15 Truly Special Photo Spots in Heidelberg and the Surrounding Area

Old Bridge Heidelberg

The Old Bridge is an absolute must and one of the most famous attractions in Heidelberg! The bridge is officially called the Karl-Theodor-Brücke and spans the Neckar River.

With its arches set against the panoramic backdrop of Heidelberg’s old town, it makes for a seriously fantastic photo opportunity.

Neckarwiese Heidelberg

The Neckarwiese (northern side, “Neuenheimer Seite”) is essentially Heidelberg’s go-to party spot in the summer. But especially in the evening or at night, you’ll find not only a great place for a stroll, but also a stunning view of Heidelberg’s historic center.

Watch your step! There tend to be glass bottles or goose droppings on the ground. Otherwise, enjoy it and snap away!

Getting There & Location

Best to park on Jahnstraße. Then walk down to the Neckar and head toward the Old Bridge.

Galeria Parking Deck Heidelberg

From the top level of the parking garage, you get an unrivaled view of Heidelberg Castle that very few people know about. Seriously — this is one of the best-kept secrets in the city.

It also makes for a great portrait location, especially at night. In general, shooting here after dark is best, since it simply gets too busy during the day.

Underpass at Karlstor Heidelberg

Right beneath the Karlstor lies a real under-the-radar photography location. The underpass sits directly under the gate and is an ideal spot for street portraits — you get peace and quiet, and still a fantastic setting!

The time of day doesn’t matter here since the underpass is lit. A flash is helpful, but not strictly necessary.

Getting There & Location

Park in the old town (Karlsplatz). Bike racks available. Bus stop right next door.

Scheffelterrasse Heidelberg

The Scheffelterrasse is probably THE classic Heidelberg photo spot! As part of the castle gardens, it’s always freely accessible and offers a wonderful panorama over the old quarter and the castle.

You’ll rarely have it to yourself, but there’s always room to set up a tripod. We’d avoid Saturday afternoons though — the crowds are a bit much.

Getting There & Location

With good shoes, several footpaths lead directly from the old town up to the castle. For those who prefer the easy route, there’s a paid parking lot above the castle gardens.

Heiligenberg

The Heiligenberg lies to the east of Heidelberg and offers several great photography locations: the Bismarck Tower with its magnificent view of the castle, Neckar, and old town; the Thingstätte; and above all the ruins of St. Michael’s Monastery, which provides a wonderful backdrop for photo shoots.

Make sure to allow plenty of time here — there’s a lot to explore.

Getting There & Location

Take Mühltalstraße straight up the hill. There’s plenty of parking at the top.

Fuchsrondell on the Heiligenberg

The Fuchsrondell is a viewing platform on the Heiligenberg. From here you get a great vista over Heidelberg and out into the Rhine Valley.

The platform has a roof, which is handy. Just note that only a forest path leads to it, so wear sturdy shoes.

Getting There & Location

Take Mühltalstr. up to the Heiligenberg. Halfway up, there’s a small parking lot on the right side. From there, continue on foot — pass the barrier and follow the path straight ahead. Can also be reached on foot via the Philosophers’ Walk.

Bergfriedhof Heidelberg

At around 37 acres, the Bergfriedhof is the largest cemetery in Heidelberg and the surrounding area. The grave sites are set along winding paths on terraced grounds, surrounded by a rich and varied landscape of trees, shrubs, hedges, and ground cover plants. Several notable Heidelberg personalities are buried here.

The Bergfriedhof is more than just a burial site: four marked walking routes invite visitors to discover it as a place of significant cultural and historical interest, with a chance to explore the graves of notable figures.

Getting There & Location

Tram lines 23 and 24
Stop: West-/Südstadt or Bergfriedhof
S-Bahn lines 1 and 2
Stop: West-/Südstadt S-Bahn station

Old Town of Ladenburg

As an ancient Roman town, Ladenburg has a wonderfully preserved historic old town that’s well worth a detour! The late medieval center features numerous impressive buildings, and charming little alleyways can be found around every corner.

It’s best to stop by in the evening or at night, unless you’re specifically there for street photography.

Getting There & Location

Free parking lots can be found all around the old town.

Schauenburg Ruins Dossenheim

The Schauenburg ruins sit atop the Ölberg in Dossenheim. The old walls and tower remnants are perfectly suited for portrait shoots. But the view out over the Rhine Valley — in good weather, all the way to the Palatinate Forest and the Vosges — is absolutely worth the climb!

Photography Tips

Heads up: the roughly 15-minute climb is no joke! Take it easy, but don’t let that put you off. Come in the evening hours to catch beautiful light for your shots.

Getting There & Location

At the end of Schauenburgstraße there’s a parking lot. From there, head straight up the hill. The ruins are signposted.

Feste Dilsberg

Feste Dilsberg is a medieval castle east of Heidelberg and a popular day-trip destination in the Rhein-Neckar district. Old stone walls and tiny alleyways everywhere! It’s easy to reach and always worth a visit, with a parking lot right in front of the complex.

Photography Tips

As so often: come here in the evening or at night! It’s absolutely quiet and practically deserted then. Great photography opportunities as far as the eye can see — and thanks to its elevated location, it’s also ideal for star and Milky Way shots.

Waldsee Walldorf

The Hartholzsee, or Waldsee, near Walldorf in Baden-Württemberg is a beautifully situated small lake right in the middle of the forest, with a sandy beach in places.

Getting There & Location

Coming from Walldorf, just before the overpass of the L598 over the A6, a dirt road branches off to the left before the bridge. Turn in there and drive along the right side of the forest edge.

The Waldsee is easy to reach by car, with parking available right at the forest’s edge. A well-maintained hiking trail runs directly along the lake.

Katzenbuckelsee

The Katzenbuckel is an extinct volcano and the highest point in the Odenwald. Tucked away on it lies a gorgeous little lake that’s perfectly suited for landscape photography or portrait shoots.

Photography Tips

Since the lake sits in a crater and is surrounded by forest, midday is actually the best time to shoot here — the light filters down beautifully.

Getting There & Location

The lake isn’t accessible by public transportation. From a nearby parking lot, it’s only a two-minute walk to the water.

Palace Garden in Schwetzingen

The palace garden in Schwetzingen consists of a French and an English section. The English section is particularly special — here you can photograph what look like “abandoned temple ruins” and pull off some stunning portrait shots.

There’s an admission fee, but it’s totally worth it. You’ll need to seek out the quieter corners, but don’t let that put you off. Honestly, this is one of our favorite photography locations in the whole region.

Getting There & Location

Parking in Schwetzingen is usually paid. Otherwise, it’s very easy to reach.

Rhine Riverbank near Lußhof

The Rhine riverbank near Lußhof offers not only a great place to unwind, but also some really special photography locations! Situated right beneath the Rhine bridge leading to Speyer, you can stroll right along the river, wade into the water, fish, or simply kick back and relax — and of course snap loads of photos along the way!

Photography Tips

Bring rubber boots and spray yourself generously with mosquito repellent. When shooting in the water, watch out for passing Rhine barges: the wave arrives faster and is bigger than you’d expect!

Getting up early here is really worth it too.

Getting There & Location

The K 4250 passes under the Rhine bridge toward Speyer. There (across from Hotel Luxhof), a limited number of free parking spots are available right along the road. From there, just take the short path toward the water and you’re there!

Many thanks to our local photographers Nikolai Kaltschmidt and Tanja, who shared their favorite photo spots in Heidelberg with us.