gps tour heidelberg

Heidelberg ist nicht für viele Urlauber aus den USA ein Sehnsuchtsort, sondern sicherlich auch eine der schmucksten Städte, die Deutschland in dieser Größenordnung vorzuweisen hat. Die ehemalige kurpfälzische Residenzstadt ist bekannt für ihre Schlossruine sowie für ihre renommierte Universität, die älteste Hochschule auf dem Gebiet des heutigen Deutschlands.

In Heidelberg leben 160.000 Menschen, damit ist sie die fünftgrößte Stadt in Baden-Württemberg . Die Einwohner verteilen sich auf die Stadtteile Altstadt, Bahnstadt, Bergheim, Boxberg, Emmertsgrund, Handschuhsheim, Kirchheim, Neuenheim, Pfaffengrund, Rohrbach, Schlierbach, Südstadt, Weststadt, Wieblingen und Ziegelhausen.

Heidelberg ist fast vollständig vom Rhein-Neckar-Kreis umgeben und stößt an einer Seite an die Nachbarstadt Mannheim . Geografisch liegt Heidelberg am Neckar, wo dieser den Odenwald verlässt und in die Oberrheinebene eintritt.

Die wichtigsten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Heidelberg

In Heidelberg gibt's Einiges anzuschauen. Nennen muss man hier natürlich das Heidelberger Schloss mit dem Ottheinrichsbau, die Alte Brücke über den Neckar, das Hotel Zum Ritter und die Heiliggeistkirche, die historischen Gebäude der Universität Heidelberg, das Karlstor, Königstuhl und Philosphenweg, die Klosterruine St. Michael und das Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz.

Die schönsten Wanderwege in Heidelberg

Wer von Heidelberg aus in die Ferne wandern will, hat zumindest drei große Optionen: Dem Neckarsteig kann man flussaufwärts nach Bad Wimpfen folgen, auf dem Neckarweg flussabwärts zur Neckarmündung in Mannheim wandern. Der Burgensteig Bergstraße schließlich führt von Heidelberg aus nordwärts nach Darmstadt. Für Tagesausflüge bieten sich Rundwanderwege an wie z.B. die Heiligenberg-Runde (7km) , die Königstuhl-Runde (11km) , die Weißer-Stein-Rundwanderung (15km) oder eine Runde auf dem Philosophenweg (9km) .

Die Naturrunde liegt zwischen Dossenheim, Handschuhsheim westlich und Peterstal östlich, Wilhelmsfeld nördlich sowie dem Neckartal südlich. Dossenheimer...

Neuenheim ist ein sehr beliebter Stadtteil von Heidelberg und liegt nördlich des Neckars. Von hier aus kann man ganz wunderbar zu den historischen...

Heute wandern wir östlich von Dossenheim, einer Gemeinde an der Badischen Bergstraße, durch dessen Beritt auch die letzte Etappe des Burgensteigs...

Hinweis: Diese Liste Deiner vorgemerkten Touren bleibt dauerhaft auf diesem Gerät und in diesem Browser erhalten.

Heidelberg: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App

• App with Audio Guide in 7 languages on smartphone
• GPS guidance
• 69 Heidelberg, Germany The route doesn't have a specific start or end point. You can start at any point on the route. Once you are inside our app, walk to any point of interest. If you are within 15 meters, a message will pop up, and the tour will start.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This activity requires an internet connection and gps function on your phone.
• The average duration of the activity is is 2-3 hours. However you have until the end of the next day to finish it. Enough time to take a break, visit a museum or have a drink.
• Don't forget to bring a headphone.
• You will receive instructions to activate your self-guided tour in a separate email.
• Walking distance: 5.3 km
• Number of stops/stories: 33
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Schloss Heidelberg
• Old Bridge (Karl Theodor Bridge)
• Studentenkarzer

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Heidelberg 69 Heidelberg, Germany The route doesn't have a specific start or end point. You can start at any point on the route. Once you are inside our app, walk to any point of interest. If you are within 15 meters, a message will pop up, and the tour will start. See address & details
• Pass by Heidelberg Schloss Heidelberg Old Bridge (Karl Theodor Bridge) Karlstor Studentenkarzer
• You'll return to the starting point

More to explore in Heidelberg

Heidelberg: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App provided by City App Tour

Germany ‎ > Heidelberg > Free Heidelberg Walking Tour   

• Free Walking Tour
• Top Day Trips

Free Heidelberg Walking Tour:

Walking Tour Location : Old Town Heidelberg Style :  Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided )  Start : The Old Bridge ( Alte Brücke ) End : Scheffel Terrace (Scheffelterrasse) Walking Distance : 2.2 Miles ( +.5 miles each way for Philosopher’s Path Lookout ) Time : 90 Minutes For Walk ( with attractions 5-6 hours ) Fun Scale : 9.5 out of 10

Overview of Old Town Heidelberg:

While the North side of the Neckar River was home to Celtic and Roman settlements, the Southside blossomed in the Middle Ages into the well-preserved Old Town Heidelberg you can tour today.  Heidelberg served as the capital of the Electoral Palatinate of the Rhine for 600 years ( 1085–1690 ) and was one of the main residences of the powerful Wittelsbach family for just as long ( 1214–1803 ).

With powerful standing in the Holy Roman Empire, Heidelberg grew under the shadow of its mighty castle which is still one of the best to visit in Germany.  One this free Heidelberg walking tour, we will take you through the sights that shaped Old Town from the impressive castle and Germany’s oldest university ( founded in 1386 ), through Medieval Squares and over one of the most romantic bridges in Central Europe.

Heidelberg Walking Tour:

1a. the old bridge ( alte brücke ):.

About The Old Bridge : Strolling along the cobblestoned Old Bridge is one of the best things to do on our free Heidelberg walking tour and a great place to get introduced to the town’s history.  Further upstream, near the Neckar Park, there was once a single wooden bridge over the river established by the Romans in the 1st Century.  The bridge was rebuilt in stone in 100AD, but after it collapsed there wasn’t a new one spanning the Neckar River until 1284.  That might sound crazy to have no bridge for 1,000 years but there are surprising a lot of challenges with both flooding and ice along the Neckar River.  These problems have also plagued the bridge’s current location of the which is on its 9th version since Medieval times.

The Neckar River once served as the border between the Electorate Palatinate of the Rhine ( South ) and the Electorate of Mainz ( North ) which required the bridge to be heavily fortified during the Middle Ages.  On Sebastian Münster’s engraved drawings of Heidelberg ( Cosmographia ) from 1550, we get a glimpse of what the Old Bridge looked like through Medieval times.  It shows us that the bridge had a wooden roof over it and in addition to the preserved double-tower gate on the Southern end, it also had the Monkey Tower Gate ( Affenturm ) on its Northern end.

Most of the rebuilds over the centuries were because of ice damage and although the Old Bridge survived invasions during the 30 Years War in 1622, it was leveled in the Nine Year’s War in 1689.   For almost 20 years after, there was once again only a ferry to cross the Neckar River.  Rebuilt twice more ( 1706 & 1788 ) the middle of the bridge was damaged in 1945 by retreating Nazi forces as the Americans closed in and had to be repaired.

1b. Old Bridge Statues :

About The Statues : In peak Medieval times the Old Bridge in Heidelberg was covered with a roof and filled with market stalls, so it is difficult to gauge how many statues it once had.  Today there are three wonderful carved stone sculptures from the last rebuild of the Old Bridge in the 1700s which help to give it the old-world feel like Charles Bridge in Prague, albeit on a much smaller scale.  A additional 4th bridge statue of the Heidelberg Monkey we will also see later on this free Heidelberg walking tour.

Starting on the Northern end of the 9-pillar Old Bridge, there has been a large statue of the Roman Goddess of Wisdom, Minerva  ( 7th pillar ).  Originally carved in 1730 and placed on the former location of a bridge guardhouse, the current copy was created in 1793 after being damaged a massive flood 9 years earlier.  Below Minerva is a wide base with 4 reliefs and 4 allegorical statues starting in the front with Justice leaning on books with her scales, a veiled Pietas holding a cross ( our favorite of them ), a winged-hat Hermes baring coins, and Ceres with a cornucopia.

Next to Minerva was once a statue of the martyred John Nepomuk ( 9th pillar ) which was added in 1738.  After Nepomuk’s statue fell into the Neckar River during the Flood of 1784, it was moved along the Northern river bank where it sits overlooked by tourists today.  His statue’s tumble into the river was slightly ironic as the Saint had been murdered by being tossed into the Vltava River in Prague in 1393.  At the riverbank below the Nepomuk Statue, you’ll find the romantic Love Stone ( Liebesstein ) where visiting couples are encouraged to leave love locks.  The large sandstone slab is where the famous lyricist Joseph von Eichendorff and his beloved Katharina Foerster ( nicknamed Kaethchen ) often met in 1808.

As you take in the views and head South toward Old Town Heidelberg, the final stone statue on the Old Bridge is of Elector Karl Theodor ( 2nd pillar ) who stands above his own coat of arms.  Karl is the ruler who commissioned the current reconstruction of the Old Bridge ( 9th overall ) in 1786-1788.  In the Middle Ages, this was the location of a guardhouse and the figures below Karl symbolize the territories around the Danube, Isar, Mosel, and Rhine rivers which he ruled at the time of the build.

2. Old Bridge Tower ( Brückentor ):

About The Bridge Gate Towers : The 92-foot-tall twin towers of the Old Bridge Gate leading into Heidelberg is the town’s second most iconic feature after the mighty castle.  There have been round twin towers above this entrance into town since at least 1400s when they were part of Heidelberg’s Medieval fortifications.   The earliest depiction of this wonderful gate was from a woodcut image of town by Sebastian Münster in 1527 as well as some engravings from 1550.

After surviving floods and wars over the centuries, the gate towers were fitted with their current canopy roofs in 1714.   The Western Tower ( called the Guild tower ) has three Medieval dungeon rooms and the Eastern Tower has a spiral staircase that leads up to the small apartment of the bridge guard over the middle archway above the gate.  Paid tolls were enforced at the gate for any foreigners crossing the bridge until 1878.

3. Bridge Monkey Statue ( Brückenaffe ):

About The Bridge Monkey Statue : The playful Bridge Monkey Statue is one of the most photographed things on our free Heidelberg walking tour, but few tourists know the meaning behind it.  Now on the Southern end of the Old Bridge, originally the statue sat at the Northern end in as early as the 1400s.  That side of the river was the domain of the Bishop of Mainz and the monkey grabbed his butt pointing in that direction to let the Bishop know he had no jurisdiction in Heidelberg.  The early version of the Bridge Monkey Statue also held a mirror which was important to remind local citizens to have self-reflection as they traveled.  City goers and country folk were reminded that neither was better than the other as they crossed into each other’s realms.

During the Palatinate War of Succession ( 1689-1693 ) the original Bridge Monkey Statute disappeared and the neighboring Monkey Gate Tower was damaged.  Luckily Professor Gernot Rumpf installed a modern bronze version of the Heidelberg Bridge Monkey on the Southern end of the Old Bridge in 1979 to bring the legend back to life.  Every day you can see lines of tourists waiting to insert their heads into the statue to form a helmet-like monkey mask , but there is still a lot of hidden symbolism.

Instead of grabbing his butt, the current Bridge Monkey’s free fingers point to form the Horned Hand ( mano cornuta ) to ward off the Evil Eye ( malocchio ) which provides good luck or a return to Heidelberg if rubbed.  It’s said that also rubbing the mirror in the monkey’s other hand will bring you money which seems a little weird since the self-reflection should instead bring your humility.

Next to the statue are a pair of bronze mice ( a signature of the artist ) which said to bring luck with fertility and a plaque showing of the words of Baroque-era writer Martin Zeiler’s 1632 poem about the Bridge Monkey Statue.  The poem basically mocks people who only stand around staring at the statue and invites you to participate by placing your head inside it.

4. Neckar Riverboat Cruises :

About The River Boat Cruises : Heidelberg may only be 60-90 minutes by train to the heart of Rhine River cruising, but a relaxing boat ride along the Neckar River is also very enjoyable.  Between two companies there are two main options for your Neckar River cruises including a local 50-minute cruise and a longer 3-hour tour which visits other villages upstream.  We have done both options and will give you an overview below.

For the 50-minute local cruise, we chose to ride on the solar-powered Neckarsonne Boat ( website , Neckarstaden #25 ) which leaves near the Old Bridge.  A large portion of the Neckarsonne boat has retractable glass walls which help you to get panoramic views as you quietly glide along the river.  There is interesting commentary in both English and Germany throughout the cruise, but it is so relaxing that we actually tuned most of it out as we gazed onto the castle and village.  The Neckarsonne does have food, drinks, and beer available but you will want to board a little early if you are hungry as the fresh snacks are in limited supply.

The other option in Heidelburg is called Weisse Flotte ( website , Neckarstaden #25 ) and leaves from near the State Hall Theater.  This company also has a 50-minute local tour which is a little more focused on food, but is not as quiet at the unique solar-powered Neckarsonne.  Weisse Flotte’s best cruise is the 3-hour round trip with the option to layover in the village of Neckarsteinach known as the City of Four Castles .  It really does have four castles packed right into one tiny village which is pretty cool.  This cruise is one of the best ways to recharge and relax for a few hours if you are feeling burnt out from traveling.

Neckarsonne 50-Minute Cruise : April & October  Tuesday to Sunday at 11:30am, 1 pm, 3 pm, & 4 pm; May-September Tuesday to Sunday 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm, & 6pm.  No Cruises Mondays.  Cost : 9€ for adults or 3.50€ for kids.  Weisse Flotte 50-Minute Cruise : April & October Wednesday to Monday at every 30 minutes from 10am-5:30pm.  No Cruises Tuesdays.  Cost : 9€ for adults or 3.50€ for kids. Weisse Flotte 3-Hour Cruise : April-October departures at 10am, 11am, Noon, 2pm, & 3pm.  No meaningful layover option in Neckarsteinach on the last round-trip cruise for the day.  Weekday times limited in April & October.  Cost : 17€ for Adults or 8€ for kids.

