Things to do in Heidelberg

There are a lot of interesting sights in Heidelberg, boasting the town’s scenic views and beautiful nature. Heidelberg gives the feel of a European old town, where some streets are made of red brick and tiny lanes are lined with old buildings that are painted in bright colours. Walking around Heidelberg is rewarding, as the town is fascinating everywhere you turn. A few markets can be found in the city, where you can look for local products and observe the laid-back lifestyle of the locals.

The Old Town (Altstadt)

The best way to see the Old Town is to wander around on your own. The Old Town covers the area by the River Neckar, but it isn’t a large area, so you can walk around here without getting lost. There are many interesting sights in the Old Town. One of the first places you can choose to start your exploration is the Marktplatz, an enchanting market square, surrounded by exquisite historical buildings. These old heritages are listed below.

The Holy Ghost Church

Also known as the Heiliggeistkirche, this church was built in a beautiful Baroque style. The church was first mentioned in 1239, and in 1398, Prince Elector Ruprecht III (later King Ruprecht I of Germany) laid the cornerstone of the church we see today. If you have enough energy, climb up on the rooftop of the church to see a breathtaking view of the Old Town.

Town Hall

The Town Hall is located opposite the church, boasting its Baroque structure on the building’s front. The second floor hosts a large neo-Renaissance auditorium, while the murals by Wilhelm Lindenschmit and stained-glass windows by Karl Hoffacker, featuring themes from the history of the Palatinate, are very impressive.

The Bridge Gate

This remarkable medieval gate has survived numerous floods, and has served as a guardhouse and jail (the Guilt Tower, or Schuldturm). The original conical tops of the gate towers were replaced with Baroque spires in 1788. The rooms on the western tower were once used for detaining suspicious persons. At the west end of the bridge stands the Bridge Monkey, a bronze sculpture of a monkey, which is a famous spot for taking pictures.

Universittsplatz

This is the area where the oldest university in Germany, Ruprecht Karls University, more commonly known as the University of Heidelberg, is located. Visit the Studentekarzer (Student Prison), which features wall paintings by arrested students representing themselves in studentenverbindung (student fraternities) costume from 1901.

Heidelberg Castle

This is definitely the highlight of tourist attractions in Heidelberg. Heidelberg Castle was originally a fort. Enjoying a perfect location by Neckar River, the castle boasts panoramic views from the large courtyard, which overlooks the whole city. Once inside the courtyard of the castle, you can see that many parts of the castle reveal different styles of construction, with the major elements from the Gothic and Renaissance periods.

The left corner of the courtyard shows the entrance to a cellar which houses a huge wooden wine barrel with a capacity of more than 200,000 litres. Next to the barrel is a small German wine shop where you can taste the wine before making a purchase. Even more special, you can customise your own label on the wine. Also, check out the castle’s gardens, which display exquisite statues, beautiful flowers and plants, and charming waterfalls.

Philosophenweg

Philosophenweg is situated on the northern side of the city, offering stunning views of the oldest part of the city from across the Neckar River. The steps going up to Philosophenweg can be discouraging, but once you get up there, the heart-stopping scenery is worth it. You can also find charming gardens here and ideal places for a picnic.

Markets

The markets in Heidelberg are very interesting to visit. The city is home to pleasant, charming and bustling markets in the Old Town and others across the river in Neuenheim. These markets reflect authentic German life and sell a full range of local products including cheeses, flowers, vegetables and some souvenirs. Small cafés are also aplenty around the markets, where you can sit back and enjoy a homemade croissant and a cup of coffee.

The River Neckar

This is the only river that runs through Heidelberg, thus it is the main resource of the city. There are many river cruises which offer 2 or 3-hour tours along the river, passing many lovely old villages, towns and lush green areas. Cruising on the River Neckar is a good choice to take to observe Heidelberg’s surroundings without having to walk. Some of the boats have open tops, so you can also enjoy the sun while taking in the beautiful scenery along the river.

Museums
There are many museums in Heidelberg boasting both the town’s rich history and historical items as well as collections of fine art. The most notable museums are the Museum of the Palatinate, displaying portraits of the Prince Electors, an outstanding collection of coins and the famous collection of Frankenthal porcelain; Museum of Ancient Art, presenting the archaeological collections of the University of Heidelberg encompassing ceramics from Troy and reconstructions of finds from Mykene and Crete; University Museum, unveiling the history of the oldest university in Germany; and the German Pharmacy Museum, with its unique displays of pharmaceutical paraphernalia and rare documents dating back four centuries as well as an alchemist's laboratory.