If you’re planning a day trip to Heidelberg by train or weaving it into a longer German itinerary, expect a city that beautifully blends history, nature, and culture. We arrived from Rothenburg ob der Tauber with a delay, but Heidelberg’s charm more than made up for it.

From exploring the majestic castle ruins and walking the serene Philosopher’s Way, to enjoying coffee at the bustling Marktplatz or hearty food at Kulturbrauerei, Heidelberg was as picturesque as it was peaceful.

Overview

Nestled on the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is a charming blend of picturesque old-world beauty and academic vibrancy. Known for its romantic ruins, red-roofed buildings, and one of the oldest universities in Europe, it’s no surprise the city frequently comes up when people ask, “is Heidelberg worth visiting?” (short answer: absolutely!).

Our journey to Heidelberg was part of a longer German itinerary. We travelled by train from Rothenburg, but unfortunately experienced a two-hour delay due to a cancelled service.

That said, the rail network in Germany is incredibly well connected, and we still managed to make the most of our time in the city. Unfortunately, that meant we missed the Resurrection Service at the church, as it was Easter.

Travel to and Around Heidelberg

Travelling to Heidelberg

We arrived by train, which remains one of the most convenient ways to access Heidelberg, especially if you’re coming from cities like Frankfurt (the Frankfurt to Heidelberg train route is quick and scenic). Our Interrail pass was perfect for this trip and made connections smooth across the region.

You can also arrive by plane. The closest major airport is Frankfurt Airport (FRA), which is well-connected internationally. From there, you can take a direct train to Heidelberg in just over an hour, making it a convenient option for international travellers. Stuttgart Airport is another alternative, though the journey to Heidelberg takes a bit longer.

If you are looking for suitable flight options, make sure to check out the article below with top tips on how to find cheap flights.

Travelling Around Heidelberg

We stayed at IntercityHotel Heidelberg, just a short walk from the main station. Its location proved ideal, especially with the S-Bahn lines offering easy access to the Old Town. There are also good bus connections, but overall, the S-Bahn is your best bet when going to the Old Town.

If you are short on time or have limited mobility, you can experience Heidelberg by a comfortable bus tour with an expert guide, followed by a tour of the grounds of Heidelberg Castle.

Where to Stay in Heidelberg?

IntercityHotel Heidelberg is a solid choice for travellers using the train. It offers modern amenities and a convenient location. If you prefer something more characterful or central, there are plenty of boutique options in the Altstadt (Old Town), but for us, the S-Bahn connectivity made our choice stress-free.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, we would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Trip.com to get the best rates. Use the widget below to find the best accommodation in Heidelberg for your specific dates.

Best Time to Visit Heidelberg

We visited on Easter Sunday, and while the city retained its charm with festive decorations and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s worth noting that many shops opened later or not at all, and some attractions had limited access.

Spring in Heidelberg is lovely, with blossoming trees and mild weather, but if you’re planning activities that require specific opening hours, do double-check schedules during public holidays like Easter.

Our Top Things to do in Heidelberg

We used the Heidelberg Card which also includes free transport for most of the attractions listed below. Unfortunately we couldn’t fully utilise the card for all places we wanted to visit due to closing times.

Card payments are widely accepted, and we found that we didn’t need any cash. We used our 0% fee cards throughout this trip to make sure we always got the better rates. Read more here about managing your finances when travelling.

1. Stroll Across the Old Bridge Heidelberg (Karl Theodor Bridge)

An iconic stone bridge with picturesque views of the Neckar and castle, this is the perfect spot to start your day in Heidelberg.

Keep an eye out for the bridge monkey statue! We definitely snapped a few photos with it.

From the bridge we saw people taking a boat trip on the river but sadly we didn’t have the time to do this. If you are interested in exploring Heidelberg from a different perspective, consider this Neckar River Sightseeing Cruise.

2. Shop and Wander Along Hauptstraße

One of Germany’s longest pedestrian shopping streets, Hauptstraße (main street) offers everything from quirky boutiques to big-name brands, nestled between baroque facades.

Here we even sat down and had a few pastries and coffee in the morning before continuing our journey exploring the city.

3. Admire the Architecture of Heiliggeistkirche

This beautiful Gothic church dominates the Marktplatz skyline and offers wonderful panoramic views if you decide to climb the tower.

When we visited, it was just after the Easter Mass, but we found the church overall a bit simple in decor. Still, being in the centre, it absolutely warrants a visit—especially considering it’s free.

4. Relax at the Heidelberger Marktplatz

This square is at the heart of the Old Town and perfect for people-watching. The surrounding cafes are ideal for a mid-morning coffee or light lunch.

We had some time to soak in the wonderful morning sun before heading to the funicular.

5. Ride the Heidelberger Bergbahnen Funicular Railway

For an easy climb up the hill, take this funicular to reach both Heidelberg Castle and Königstuhl. The ride itself offers lovely views.

The lower cable car, one of the most modern cable cars in Germany, starts at Kornmarkt in the Old Town and travels via the Castle station to Molkenkur.

From there, one of the oldest electrically operated mountain railways continues to the King’s Seat (Königstuhl), the highest point in the city, at an altitude of over 567 meters.