5. Horse Stables & Arsenal ( Marstallhof ):

About The Horse Stables Arsenal : Six years after Heidelberg was attacked during the Landshut War of Succession in 1504, a mighty arsenal was completed here to defend the city from war.  The massive red sandstone complex in one of the few buildings in the heart of Old Town Heidelberg to have largely remained intact over the centuries of conflict.  Across an open inner courtyard, the Southside of the complex became the military horse stables ( Marstall ) in 1590 but much of that area was damaged during the Palatinate War of Succession in 1693 also known as the Nine Year’s War.

Today, the former arsenal and horse stables are part of the Heidelberg University and serve as the popular University Cafe.  We love the cafe as it is open to the public and is the best place to get a great meal on a budget in Heidelberg.  Even if you only stop in to take a break in the inner courtyard and check out the preserved Medieval architecture, it is still a very enjoyable stop on this free Heidelberg walking tour.

6. State Hall Theater ( Stadthalle ):

About The State Hall Theater : From the former Horse Stables & Arsenal, it is a very short walk to the Art Nouveau-style State Hall Theater built in 1803.   The Western facing main entrance into the theater is one of the most beautiful buildings in Heidelberg.  We also like to visit as the small Anniversary Square Park ( Jubiläumsplatz ) across from the main entrance is a wonderful place to rest your feet for a few minutes while surrounded by only locals.  You can also get a great view of the famous Neckar River Park ( Neckarwiese ) just across the river as a preview if you plan on visiting it which we recommend.  The narrowest home in Heidelberg can also be seen just in front of the State Hall Theater at Untere Neckarstraße #38.

Note : The interior of the theater is under renovations into 2022.  Time Required : 5 minutes ( 15 if you stop to rest ).

7. Main Street ( Hauptstraße ):

About Main Street : At one-mile-long, the Hauptstraße is the longest pedestrian zone in Germany and is filled with shops you’ll actually want to visit.  There are countless restaurants and cafes adding to the energy of the pedestrian zone, but the Conditorei-Café Schafheutle ( website , #94 ) is one that you shouldn’t miss.  Since 1833, this delicious cafe has been known as the “Sweet Heart of Heidelberg” thanks to its unmatched coffee, cakes, and chocolate.  The best thing about the cafe is the peaceful greenhouse-like seating area hidden in the back which is one of the more relaxing spots in town and a great retreat from the busy street outside.

Further down the Main Street, you will find one of the best Christmas stores in Germany at Käthe Wohlfahrt ( website , #124 ).  Based out of Rothenburg Germany, this is the most iconic Christmas shop in Europe and it gives you a taste of the Advent markets any time of year.  Next to Käthe Wohlfahrt, you can get a feel for the where the Medieval wall once ringed Old Town Heidelberg based off the fortified buildings and the open square with the Lion’s Well Fountain which once was a dry moat ditch ( graben ).  Next to the large Art-Nouveau building on the corner ( #126 ) where the Middle Tower ( Mitteltor ) stood from Medieval Times until 1827.

8. Palatinate Museum ( Kurpfälzisches ):

About The Palatinate Museum : Sitting on Heidelberg’s main pedestrian, the Palatinate Museum is the best museum in town and far more interest than most visitors expect.  The museum was founded inside the former Morass Mansion in 1870 and covers a very wide range of art and archaeology focusing on the Palatinate region of Germany.

There are wonderful paintings at the Palatinate Museum going back to the 1500s, exhibits on the findings from Heidelberg Roman settlement, and a copy of the jaw bone from the 600,000-year-old Heidelberg Man.  We especially love the wide range of artifacts and priceless items telling the history of the Electoral Palatinate which ruled the region from 1214 to 1803.  Our three favorite works are the bronze Roman statue from 100AD, the famous painting of Heidelberg’s Castle Gardens by Jacques Fouquières from 1620, and the Flemish version of the Tower of Babel painting from 1587.  It is also impossible to not be impressed by the interior of the mansion itself which is furnished to look like it would have in the 1700s to 1800s.

The inner courtyard as you approach the entrance to the Palatinate Museum is also gorgeous.  Make sure to look up at the wrought-iron Golden Swan Pub sign from 1790 ( replica on display ) from Michelfeld with the coat of arms from Gemmingen Manor.  Further into the courtyard is the Restaurant Garibaldi which although it beautiful have fairly poor service ratings.  The outdoor area of the restaurant is free to visit however and filled with statues from 1712 from the convent that was demolished for the nearby University Library in 1901-05.  We will see the facade of the stunning library next on this free Heidelberg walking tour.

Museum Hours : Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm; Closed Mondays. Cos t: Weekdays 3€ and Weekends 1.80€ for Adults; kids free; includes English or German audio guide.  Website : Here .  Time Required : 60-90 minutes ( museum lovers 2 hours, best visited on a multi-day visit to town ).

9. Heidelberg University Library :

About The University Library : While it is two very short blocks off of the main pedestrian street, the stunning University Library is one of the most beautiful buildings in Heidelberg.  The huge Renaissance-style structure was completed in 1905 with the intent of matching the style of the Heidelberg’s powerful city center castle.  Complete with a red sandstone facade , the final result of the construction was worthy of the timeless library which was first established in 1388 when the University of Heidelberg purchased a large chest of books.

If you stop to see the wonderful facade of the library, make sure to also see the historic Saint Peter’s Church right across the road which is the oldest in Old Town.  The Romanesque chapel has it’s own defensive wall and was first built in 1196 ( expanded in 1496 ) and has been part of the University of Heidelberg since 1896.  The interior is very basic, but the outside has five centuries worth of tombstones as a famous oak tree planted in memory of Martin Luther’s 400th birthday in 1883.

Visiting Hours : One most weekdays, it is free to visit the main common areas of the library but the pretty part is the outside.

10. Student Prison ( Studentenkarzer ):

About The Student Prison : Heidelberg University was founded in 1386 and is the oldest in higher education institution in Germany and it has many stories to tell.  One of the most interesting aspects of Heidelberg Univerisity is the famous Student Prison which was used to detain unruly students for minor offenses from 1778-1914.  This was actually a quite common thing in German universities starting in the 1600s and students would be detained for anywhere from 3 days to 4 weeks, but still allowed to attend lectures during the day.

Eventually, being tossed into the Student Prison became a rite of passage among and students would purposely get in trouble to stay they did their time.  Over the centuries the countless students detained on house arrest here turned their boredom into carving and painting artwork onto every surface of the Student Prison.  Today the preserved artwork of slogans, jokes, and profile portraits completely covers the former prison cells, hallways, stairwells, and ceilings.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of detail describing the artwork as you visit but touring the multi-leveled historic property is very beautiful and unique.

Hours : April to August daily 10am-6pm; September & October Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sundays & public holidays 10am-4pm; November to March Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Closed on Sundays in Winter.   Cos t: 3€.  Website : Here.  Time Required : 15-30 minutes.

11. Hotel Of The Knight Saint George ( Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg ):

About Hotel Zum Ritter : In 1592, a wealthy Belgian cloth merchant moved to Heidelberg from France and built Old Town’s most beautiful home on the main square for his wife.  The German Renaissance-style facade is a marvel and the mansion is the oldest stately home surviving in Heidelberg .  Due to an attack during the Thirty Year’s War in 1622 and also the War of the Palatinate Succession ( 1688-1697 ) known as the Nine Year’s War most of the other buildings in Heidelberg’s Old Town were completely destroyed.  Luckily the Hotel Zum Ritter survived and today it is our favorite hotel in Heidelberg thanks to its history, location, and great value.

The nickname Saint George comes from the figure of the fabled knight carved into the facade under the gable.  The Knight Saint George was a Medieval folk hero who slew the dragon that was carrying the plague into villages in Europe.  As you inspect the other statues on the red sandstone facade, make sure to look at the right oriel window on the 2nd floor ( 3rd story for Americans ) where you can still carvings of the original owner and his wife.  The interior of the 37 room hotel also carries over many elements from the mansion’s early history making it a delight to stay in.  There are other great values nearby for accommodations including Hotel Goldener Falke (also on the main square), but we like the atmosphere of Zum Ritter the best.

12. Church of the Holy Spirit ( Heiliggeistkirche ):

About The Church of the Holy Spirit : Dominating Market Square on a massive scale, the Medieval Church of the Holy Spirit is the largest and most important church in Heidelberg.  The beautiful church was first mentioned in a manuscript from 1239 and grew to its current size when it was rebuilt by Elector Ruprecht III starting in 1398.  He became the Ruprecht I, King of Germany, two years later intended the new formidable church to become the burial place of the Electors of the Palatinate and as it became the new official Parish of Heidelberg ( formerly was Saint Peter’s ).

Construction of the new church took much longer than expected and the soaring bell tower wasn’t completed until 1544.  On May 22, 1693 invading French troops during the Palatine War of Succession ( Nine Year’s War ) rounded up locals into the church and burned it.  What was left of the severely damaged Church of the Holy Spirit was then plundered requiring it be rebuilt in its current form with Gothic interior pillars and a Baroque bell tower.

While most of the royal tombs were ruined during the French invasion, the sandstone sarcophagus of King Rupert I and his wife was preserved and is still on display.  One of the more interesting things of the re-build is that in 1706 a divider was added inside the church to dedicate space for both Protestant ( Nave ) and Catholic ( Choir ) congregations to both worship  inside the church.  This barrier stood for 230 until it was removed in 1936 and the church is now Protestant.

As you explore the interior of the Church of the Holy Spirit, consider taking the steps up the bell tower to the 38-meter-high observation platform for views over Market Square.  Hornblowers used this tower in Medieval times to look for fires who in 1798 were replaced by official Nightwatchmen.  You also won’t be able to miss the dozens of tacky souvenir stands filling the gaps between the buttresses ringing the outside of the church.  The awnings of the stands are packed with tourists and they are surprisingly a great place to get cheap gifts to bring home for your friends or family.

Visiting Hours : Monday-Saturday 11am-5pm; Sundays 12.30pm-5pm.  Organ Recitals : 30-minute performances on Fridays & Sundays at 5:15pm; on Saturdays they are 60-minutes with a choir at 6:15pm.

13. Market Square ( Marktplatz ):

About Market Square : Since as early as the 1300s, the bustling Market Square has been the center of life in Heidelberg’s Old Town ( Altstadt ).   It was here next to the Holy Ghost Church that Medieval commerce flourished and also where both witches and heretics were burned alive at the stake.  Around the central fountain is also where the stocks were to hold people convicted of petty crimes on public display often in a hanging cage.

The fountain in Market Square was re-built with its heroic Hercules statue from 1706-1709.  The stoic statue is a reminder of the colossal effort needed to rebuild Old Town after the damage from attacks in both the 30 Years War in 1622 and again in 1689 during the Nine Year’s War.  The Town Hall ( Rathaus ) along the Eastside of the square was one of the larger buildings to be rebuilt in 1701 ( fire damage in 1908 ) after French Troops destroyed it in 1689.

We love the outdoor dining in Market Square, especially later in the evening as the tour bus groups have all started to leave Heidelberg.  It is during those hours when the day trippers leave that relaxing in Market Square while admiring Hercules becomes even more meaningful.  The most magical time in the square is during Advent when it becomes Heidelberg’s main Christmas market although it is also used for many other festivals throughout the year.

14. Grain Market Square ( Kornmarkt ):

About Grain Market : F With its amazing views of the mighty castle and stunning central statue of the Virgin Mary, Grain Market Square is one of the most delightful spaces on this free Heidelberg walking tour.  From the end of the 1200s, the picturesque square was home to the large Holy Spirit Hospital which was torn down in 1557 to make way for an additional market place space.  The market ( first called New Market ) was important to boost the economy of the growing village as out of the 6,380 residents in 1588, 1400 of them were widowed or unmarried women.  The thriving market specialized in agricultural products which led to the name Grain Market ( Kornmarkt ).

The focal point of the Grain Market today is the timeless Virgin Mary Statue added in 1718 by the Jesuits who were looking to help motivate the townspeople into Heidelberg’s conversion back to Catholicism during the Counter-Reformation.  The religious change had been going on since 1685 by decree by the Elector Philip and never fully latched on Heidelberg.  Remember that in Heidelberg’s main church both Protestants and Catholics shared the worship space until the 1930s.  Regardless, the Virgin Mary Statue with her gold gilded crown of 12 stars and divine rays is an excellent piece of art.  The base has cherub angels holding up the earth topped with Mary as the Queen of Heaven holding the baby Jesus.  The depiction of the baby Jesus is interesting as he is doing a blessing motion with one hand while the other drives a long cross into the head of a serpent meant to represent Protestantism.

Hidden along the Northern end of the Grain Market is the outline in the pavement where the tiny chapel for the hospital once stood until 1557.  Next to the chapel outline, you can also see the original location of the former Milk Fountain ( Milchbrunnen ), one of three well that once flowed in the Grain Market Square.

15. Karl’s Square ( Karlsplatz ):

About Karl’s Square : The surprisingly tourist-free Karl’s Square is a huge public space with excellent panoramic views along the entire facade of the Heidelberg Castle towering directly above you.  Similar to how the Grain Market Square was once filled with a large hospital in Medieval times, today’s Karl’s Square was home to a Franciscan monastery complex ( Barfüsserklosters ) until it was cleared in 1803.

The square is named after Grand Duke Karl Friedrich of Baden who was the local Elector at the time but it still pays homage to the monastery with this central fountain.  The artistic fountain created in 1978 is in honor of Sebastian Münster who was a cosmographer and humanist that worked at the monastery from 1521-1529.  Münster is most famous for his very detailed engraved drawings of various towns including one of Heidelberg from 1550 before it was ravished by numerous wars.  Who life’s work gives us valuable insight into many cities during the Middle Ages.

The gorgeous Plane Trees lining each end of Karl’s Square are very beautiful any time of year.  The well-groomed Plane Trees ( Plantanen in German or Platanus in Latin ) are a type of Sycamore that get their unique stubby branch appearance from constant pruning.  We love to visit the outdoor tables at Gasthaus zum Eisernen Kreuz among the trees late in the afternoon in the Summer for a beer and very affordable light meal.  While all of the squares in Heidelberg are festive during the Christmas season, Karl’s Square is unique as it is turned into a large outdoor ice skating rink.

