Things to Do in Heidelberg: Our Top 22 Highlights

General Information About Heidelberg

Where is Heidelberg Located in Germany?

Heidelberg is located in southwestern Germany in the state of Baden-Württemberg.

The university city sits almost exactly between Stuttgart and Frankfurt. Both cities are only about 80 kilometers from Heidelberg as the crow flies.

Mannheim isn’t far either — the two cities sit right next to each other. From Heidelberg, you can reach Mannheim in less than half an hour by car.

The drive to Heilbronn is only a little longer — about 50 minutes.

5 Facts About Heidelberg

Planning a city trip to Heidelberg? Perfect — let us give you five facts about Heidelberg right off the bat to get you in the mood for this romantic city on the Neckar. Let’s go!

• Heidelberg has approximately 160,000 residents
• One in five Heidelberg residents is a student
• Since 2014, Heidelberg has been the first UNESCO City of Literature in Germany
• At 1.6 kilometers, Europe’s longest pedestrian zone is located right here in Heidelberg
• The perfect souvenir from Heidelberg is the so-called “Studentenkuss” — a marzipan chocolate that’s totally unique to the city

Heidelberg Attractions on a Map

To give you a great overview of all the things to do in Heidelberg, we’ve put together a map for you right here.

The Top Attractions in Heidelberg

In this article, we’ll walk you through 22 things to do in Heidelberg.

Short on time or just want the absolute highlights? Here’s our top 7 list of the best things to do in Heidelberg.

1. Heidelberg Castle
2. Old Bridge
3. Philosophers’ Garden
4. Heidelberg University
5. Old Town
6. Königstuhl
7. Thingstätte

Want more detail on each one? Keep reading — here are all 22 of our favorite Heidelberg highlights.

Historic Buildings in Heidelberg

Heidelberg Castle

Our number one Heidelberg highlight is, of course, Heidelberg Castle. When the red sandstone ruins are bathed in pink-golden light at sunset — honestly, is there a more romantic sight anywhere?

And yet the castle has been through quite a lot: destroyed in wars, blown up, and even struck by lightning, it still refused to give way and became a powerful symbol of longing and hope during the Romantic era.

Today it’s not only Heidelberg’s most iconic landmark — it’s one of the most visited attractions in all of Europe. It’s so famous that the company Huawei had it recreated for its employees in Shenzhen. Seriously!

Our tip: You can absolutely explore Heidelberg Castle on your own. In our experience, though, a guided tour with an expert is something truly special — you’ll hear stories and discover corners that no travel guide will ever tell you about.

Book a private guided tour of Heidelberg Castle

Old Bridge

Heidelberg’s most photographed spot is the Old Bridge. Its official name is actually the Karl Theodor Bridge, after its builder — but no true Heidelberger ever calls it that.

At the end leading into the historic center, you’ll find a rather unusual statue: a monkey touching its backside while holding up a mirror. The sculpture is meant to gently nudge passersby into a moment of self-reflection.

Cross the Neckar and you’ll emerge on the other side at the Neckarwiese. Here stands a large red sandstone rock where couples in love hang engraved padlocks — similar to what you’d find on bridges in Paris or Florence, but Heidelberg does it just a little differently.

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University — also known as “Ruperto-Carola” — was founded in 1386 by Elector Rupert I, making it the oldest university in Germany. It has a seriously impressive reputation and has topped American rankings for international universities.

No wonder it has nearly 30,000 students today. With one in five residents being a student, the city has a wonderfully energetic, youthful feel.

But Heidelberg University isn’t just a place to study — it’s also simply beautiful. Particularly worth seeing are the university library and the Studentenkarzer (more on that in a moment). A walking tour takes you through centuries of history, from religious conflicts in the Middle Ages to the student movement of the 1960s.

Church of the Holy Spirit

The Church of the Holy Spirit (Heiliggeistkirche) is the largest and most important church in Heidelberg, with origins dating back to the 13th century. Like so many older buildings here, it’s built from the local Neckar sandstone, which gives it that distinctive reddish hue.

Just like Heidelberg University, the church was caught up in sectarian disputes. Hard to believe, but until 1936 the interior was divided by a wall into a Catholic section and a Protestant section. A compromise was eventually reached, and today it belongs entirely to the Protestant church.

