Discover Heidelberg: Castle, Culture and the Neckar
Accommodation in Heidelberg
Heidelberg combines historic sites and collections with viewpoints and activities along the Neckar. When looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether the castle and Old Town, culture, scenic views or activities on the water are most important for your trip. In the Old Town, short distances, history and culture are part of its character; along the Neckar, options range from riverside walks to cycling and boat trips. For views, the castle garden, Philosopher’s Walk and Königstuhl each offer a different perspective.
Castle Garden, Funicular and Views
The garden of Heidelberg Castle is freely accessible. From its terraces, you can look out over the castle and the Neckar Valley. From the StĂĽckgarten, you can see the castle and look down on the Old Town beside the Neckar. There, the restored wall shell of the Rondell now serves as a terrace and offers a sweeping view of the Rhine Plain. The garden is also associated with the once-famous Hortus Palatinus. If the site closes unexpectedly, it is advisable to check the situation before your visit.
Heidelberg Castle can be reached on foot or by funicular. The funicular runs from Kornmarkt up to the castle and continues to Königstuhl; along the way, the views open up to increasingly broad vistas. Königstuhl is Heidelberg’s highest point and offers views over the castle, city and Rhine Plain. The funicular route therefore extends beyond a visit to the castle, all the way to the city’s highest point.
Old Town and Cultural History
On the southern slope of Heiligenberg, Philosopher’s Walk offers views of the city, river and mountains; walking along the path is one of the activities available in Heidelberg. The summit area of Heiligenberg is home to the Thingstätte and the ruins of St. Michael’s and St. Stephen’s monasteries. The Thingstätte is a large open-air theatre dating from the Nazi era. Thus, the views and walks along Philosopher’s Walk sit alongside sites whose historical context provides a distinct focus.
The Old Town invites you to stroll, linger and explore, and is known for its short distances and mix of history and culture. Museums and theatres are part of its diverse cultural offerings. The Kurpfälzisches Museum houses the city of Heidelberg’s art and cultural history collections. Another notable landmark is the Old Bridge: the sandstone bridge offers views of the castle and Old Town. The cultural highlights therefore range from collections and stages to a structure that also brings together two well-known views.
The Neckar and the Zoo
The Neckarwiese is ideal for picnics and riverside walks, and offers a view of the castle. Cycling along the Neckar and boat trips on the river are also available activities in Heidelberg. Along the Neckar, you can choose between spending time by the river, getting around by bike and taking a trip on the water.
Heidelberg Zoo is located on the Im Neuenheimer Feld campus and is a popular destination for a day trip. Visitors can discover more than 160 animal species from around the world there. The Zoo Academy offers bookable workshops, holiday activities and guided tours for different age groups, interests and occasions. The activities focus on the zoo’s animal or plant life. For specific formats, you can check the relevant dates and booking information.
Discover more destinations: Waibstadt, Helmstadt-Bargen, Reichartshausen, Schönau, Weinheim, Oftersheim, Heddesheim, Sandhausen.
Back to the main travel overview: Rhine-Neckar District.