16. Hill Funicular Lift ( Bergbahn ):

About The Hill Funicular Lift : If you aren’t using the Bergbahn Funicular Lift to get up the Heidelberg Castle you are doing it all wrong.  Not only is the cost for riding the lift included for free with your castle ticket, but it turns a very steep 10-15 minute hike into an easy glide up to the entrance.  The hike up is enjoyable it just makes sense to save the energy to better enjoy the castle.  While the electric lift cabins are very modern a spacious today, the Bergbahn Funicular has been operating since 1890 .  If you choose to ride all the way up to King’s Chair at the top of the mountain you actually get to the ride the vintage pully system cars the final 20 minutes up to the top which adds to the amazing views as you ascend.

Hours : Summer Daily every 10 minutes from 9am-8pm; Winter until 5:10pm.  Cost : 12€ Heidelberg Castle ticket includes roundtrip lower lift ticket ( 9€ one-way ride without the castle interior ).  To ride all the way to the King’s Chair 20 minutes further up the mountain is an additional 7€ roundtrip upper lift ticket ( 5€ one-way ).  Finding the Entrance : The entrance to the lift is under the large parking lot building you come to at the start of the hiking trail up to the castle.  You just have to enter the underpass and walk to the back right corner of the building.  You can buy your ticket for the castle at the lift entrance.

17. Heidelberg Castle ( Schloss Hiedelberg ):

About Heidelberg Castle : The biggest highlight of our entire free Heidelberg walking tour is the romantic castle towering above Old Town.  Not only is Heidelberg Castle one of the most impressive urban castles in all of Europe, it was also one of the most important castles in Medieval Germany.  The stunning property is a testament to the power of the regional Prince-Electors ( people who chose the Holy Roman Emperor ) had in the Middle Ages.

While no one is quite sure how old Heidelberg Castle is, the fortress was 1st mentioned in 1214 when Duke of Bavaria Louis I ( House of Wittelsbach ) received it as a gift from Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich II ( House Hohenstaufen ).  This early castle was further up the hillside as the funicular lift stop called Molkenkur and was nicknamed the Upper Castle once as a second one known as the Lower Castle was built at the present spot prior to 1303.  The dual Upper and Lower Castles can be seen in the famous engraving of the Heidelberg cityscape by Sebastian Münster in 1527

In 1401 Ruprecht became the King of Germany and greatly expanded the two-level castle, but the upper area was eventually struck by lightning in 1537 and laid to ruin.  The Lower Castle was spared from the fire, but 150 years later it was besieged by the French in the Nine Year’s War.  Although the Lower Castle was rebuilt, it too was struck by lightning in 1764 and badly damaged by fire.  In the age of Romanticism ( Historicism ) of the 1800s, poets and artists like Victor Hugo latched onto the timeless castle ruins and saved them from being leveled.  The efforts also saved the mighty castle from being totally rebuilt and the beautiful decay of the ruined areas was preserved.

Today you can visit all of the outside areas and lookouts for free including the Elizabeth Gate, fallen towers, and vantage points around the dry moat, but buying a ticket is well worth it.  As you pass over the former drawbridge into the vast inner courtyard you are blessed with a visual explosion of red sandstone buildings.  The most impressive building is the statue covered Fredrich Hall, whose basement is home to the largest wine barrel in the world .  Known as the Tun, the enormous wooden vat was constructed in 1751 and could hold 58,000 gallons ( 220,000 liters ) of wine when it was in use.  This barrel, along with the cellars at one point stored over 2 million liters of wine for the local Electors.

The shells of both the Ottheinrich Hall and English Hall are also gorgeous and were the most important buildings architecturally in the early German Renaissance .  Across the 11 lower level rooms and Gothic cellars of the Ottheinrich Hall is the renown German Apothecary Museum ( pharmacy ).  There are in total 20,000 items on display including Medieval laboratory equipment and a number of complete pharmacies shop interiors from the 1600-1800s which were moved to Heidelberg Castle.

Castle Interior Hours : Daily 8am-6pm ( last admission ) 5:30pm; exteriors open 24 hours.  Pharmacy Museum Hours : Daily 10am-6pm ( last admission ); closes 30 minutes early in Winter.  Cost : Exteriors areas are FREE or 12€ for the interior courtyard and buildings which includes the museum and Bergbahn Funicular Lift.  Time Required : You can whiz through in an hour but most visitors spend around 2-2.5 hours exploring.

Related Article : Best Castles In Germany .

18. Palatinate Gardens & Scheffel Terrace ( Hortus Palatinus ):

About The Castle Gardens : While the South-Eastern corner of Heidelberg Castle was long used for defensive purposes, in 1614 Elector Frederick V began to turn the entire area into a large pleasure garden for his wife Elizabeth Stuart ( daughter of the King of England ).  The uneven ground was leveled into a series of board terraces and a massive Italian-style garden.

Known as the Garden of the Palatinate ( Hortus Palatinus ), the outdoor space was the greatest garden in Germany and called the 8th Wonder of the World by writers.  The spaces were filled with statues, grottos, decorative flowers, 30 oranges trees, a menagerie of exotic animals, a monkey house, and a series of fountains.  Unfortunately,  in 1619 Elector Frederick V got a little overzealous and accepted the crown of Germany by the Protestants in Prague which was in direct conflict with the Holy Roman Emperor and started the 30 Years War .  Frederick was defeated in battle and exiled after the war, but later his Garden of the Palatinate gave the French easy access to attack and ruin the castle in the Nine Years War ( 1688-1697 ).

Today the terraces of the Garden of the Palatinate are mostly void of their former statues and flower, but some elements remain.  There is one excellent grotto which has been preserved as well as a stunning fountain.  Almost every area of the gardens have dreamy elevated views of the Heidelberg Castle, but the best area is the Scheffel Terrace ( Scheffelterrasse ).  With 66-foot-tall  ( 20 meters ) arches, this narrow area of the garden directly East of the castle was meant to hold a large greenhouse, but now has the best views in Heidelberg, Old Town, and the Neckar River Valley.  The terrace was named after a statue of poet Joseph Victor von Scheffel, which stood here from 1891 to 1942 before it was melted down.  This section of the gardens is accessible 24 hours a day for free and provides dreamy sunsets all year .

Garden & Terrace Hours : 24 hours a day, trail lit from dusk until around Midnight.  Cost : Free, but you will need a castle ticket to use the Bergbahn lift otherwise it is a 15-minute steep hike from town.  Time Required : Most visitors spend around 30-60 minutes exploring the entire garden and terrace area.  We love to come before sunset and relax until after dark.

Other Sights Near Old Town:

19. philosopher’s path ( philosophenweg ):.

About The Philosopher’s Path : If you want to get one of the most peaceful and iconic views of Heidelberg, you have to hike up to the Philosopher’s Path.  The terrace-like trail had been used by professors of the Heidelberg University for centuries and in the 1800s became a formal trail with benches and viewing areas.  The perspective of the Heidelberg Castle, the village, the Neckar River, and Old Bridge all in one elevated frame is an image you will remember forever and we highly recommend making the effort.  The trail is also perfect to visit on very sunny days as most of it is shaded and tree-lined.

How To Reach The Path : It takes around 0.5 miles each way from the Northern end of the Old Bridge to hike up to the main area of the Philosopher’s Path.  This route only takes most hikers 15-20 minutes as you wind up the switchbacks of the Snake Way ( Schlangenweg ) corridor up the hill.  Time Required : 1 hour round trip with relaxing at the top although we have done it in as quick as 30 minutes.

20. Neckar River Park ( Neckarwiese ):

About The Neckar River Park : The luscious green space along the Northside of the Neckar River is one of the most enjoyable public parks in Europe.  We love the park for the energy that springs from the college population in Heidelberg that is always playing lawn games a grilling out along the wide swathe of riverfront park.  One of the most fun things to do outside of sunbathing is to rent a small motorized rowboat to cruise the river while visiting the park.

It is an extra half mile out of your way from either Old Town or the Philosopher’s Path to reach the Neck River Park, but it is one of the top 10 things to do in Heidelberg during the Spring through the Fall.  This lively area is also where the Romans set up their military encampment in the 1st century.

21. The King’s Chair ( Königstuhl ):

About The King’s Chair : The highest point in Heidelberg is the top of the mountain that the castle is located on known at the King’s Chair ( Königstuhl ).  From the top, you will have unrivaled views of the entire Neckar River Valley and straight across to the Holy Mountain ( Heiligenberg ) and into the Rhine River lowlands.  In total, the journey takes you from the valley floor all to over 1,800 feet above town ( 550 meters ).

While there are excellent views, a small cafe, a children’s amusement park, hiking trails, and a live falconry show at the top of the hill, the real attraction is the funicular ride up to the top.  While the lower level has sleek modern cabins, the upper section is still used century-old vintage funicular cars on a historic pully lift system that has been in place on the mountain since 1890.  The steady and peaceful climb up the mountain leads to more scenic views the further you make it.  It is very common for hikers to ride up the mountain on a one-way ticket and then hike back down through the wilderness to return to town.

Time Required : The lower lift takes 10 minutes to the Molkenkur stop where switch lines for a 20 ride further up to the Königstuhl.  Lift Summer Hours : Daily every 20 minutes ( lower section every 10 ) from 9am-8pm ( last descent 7:48pm ) in the Summer or 9am-5:10pm in Winter.  Cost : 12€ for roundtrip lower lift ticket ( 9€ one-way ) and 7€ roundtrip upper lift ticket ( 5€ one-way ).  Time Required : Assume 60-90 minutes including your round trip ride on the upper lift.

22. Holy Mountain ( Heiligenberg ):

About The Holy Mountain : For those visitors looking to push their hiking further above the Philosopher’s Path (Philosophenweg), a trek up Holy Mountain ( Heiligenberg ) is very rewarding.  The hilltop had been settled by the Celts ( 5th century BC ), Romans ( 1st century ) with a temple to Mercury, and two monasteries ( 9th & 11th centuries ) which led to the name Holy Mountain in 1265.

The first church was built on the top of Holy Mountain around 870 in a Romanesque-sty;e over part the Roman Temple and was dedicated to the archangel Michael.  This then grew into the Monastery of Saint Michael in 1023 which was expanded in the 13th century.  There was also a second monastery dedicated to Saint Stephen halfway up the hillside.  Unfortunately, political unrest led to the collapse of the monasteries from 1460-1503 and they eventually turned to ruins.

In 1934 the Holy Mountain saw its biggest modern transformation when an open-air theater called the Thingstätte was constructed by Heidelberg resident Albert Speer for the Nazis.  The Thingstätte theater today looks like an ancient Roman ruin and can hold approximately 8,000 seats or 15,000 standees.  This project was the start of Speer’s rise in the Nazi party as he became the chief architect as well as the Reich Minister of Industry and War Production.  Although imprisoned for 20 years, Speer was one of the only high-ranking officials to not be sentenced to death in the Nuremberg trials as he claimed to have not known about the Holocaust which seems far-fetched.

On the one-hour hike up Holy Mountain you pass the Bismarck Tower ( 1903 ), the Heiligenberg Tower ( 1800s ) next to the ruins of Saint Stephen, the Monastery of Saint Michael ( 1023 ) with traces of the Roman temple to Murcery ( 1st century ), and the Nazi Thingstätte ( 1934 ).

23. Karl’s Gate Tower ( Karlstor ):

About The Karl’s Gate : This stand-alone triumphal arch was built from 1775-1781 to replace the Medieval Jacob’s Gate in honor of Elector Karl Theodor.  Karl is best known in Heidelberg for supporting the sciences and for re-building the Old Bridge in its current form after the flood of 1783.  In addition to his titles of the Palatinate, he also became the Elector and Duke of Bavaria and moved to Munich in 1777.  While he never became as popular in Bavaria, Karl still remained influential in Heidelberg.

Featured Article

Sign Up For Our Newsletter For Free Travel Tips

Email Address *

Disclaimer: Information on this page and in our walking tours were deemed accurate when published, however, details such as opening hours, rates, transportation, visa requirements, and safety can change without notice. Please check with any destinations directly before traveling.

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Earn onekeycash when you sign in and book an activity.

Check availability

• About this activity

Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation

Join Heidelberg resident Erin McGann on a winding self-guided audio tour of the picturesque Altstadt, the old town of this fascinating German city on the banks of the Neckar River. 

Take in the famous Church of the Holy Ghost in the center of the main market square, discover the carvings that allowed residents to check the legal size of their pretzels (really!), hear stories of the catastrophic floods, find out which buildings are the oldest, hear how the university students got so rowdy they ended up with their own prison, and learn about the romantic history of our ruined castle. 

The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. 

Activity location

• 5 Marktplatz
• 69117, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Wed, May 1 $5
• Thu, May 2 $5
• Fri, May 3 $5
• Sat, May 4 $5
• Sun, May 5 $5
• Mon, May 6 $5
• Tue, May 7 $5
• Wed, May 8 $5
• Thu, May 9 $5
• Fri, May 10 $5
• Sat, May 11 $5
• Sun, May 12 $5
• Mon, May 13 $5
• Tue, May 14 $5
• Wed, May 15 $5

Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English

• Activity duration is 40 minutes 40m 40m
• Opening hours: Wed 12:00am-11:59pm

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included VoiceMap Application
• What's included What's included Lifetime access to Heidelberg's Altstadt tour
• What's included What's included Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
• What's excluded What's excluded Smartphone
• What's excluded What's excluded Transportation
• What's excluded What's excluded Food/Drink
• What's excluded What's excluded Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Know before you book

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Altstadt (old town) (pass by), market square (marktplatz) (pass by), old bridge (karl theodor bridge) (pass by), student jail (studentenkarzer) (pass by), kornmarkt (pass by), church of the holy ghost (heiliggeistkirche) (pass by), jesuitenkirche (pass by), king's throne (konigstuhl) (pass by), best deals on things to do, top experiences in heidelberg.

