Heidelberg, Germany, was the perfect addition to our European itinerary. It’s a university town on both sides of the Neckar river, with mountains surrounding it and a castle on the hill overlooking the old town. Justin’s parents were with us, and we wanted to visit a German town with a castle and a walkable city center.
With two nights in the city, we had enough time to see many of its main sights and enjoy a few German beers. We arrived on a Sunday, which meant there was a lot going on in the old town area—live music, tons of street vendors, and some amazing food.
Once we had a good idea of the city layout, we had a better plan for how we wanted to spend our one full day there. We got an earlier start with coffee and pastries, did a little hike for some amazing views, and then explored the castle for the afternoon. We checked out a couple of the other attractions and finished with a great dinner.
Our Favorite Heidelberg Spots
Altstadt “Old Town”
I suggest wandering to this part of town first. You will find endless restaurants and beautiful historic buildings. The old bridge is a great place to start, and you can wind your way through the streets to Hauptstrasse, a long pedestrian-only street with stores and restaurants.
Book a private tour to learn even more about Heidelberg’s history and some of the famous artists who have called this lovely place home.
Schloss Heidelberg
The castle in this city is perfectly located above the old town, so it finds its way into the background of so many photos. For 9 euros, you can take the funicular up the hill to the castle and gain entry to the grounds. For an additional 6 euros, you can take a guided tour. I recommend doing it because you get a lot of the history of the grounds and the city. I had no idea that Germany used to have their own kind of “electoral college” where the prince-electors would select the monarch. This castle was home to a few of those leaders for the Electorate of the Palatinate.
Although it is partially in ruins now, you can explore a few areas that were restored and still get an idea of what it looked like in its prime. You can also make your way to the basement and taste some wine next to possibly the largest wine barrel in the world. Make sure to take a few minutes to wander the gardens for some of the best views.
Studentenkarzer
The university in Heidelberg has lots of history, but one of the most interesting spots on campus is the student jail. These were rooms that students were locked in when they committed minor offenses such as insulting authorities or drunken conduct. Many of these rooms have been preserved even though the jail hasn’t been used since 1914. It costs just a few euros and doesn’t take long to look around, but I would recommend it for an interesting stop while in town.
The Philosopher’s Walk
My absolute favorite part of our visit to Heidelberg, Germany, was the Philosopher’s Walk. It is a path that leads you through the neighborhoods on the opposite side of the river, from Altstadt to some of the best views in the area. There are beautiful gardens, overlooks, and quiet spots to sit for a while. Completing the whole loop will bring you right back to the old bridge on the river. Alternate paths lead off this walk for longer and more challenging hikes as well.
Food & Drink Around Heidelberg, Germany
Palmbräu Gasse was one of our favorite restaurants. They had great vegetarian options and wonderful food. We also had delicious pizza at Da Baggio. I would recommend trying Flammkuchen and some kind of local German beer or wine.
It’s easy to find a place to eat (even for vegetarians), so wander and find a spot that looks fun to you. If the weather is nice, I encourage outdoor seating to do some people-watching and enjoy the beautiful city.
Other Details for a Two Day Stay in Heidelberg, Germany
We stayed at this lovely hotel. The price was great, the bed was incredibly comfortable, and it was close to the train station and the old town area. I know they have other locations in Europe, and we’ll be return customers for sure. Book your stay here.
Getting there is simple via train. Heidelberg has a bigger station with tons of routes leading there. We came via Frankfurt and left towards Strasbourg. Both were comfortable and had lots of extra room.
Last but not least, if you are planning a trip to Heidelberg, check out Helene’s blog. She lived there for three years and has some more in-depth posts with things to do. This would be a fun city to add to a trip to Munich or any of the beautiful cities in France or Switzerland.