Just a note—on weekends and holidays, the service to the top (Königstuhl) can be pretty packed. Going to the first station, which is the Castle, usually involves a short 10-minute wait, but the journey to the top is done with the old funicular and can take up to two hours of waiting.

Wait times are displayed on screens at the bottom station. We waited quite a while ourselves, but overall, the view from the platform is lovely.

Combo tickets can be bought at the ground station, or, if you’re already at the Castle or change your mind, you can buy tickets for the top from the midpoint station.

6. Take in the Views from Königstuhl

At the top of the funicular, this is the highest point in Heidelberg. We wanted to stop for a drink at Berggasthof Königstuhl, which has a stunning outdoor terrace.

Unfortunately, they were only serving Easter brunch for hotel guests when we visited, so we had to settle for something on the lower terrace, which wasn’t particularly special. Perhaps another reason to return.

From the top, there appear to be several hiking routes, but we only ventured a short distance before deciding to head back. The views of the valley and town are lovely; however, if you’re pressed for time or not especially interested in panoramic views, you might consider skipping Königstuhl.

7. Explore the Majestic Heidelberg Castle

A mix of Renaissance and medieval architecture, the castle is arguably the city’s crown jewel. We explored the grounds and took some time in the cellar where the massive wine barrel sits—a fun curiosity that makes you feel really small.

One of our highlights was sitting on the main balcony overlooking the river and the city; it’s a peaceful and scenic spot to soak in Heidelberg’s charm. Since it was Easter Sunday, we took the chance to devour an Easter chocolate bunny.

From here, you can exit the Castle grounds via a staircase that leads down—so don’t feel you have to follow the crowd if you’d rather go your own way.

We also visited the pharmacy museum, which is included in the entrance ticket. It’s visually well-curated, but we found it a bit underwhelming due to the lack of English descriptions.

By far, our favourite experience was strolling through the castle gardens. They eventually open up onto a terrace that provides breathtaking views of both the castle and the Old Town below.

It’s incredibly picturesque and serene. We spent time just sitting on one of the benches and later by the stone balustrades, simply admiring the view—easily one of the most relaxing parts of our visit.

8. Walk Through the Historic Heidelberg University

Founded in 1386, it’s one of Europe’s oldest universities. The campus blends seamlessly with the Old Town, and you can pop into some of the buildings which are open to the public.

Included with the Heidelberg Card is a combi-ticket for one-time free admission to the University Museum, the Student Prison, and the special exhibition. Due to the University museum being closed on Easter Sunday, we didn’t get the chance to pay a visit.

9. Visit the Heidelberg University Library

This beautifully preserved building offers insight into the intellectual heart of the city. Architecture buffs will enjoy the façade alone.

When we went, we could only catch glimpses as most of the façade was under restoration.

10. Hike the Philosophenweg (Philosopher’s Way)

For the best views of Heidelberg, follow this walking trail on the opposite side of the river. It’s a bit of a climb, but you’ll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the city and castle.

We crossed over from the Karl Theodor Bridge and found a short but steep path that leads to the midpoint of Philosopher’s Way. A decent level of fitness is needed, as the ascent is quite intense. Thankfully, all the church tower climbs we’d done earlier in our trip served as good training!

Once you reach Philosopher’s Way, there’s a spot where the trees open up, revealing some benches from which you can take in the views.

Sadly, despite the impressive vistas, the weather quickly turned, and it started pouring with rain. Nonetheless, as we live in the UK, a little rain didn’t scare us off; we stayed to enjoy the view.

Other Things to Do in Heidelberg

Here are some more ideas about things to do in Heidelberg, especially if you have some more time to explore this beautiful city.

Our Top Restaurants in Heidelberg

Grab a Bite at ZEIT FÜR BROT

A lovely place to fuel up with fresh pastries and excellent coffee. I had the rhubarb tart and Hristina had the Easter Bunny bake. The tart was lovely, with a good balance of fruit and sugar, and the pastry felt crisp and fresh.

Hristina’s Easter Bunny bake had the consistency of a brioche loaf but was a bit plain and uninspiring inside. Still, the café is great for sitting outside, people-watching, and enjoying your coffee and pastry.

Enjoy a Meal at Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg

Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg (Culture Brewery) is a great spot for hearty German food and house-brewed beer in a historical setting. Expect a cosy, buzzing atmosphere.

Hristina had the trout with potatoes and steamed vegetables, while I had the pork knuckle with butter mash and sauerkraut. The fish was juicy and well cooked, but the pork knuckle stole the show—tender, well-seasoned, and with perfect crackling.

Easily one of the best meals of our German trip!

To add to this we had their house beer which was a delight with every sip, refreshing yet flavourful, a nice send-off.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a day trip to Heidelberg, considering it as part of a longer itinerary, or just wondering “what to do in Heidelberg”, this city offers a rich blend of history, views, and charm. Even with our delayed arrival and the limitations of Easter Sunday, Heidelberg left a lasting impression on us.

We’d say it’s more than worth a visit—it’s a must if you’re exploring southern Germany.

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