• South Carolina
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Timor-Leste
• Solomon Islands
• Marshall Islands
• South Africa

Best Guided Tours in Heidelberg, Germany

• by Marco Polo

Heidelberg's old town has a lot to offer, and this 1.5-hour walking tour is a great way to get a taste of it. With a knowledgeable tour guide, you can see for yourself why Heidelberg is regarded as one of Germany's most attractive cities.

Marco Polo Guided Tours earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Your support is much appreciated.

Take a sail down the Neckar River to see Heidelberg from a different angle. Views of Heidelberg Castle, Neuemheimer Villas, and Town Hall may be seen as you float by Heidelberg's Old Bridge on this tour.

From Heidelberg to Neckarsteinach, take a riverboat cruise to discover the beauty of the Neckar Valley. Pass through the Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park as you cruise through castles.

Tickets to the newly refurbished BODY WORLDS Museum in Heidelberg allow you to embark on an exciting trip beneath the surface of the skin through interactive exhibits. Various plastinates show the most important functions, organs, and diseases of the human body.

Heidelberg can be explored at your own speed with a single card valid for 1, 2, or 4 days. The Heidelberg Card includes admission to Heidelberg Castle, a trip on the castle's cable car, as well as a slew of discounts and benefits.

Embark on an informative bus tour of Heidelberg with an experienced guide, which will be followed by a visit to Heidelberg Castle's grounds.

You can take a morning tour from Frankfurt to Heidelberg, one of Germany's most attractive cities nestled on the Neckar River. Discover Germany's oldest university and Heidelberg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take a Segway tour around Heidelberg to see the city's landmarks. To get to Heidelberg Castle, take the Philosophenweg, which winds through the Neckar Valley and past Wolfsbrunnen Restaurant.

On this 3-hour private historical walking tour, you'll see Heidelberg's charming old town and the remnants of its castle. Stroll around one of Germany's largest pedestrian areas, enjoy the Old Bridge, and have a peek inside the Church of the Holy Spirit.

It's the perfect way to see Heidelberg, and it's all thanks to an app. Visit the Old Town and Bismarckplatz Park by resolving puzzles depending on the attractions you're visiting.

It's the perfect way to see Heidelberg, and it's all thanks to an app. You can visit the Old Town and Bismarckplatz Park by solving puzzles that are related to those places.

A tasting tour of Heidelberg's street food and craft beer culture can be tailored to your preferences. Take in the sights and sounds of the local sausage-making tradition, and sample a variety of local delicacies along the way.

Visit Heidelberg, one of Germany's most attractive historic towns on the Neckar River. In the afternoon, take the autobahn to Baden-Baden, one of Germany's most renowned spa towns.

Learn about Heidelberg's history and culture from a unique vantage point: a boat. Explore Heidelberg's history, culture, and natural beauty from the banks of the Neckar River.

Explore Heidelberg Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the valley of Heidelberg. Located on a steep hill above the valley level, the Königstuhl, the Odenwald's Odenwald Castle, stands over the beautiful green forest.

Explore the Heidelberg Mountain Cemetery on a city tour that's a little out of the ordinary. Your guide's explanations are laced with stories and anecdotes from the area.

Explore Heidelberg's Christmas markets in all their splendor. You and your guests will get to see the best of Heidelberg's Christmas market on this private walking tour.

You'll first visit Heidelberg, the "old city" on the Neckar River, which attracts more than a million tourists each year from all over the world. Drive to Nuremberg, a city steeped in history, later.

You'll get a first-hand look at the "terrifying" woodland as woodsman Hubertus Heimd takes you on a tour of the "eerie" and "historical" events that have taken place there.

This beer-themed bachelor party beverage is available in Heidelberg and the surrounding area. Enjoy tasty beers from the area, a photo rally, and other fun activities.

In addition to a visit to Heidelberg Castle, you'll be given a personalized tour of the city by a licensed guide. On this three-hour trip, you'll see some of the city's most important historical sites. If you prefer, you can use a combination of walking and public transportation or private transportation to get around. On the spot, the trip can be further tailored. There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to tour dates and times.

Discover Heidelberg's hidden gems on your own terms with a personal walking tour guide. Take a stroll around the Old Town's markets and pedestrianized streets, peer into the Student Jail's centuries-old cells, and enjoy free access to Heidelberg Castle's panoramic views of the city.

On this guided tour of Heidelberg's Old Town and its castle, you'll discover the city's hidden treasures. It's possible to see some places that independent visitors would miss while hearing interesting comments about the city's architecture, art, and culinary culture. Stroll through the Old Town for a taste of history, then enter the castle for a look at the castle garden, courtyard, and wine cellar for yourself.

Take a kayak tour of the Neckar River.

From the river, you can see Heidelberg in a whole new light!

Book a small-group tour with a local guide to get the most out of your wine and sightseeing experiences in Heidelberg. Just 15 people in your party will allow for a leisurely tour of Heidelberg's old town and the Schloss Heidelberg cellar, where you may sample some of the region's best wine. Please keep in mind that you are responsible for your own transportation to and from the castle.

Let us know if there is anything else we can do for you in Heidelberg. You may play an outdoor escape game while strolling through Neckarstadt with myCityHunt. Your team must work together to solve a crime in Heidelberg's historic old town. Many intriguing riddles await you as you make your way around Heidelberg's inner city, many of which you must solve in fictitious locales. As a result of this, you will be closer to solving the criminal case, convicting the offender, and uncovering digital wealth.

Book a small-group tour of Heidelberg's old town with a knowledgeable guide to get the most out of your beer time there. Visits to a microbrewery, a traditional student pub, and a more contemporary bar are interspersed throughout the tour to provide you with a well-rounded picture of the city's bar culture. In addition to that, you'll have the company of a local guide who will tell you all about Heidelberg's fascinating history while also ensuring that you drink only the best beer.

A private, customized tour of the stunning Black Forest is the perfect way to experience it all. Travel in style and only stop to see the things you really want to see. Take a walk or just admire the scenery. If you're looking for a pleasant and relaxed day in the great outdoors, you can't go wrong.

Visiting the permanent display in Heidelberg is like going on a voyage into the depths of one's own soul! The exhibits in the museum provide insight into the intricate design of the human body. Transparent longitudinal and cross-sectional body slices and spectacular whole-body plastinate specimens are used to demonstrate the interplay between various organ systems and their blood vessels in an approachable manner.

A chance to step off the beaten path and see some of Heidelberg's lesser-known attractions.

Discover what it's like to live in the most beautiful city in Germany and get a taste of what it's like to visit.

A private e-bike trip around Heidelberg will allow you to enjoy the countryside without exerting yourself. The e-bike is a pleasant and efficient way to tour the area known as the Philosopher's Walk while saving you some gas money. You'll be able to travel at your own pace with a guide for your small group, avoiding the craziness of larger bike tours.

You'll skip the boring history excursions and see the city from the perspective of a resident on one of our walking trips. The people you meet and the locations you visit will become as important as the sights you see on this tour.

Coffee and cake are on the menu for a leisurely stroll through Heidelberg.

Find out all there is to know about Heidelberg's past and present. Relax in the cafe of your choice, savoring a slice of cake and a cup of joe.

This self-guided audio tour will take you through Heidelberg's Old Town ("Altstadt") and its many attractions. When you choose a self-guided tour, you have the flexibility to decide when the tour begins and how long it will last. With the help of a local's on-board commentary, you can learn about Heidelberg's long history, terrible floods, huge pretzels, and other must-see sights.

From the comfort of your own home, you may take a virtual trip to Heidelberg. Learn about its history, take a virtual tour of the most important landmarks, and listen to an entertaining and educational commentary while you do so.

Get out of Heidelberg and see the surrounding countryside on a leisurely bike ride along peaceful, car-free country roads. Just a short drive from the center of Heidelberg, you can find yourself in the quiet of nature.

On this short walking tour of medieval Heidelberg, you'll see the oldest university in Germany, the Church of the Holy Spirit, and other highlights. In addition, your guide will teach you more about the region's history and notable philosophers than you could discover on your own.

Take a private tour of Heidelberg with a local expert on your own schedule. Get a sense of Heidelberg's rich and interesting past, which includes its ties to England's Royal Family, the French invasion of 1692, and its pride in being the site of Germany's oldest university.

Hiking through some of Heidelberg's most beautiful natural areas is a great way to relax and unwind.

Never settle for the mundane! Go for amazing vacation adventures!

We collaborate with the world’s largest and most recognized travel businesses to develop a selection of tailored guided tours for your convenience. If you decide to purchase any of them, we earn a tiny affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

Table of Contents

What are guided tours?

It’s common for guided tours to be all-inclusive group trips that are led by a local guide and follow a set itinerary for a specific tourist attraction or local thing to do. It’s possible to go on a guided sightseeing tour, buy a ticket to skip the line at popular attractions, go on a group tour, try food or wine, and even get a ride to the airport.

Should I use guided tours on my vacations?

Explore and experience your destination like a local.

It’s time to find some hidden gems! There are guided tours of places and activities that you didn’t know about!

Avoid scams and pay better prices.

It’s best to book your guided tours in advance from the comfort of your own home, then enjoy your trip when you’re overseas on holiday.

I have a tight budget, can I still buy a guided tour?

With so many guided tours to choose from, you’re likely to find one that fits your budget.

Save time, and Get the most out of your trip.

Finding local tours in your destination is a waste of your precious vacation time.

With scheduled guided tours, you save time as you can pack your schedule with lots of fun activities.

Check reviews before buying a guided tour

Overwhelmed with options and unsure about which guided tour to select? Determine which activities are most suited for you by checking out other user reviews

No risk to you. Free cancellation

For many of the guided tours, you can change your mind and cancel your booking without penalty up to 24 hours before the date of the activity. This is very helpful in the event your travel plans changes last minute

Meet people all over the world, make new friends on your next vacation

Your guided tours are a great way to meet new people from all over the world.

Types of guided tours available for your vacation

Depending on the city you are traveling to, there are almost any guide trips and activities for everyone. There are outdoor guided tours, water activities, Nature trails, Music festivals, Local food trips, Workshops and Classes, Arts Performances, Hidden Gems expedition, beer or red wine drinking and tasting tours, special television & Movies trips, romantic couple tours, kids’ activities, trips to Parks and Gardens, Island expedition trips, check out famous landmarks, Museum guided tours and tickets, Airport transfer services, Memorials for you to check out to under the local culture and history, go up Towers & seeing platforms to get a birds-eye view of the landscape, shopping tours, theaters and concert halls, come by ports and harbors, sightseeing cruise, bikes for leasing, helicopter rides, ferry tickets, Jeep and SUV for rental, yacht services and sailboat leasing.

Savvy Travel Advice

Philosophers’ Walk in Heidelberg, Germany

Last updated: November 23, 2017 - Written by Jessica Norah 22 Comments

The Philosophers Walk in Heidelberg, or the Philosophenweg, is a path located on the northern banks of the Neckar River in Heidelberg, Germany. Historically, this was just a simple rough path through the vineyards; however, it would later be renamed Philosophenweg during the Romantic Period because of the many professors and philosophers of Heidelberg who enjoyed the path for its solitude, natural beauty, and great views of the town. Today, this path is still there, complete with gardens and informational plaques, offering lovely views of the Neckar River, Old Town of Heidelberg, and Heidelberg Castle. These views of Heidelberg from along this path are said to have inspired the famous German poets Joseph von Eichendorff and Friedrich Hölderlin in their writings. On our recent trip to Germany, we stopped in Heidelberg specifically to see the views along this path and see if we could indeed find some of that solitude and beauty that made this path so appealing to the Romantic artists and philosophers. If you are interested in walking the Philosophers’ Walk, we’ll give you detailed information on how to find the path and we’ll share our experience of our brief visit to Heidelberg.

Table of Contents:

Basic Information on the Philosophers Walk in Heidelberg

Where is it.

The Philosophenweg is located on the northern side of the Neckar River in Heidelberg. It runs along the side of the Heiligenberg (the Holy Mountain or Saints’ Mountain).  When looking at a map, it is on the opposite side of the Neckar River from Heidelberg Castle. In English, it may be labeled as the Philosophers’ Walk or the Philosophers’ Way.

Ways to get to Philosophers’ Walk?

Well, there are a few ways to get here, but it depends on your starting point and what else you want to do in Heidelberg. Below are three options:

Option 1 (by car/taxi): Drive to Philosophenweg and park and then start the walk. This is the easiest way as it is quicker and avoids the trek up the steep hill after crossing the Neckar. When driving, Philosophenweg (which is an actual street before it becomes a pedestrian only path) intersects with Bergstrasse. Once on Philosophenweg, you can drive as far as you can and keep an eye out for parking. Or if you want to keep it really simple, just take a taxi and have them drop you off.

Option 2 (on foot): If you are without car and are walking from Heidelberg’s Old Town (Aldstadt) to Philosophers’ Way, here is the way we took on our return on foot and would recommend. Within the Old Town, head towards the Neckar River and the Alte Brücke (Old Bridge or officially the Karl-Theodor Brücke). If you take the street Steingasse it will end right at this 18 th century bridge. Now, cross over the Alte Brucke to the other side of the Neckar River. Turn left and walk a very short distance until you see a pedestrian light to cross over the road (Ziegelhauser Landstrasse) and then look for a sign that will point you to Schlangenweg . You’ll follow this snake-like steep path up the hill (lots of steps) to connect with the pedestrian-only part of Philosophenweg. Note: This option involves a lot of steps to get up the steep hill. There are a few benches along the way that you can stop and take a break.

Option 3 (on foot): This way may be more convenient if you are on the Western side of the Old Town or want to walk through one of Heidelberg’s residential area or see some of the university buildings. Find Bismarckplatz and then walk towards the Neckar River. Cross over the Theodor-Heuss-Brücke (it allows for both vehicles and pedestrians). Keep going straight until the road crosses Brückenkopfstrasse, then turn right on  Brückenkopfstrasse. Next, turn left on Bergstrasse. Finally, take a right onto Philosophenweg. You’ll pass a number of residences and university buildings and eventually the road will turn into a pedestrian only zone. Note: This option does involve some steep uphill walking and you do have to pay more attention to traffic, but it avoids a lot of the steps of Option 2. This route could also be done by bike.

Cost & Hours?

