Travel to Heidelberg

Travel to Heidelberg

With its charming atmosphere combined with stunning natural beauty andthe feel of an old town, Heidelberg is a lovely city that enjoys its perfect location in the Neckar River Valley, boasting scenic naturalviews and the beautiful river. The city is alsohome to the oldest university in Germany and a spectacular castle, Heidelberg, welcomes visitors from all over the world to the fantasy land of an old German town with a rich culture and history.

Transportation to Heidelberg

Heidelberg does not have its own airport. The easiest way to travel to Heidelberg is to arrive at Frankfurt International Airport, which receives a number of flights from all over the world. There are many ways to get to Heidelberg from the airport. You can take a train, a bus or an airport limousine straight to the city of Heidelberg. Taxi services are also available, but this is the most expensive means of travelling.

Alternatively, if you want to travel by car to Heidelberg, take the A5 autobahn from the north or the south, exiting onto the A656, which will take you directly to the city centre of Heidelberg. Alternatively, Heidelbergs Hauptbahnhof is a major railroad station on the Mannheim line. From Frankfurt, there are 40 train services per day, with a travel time of 1 hour. There are 30 daily trains from Stuttgart, with each trip taking 45 minutes. The journey by train from Munich is 3 hours, 30 minutes.

What to see

There are many things to see in the small charming town of Heidelberg. The old part of town is full of many remarkable buildings and boasts beautiful Baroque structures. The notable sights in the Old Town (Altstadt) include the Holy Ghost Church, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Old Town from the rooftop; the Town Hall and the Bridge Gate. If you have some time to spare, walk over to the Universittsplatz, where the oldest university in Germany is located.

The most famous tourist spot in Heidelberg cannot be anywhere else but the castle. Enjoying a perfect location by Neckar River, the castle boasts panoramic views from the large courtyard that overlooks the whole city. The castle displays elements of construction from the Gothic and Renaissance periods, and hosts a renowned gigantic wine barrel. Philosophenweg, another spectacular sight, is situated on the northern side of the city and offers charming vistas of the oldest part of the city from across Neckar River.

Daytrips

Making a day-trip outside Heidelberg to nearby cities is a rewarding experience. Not far from Heidelberg, there are many interesting historic sites waiting to be explored such as Kirchheim, Pfaffengrund, Wieblingen and Neuenheim. Those who are nature lovers will enjoy a walk along the river valley; while visiting one of the famous vineyards and enjoying scenic views of the countryside is also a pleasure.

Alternatively, you can head to Stuttgart, located 120kms away; a city full of exquisite parks and woodlands, and host to many festivals and fascinating museums. While you are there, why not try one of their local wines, as Stuttgart is the largest wine-growing city in Germany. Also, Mannheim, only 20kms away, is worth visiting. Mannheim unveils steaming parties when the sun goes down, while Frankfurt, 88kms away, is an ideal place if you want to reunite yourself with the feel of a big city.

Activities and leisure

There are many restaurants in Heidelberg,boasting all kinds of food. Numerousbars, pubs, cafs and clubs can also be found around town, as Heidelberg is a hubfor university students. Nightlife is fun but not too outrageous. During the summer, people usually sit outside to enjoy the feel of thesun on their backs and indulge themselves in a glass of German beer and a snack of local specialties, such asbrezel (pretzels).

Safety issues

Heidelberg is known as one of the safest cities in Germany, but you still have to be on guard everywhere you go. Take extra care of your belongings, especially when you are in busy places. Pickpocketing is the main concern here, as much as in other cities in Europe. As it is a university town, you will find many students cycling to classes, so look out when they are approaching because they can lose their temper easily if you are in their way. If you hire a bicycle yourself, make sure to lock your bicycle to one of the designated bike stands, as there have been many cases of stolen bicycles in Heidelberg. Taking out travel insurance for you and your family is strongly recommended.