Our tip: When you visit, make sure to climb the church tower. 208 steps lead you up to an observation platform — and the effort is absolutely worth it. The panorama over Heidelberg’s old quarter from the top is something else.

Congress Hall

The Congress Hall is, in a sense, Heidelberg’s “grand parlor.” This is where the city comes together for festivals, concerts, and pretty much every other cultural event — and cultural life has always mattered a great deal here.

Beyond that, the building itself is simply beautiful. A real standout is the façade, which features portraits of well-known artists including Johann Sebastian Bach.

Our tip: Check the website before your visit. You might get lucky and find a concert or event that’s right up your alley.

Karlstor

The Karlstor looks a bit like a mini version of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris — and it’s just as charming.

It sits right at the eastern end of the historic center. Since the S-Bahn station closest to the Old Town is also here, you’ll likely pass by at some point anyway — so a quick stop is easy to fit in.

The Karlstor was intended as a gift from the citizens to Elector Karl Theodor, the same man behind the Old Bridge. When the enormously high bill arrived, however, the joy quickly faded.

Schwetzingen Palace

One castle not enough for you? No problem — just a few kilometers west of Heidelberg lies Schwetzingen Palace. Built in the 14th century and renovated several times since, it’s remarkably well preserved — a real contrast to the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle.

You could easily spend an entire day here, because the grounds are truly enormous. In addition to the palace itself, the complex includes a theater, several temples, themed gardens, an orangery, a mosque, a lake, and much more.

The palace interior can only be visited on a guided tour — you can choose between 60 and 90 minutes. The gardens, on the other hand, you can explore freely at your own pace.

Thingstätte

This one is quite different from the rest. The Thingstätte is an open-air amphitheater that can hold up to 20,000 people.

If that makes you think of ancient Greece, you’re only half right. While Greek theaters did serve as inspiration, the Thingstätte was actually built in the 1930s by the Nazis for propaganda purposes.

Today you can visit freely. It sits on the northern bank of the Neckar on the Heiligenberg and makes for a great outing that combines a bit of history with some fresh air. Events are still occasionally held here — Walpurgis Night, for example, is an annual highlight.

Exploring Heidelberg's Old Town

Hauptstraße

Car noise and exhaust fumes — what’s a main shopping street doing among our top picks? Simple: Heidelberg’s Hauptstraße, at 1.6 kilometers long, is the longest pedestrian zone in all of Europe, and it’s one of the most popular things to do in Heidelberg.

The Hauptstraße runs from Bismarckplatz all the way through the old town to the Karlstor. In fact, it’s so old that the street existed before the city itself. Heidelberg without the Hauptstraße — no one here can even imagine it.

It’s usually packed with people, but that’s part of the fun. It’s a great place for a relaxed stroll, and you can eat and drink your way through the many cafés, bars, and restaurants along the way. Alongside the usual chain stores, you’ll find plenty of small boutiques — fashion, furniture, flowers, you name it.

Our tip: Every now and then, duck into the side streets. Things are a little quieter there, and you’ll find plenty of charming shops and houses that most visitors walk straight past.

Market Square

Heidelberg actually has three incredibly beautiful city squares. The oldest is the Market Square, right in the pedestrian zone — and yes, it was used, as you’d expect, for the weekly market.

Today it’s lined with lovely cafés and eateries. The charming square, with its rows of small colorful houses, is perfect for sitting down with a coffee and maybe a few Studentenküsse (Heidelberg’s signature marzipan chocolates). You also get a direct view of the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Town Hall from here.

Our tip: If you’re visiting around Christmas, don’t miss a mulled wine at the Christmas market on the Market Square. Starting on the so-called “Pink Monday,” it glows in a sea of rosy lights — totally magical.

Kornmarkt

Your second square option is the Kornmarkt, located right next to the Market Square. It’s a little smaller and less prominent — and if you want to dodge the tourist crowds, we’d actually recommend coming here instead.

From the Kornmarkt you get a fantastic view of the castle ruins. This is also where the so-called “Burgweg” begins, leading you up to the castle and the funicular railway to the Königstuhl.