It’s free and an option at any time of the day! Best bets for good views and solitude are sunrise and sunset. If you want to see the plants and flowers at their best, come in Spring or early Summer.

This really depends on how you plan to get here (driving versus walking) and how much time you want to spend on the path. For walking the path itself, I would allow at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour to do it at a leisurely pace and stop and stroll the gardens and take in the views. If you are walking from the Old Town, you will need to allow an extra 20-30 minutes each way.

If you are interested in a longer walk or hike, you can venture a bit farther up the Heiligenberg (the mountain) to view some interesting ruins. These include the 11th-century Monastery of St. Michael ( Michaelskloster ), the Monastery of St. Stephen (Stephanskloster), a Nazi-era open-air amphitheater ( Thingstätte ), and the remains of a 4 th century B.C. Celtic hill fort.

Where can I find out more Information?

There are two Tourist Information Offices in Heidelberg, one at the main train station (Willy-Brandt-Platz 1, telephone: 49 6221 58 44 444) and one located in the Market Square in the Old Town (Marktplatz 10). You can also check out the official tourism website for Heidelberg and here is a link to their information on the Philosophers’ Walk .

Our Experience of the Philosophers Walk in Heidelberg

We stopped for a few hours in Heidelberg on our way from the Rhine Valley to Baden-Baden, Germany. Heidelberg is most famous for its castle, old town, and university, but we decided to avoid all of the major tourist attractions here and opted to do a walk along the Philosophenweg or Philosopher’s Walk. We drove through Heidelberg until we found Philosophenweg with our GPS. Then we searched for parking, and finally parked along a road near the start of the pedestrian-only part of Philosophenweg.

The sun came out to greet us that Spring morning after days of rain and we soaked in the great views from the path. There are fantastic views of the Neckar River, the bridges, the Old Town, the castle, and the tree-covered ridges around the town.

You’ll see a pretty garden in one area with some exotic plants (the Philosophers’ Garden), memorials to famous poets and historical figures, and some informational plaques related to the history, flora, and fauna of the area. There are also park benches, flower beds, and even an ice cream cart along the way. However, other than a seasonal ice cream cart, we did not notice any other places selling food or drinks so if you want to picnic, bring everything you will need. There were several places that looked like perfect places to stop to read a book, eat a quick picnic lunch, or contemplate the history of the universe.

We eventually came to a set of stairs that led to a path (Schlangenweg) down the hill. Originally, we had not planned to actually walk over to the Old Town, but the great views won us over. There were a lot of steps and we got a bit warm, but we made it and reached the Alte Brücke (Old Bridge). This is an interesting 18th century bridge with several statues and a medieval bridge gate (Brückentor) at the south end. After leaving the bridge, see if you can find the popular bronze monkey statue nearby. For bonus points, try to find the two little bronze mice. Some believe that you should touch the monkey’s mirror for wealth, the mice for fertility, and the monkey’s hand to return to Heidelberg.

After walking across the bridge, we walked through some of the main streets of the Old Town. We browsed a couple of tourist gift shops so I could buy a postcard for a friend back home who had gone to a college in Ohio named Heidelberg University. I also discovered that although Germany does not obviously have souvenir penny smashing machines, they do have them for 5 cent euro pieces! This was exciting because my brother collects smashed souvenir pennies.

During our rambling walk, we visited the large late Gothic Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit). Unfortunately, much of the signage for the exhibits were in German; however, we learned enough to know that the church has a long and interesting past and even the religion of the church has changed multiple times. Despite its name, it is currently a Protestant church.

Heidelberg’s Old Town is a lovely place to stroll, filled with buildings from a range of architectural periods, churches, restaurants, quaint squares, and museums. We mainly avoided all these on this trip, but hope to return to further explore this city more in the future. There were a lot of tour groups in town during our visit—a large number of British tour groups and bus loads of Asian tourists. It was a bit overwhelming in the area near the bridge. However, once we crossed the Alte Brücke back to the Philosophers’ Way, we did not observe any of the large tour groups crossing the Neckar River. There appears to be a force field at the north end of the bridge!

The Neckar river paths looked inviting (swans were gliding along the river), but we needed to move on and make the trek uphill so that we could continue our drive to Baden-Baden. After crossing Alte Brücke, we walked left until we saw a pedestrian crossing to get across the road (Ziegelhauser Landstrasse). Then spotted signs for Schlangenweg.

Ethan had purchased a scoop of lemoncello gelato on our walk around town, which we shared to cool ourselves down for the steep walk back up the hill. However, our gelato was melting fast and it didn’t make it too far up the steps before we had to finish it off. The walk was much worse going up and left us a bit sweaty in the heat, but it is very doable for someone with a normal level of physical fitness and there are places you can stop and rest along the way.

We really enjoyed the few hours we spent walking along the Philosophers’ Walk and then exploring the Old Town. If you are the kind of person that enjoys lovely city views and nature, I would highly recommend doing this walk. You might also want to check out the monasteries and Nazi sites further up the Heiligenberg. The Philosophers’ Walk is also a great way to get away from the tourists, as most never cross the Neckar River during their visit. However, the Old Town is also worth exploring, but be warned that like many of these romantic historic old towns, it has become a very popular tourist stop. We look forward to returning and actually spending a night or two here to visit the castle, hike further up the Heiligenberg, and see some other sites we missed. Note that many tourists, especially those on bus tours, don’t stay overnight in Heidelberg so the town is much less busy in the morning and evenings.

What do you think of the Philosophers Walk in Heidelberg? Do you have any tips for visiting Heidelberg? We love hearing from you!

Share this Post!

There are 22 comments on this post.

Please scroll to the end to leave a comment

Catherine C Post author

November 10, 2023 at 6:50 am

Thank you so much for this guide! It was exactly what I needed to make the decision to do this walk and choose a route.

I did a version of Option 3 in November 2023. I walked from Bismarckplatz, across the bridge, up to Philsophers’ Way, and from there let Apple Maps guide me up to the Thingstätte. (It is not signed to that particular monument.) From there, I walked down the “back,” taking mountain bike trails until I reconnected with Philsophers’ Way. I then took the steps down to the Älte Bridge and walked into Old Town. It was a delightful fall walk, about 6 miles altogether and not challenging for a 58 year old woman with a reasonable but not extreme level of fitness. I was wearing sneakers (trainers). While they were fine for most of the walk, I did find the path down the mountain bike trail to be slippery with the wet fall leaves. Another time, I would wear hiking boots.

For anyone considering a loop (with or without the addition to the Thingstätte), I do recommend up from the Bismarkplatz end and down the Älte Bridge end because I think you probably get much better views walking down the stairs and across the bridge toward Old Town.

Without the addition of the Thingstätte loop, it would be a MUCH shorter and easier walk.

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

November 10, 2023 at 4:04 pm

Hi Catherine,

So glad your found our guide to the Philosopher’s Walk in Heidelberg helpful! And thanks for taking the time to share your experience and share tips for other readers who might be considering following the Philosopher’s Way. I am sure these tips will be helpful to future readers!

Best, Jessica

Kathy Post author

September 29, 2023 at 10:38 am

Thank you for the detailed directions to Philosopher’s Way from the Alte Brucke Bridge. I searched many options and none of the tourist sites actually lay out the way to get there by foot. Very helpful.

September 29, 2023 at 11:47 am

You’re very welcome. Feel free to come back and tell us about your walk along the Philosophers’ Walk (feel free to add any additional tips that might be helpful to future readers) and visit to Heidelberg!

Kenneth Quinn Post author

February 26, 2023 at 3:25 am

Does any one know, with some specificity when and why the name ‘Philosophensweg’ was applied? It was suggested to me that the residents of Heidelberg once referred to the students (and teachers) of the university as philosophers–they were pursuing studies that were identified as ‘philosophy’. Maybe it would better be know as the Students’ Path?

From Wikipedia: “In the context of the Doctor of Philosophy and other similarly titled degrees, the term “philosophy” does not refer to the field or academic discipline of philosophy, but is used in a broader sense in accordance with its original Greek meaning, which is “love of wisdom.”

So perhaps the references to German ‘philosophers’ is misleading. The path with the lovely view was where the students went to walk, party, schmooze, snooze, and court each other. Reactions are welcome.

Btw, I live in Heidelberg now, rent a lovely garden nearby (on Schweizerweg), but I still go up the path past the Physics Dept. to enjoy the views. Though jaded and longer-in-the tooth, I still love Heidelberg, but from a different ‘perspective.’

February 26, 2023 at 4:11 am

I believe is called that simply because it was a popular walk by the university’s professors and offers a good place for a nice view when thinking about their academic pursuits. That is the information at least give by sources from the Heidelberg tourism website and university sources. But I don’t know anything more specific or if there is anything else to the name. I would maybe see if you can dig up the earliest reference to the name in the university archives as that may help?

Yes, that is true that most Ph.D.’s today do not specifically refer to the actual discipline of philosophy. I actually have a doctorate in philosophy (Ph.D.) which was in psychology. Although there probably would have been a lot more people who were philosophy professors and students in past centuries. It is not a very popular discipline today.

I would also say that the name is not unique although I think this is the most well-known. There is a Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto Japan for instance that is named as such, according to sources, because 2 specific philosophers and professors from Kyoto University liked to walk along the path. You can read about that one here . I believe we’ve come across others walking paths with similar names in places like the UK and Canada as well.

Sorry I couldn’t be any more helpful, but if you dig up any new info, feel free to come back and share!

Mayank Post author

July 16, 2022 at 3:01 am

Thanks for the detailed post. I was looking for resources on Philosophers way and came across it. Find the mention of “force field” on other side of neckar really funny 🙂

July 18, 2022 at 5:36 am

Glad you enjoyed it, have a great time in Heidelberg!

Morris Post author

May 29, 2018 at 8:12 pm

Awesome! Its really helpful post, I had a much clearer idea about walking the Philosopher’s Trail from your article.

May 31, 2018 at 8:02 am

Hi Morris, Thanks for taking the time to comment. Glad our post on the Philosophers’ Walk was helpful and hope you had a great visit to Heidelberg! Best, Jessica

Aracely Post author

January 9, 2014 at 4:55 pm

Thanks for talking about Philosophers Walk in Heidelberg – A relic of Heidelberg’s romantic past. Loved it!

travelcats Post author

January 9, 2014 at 8:16 pm

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the post!

Amy Post author

January 1, 2014 at 3:20 pm

I wish we would of crossed the river during our stay in Heidleberg. The photos from that side of the river are breathtaking. I suggest making a stop to try the “strongest beer in the world” at Vetter brew pub near the Alte Brucke.

January 3, 2014 at 11:40 am

We actually did a pit stop at the Vetter for a soda and a bathroom break, but did not try the beer:) We’ll have to return for a castle visit and some more exploration. But yes I think the views from Philosopher’s Walk are the best in Heidelberg!

Henry | @fotoeins Post author

December 29, 2013 at 6:36 pm

Way to highlight my former (and adopted) hometown! The Philospher’s Walk is a great way to spend an afternoon in Heidelberg! Thanks for highlighting this!

December 30, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Thanks Henry, glad you agree with our recommendations in Heidelberg! We would love to return some day for a longer visit.

Hitch-Hikers Handbook Post author

December 25, 2013 at 4:45 am

Lovely blog, guys! Thanks for connecting with us on Twitter! Keep up the great work and travel safe!

December 25, 2013 at 9:36 pm

Thanks and we look forward to following your website as well–you have compiled quite the list of hitchhiking and budget resources!

Doreen Pendgracs Post author

December 19, 2013 at 1:51 pm

I’ve not yet been to Germany, but this post sure makes me want to go! I hear there’s some good chocolate there that I need to check out!

December 25, 2013 at 10:37 pm

Germany is a beautiful country. We didn’t eat a lot of chocolate while there, but we did have some delicious chocolate cake!

Louisa Post author

December 18, 2013 at 11:44 pm

Heidelberg looks wonderful. The walk itself looks like a lot of fun with lots of interesting things to look at. I am having a blogging break for the holidays from tomorrow so I hope you have a Happy Christmas!

December 19, 2013 at 8:43 am

The walk was really nice. Have a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to see more of your blog posts in the new year!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of replies to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!)

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips

We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. To do this, we store the data as outlined in our privacy policy . Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above.

Heidelberg guided tours. Culture and fun in Heidelberg!

✓ Entertaining and informative city tours ✓ Tour booking on the desired date ✓ City guides who inspire

Guided Tour

• Evening Stroll

• University Tour

City Bus Tour

Heidelberg Guided Tours

Your individual guided tour program: Discover the enchanting city of Heidelberg with a unique tour! Explore Heidelberg on foot: on a culinary city tour, a tour with the night watchman or a city rally. Let an exclusive guide show you the city or take part in a public event. We offer something for everyone – whether children, teenagers or adults – to inspire you on a Heidelberg city tour! You can reach us by phone at +4962211874099.

Walking Tour “The Romanticists”

• Philosophers Path Tour
• Castle Tour

Heidelberg Tips

Sightseeing

A very successful city tour that never got boring and was not overloaded with dates. We will be happy to book another one of these next time we visit with friends.

I can fully endorse the good reviews. The city tour was great, as I said – entertaining, informative and enjoyable.

Guided Tours of Heidelberg

Get to know the university city on the Neckar from its most beautiful side with the entertaining tours and adventure tours from k3 stadtführungen!

Guided Tour of Heidelberg Old Town

Discover the most beautiful sights of Heidelberg’s romantic Old Town on a historic Old Town tour and learn from our local guides why the university city on the Neckar has been captivating visitors from all over the world for centuries. On the Heidelberg Old Town tour, you will immerse yourself in the romantic world of the Baroque period, which in Heidelberg is characterized by its wavy gables, mansard roofs and impressive town houses. You will also find wonderful views and postcard romance at the Old Bridge, in the narrow alleyways of Heidelberg’s Old Town and when looking at the imposing ruins of Heidelberg Castle. A visit to the Old Town is well worth it!

