg CastleSight · A huge red-sandstone palace, part roofless ruin and part restored, on a terrace above the…≈ A$18
HauptstraßeWalk · A pedestrian street more than a kilometre and a half long running the length of the old…Free- Old BridgeSight · A stone bridge of red sandstone arches across the Neckar, entered through a gate with two…Free
Philosophers' Walk
When to go
- Jan5° / -1°Some rainQuiet
- Feb7° / -1°Some rainQuiet
- Mar12° / 2°Some rainQuiet
- Apr17° / 5°Some rainBusy
- May21° / 9°Some rainBusy
- Jun24° / 13°Some rainBusy
- Jul26° / 15°Some rainVery busy
- Aug26° / 14°Some rainVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The old town. The long main street, the squares, the churches and the university between the river and the castle hill. Lively, central and dearer to stay in.
Bergheim and the station. Between the main station and Bismarckplatz: cheaper beds, supermarkets and a tram ride or 20-minute walk to the old town.
Flying in
Frankfurt (FRA): Train from the airport station, usually with a change in Mannheim, about 1 h, ≈ A$44. Saver fares booked ahead can be cheaper (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Heidelberg; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$5. The old town is a long, narrow walk; trams and buses link the main station and Bismarckplatz to it in a few minutes. The funicular goes up to the castle and the Königstuhl (check).
Tourist tax
Flewaway doesn't know of a city bed tax in Heidelberg; some German cities charge one, so check when you book.
