Heidelberg
Discover Heidelberg
Heidelberg is a jewel among German travel destinations. Heidelberg has retained its baroque charm of narrow streets, picturesque houses and of course the world-famous Schloss (castle ruins). It is home to the oldest university in Germany (est. 1386). Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, sits in the Neckar river valley where the legend-rich Odenwald (Forest of Odes or Odin) opens up towards the plains of the Rhine Valley.
Taste of Heidelberg...
BBQ & Beer — On sunny summer days the Neckarwiese ('Neckar meadow', northern bank of Neckar river, just west of Bismarckplatz) is full of people relaxing in the sun, having a barbecue or a beer... This place also offers a nice view of the castle. You will have to bring your own grill, beer and steaks. Cheap grills to use once are available at the "Bauhaus" do-it-yourself store at Kurfürsten-Anlage 11, 200 m south of Bismarckplatz. Nice way to mix with locals. Grilling is only allowed in two zones marked with cobblestones. Do not put one-way-grills onto the grass, it will leave a hole in the grass. Snacks — Along the Hauptstraße, which runs through the center of town, you will find several bakeries that serve local specialities including “Brezeln” (pretzels). Department stores have a nice selection of delicatessen stalls called “Markthallen” where you can eat everything on the spot. Cafes — Many of the cafes in Heidelberg set up outside tables when the weather is fair, and these are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. A popular destination for summer cafe beer sipping and lounging is the Marktplatz, which is adjacent to the Heiliggeistkirche. Meals — The Haupstraße is plentiful with an amazing variety of restaurants. Dishes tend to be served in large portions, relatively inexpensive and of good quality. You can find something for almost every taste including Japanese, Indian, Italian, Chinese, German and Bavarian.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsYou can travel to Heidelberg via ICE (InterCity Express), Germany's fastest train, running at up to 300 km/h (180 mph) on German rails. For more info and booking see German Railways (Deutsche Bahn, DB) website. Frankfurt and Stuttgart airports have train stations inside the terminal. Frankfurt Airport also is a major ICE train stop. Reservations are not necessary; just buy your ticket at the counter or machine after you land. Credit cards are accepted; most staff speak English. It might be necessary to change trains (only once) at Mannheim, Stuttgart, or Frankfurt Central Station, but it is still likely to be faster than the bus. One-way prices: Frankfurt €31.50 (ICE) or €25 (IC or EC), Stuttgart €36 (IC) or €49 (ICE). Lufthansa provides a shuttle bus from Frankfurt to Heidelberg for €32 one way (taking one hour) and €58 round trip. If you have a Lufthansa ticket, you get €2 discount. The A5 connects Heidelberg directly to Frankfurt and Karlsruhe. It's easy to reach from any direction....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The city runs a small but rather effective system of trams and buses. The two most important nodal points are the main station and Bismarckplatz. A single trip costs €2.80, and a day ticket costs €6.70. Ticket machines at most tram and bus stops take cash and cards, and have instructions in English as well as German. Bus #32 and #33 connect the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) with the old city area; detailed maps, schedules and routes can be found online. A mountain railway runs between four stations (including the castle), linking the old city on the level of the river with the summit of the Königstuhl Mountain, about 400 m (1312 feet) above the city. The "HeidelbergCARD", a tourist pass that includes public transportation, many museums, and the lower section of the mountain railway (a separate fare is required for the upper section), can be bought at the tourist information centre outside the main station.
Where to Stay
Heidelberg is an extremely safe city (even by German standards). However, people walking alone at night should take the usual precautions they would do anywhere else. Walking along the northern Neckar banks at night would not be advised, except in groups, particularly by the Studentenwohnheime (dorms). The shrubs are thick and it is very dark. Usually there won't be a problem. To be extra safe you can take a taxi. Prices are reasonable. Don't walk on bicycle lanes! Really don't! (they are often painted in red, but always separated from the pedestrian lanes by a white line): Heidelberg has more cyclists than motorists, and many of them do not slow down or move for pedestrians and have a rather cavalier way of riding. The southern parallel street to Hauptstraße (called Plöck) is the main traffic channel for student cyclists between Bismarkplatz and University Square. During the day it can be such a buzz, it's already a sight worth visiting.
Money & Budget
The main shopping area is from Bismarckplatz along the Hauptstraße. Here you will find the big chains and the small, unique shops. BBQ & Beer — On sunny summer days the Neckarwiese ('Neckar meadow', northern bank of Neckar river, just west of Bismarckplatz) is full of people relaxing in the sun, having a barbecue or a beer... This place also offers a nice view of the castle. You will have to bring your own grill, beer and steaks. Cheap grills to use once are available at the "Bauhaus" do-it-yourself store at Kurfürsten-Anlage 11, 200 m south of Bismarckplatz. Nice way to mix with locals. Grilling is only allowed in two zones marked with cobblestones. Do not put one-way-grills onto the grass, it will leave a hole in the grass.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Heidelberg is an extremely safe city (even by German standards). However, people walking alone at night should take the usual precautions they would do anywhere else. Walking along the northern Neckar banks at night would not be advised, except in groups, particularly by the Studentenwohnheime (dorms). The shrubs are thick and it is very dark. Usually there won't be a problem. To be extra safe you can take a taxi. Prices are reasonable. Don't walk on bicycle lanes! Really don't! (they are often painted in red, but always separated from the pedestrian lanes by a white line): Heidelberg has more cyclists than motorists, and many of them do not slow down or move for pedestrians and have a rather cavalier way of riding. The southern parallel street to Hauptstraße (called Plöck) is the main traffic channel for student cyclists between Bismarkplatz and University Square. During the day it can be such a buzz, it's already a sight worth visiting.