Heidelberg Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Heidelberg
Heidelberg Church of the Holy Spirit which includes heritage elements and a city
Heidelberg
Heidelberg Castle featuring heritage elements, views and a city
Heidelberg

The romantic baroque city on the River Neckar is a popular destination and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe.

Thanks to its position in one of the Odenwald's valleys, Heidelberg enjoys some of the warmest weather in Germany. The city makes a popular destination for tourists who want to enjoy its romantic scenery, explore its history or simply take a stroll along the Neckar.

Heidelberg has laid claim to an impressive history since it was founded in the fifth century. The city centre is characterised by architecture in the Gothic and Romantic traditions surrounding its many cosy beer gardens and cafés. A winding, kilometre-long street offers you many different shopping options and brings you to Heidelberg's triumphal arch, the Karlstor, erected in honour of Prince Karl Theodor.

From here you can take the funicular railway up to the Heidelberger Schloss, the castle sitting majestically over the city centre. This famous tourist attraction is a Renaissance masterpiece and had already been rebuilt several times when further fires and wars finally took their toll and the castle was left as a ruin. In spite of this, the Heidelberger Schloss, with its facades from different historical periods, is still an architectural wonder. The castle is the city's most important landmark and one of the most important Romantic ruins in the world.

At the castle you can also visit the stunning Renaissance Hortus Palatinus Garden stretching over several terraces to the Königsstuhl Hill. Before the destruction of the castle and the surrounding area, this garden was considered the "eighth wonder of the world". Today the hike is still worth it to enjoy the breath-taking view of Heidelberg and the Old Bridge.

Many of the city's old buildings survived the heavy bombing of Heidelberg during the Second World War. After the war, the city was occupied by American troops and Heidelberg is still the central headquarters of the US military in Europe. This explains why a not inconsiderable portion of the population has American heritage.

Travel to Heidelberg is not complete without a visit to Heidelberg University, one of the oldest higher education institutions in Europe. Walk through halls that have been paced by famous scientists and thinkers such as Jürgen Habermas and Karl-Otto Apel. Every year the university attracts new students and so ensures that this old and romantic little city always keeps in touch with its younger side, something made obvious by its many stylish bars and annual music festivals.

Where to stay in Heidelberg

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Heidelberg City Centre

Historical sites, cafes and shopping are some highlights of Heidelberg City Centre. Make a stop by Heidelberg Student Jail or Heidelberg University Library while you're exploring.

Heidelberg City Centre
Heidelberg featuring food

Bergheim

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Bergheim. If sightseeing is on the list, Körperwelten Museum is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Heidelberg (West) Central Station Tram Stop or Heidelberg Seegarten Tram Stop to see more of the area.

Bergheim
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Weststadt

Weststadt is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Neckar Valley-Odenwald Nature Park and Schatzkammer.

Weststadt
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Neuenheim

5/5(3 area reviews)

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

Neuenheim
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Rohrbach

3/5(3 area reviews)

When in Rohrbach, you can plan a visit to Heidelberg University Library and Heidelberg Student Jail, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Rohrbach
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Bahnstadt

3/5(1 area review)

Though Bahnstadt may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Heidelberg Zoo and Neckarwiese.

Bahnstadt
ATLANTIC Hotel Heidelberg

ATLANTIC Hotel Heidelberg

4.5 out of 5
Europaplatz 1, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg
The price is £101 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
£101
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Heidelberg Castle and Roadside ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (174 reviews)
"Phenomenal breakfast"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

ATLANTIC Hotel Heidelberg
Hotel zum Ritter St. Georg

Hotel zum Ritter St. Georg

Hauptstraße 178, Heidelberg, BW
Stay at this hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk and cable TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (115 reviews)
"475-year-old building, beautifully renovated and kept up. Very friendly and helpful staff. Fabulous location, smack in the middle of old Heidelberg, right next to the Holy Ghost Church. On Sunday at 9:00, as it is summer and we had kept the windows open, we woke up to the sound of the church organ ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Hotel zum Ritter St. Georg
Staycity Aparthotels, Heidelberg

Staycity Aparthotels, Heidelberg

Speyerer Straße 9, Heidelberg
The price is £61 per night from 21 Aug to 22 Aug
£61
21 Aug - 22 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (865 reviews)
"Very nice hotel in the center of the city. We stayed for one night since we joined a concert"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Staycity Aparthotels, 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.
BoardingWorld Heidelberg

BoardingWorld Heidelberg

Rohrbacher Str. 32, Heidelberg, BW
Stay at this aparthotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Heidelberg Castle and Schatzkammer are ...
7.8/10 Good! (95 reviews)
Highly recommended, has all you need.
"The Boarding House Heidelberg is the perfect location for you to stay and explore the delightful city. The apartment was spacious with great decor, spotlessly clean, crisp white linen and a large comfortable bed. Only criticism would be the terrible pillows - suggest much better ones needed. The ..."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

BoardingWorld Heidelberg
SUYTES Business Studios

SUYTES Business Studios

Czernyring 40, Heidelberg, BW
Stay at this aparthotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Heidelberg Castle and Roadside Theater ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (198 reviews)
"Location was not central to main attractions but clean and comfortable and the kitchen for simple cooking is good."

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

SUYTES Business Studios
Boardinghotel Heidelberg

Boardinghotel Heidelberg

Haberstraße 15, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Heidelberg Castle and Hockenheim ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (202 reviews)
Clean and beautiful
"Very clean hotel. Parking was easy to find. Overall great experience."

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2025

Boardinghotel 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.

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