You’ll recognize the Kornmarkt right away by the statue and fountain at its center — the “Kornmarktmadonna,” erected in 1718 as a pointed statement by the Catholic Church against the Protestant Reformation movement.

University Square

University Square is set a bit apart from the other two squares, but since it’s one of the central meeting points in Heidelberg, you’ll almost certainly pass through it at least once.

If you’re visiting in summer, make a point of stopping here. There’s a small outdoor café where you can sit among the university buildings and soak up the sun over a great iced coffee — total relaxation.

There’s also a good chunk of history packed into this square. Originally, an Augustinian monastery stood here, where Martin Luther discussed his famous theses in the 16th century. The square was eventually built right on top of the monastery’s foundations.

Getting Out into Nature in Heidelberg

Philosophers' Garden

You can reach the Philosophers’ Garden by two routes. The first is the Philosophers’ Walk, which starts on the northern bank of the Neckar behind the Theodor Heuss Bridge and winds upward for about two kilometers — sometimes quite steeply.

Like so much in Heidelberg, the Philosophers’ Walk has a romantic backstory. It wasn’t named after famous thinkers, but after students who used to find a cozy spot here for some private time together (in earlier times, students had to study philosophy before beginning their actual degree).

Your second option is the Schlangenweg — which certainly lives up to its name (“Snake Path”). Starting at the Liebesstein, the path winds its way up the Heiligenberg, with a bench around nearly every bend inviting you to stop and take it all in.

The best vantage point, though, awaits you at the top in the Philosophers’ Garden. In spring and summer, colorful flowers bloom here, and you look out over the “Heidelberg Trinity” (Old Town, Neckar, Königstuhl) as well as the castle. The perfect spot to read a book or simply let your mind wander.

Königstuhl

The Königstuhl is Heidelberg’s local mountain, sitting just a few kilometers south of Heidelberg Castle.

While there is a funicular railway and a road to the top, we’d strongly recommend hiking up instead.

Once you reach the 567-meter summit, you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable views. There are also several attractions up top that are especially great if you’re traveling with kids — including the forest nature trail, the Märchenparadies amusement park, the Tinnunculus falconry, and the State Observatory.

Neckar Valley

The Neckar is a 362-kilometer tributary of the Rhine that flows right through Heidelberg. The surrounding Neckar Valley is a wildly romantic landscape — deep blue water rushing past rugged cliff faces, castles, and fortresses.

For hikers, there’s the 4-Castles Trail: 12 kilometers in about three hours, requiring only moderate fitness. Or grab a bike and ride along the Neckar road.

Whether on foot, by bike, or by boat — getting out into the Neckar Valley should definitely be on your list of things to do in Heidelberg.

Our personal favorite, though, is a kayak tour on the Neckar. It’s a refreshing change of pace, and beyond a good workout, you’ll pick up plenty of stories about Heidelberg’s old town and the castle while you’re out on the water.

Book the kayak tour on the Neckar

St. Stephen's Monastery

What’s a monastery doing in the nature section? Simple: here, the journey is the destination. St. Stephen’s Monastery sits not far from the Thingstätte on the Heiligenberg, so you can easily combine both into a single outing.

St. Stephen’s Monastery was built as far back as 1090 by the Benedictine monk St. Stephen. Only ruins remain today — but in 1885, the stones were repurposed to build a lookout tower, the Heiligenbergturm. From the top, you get a fantastic panorama over the entire Neckar Valley.

Botanical Garden

Not in the mood for a steep hike but still want some fresh air? The Botanical Garden in Heidelberg lets you spend an afternoon surrounded by a tropical climate and 10,000 different plant species.

The garden is part of Heidelberg University and, having been founded in 1593, is one of the oldest in the world. It’s not just a beautiful place to relax — it also plays an important role in research and the conservation of endangered plant species.

Our tip: Check the events calendar before your visit. Wonderful workshops and guided tours are regularly held here for just a few dollars. You might learn how to make chocolate or your own natural cosmetics — seriously good fun.

Art and Culture in Heidelberg

Student Jail

The Student Jail (Studentenkarzer) seems pretty bizarre from today’s perspective. For a long time, it served as a prison for students who had committed minor offenses.