Highlights of the Heidelberg Old Town tour

• The beautiful Heidelberg market square with the historic town hall
• The romantic Old Town of Heidelberg
• The impressive ruins of Heidelberg Castle
• The oldest university in Germany
• The beautiful Kornmarkt with the magnificent Mother of God Fountain
• The Old Bridge, the famous landmark of the city of Heidelberg
• The medieval Church of the Holy Spirit in the heart of Heidelberg’s Old Town

City Bus Tour of Heidelberg

Take a one-hour  city bus tour  of Heidelberg to explore this city’s thousand years of history. Let a well-versed competent guide familiarize you with the cultural and culinary specialties of the region. Then you can take a walking tour to explore Heidelberg’s winding lanes.

Heidelberg Castle Tour

Take our  castle tour  to explore the eventful history of Heidelberg Castle, which did not achieve world fame until it lay in ruins. Enjoy the magnificent view of the Old Town and the Neckar valley. This view is offered from the balcony of the splendid Friedrich Building, which was fire damaged but not ruined, and also from the terraces of the castle gardens.

Book your tickets or your private event today!

We are looking forward to your visit! Your k3 stadtführungen Heidelberg team

Yesterday we joined the guided tour which we had booked with you and want to write to you about it. We had one of the loveliest city tours ever! Many thanks for providing us with a decidedly nice, and very strongly motivated, competent, inspiring tour guide in the person of Ms. Auhagen! We shall always hold this tour in fond memory and most certainly recommend you to others!

Many thanks to Theresa for the wonderful city tour. We were lucky that no one else took part in the tour apart from us. So we had a great private tour in which Theresa was able to focus on us. We learned lots of interesting and funny facts about Heidelberg, even though we have been living here for several months. I can highly recommend the tour!

Surprise friends, relatives and acquaintances with a voucher from k3 stadtführungen.

The 90-minute city tour was informative, friendly and entertaining! It definitely enhanced our visit to the city. Thank you very much!

It was a very good city tour all round. Our guests from Nuremberg were very impressed and all had very positive things to say about the friendly and knowledgeable student who guided us.

Interesting and entertaining city tour with a friendly and competent guide!

We were able to experience an outstanding guided tour of Heidelberg’s old town. The guide was incredibly friendly, well prepared and had a lot of background knowledge. We were particularly pleased with the personal tips. We can highly recommend the tour!

Very good city tour… We learned so much about Heidelberg. Very interesting and entertaining… keep it up.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• 3rd Party Cookies
• Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

More information about our Cookie Policy

“Olgas Eloquenz und ihr Wissen waren berauschend und nach mittlerweile 18 Jahren in Heidelberg sehe ich diese Stadt nun wieder mit einem ganz anderen Blick und mit noch größerer Zuneigung.” — Prof. Dr. Walter Haefeli

Guided Tours

Castle Tour

All rates per group up to 26 people. Individual tours and custom organized tours are possible.

APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Heidelberg Tours & Trips

Find the right tour for you through Heidelberg. We've got 421 adventures going to Heidelberg, starting from just 4 days in length, and the longest tour is 45 days. The most popular month to go is June, which has the largest number of tour departures.

250+ Heidelberg tour packages with 3,042 reviews

• River Cruise

4 Rivers: The Moselle, Sarre, Romantic Rhine, and Neckar Valleys (port-to-port cruise)

Destinations were good. Staff were very nice and helpful. Cabins clean and tidy. Showers only for the slim and agile. Wifi was OK. Food was OK, with no choices. Wine etc was plentiful. English definitely at a disadvantage with some guides and only two TV channels.

• Self-Guided Cycling
• Wine tasting

Winery Tour on the Rhine

Great hotels, the GPS track was enormously helpful and overall it was a great trip. Bikes and equipment all good. We did miss our third wine tasting mainly as we assumed it was at the end of the day like the others, only to find it was 20 k back . Beautiful route.

Rhine cycle path III

We were pleased with the design of the tour and the responsiveness of EuroBike. The bikes were in excellent condition and our luggage arrived in a timely fashion each day. There are two issues we had: 1. We received misinformation regarding the first day of the bike and tour documents handover. This created a great deal of uncertainty and confusion. 2. Hotel Asgard in Worms is a hotel that should never be used. It is in a terrible location and doesn’t have air conditioning. The staff were wonderful at the hotel, but the location is very noisy and it is in a very unscenic part of town. There are surely better hotels in Worms than this one.

• Sightseeing

Family Cruise: on the romantic Rhine and in the heart of the Black Forest.Experience history and traditions in a Rhine atmosphere.Optional: a day at Europa Park (port-to-port cruise).

Fabulous crew, great food, wonderful service, lovely ship! We had a super holiday!

Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024

First river cruise wont be our last! So relaxing with exquisite dining and accommodations on board. Definitely an older crowd, but you get to know almost everyone on board by the end of the tour and most are very pleasant and having as much fun as we did! So nice compared to big boat cruising; no pressure to see and do all the offerings. many included excursions were nice, with easy low effort walking offered. Transfers were perfect.

Wine regions Rheingau and Palatinate | Self-guided | Germany

Idyllic Palatinate | Self-guided | Germany

• In-depth Cultural

Best of Germany (12 Days)

Hello, The 12days the best of Germany were a real success, we visited many interesting cities, I was born in Germany andlived there for 19 years, I had not been back in 30 years,the hotelswere excellent, the food aswell and I found the people very friendly. Our guideswere extremely professional and the road trips were very entertaining with speeches and videos. There were only 29 passengers ,mostly americans, one French canadian from Ottawa andme, I have lived in Montreal since 1965 and am a canadian citizen, Istill speak german, as I was teacher in elementary and high school. This was a wonderful experience, Diana Vega

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Bike and Barge

Mainz to Strasbourg by Bike and Barge

• Christmas & New Year

Highlights of Germany

I really liked the tour overall - the bus, bus driver, and the tour leader were all very nice. Most of the hotels and included meals were above average. The amount of time to visit the sites was a little short at times, but that was expected when long driving times were needed. I would recommend this trip for other people.

• Coach / Bus

Burgundy, Alsace and Black Forest End Paris

• Walking Adventure

Cote d Azur, Burgundy, Alsace and Black Forest

German Highlights

European Highlights (Summer, End Paris, 7 Days)

Best of Germany (Classic, 12 Days)

What people love about heidelberg tours.

The ship itself was great, rooms and bathroom were a good size for a smaller ship. The food and dining room staff were excellent. Entertainment and on board communication was poor only in French. Need to do a better job it ensure that customers that don’t speak French are informed on whats going on and are seated together in the dining room! The excursions that were provided were good but some were only with a French speaking guide. Overall we had great time on this Cruise!

• to Europe (2)
• Germany Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 10 Day Germany Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

15 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Heidelberg

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Heidelberg is one of the most romantic cities in Germany, thanks to its picturesque riverside location, its beautiful old buildings and bridges, and the castle ruins that overlook the town center. Attracting nearly four million visitors each year, this city is chock-full of historic sites and attractions for tourists, as well as excellent dining and entertainment experiences.

The old capital of the Palatinate and an ancient university town celebrated in song and poetry, Heidelberg lies at the point where the Neckar river emerges from the hills of the Odenwald into the Rhine plain. It's also one of the warmest places to visit in Germany , as evidenced by sightings of the occasional almond, fig, and olive tree, as well as its wild African parakeets.

The city also offers plenty of free things to do: stroll through the charming old town and across the bridge to take in the views from Philosophers' Way and the charming Heiligenberg. Find out more with our list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Heidelberg.

See also: Where to Stay in Heidelberg

1. Heidelberg Castle

2. hauptstrasse and the altstadt (old town), 3. church of the holy spirit, 4. heidelberg university, 5. cross the karl theodor bridge, 6. follow the philosophers' way, 7. schloss schwetzingen, 8. ride the railway to königstuhl (the king's seat), 9. day trip to bad wimpfen, 10. heidelberg zoo and germany's oldest botanic garden, 11. the palatinate museum (kurpfälzisches museum), 12. climb to the heiligenberg, 13. dilsberg fortress (burgfeste dilsberg), 14. cruise along the neckar, 15. the german pharmacy museum, where to stay in heidelberg for sightseeing.

Mark Twain said of Heidelberg Castle that "A ruin must be rightly situated, to be effective. This one could not have been better placed." Built of red Neckar sandstone on the terraced hillside nearly 200 meters directly above Heidelberg's Old Town, this 16th-century castle is one of the best examples of German Renaissance architecture.

After its destruction by the French, who devastated the Palatinate in the 17th century, it has remained the largest and most picturesque such ruin, and one of the best castles in Germany .

The castle is the site of many festivals, most held in its evocative courtyard, where there are also frequent theater performances, concerts, and fireworks displays. One of the most popular events is the Heidelberg Castle Festival from June to August, which features an eclectic mix of theater, choral music, chamber orchestras, jazz, folk, and opera.

Heidelberg Castle can be reached by the Bergbahn, a funicular railway running from the Kornmarkt, or via a 15-minute walk from the Old Town.

Address: Schlosshof 1, Heidelberg

Heidelberg's Hauptstrasse is the place to start exploring this beautiful city. From this narrow main street, you'll find countless even narrower side streets and alleyways just begging to be explored, each bursting with things to see: unspoiled medieval architecture, splendid old churches, boutique shops, galleries, cafés, and restaurants.

Highlights include the early 15th-century Heiliggeistkirche , the Church of the Holy Spirit, and Haus zum Ritter , a Renaissance building dating from 1592. Other highlights include the Neckarstaden where you'll find Marstall , the old court stables and home of Heidelberg University's art collection, as well as the Stadthalle adjoining the landing stages for the many boats that take tourists for cruises along the castle-lined Neckar.

In December, the outstanding Heidelberg Christmas Market is so large it fills five city squares; one becomes a public skating rink, while the Kornmarkt is transformed into a fairy-tale scene with the lighted castle towering above.

Read More: Top-Rated Christmas Markets in Germany

Its Baroque spire a landmark of the old town, the Church of the Holy Spirit is in the center of Heidelberg's market square. The foundations were laid in 1398, but it wasn't until 1544 that the tower was completed. The tower you see today, however, was built in 1709 after the church had been set on fire by the French in the War of the Palatine Succession.

The church is an example of early ecumenism, or at least of peaceful co-existence between Catholics and Protestants, each of whom used it, and often at the same time. In 1706, a partition was built so each could hold services simultaneously; the wall was removed in 1936 and the church is now Protestant.

For a view of the town , river, and castle, climb the 200 steps to the tower.

On the south side of the Hauptstrasse lies Universitätsplatz , with the Old University dating back to 1711. On its east side, in Augustinergasse, is the Pedellenhaus with the former Student Prison, Karzer, which for many is the most memorable part of a visit to Heidelberg University.

Here, students found guilty of misdeeds (such as dueling or disturbing the peace by singing at night) were incarcerated for 24 hours. While there, they decorated the walls with graffiti that remains today.

The New University was built in 1928-31, behind which rises the Hexenturm, or Witches' Tower, once part of the town's fortifications. Nearby, in Grabengasse, you'll find the richly stocked University Library whose principal treasure is the 14th-century Manessische Handschrift , an illuminated manuscript of medieval songs.

Take time to see the Seminargebäude, the Mensa students' refectory, and the 15th-century Peterskirche, a tiny chapel now used mainly as the university church.

Address: Grabengasse 1, Heidelberg

Also known as the Old Bridge, Heidelberg's spectacular Karl Theodor Bridge has been immortalized in numerous poems and paintings, a testament to the romanticism that surrounds the structure.

Spanning the Neckar and joining the two sides of historic Heidelberg, the famous bridge with its lovely sculptures is named after the man responsible for designing and building its nine red sandstone arches in 1788 as a replacement for the numerous wooden bridges that came before. The bridge is well worth strolling along for its views of Heidelberg and its sister bridge, the twin-towered Brückentor.

Among the most romantic things to do in Heidelberg is a stroll along the well-marked Philosophenweg, or Philosophers' Way.

On the north side of the Neckar, this wonderful pathway runs along the side of Heiligenberg, or Saints' Mountain, and is where the university's philosophers would walk and carry on discussions as they admired the scenery.

It's not hard to see the attraction: the views across the Neckar to the old town are beautiful, and the riverside creates a microclimate where plants from more southern climates flourish, among them Japanese cherries, cypresses, and even lemons. This was a favorite walk of Mark Twain when he was visiting Heidelberg.

About 12 kilometers west of Heidelberg, in the Rhine plain, is Schwetzingen, famous for its spectacular 18th-century palace. Schloss Schwetzingen was built as the summer residence of the Electors of the Palatinate, and today is as well known for its superb program of summer concerts as it is for its lovely gardens.

Covering more than 180 acres, Schlossgarten was laid out in a mix of French and English styles and contains a number of 18th-century buildings, including a Rococo theater, built between 1746-52, and a mosque.

Excellent guided tours are available and are well worth the small additional cost. If possible, plan your visit to coincide with the Schwetzingen Festival , an annual event held from late April through mid-June that includes opera, symphonic, choral, and chamber concerts, as well as recitals and dance performances. Events take place both inside the Schwetzingen Palace - appropriate, given the fact Mozart performed here as a seven-year-old - and outdoors in the Palace Park.

Address: Schloss Mittelbau, Schwetzingen

Just seven kilometers east of Heidelberg, the Königstuhl — or King's Seat — is a hill rising 567 meters (1860 feet) with spectacular views as far as the Rhine Valley . Access to the summit, part of the Odenwald Mountains, is via the Heidelberg Mountain Railway , the same funicular railway that takes visitors to Heidelberg Castle.

It's an excellent place to explore the beautiful countryside surrounding Heidelberg, especially as the difficult part — getting there and back — is taken care of via the railway. To get there, ride one stop beyond the castle to Molkenkur, where you change to the historic 1907 wooden car to reach the summit.

Less than an hour's drive from Heidelberg is the old spa town of Bad Wimpfen, with its beautifully preserved medieval center. Almost untouched by both World Wars, the town's winding narrow streets are lined with half-timbered buildings.

Highlights are the Kaiserpfalz (the Staufen Imperial Palace) and the Blauer Turm (Blue Tower), built about 1200 and used as a watchtower through the mid-19th century. You can climb to the top for views over the town and its fascinating pattern of steep-pitched rooftops.

