The First-Timer’s Guide to Heidelberg Germany

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If you want to maximize a short time in Germany, then Heidelberg is a destination worth considering. Just one hour from Frankfurt, Heidelberg has all the charm of a medieval European town with all the modern-day amenities.

Nestled on the banks of the Neckar River, this university town has a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Many of Heidelberg’s main attractions are within walking distance of the town center, ideal for shorter itineraries.

While it is easy to get to know the area in only a few days, you will most definitely wish you had more time to spend here! I’m sharing the best things to do in Heidelberg Germany on your first visit.

Things to Do in Heidelberg Germany

This list can easily be divided into a two-day itinerary. I spent my first day along the Neckar River and wandering Old Town. The next day I went up the hill to the castle and hit anything I missed or wanted to return to from the first day.

Hike Philosophenweg

One thing I noticed about Heidelberg’s Old Town is that many of the shops and restaurants do not open until mid-morning or later. While I waited for the town to wake up, I started my first morning enjoying the tranquility of the surrounding hillsides.

Philosophenweg is an easy 1.5-mile trail on the northern bank of the Neckar River with a stunning view of Old Town. It is the perfect place to wander and ponder, as many philosophers have in the past.

Walk the Alte Brucke

To get to Philosophenweg from Old Town, you must cross the Alte Brucke, or Old Bridge. This is an experience in itself as there are stunning views all along the pedestrian-only walkway.

The original sandstone arch bridge was constructed in the 18th century but was reconstructed post-WWII. Don’t miss the three sculptures along the bridge, including the iconic bronze monkey beside the tower.

Wander Altstadt

Altstadt, or Old Town, is Heidleberg’s historic city center that lines the southeastern bank of the river beneath the castle. Complete with cobblestone roads and halftimbered-style buildings, there are many cafes, boutiques, and restaurants to explore.

The Haupstraube is the main mile-long stretch that expands into several marketplace squares along the way.

Don’t miss the Church of the Holy Ghost (Heiliggeistkirche) in the biggest market square, Marktplatz.

Ride the Funicular

A funicular railway is characterized by two counterbalanced carriages that travel up and down inclined planes.

The Heidelberg Funicular, or Heidelberg Bergbahn, begins in Kornmarkt and takes you up the hillside. The lower portion of the track to the castle is a modern funicular, and the upper track is a historic wooden tram.

I highly recommend purchasing a funicular ticket that includes castle entry. Ride the funicular up to the castle and explore. Then continue up the mountain in the historic cars, walk the Nature Trail or visit the falconry, and take the funicular back down to Altstadt.

Explore Schloss Heidelberg

Heidelberg Castle, or Schloss Heidelberg, will be tempting you from the moment you arrive in the city. The gorgeous castle is nestled just 300 feet above Altstadt.

While you can walk or drive to the castle grounds from Altstadt, the best and most convenient way to get there is by funicular. Tours are available for an additional cost, or you can wander the grounds and interiors with your regular ticket.

The castle was initially constructed in 1300 and was later destroyed by lightning in 1764, leaving it uninhabitable. Despite this, the grounds are still beautiful to walk through, and the view of Altstadt from above is almost as magical as it is looking up at the castle from below.

Don’t miss Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest wine barrel inside the castle grounds. It is so large you have to take stairs to reach the top of it where a dance floor sits. Plus, it is included in your ticket price.

Also included is the entrance to the Apothecary Museum, which is also located inside the castle grounds. It is worth wandering through the exhibits and learning about medicine from the 17th-19th centuries.

Where to Eat in Heidelberg Germany

Heidelberg has some fantastic food options, and in fact, it has so many options that it would be impossible to list them all in one post. On my visit, I looked for food that gave me a special taste of the region and provided a special dining experience unique to Heidelberg’s history.

Here are my favorites in Altstadt.

• Kulturbrauerei: This brewery tops many lists for where to eat in Heidelberg for good reason. The interior is exactly what I picture a brewhouse to look like, with a large muraled ceiling on one side and a lofted two-story seating area on the other. The “Palantine-Style” sausages were delicious!
• Schnitzelbank: Schnitzelbank was probably my favorite meal that I had in Heidelberg. The schnitzel was obviously delicious. But the cozy old-world atmosphere also really made the experience. It felt like we wandered back in time to a cute pub.
• Vetter’s Gasthausbrauerei: Vetter’s is another highly recommended brewery. What I loved about Vetter’s was that it was open for lunch, and there was tons of seating including an outdoor patio as well. The best place to get a German pretzel.
• Cafe Gundel: Finish the night with a sweet treat at Cafe Gundel, one of Heidelberg’s oldest artisanal bakeries. You must try the Heidelberg specialty- the Kurfurstenkugel, a fine sponge dough ball filled with nougat cream and covered in chocolate.

Where to Stay in Heidelberg Germany

To make the most of a short stay, I highly recommend staying in Altstadt to make everything walkable. Plus, many of the boutique hotels have discount codes for the two parking garages that you can find there. Several bus and metro stations make Altstadt super accessible as well.

I stayed at Hotel am Kornmarkt and would stay there again in a heartbeat. The price was great and the rooms were modern and comfortable.

I had a double room, and while the bathroom was small, the room was spacious and included a coat rack and a large wardrobe. The hands-down best part about Hotel am Kornmarkt is its location.

Kornmarkt is one of the main market squares, so everything is at your fingertips. Steps from the parking garage and funicular station. A five-minute walk to Alte Brucke.

On top of being convenient, Hotel am Kornmarkt is historic and picturesque. It sits beneath Schloss Heidelberg, so the walk back and forth to your hotel is gorgeous as the castle looms above, especially with the castle’s feature lighting at night.

For video footage, you can preview my trip on my Germany Instagram Highlights! And if you ever have a question, you can always DM me @cassiescompass or drop it in the comments below. If you’ve visited Heidelberg, I’d love to know your favorite things to do in the comments. 

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