Most of these were, of course, connected to a boozy night out. Talk about student life having a bitter aftertaste!

A “sentence” could last anywhere from three days to four weeks.

Quite a stretch — but students put it to good use by covering every inch of the walls with their names, portraits, stories, and the logos of their student organizations.

The scrawlings look a bit like an early form of graffiti.

The Student Jail has since become one of the most popular attractions in Heidelberg, and we’d absolutely recommend a visit — it’s genuinely fun to read through the students’ stories.

Street Art in Heidelberg

Something we never would have expected from Heidelberg, with its elegant castle and charming little houses, is that it has quite a thriving street art scene. Street art is actively supported by the city, and since 2015 there’s even been a dedicated street art festival called METROPOLINK.

By now, more than 20 artists from across Germany have left their mark on building façades throughout the city. It’s definitely worth taking a leisurely walk around to admire the works — in places, it almost feels like you’ve been transported to the neighborhoods of Berlin or Lisbon.

If you’d rather leave nothing to chance and want to learn more about the artists and the stories behind the works, the city also offers a guided tour.

Join the Street Art Tour through Heidelberg

Unique Experiences in Heidelberg

Zuckerladen

At Plöck 52, you’ll find a store that makes kids’ eyes light up and turns every adult into a kid again. This is the Zuckerladen — and that name (“candy store”) is meant literally. If you walk out of here without at least a mild sugar rush, you’ve definitely done something wrong.

Lollipops, gingerbread, gummy bears, chocolate, and everything else your sweet tooth could desire are stacked all the way to the ceiling. The two owners, Marion and Jürgen, also put tremendous care into looking after their customers, making every visit a real experience.

Even the way you pay is something special. Fixed prices would be too boring — so here, you get to roll dice to determine the price of your bag of candy.

Heidelbeach

Deep blue water, a sandy beach, and a cocktail in a lounge chair? No, you didn’t accidentally click on a Caribbean travel article. You can actually have a proper beach day right here in Heidelberg.

Heidelberg even has two city beaches: Heidelbeach and Neckarlauer. The latter is a bit further out of town, so you’ll need a car to get there — but on the plus side, it’s usually less crowded.

Both feature a sandy beach with lounge chairs and a beach bar. Kick back with a cool drink and some music while dangling your feet in the Neckar. That’s exactly what a summer day should look like!

German Pharmacy Museum

They happen — those dreary rainy days on a city trip. But no worries, because that’s exactly when we’d warmly recommend the Pharmacy Museum. Here you’ll learn everything there is to know about the history of pharmacy.

The historical overview begins with ancient healing methods — it’s remarkable how much people already knew back then. You can also walk through the typical rooms of a pharmacist: the “workshop,” the storeroom, and the laboratory.

If you’re traveling with kids, the children’s pharmacy section is a real highlight. The little ones get to play pharmacist themselves, and there’s even a small scent experiment.

Practical Tips for Your City Trip to Heidelberg

Where to Stay in Heidelberg

Heidelberg has a wealth of wonderful hotels in every corner of the city. That’s why we’ve put together a dedicated article with 11 truly special places to stay in Heidelberg. For more detailed recommendations on where to stay, check out our hotel article:

11 Special Hotels in Heidelberg

Our Top 3 Heidelberg Hotels for Every Budget

Just want a quick overview? Here are our three favorites:

Restaurants & Cafés in Heidelberg: Our Tips

Heidelberg has a huge variety of great cafés, restaurants, and bars. Spending an afternoon with a hot coffee or cold beer while looking out over the old town is simply a must on any Heidelberg city trip. Here are our favorite spots for food and drink.

Coffee Nerd

The café Coffee Nerd has built up quite a following in recent years and is now one of the most popular in the entire city. The owners have a genuine passion for Scandinavian specialty coffee — and you can absolutely taste it.

The décor is a bit rustic, but the upper floor is super cozy. The café is also right on the edge of the old quarter, making it a perfect pit stop during your sightseeing.

Our tip: Cappuccino and a croissant — the combo at Coffee Nerd is simply irresistible!

Unter Freunden

Unter Freunden has a pretty unique concept that’s hard to categorize. On one hand, they serve super delicious and healthy smoothies; on the other, they make really great pizza.