Inside the palace, the arcades in the Great Hall are decorated with intricate stone carvings and are among the finest examples of German Romanesque architecture. For the ambitious, a hiking trail, the Neckarsteig, connects Bad Wimpfen to Heidelberg.

The Heidelberg Zoo is certainly worth a visit, particularly if traveling with youngsters. On the north bank of the Neckar, this zoological park has more than 1,100 animals encompassing some 250 species.

A registered member of the European Endangered Species Program (EEP), as well as West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA), the zoo has a special focus on conservation and breeding programs for endangered species.

A short walk away, the Botanischer Garten is adjacent to the university. Established in 1593, it's one of the oldest — and largest — botanical gardens in Germany .

Another great place for a garden stroll is Skulpturenpark Heidelberg , a sculpture park, which is also next to the university.

Address: Tiergartenstrasse 3, Heidelberg

Halfway along the Hauptstrasse in Heidelberg, in the Baroque Palais Morass, is the excellent Palatinate Museum . Founded in the late 1870s, the museum is home to a collection that includes a cast of the lower jaw of the 500,000-year-old Heidelberg Man, discovered near here in 1908.

The museum's Applied Arts collection has many fine examples of area porcelain, as well as medallions, coins, and glassware. Also of interest are the sculptures from the 12th to 20th centuries, including old gravestones and early Baroque sculptures.

Address: Hauptstrasse 97, Heidelberg

The Heiligenberg is a hill that rises more than 400 meters (over 1,300 feet) on the opposite side of the Neckar from the Altstadt. You can explore it from the Schlangenweg, a winding path that begins just above the Old Bridge and climbs through vineyards and into the forest, crossing the Philosophers' Way and opening to occasional views of the city and Neckar Valley.

At the top sits the ruins of Michaelskloster , the Monastery of St. Michael, built in the 11 th century and abandoned in the 16 th century. The adjoining Thingstätte is a Nazi-era amphitheater, and at the top is also the Heiligenberg Aussichtsturm, an old observation tower.

The 12 th -century castle fortress of Dilsberg crowns a hilltop above the Neckar river about a 30-minute drive from Heidelberg, outside the town of Neckargemünd. Dilsburg was long considered impregnable and could withstand long sieges but was finally conquered during the Thirty Years War.

It was not destroyed, however, and continued in use until the 19 th century, when it was abandoned and some of its stones used for other buildings. By the 20 th century, however, its historic value was recognized and with that came interest in stabilizing and protecting it.

One of the reasons it was able to withstand sieges was its 46-meter-deep well. Above the waterline in the well is a tunnel that travels under the castle's courtyard, the 80-meter-long Brunnenstollen, believed to have been a ventilation shaft. You can explore this somewhat spooky tunnel and climb the hexagonal tower to reach the high outer walls for sweeping panoramas.

One of the loveliest ways to explore a riverside city and its surrounds is by boat, and Heidelberg's position on the Neckar River means that there are plenty of chances to get this unique perspective.

The Weiss Flotte line offers several cruises on the Neckar. If you are short on time, their 50-minute sightseeing cruise is a great introduction to the area that includes views of Heidelberg Castle from the water.

If you have more time, a three-hour castle tour floats past Neckarsteinach's four castles, as well as past Neuburg Abbey and through the Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park. This cruise also has hop-on-hop-off options, so you can do some exploring while you're at it. The line also offers a river ferry service with five stops, as well as private and special events.

For something a little different, you can also opt to take a Neckar River sightseeing cruise on the Neckarsonne , which claims to be the world's largest solar-powered catamaran. This boat offers both open-deck and indoor seating with glass-paneled walls, and it is wheelchair-accessible.

On the grounds of Heidelberg Castle, the German Pharmacy Museum covers the history of apothecaries during the 18th and 19th centuries. Displays include fascinating old instruments and equipment for grinding, blending, distilling, and otherwise preparing the remedies. Others show examples of the various elements that went into these preparations, including plants, minerals, and animal-based materials.

A few of the exhibits are interactive, and although the labeling is in German, a very good audio guide is available. The containers, many of them in porcelain and labeled in perfect script, are displayed in Baroque cabinets, and the museum includes the original interiors of 18 th - and 19 th -century pharmacies.

Address: Schloss Heidelberg, Heidelberg

Hauptstrasse runs traffic-free through the Altstadt (Old Town), past the Palatinate Museum and 16th-century Renaissance buildings; beside it, along the Neckar River, is the Neckarstaden, where you'll find Heidelberg University's art collection, as well as the Stadthalle and landing stages for tour boats. Heidelberg Castle can be reached from the Altstadt by the Bergbahn, a mountain railway running from the Kornmarkt. Here are some highly rated hotels in the Altstadt area:

Luxury Hotels :

• Two blocks off Hauptstrasse, Der Europaische Hof Heidelberg is in traditional, classic style, with spacious rooms, high ceilings, and superb service, along with a spa and a small indoor pool with an underwater current for swimmers.
• Mark Twain stayed at the historic Hotel Die Hirschgasse Heidelberg , just across the bridge from the old town near Philosopher's Way; parking is free.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• On Hauptstrasse, the landmark Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg is rich in old-world charm and ambiance, but with modern amenities.
• Also on Hauptstrasse, Hip Hotel offers imaginatively themed rooms and free breakfast, but no public areas or lobby.
• On a quiet side street in the center of the Altstadt, between Hauptstrasse and the river, Gasthaus Hotel Backmulde has large guest rooms.

Budget Hotels:

• In the historic Kornmarkt, just off Hauptstrasse at the base station to the Bergbahn funicular to the castle, Hotel Garni Am Kornmarkt has rooms with balconies and views of the castle.
• Ibis Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof , at the rail station on the edge of Altstadt and a short tram ride or walk from attractions, offers free parking.
• Hotel Perkeo , on Hauptstrasse in the center of the old town, has good-sized rooms and excellent service, but no elevator.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Places to Visit near Heidelberg: Any direction you travel from Heidelberg will bring you to at least one of the highlights of Germany. To the south are the lively city of Stuttgart and the beautiful Black Forest region of Baden-Württemberg. To the north is Frankfurt , and our page on Day Trips from Frankfurt is filled with ideas on where to go from there.

Exploring More of Germany: Heidelberg is not the only German city with an Old Town filled with beautiful historic buildings. Nuremberg has been almost completely restored, and on the way here, you can stop in the almost entirely original medieval town of Rothenburg-ob der-Tauber , one of the top tourist attractions in Germany .

More on Germany

Guided Tours 

At Knopftours we offer personal guided tours for solo riders or groups. Together with you, we plan and guide customized tours through the USA, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Chile and Argentina. Please get in touch with us for further information and details.

Want to share your culture with travelers from all the world?

Free walking tour near heidelberg, others cities to visit after heidelberg, where are you traveling to.

Travel to Europe your way

Pre arranged tours for individual travellers

9-Day South of Germany Self-Drive Tour (9S01)

South of Germany Self-Drive Tour . Scenic areas, romantic towns, and beautiful castles and palaces—this tour includes many of the highlights in Germany South!

Nordlingen ©Romantische Straße Touristik Arbeitsgemeinschaft GbR

Price per Person

The beautifully designed Self-drive tour takes you from/to Munich International Airport to Munich , into the Alp Mountains to the Royal Castles ( Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace ), along the German Alpine Road to Lake Constance , into the Black Forrest and to Triberg ,  to Heidelberg , along the Castle Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber and along the Romantic Road to Nordlingen  (see the tableau this is already included in the price of your tour ) .  Here you also find everything else that is included: rental car, tours and admissions.

Would you like to submit your personal information so we can check availability for your specific travel dates for this beautiful tour? On our BOOKING INQUIRY page you find a form which you may use to forward your personal information: Book Tour

View   9 Day South of Germany Self-Drive Tour (9S01) in a larger map

DAY 1 Munich

Pick up your rental car (GPS included) at Munich International Airport and to your hotel located in the City Center. Enjoy the rest of the day with sightseeing in Munich ! The price of your South of Germany Self-Drive Tour already includes admission to many sights in Munich (Munich Residence and Residence Museum, Treasury, Cuvilliés-Theatre, Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace and Park , Marstallmuseum, Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain) and with your tour package you will also receive walking suggestions for a self-guided walking tour through Munich City Center.

Munich Town Hall ©Thomas H. Giesick and Linderhof Palace ©Softeis via Wikimedia Commons

Along this walking tour you will visit the Marienplatz with the New Town Hall  (with the “ Glockenspiel ”), the Konigsplatz (King´s Square), cultural center in the 19th century and later, during the “Third Reich”, site of Nazi Party mass rallies and location of the Nazi Party headquarters in Germany, the  English Garden as well as the the  State Opera House . You will be able to visit famous churches like Munich Frauenkirche , “Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), with a height of 325 ft. a Munich landmark, St. Peters Church , built in the 14th century and the Asam Church , which was built as a private chapel and integrated into an apartment building. The tour will pass by the most famous Munich shopping streets  (Kaufinger street and Neuhauser street) as well as by the “ Viktualienmarkt ”, a traditional farmers market (open every day except on Sundays). The tour will take you by the famous “Alois Dallmayr ” luxury delicatessen and coffee store as well as to the  Hofbrauhaus of course, probably the world’s most popular beer hall. This may be a great place to enjoy a hearty dinner and a fresh Mass of beer (one mug holds 33.8 US fl oz)!

DAY 2 Linderhof Palace and Hohenschwangau

In the morning enjoy a scenic drive towards the German Alp Mountains and visit Linderhof Palace and Park in Ettal on your way (about 100 kilometers/60 miles from Munich) to Hohenschwangau. Linderhof Palace was King Ludwig II´s Villa and the only building he totally completed during his lifetime. You may also stop in Oberammergau before you continue your drive on your way from Munich to Linderhof Palace where you can take a look at the “ Passionstheater  Oberammergau ” (site where the famous Passion plays are taking place once in a decade).

On your way to Hohenschwangau you will drive through the Austrian Alp Mountains for a little while before returning back to Germany. You may consider to take a break in Reutte to follow the “footsteps of a Knight” at the Museum located at Ehrenberg Castle . The exhibition at the Castle focuses on the medieval period of history.

DAY 3 Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Lindau and Lake Constance

Start the 3th day of your South of Germany Self-Drive Tour with a visit of Neuschwanstein Castle. The picture of Neuschwanstein is probably present in everybody’s mind. Be prepared that reality will surpass all pictures and imaginations: Neuschwanstein seems to be taken out of a fairy tale! Seeing the castle from the outside is unforgettable, a tour of the insight, which was originally built for the one famous inhabitant Ludwig II (admission included), will make the picture perfect! Make sure to take some time to explore the castle grounds and the amazing view of Neuschwanstein from the bridge !

Neuschwanstein Castle ©Romantische Straße Touristik Arbeitsgemeinschaft GbR and Black Forest ©Thomas H. Giesick

Before you head west towards Lake Constance you may want to follow the Romantic Road for a short drive (30 minutes) to visit the World famous Pilgrimage Church of ‘Flagellated Savior in the Meadow’ , a late work of the brothers Dominikus and Johann Baptist Zimmermann. The “ Wieskirche ” is located near the small town of Steingaden .

From Hohenschwangau drive to Füssen and follow the German Alpine Road to Lindau Island – located at Lake Constance. Along the Alpine Road you will pass the cities of “Lindenberg”, Oberstaufen, Immenstadt and Bad Hindelang. With a short detour it is also possible to visit the Duke-Abbot´s Residence in the city of Kempten (admission included – closed on Mondays!).

The scenic Old Town of Lindau is built on an island which is connected to the main land by a bridge. Lindau’s famous harbour , which is still regarded today as the most attractive anywhere on Lake Constance , was completed in 1856. The 6m high monument with the lion looking over the lake is located at the port entrance. It is a work by the sculptor Johann von Halbing. The Bavarian heraldic emblem flanks the harbor entrance together with the 33m high lighthouse . Thousands of lights create a magical harbor atmosphere.

Visit the historic Town Hall with its colorful facade which was first built 1422-36 and re-built in Renaissance style in 1578. The oldest building in Lindau is the “ Peterskirche ” (Church of St. Peter) which was built 1100 and is situated next to the Church of St. Stephan (built 1180).

DAY 4  Triberg and Black Forest

Drive from Lindau along the shores of Lake Constance towards Friedrichshafen and on to Castle Meersburg  which is the oldest inhabited Castle in Germany. After visiting Castle Meersburg continue to Basilika Birnau . The pilgrimage church is located above beautiful vineyards  from where you can enjoy a stunning view of Lake Constance.

Follow the road along Lake Constance toward Donaueschingen . In Donauesching you might want to visit the source of the River Danube , the so-called “Karstaufstoßquelle”. It has been identified as the historical source of the Danube ever since the Roman general Tiberius visited it in 15 BC. The source is framed in a romantic wrought iron basin, which lies in the palace grounds right next to the Prince of Fürstenberg’s Palace .

From Donaueschingen you need another 50 minutes to Triberg . When people tell you they are going to go visit the Black Forest , chances are pretty good they mean they are headed to Triberg. In a region that is laden with tourist attractions, there is none that compares to this small city in the centre of the Black Forest! Deep in the heart of the Black Forest, Triberg is home to the highest waterfall in the country. After your visit of the waterfall you might want to visit one of the most beautiful churches in the Black Forest, the Wallfahrtskirche Maria in der Tannen (Church of Our Lady of the Fir Trees). It is located on the western edge of town, just a 10-minute walk from the center. Triberg also claims to be the birthplace of the cuckoo clock , so if you’re in the market for a traditional timepiece, this is the place to find it. Nearly every restaurant and café offers the famous Schwarzwalder Torte ( Black Forest Cake ). Give it a try!

DAY 5 Black Forest and Heidelberg

From Triberg follow the scenic “Schwarzwaldhochstrasse” ( Black Forest Mountain Road ) to Freudenstadt. In Freudenstadt you will find Germany´s largest market square. Along the way you will find scenic places to stop and enjoy the views of the Black Forest. Continue on to Baden-Baden . The exclusive thermal spa resort is located at the foothills of the Black Forest in the south-western part of Germany. With its elegant flair and stylish way of life, Baden-Baden is a paradise for those who cherish life’s pleasures and wish to recharge their batteries.