Alongside classic, vegetarian, and vegan options, you’ll also find wild combinations like orange, arugula, and hummus. Prices are charged by weight, so everyone can choose their own ideal portion.

Our tip: In summer, definitely try the coffee-cherry iced tea with freshly pressed Granny Smith apples — honestly incredible!

Mandy’s Railway Diner

Brunch at Mandy’s Railway Diner is like a little time warp. The restaurant is set inside a converted railway car and is decked out entirely in the style of American diners from the ’50s and ’60s.

Expect burgers, sandwiches, steaks, pancakes, French toast, homemade lemonade, and iced tea. Just keep in mind that Mandy’s only serves breakfast and lunch.

Shopping in Heidelberg

For a relaxed afternoon stroll, the Hauptstraße is the place to be. At 1.6 kilometers long, it’s the longest pedestrian zone and shopping street in all of Europe, with pretty much every kind of store — from big clothing chains to one-of-a-kind boutiques.

Our 3 Favorite Stores in Heidelberg for Every Occasion

The Bonbon Manufacturer: Welcome to the colorful world of the candy maker. Here you can not only watch how candies and lollipops are made, but also create your own. With a lot of heart and the most natural ingredients possible, the Bonbon Manufacturer crafts true explosions of flavor.

The Vierling Store: A store for those who appreciate good design — from wooden boards and coffee cups to all kinds of décor, this concept store has pretty much everything. Every product also places a strong emphasis on sustainable production.

Wortreich Bookstore: In our opinion, one of the most beautiful bookstores in Germany. You can easily get lost among the long rows of books and find plenty of exciting new reading material — maybe even something for your next trip.

Guided Tours in Heidelberg

Heidelberg has a pretty wide range of guided tours on offer. Here are our three favorites for every type of traveler:

Private Old Town Walk – Heidelberg, City of Romance: Heidelberg is called the most romantic city in Germany for a reason. Find out why on this tour. Together with your guide, you’ll stroll through the narrow lanes of the historic center and discover charming spots well off the usual tourist path.

Heidelberg Castle – Knights and Mercenaries: The castle is clearly the top attraction in Heidelberg, so of course we had to include a dedicated tour. It’s really worth it — the castle is enormous and full of twists and turns. You’ll be led into hidden corners of the ruins and hear all the stories about castle life in the Middle Ages.

Experience Tour – Executioners, Witches, and Courtesans: With all the romance surrounding Heidelberg, you might almost think the city is pure idyll. But don’t be fooled — on this experience tour, you’ll be let in on all the dark secrets and legends that played out in medieval Heidelberg.

Public Transit in Heidelberg

Heidelberg is fairly compact, so you can easily get everywhere on foot — and it’s genuinely fun to wander through the charming, winding lanes.

That said, Heidelberg also has a well-developed public transit network, the VRN. The network in the Rhine-Neckar region is divided into zones. For Heidelberg, you’ll always want to use the Großwabe HD zone.

If you’re arriving by train: the main train station is not far from the old town. If you have luggage, it’s best to take the bus (lines 20, 32, or 33) and get off at the Altstadt stop (sometimes also called Karlstor).

Public Transit Tickets

If you just need to get from point A to point B, a single ticket for €2.70 will do. If you plan to explore the city all day, you’re better off with a day pass (€7). A group day pass is worth it from just two people.

You’ll find ticket machines at every train station and sometimes on buses and trams as well. You can also buy your ticket online.

Buy your VRN ticket online

Your Tourist Pass: The HeidelbergCARD

We can genuinely recommend the HeidelbergCARD — it’s worth it for pretty much anyone who isn’t visiting Heidelberg purely for outdoor activities. The card includes a public transit ticket, discounts at many attractions and tours, and even the castle ticket.

Depending on how long you’re staying, you can get the card for one day (€29), two days (€32), or four days (€34). For families, the family card is worth it at €70 for two days. You can pick it up at the tourist information offices or at many hotels. The most convenient option is to pre-order it online.

Our tip: We really recommend buying the pass online before you arrive. With the card, you’ll not only save money here and there — more importantly, you can head straight out sightseeing from your hotel without having to deal with buying tickets first.

Get the HeidelbergCARD online