Heidelberg Castle ©Wowox via Wikimedia Commons and Rothenburg ob der Tauber ©Romantische Straße Touristik Arbeitsgemeinschaft GbR

From Baden-Baden it takes about an hour to Heidelberg. Your South of Germany Tour package includes a suggestion for a walking tour through the Old Town, a “must do” – of course – is a visit of the ruins of Heidelberg Castle which is idyllically towering above the Old Town located at the Neckar River. If you do not want to take the walk up there is also a  mountain train which you could take. From the Castle you have a beautiful view  over the city and the Neckar River. The historic Old Town is a lively city with many students living there. In your tour information sheets you will find a recommendation where to go for a typical dinner.

DAY 6 Castle Road and Rothenburg ob der Tauber

In the morning of Day 6 of your South of Germany Self-Drive Tour drive from Heidelberg along the Castle Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber , one of Germany`s most beautiful medival cities. You enjoy a scenic drive along the shores of the Neckar River  and you may want to consider to visit Castle Guttenberg  and Grosscomburg Monastery located in the town of Schwäbisch Hall along the way.

Taking a walk thru the charming little town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is truly a journey back in time. The town once was a powerful free imperial town and its monuments, landmarks and buildings still bear witness to these days. Marvel at the  half-timbered buildings and at town walls which have stood for hundreds of years, protecting the city since the Middle Ages. Visit the town’s most famous spot, the Ploenlein square , probably the most photographed place in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Also very interesting to see is the Spitalbastei Gate , created by Leonhard Weidmann, the Latin inscription on the gate reading: ” Peace to those who enter, health to those who leave”. The Gothic St. James Church is the town’s most prominent church, here you can take a minute and relax in quietness while you enjoy the beauty of the famous Altar of the Holy Blood and the Twelve Apostles Altar . Every step you take in this old town is a step thru history with yet another beautiful spot to be discovered around the corner.

Rothenburg also offers museums which are cultural highlights, such as the Doll and Toy Museum where the history of playthings is shown, as well as the Crime Museum , where the visitor gets an insight into the law and especially its execution during the last 700 years. A highlight will be the  English-speaking tour with the Night Watchman  which starts at 8pm (included).

Wurzburg Residenz ©Romantische Straße Touristik Arbeitsgemeinschaft GbR, Bamberg New Palace and Rose Garden ©BAMBERG Tourismus & Kongress Service and Imperial Castle Nuremberg ©Thomas H. Giesick

DAY 7  Day Trip to Wurzburg, Bamberg and Nuremberg

Follow the Romantic Road via Creglingen ( Riemenschneider Altar in the Church of the Lord), Weikersheim (Renaissance Palace and Garden) and Bad Mergentheim (you might want to visit the market place) to Würzburg where your hotel is located in the Old Town. The city is idyllically located in the midst of  vineyards , with the medieval Fortress Marienberg towering above. Wurzburg is an old bishop’s seat and a lively town, proudly presenting monuments of different eras. Culture, art, history and hospitality are ever-present in this remarkable city! Fortress Marienberg (admission included), Wurzburg´s landmark, has of course changed its appearance a great deal since it was first mentioned, today the oldest part of the fortress is the “ Rundkirche ” (round church) which was built in the year one thousand. The Cathedral , the Marienkapelle, the “ Alte Mainbrucke ” (old bridge across the river Main ), the Juliusspital and the “Kappele” are musts, but make sure that you do not miss out on the “ Furstbischofliche Residenz “, Prince Bishops Residence (admission included). This “Palace above all Palaces” is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy this beautiful town which offers not only cultural but also culinary highlights such as the hearty cuisin e and, of course, the world famous  Frankenwein (Franconia wine!).

After one hour drive you will get to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Bamberg . Bamberg is a rarity even by German standards, as the basic fabric of the  Old Town is largely obtained , over one thousand (!) buildings are land marked. A highlight in Bamberg is the New Residence and Rose Garden (admission included in your Central Germany Self-drive Tour & Cruise package). Construction of the New Residence began in 1613 and the palace has over 40 state rooms featuring stucco-work ceilings, furniture and tapestries from the 17th and 18th centuries. Another main attraction in Bamberg is the Imperial Cathedral which was built in the 13th century. Take a look at the magnificent marble tomb of the founder and his wife, a masterpiece of the German sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider . And do not miss to take a look at the  Bamberg Horseman.  This statue most likely dates to the period from 1225 to 1237.

From Bamberg it takes about 45 minutes to Nuremberg . The city’s history reaches back to the year 1050, its name “nourenberc” translating into “rocky hill”. Nuremberg has Nuremberg’s famous landmark, the Kaiserburg ( Imperial Castle , admission included), towers above the Old town, which is protected by the 5 kilometers long city wall with its many towers. The historic flair of Nuremberg with the Old Town surrounded by historic City Walls and the impressive Imperial Castle (which has never been conquered) let Adolf Hitler during the Third Reich choose Nuremberg as the location for their Nazi Party Rally Grounds . Within the monumental Congress Hall a museum and documentation center opened in 2001. Its permanent exhibition “Faszination und Gewalt” (Fascination and Terror) is concerned with the causes, connections, and consequences of the Nazi movement in Germany. If you are interested to visit the Rally Grounds you may also take a look at our blog “ Documentation Center Nazi Rally Grounds ”.

When exploring the beauty of Nuremberg’s mediaeval Old Town one can start at the Koenigstor  (“Kingsgate”), from where the timber framed buildings, the Gothic Church of St.Lawrence and the Church of St.Sebaldus can be easily reached by foot. Right next to the Koenigstor there is the Handwerkerhof (craft center), here you will feel like you are back in the medieval times, there are craft workshops like they used to have a long time ago as well as a gingerbread bakery. Make sure to enjoy a Nuremberg Bratwurst along with a beer or a glass of Frankenwein. In the evening drive back to your hotel in medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Dinkelsbuhl und Nordlingen ©Romantische Straße Touristik Arbeitsgemeinschaft GbR

DAY 8 Romantic Road to Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen

Continue your South of Germany Self-Drive Tour through Bavaria and follow the Romantic Road towards Nördlingen . Driving time to Nördlingen is just about 1.5 hours and you will have plenty of time to visit some of the small towns along your way. On this part of the Romantic Road you find Schillingsfurst (you may want to visit the baroque Castle), Feuchtwangen as well as the former Free Imperial Town of Dinkelsbuhl with its charming Old Town. The historical old town with 16 towers, fortifications and magnificent patrician buildings is under a preservation order. The most important sights include the Minster of St. Georg , one of Germany´s most beautiful late Gothic hall churches, the ‘ Weinmarkt ‘ (wine market), the ‘Deutsches Haus’, the old hospital, the town mill and the picturesque ‘Rothenburger’ pond alongside the town wall. From Dinkelsbuhl follow the Romantic Road via Wallerstein to Nordlingen. Your hotel is located within the Old Town. The former Free Imperial Town of Nordlingen still has an almost complete medieval townscape . It is the only town in Germany with walls and battlements that can be walked all the way round. The historical old town is dominated by its landmark, the late Gothic hall Church of St. George , with its 90 m high bell tower ‘ Daniel ‘, which can be climbed 365 days a year.

DAY 9 Munich International Airport

It takes a little less than two hours from Nördlingen to  Munich Int. Airport .

If you have some more time that day before your departure you may follow the Romantic Road southbound to Augsburg  (a little less than an hour from Nördlingen) and you may want to visit Donauwörth along the way. From Augsburg you need a little over an hour to Munich International Airport.

Please let us know if you would like to extend your stay in Munich by adding a night or two – we will be happy to arrange this for you. Please also contact us in case you would like to extend your car rental and/or if you would like to return the car at a different location within Germany. Munich is a great city which definitely deserves an extra day’s visit!

 Would you like to download an overview of the 9 Day South of Germany Self-Drive Tour (9S01) as a pdf  to print it out or to forward it to a friend? Please download it right here:  

Download Itinerary

This is already included in the price of your tour

The tour package we provide includes a day by day itinerary as well as all tickets, vouchers and information necessary to enjoy a great independent tour. It also contains general information about the cities you visit which you can downloaded from our website once your tour is confirmed.

This is not included in the price of your tour

• Airfare from/to your origin to/from Germany
• all meals other than breakfast (which is included)
• gratuities (tips)
• parking fees

You have booked the tour already and would like to download the to- europe tour package  for this tour now? Please download them right here: Download Package

  5-Days Romantic Road Self-Drive Tour  Just to say we thoroughly enjoyed our trip, the weather was lovely and the towns and villages very pretty and interesting. We especially liked the Hotel Spitzweg and the charming owner. The car was great, and the SAT NAV fantastic! Have not used one before but just great to whizz into a town and be taken to the door. All in all, a great trip and thank you again for organising everything for us.– Anne H.  

We are fortunate to have travelers from all over the world on our pre-packaged tours and we would love to have your feedback! If you have been traveling along this tour with us please leave us a review below – we greatly appreciate your time! (your Email address will not be displayed)

View more reviews

Create your own review

For my 60th birthday, I wanted to plan my dream trip to Germany. This trip would be special to visit the birthplace of my grand father in the Black Forest and wanted to include a Rhine river cruise, some castles, Oktoberfest, and also a few days in Austria to visit Salzburg and Vienna Where I wanted to have a Sound of Music tour and visit the Spanish riding school. After much research online, I found TO-EUROPE and was so impressed with a quick response from Thomas as to how he could customize this trip for me. Their communication was prompt and efficient and the tour was laid out perfectly with all wonderful hotels and recommendations. All we had to do was follow the checklist and itinerary, and, everything went off without a hitch. I would highly recommend and will definitely use them again in the future.

Communication from beginning to end was exceptional! A dream to work with - even customizing our trip so we could add an additional adventure to our road trip. They thought of every detail and found us some adorable hotels we probably would not have found on our own! Wonderful itinerary and the car was great because we had flexibility to visit towns on our own timetable. I can't imagine planning this without them!. Would ABSOLUTELY use again and would highly recommend! Thank you.

We had been told by others who had used "to-europe" that this was a no miss for planning and enjoying a vacation in Germany. They were absolutely correct. From the planning stages through the pre-trip preparation and the actual visit, the "to-europe" staff were attentive to our wishes, thorough in their explanation, and extremely responsive before, during, and after the trip. We extended our stay to 11 days by requesting a train excursion from Munich to Salzburg, Austria then returning to Munich we picked up our rental car and were off on our adventure through southern Germany. The "to-europe" staff had our days planned with just enough scheduled events with plenty of time for travel and "free time" that we never felt rushed and were able to enjoy the full experience while in Germany. The accommodations each evening were very nice and located with easy access to the city in which we were staying. We look forward to the next time we visit Europe and will definitely work with "to-europe" again.

We were very satisfied with our 5 day tour that To Europe Tours put together around a wedding we were attending. Visited Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Fussen & castles and Lindau. All hotels and all staff at them were excellent. The car with automatic and GPS was great, but the wait to rent the car at Avis (Frankfurt airport) was very long. All vouchers worked very easily. The general information provided was useful, but for those of us new to Germany it would be nice if some basic information on driving the autobahn was provided.

Just back from 9 day self-drive Southern Germany, with extra day on Rhine. Our hotels were top-notch, clean, and friendly staff. Each was in the midst of everything, perfect locations. LOVED the attention I received from Thomas and staff ahead of trip, so detailed and answered all my questions timely. This was perfect balance of having the experts guide us without being on an actual tour bus.

We just got back from a 12 day self drive tour of the Bavarian region and it was perfect. All the hotels were wonderful and spotless. The locations were perfect for walking and the included breakfasts were fabulous. The suggestions for sites to visit were great and the excursion card for admission to various castles was fabulous. We lucked out with perfect weather everyday. I would highly recommended using to-europe to book a trip.

I was planning a trip to Germany and knew of certain places I wanted to go but didn't really have time to get it all planned out. I stumbled across To Europe Tours and went with it. Im so happy I did as everything was superb! The hotels, car rental, castles, places to go, all their suggestions were great! I had a few things I wanted to add in and they did that for me as well. During the middle of our trip we had a question. We called and they answered our question quickly and had no problems at all. The one thing I would say is we went in Sept. when it was cool and rainy. There was only one hotel that had AC. If you went when it was warmer and need AC you might be uncomfortable. However, some of the hotels did have a fan in the rooms. This does not reflect on my review on To Europe just a side note for those needing AC. I will use them again if I ever get the chance to venture back!

From the moment we picked up our car with its highly sophisticated GPS, and arrived at our first hotel, we knew To-Europe.com was a highly efficient company. This was our first booking with them, but certainly, not our last. Throughout the 11 days of traveling the Romance Road, we had no hitches. All the hotels were fabulous and more luxurious than we would have booked ourselves. The breakfasts provided had plentiful choices and the staffs most accommodating. Our experiences in the recommended castles, palaces, and museums proved to be culturally and historically enlightening. We found Germany to be the cleanest European country we've ever visited. Everything was so well organized and we highly recommend this tour not only because it is value priced, but also for all the varied opportunities one can enjoy along the route.

Absolutely perfect! Hotels all in great locations, fantastic accommodations and wonderful breakfast buffets. Walking tour suggestions hit the highlights for each suggested stop. GPS information for each included. They even had the perfect suggestion for a special stay at a castle hotel. We will be using To Europe again!

We are so happy we used your company to go on this trip. Everything was just perfect. From the momentwe rented our car to the last hotel. This is the first tour we have done "on our own" and it far surpassed our hopes. The communication with everyone at to-europe was perfect and everything you promised was delivered. The hotels were historic and perfectly located right in the middle of everything. We could walk to the sites, restaurants, and, of course, shopping. The only complaint we have is there was just too much to do! That is really not so much a complaint as an indication of the wonderful itinerary your company was able to set up. Thank you so much for this wonderful tour. We highly recommend.

Share this:

Photo Sources Sitemap Terms & Conditions Imprint

You must be logged in to post a comment.