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Table of Contents:
How to get to Heidelberg from Stuttgart
How to get to Heidelberg from Frankfurt
What to see & do in Heidelberg
City squares, Botanical Garden, Zoo
Observation decks and funicular lift
I have travelled to the Baden-Wurttemberg region, which I think is an absolutely gorgeous area for tourism, and I can say that the region can offer a lot of places to see and a lot of things to do. Plus, Baden-Wurttemberg has a developed infrastructure so travellers can conveniently and safely visit the towns and the countryside, using railway and road connections between them.
When to travel to Heidelberg
Heidelberg is the fifth largest city in Baden-Wurttemberg region. The city is located on the both banks of the Neckar River and surrounded by several hills. Heidelberg is both a major tourist center with many preserved historical sights (the city was not affected by the bombing during the Second World War), and a “university” city, since several large higher education institutions are situated here, including the ancient Heidelberg University.
I can recommend tourists to travel to Heidelberg all year round. The climate is quite mild here. Winters are warm and rainy (the average temperature is +5, +12 C). A well-known Christmas fair is held here during pre-Christmas time (November-December). It`s advisable to visit it in case you like holiday decorations, illuminations, Christmas cakes and mulled wine.
In mid-March local nature starts blossoming so the spring is also a good time to visit Heidelberg. The summers are warm, but not hot. The average temperature is about +25 C. It may be rainy sometimes, but sunny days are also common. The autumns are colorful and picturesque. The yellow-green-red nature creates an especial vibe so it`s a good idea to visit Heidelberg in autumn too.
How to get to Heidelberg
Where do you fly into to get to Heidelberg? To get to Heidelberg, you first need to fly to one of the nearest airports in the region – to Stuttgart or to Frankfurt. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I usually use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options. Then you need to go by train, by bus or by car directly to Heidelberg from Frankfurt or Stuttgart.
How to get to Heidelberg from Stuttgart
Based on my research, the distance between Stuttgart and Heidelberg is approximately 120 km. Heidelberg is located north of Stuttgart. By train, you can get from one city to another in 40 minutes – 1.5 hours, depending on the type of train; or it takes you about 2 hours by car.
By train: Direct trains between Stuttgart and Heidelberg run every half an hour starting at 7.30 am (night trains are also available but less frequently). The cheapest way to get there is to take the RE (regional) train. In this case, the travel time will take about an hour and a half (stops will be made along the way). The fastest, but also the most expensive way is to take the IC (trans-regional) high-speed train, then the journey time is only about 40 minutes.
⇒To get to Heidelberg from Stuttgart by train, you need to take the train lines S2 and S3 from Stuttgart Airport and get to Stuttgart Central Station (trains run from 5 am to midnight, travel time is about 30 minutes). Then you need a change to a direct train to Heidelberg. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. Tickets to Heidelberg can be purchased in advance on the website or at the ticket office of the Stuttgart railway station.
By bus: Buses from the airport and central station of Stuttgart to Heidelberg start running at 5.45 am. Transportation service is carried out by Flixbus, Postbus, Deinbus and others. The travel time is from 2 to 2.5 hours. Buses leave once an hour. The last bus leaves at 23.45 at night. The bus timetable can be checked,for example, at the Flixbus online service. Flixbus is a pretty popular bus service in Europe and designed for cheaper trips with affordable prices. I often use Flixbus when planning my trips in Europe.
By taxi: Taxi is a more expensive way to get from city to city than public transport, but in some cases, it may be relevant, for instance, if you have a night flight or you need to carry a heavy luggage. You can order a taxi at the information desk at Stuttgart Airport or in advance at the Kiwitaxi transfer service.
By renting a car: Another popular way to travel between cities in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Stuttgart. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Stuttgart is connected with Heidelberg by highways № A81 and A6 (see on the map).
How to get to Heidelberg from Frankfurt
Heidelberg is located 90 km south of Frankfurt am Main. You can get from Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg by train or car. By rail, travel time will take a little less than an hour, by highway – also a little less than an hour, depending on traffic.
By train: Arriving at Frankfurt Airport, tourists can immediately take a train, since there are 2 stations at the airport (ground floor). From Regionalbahnhof trains go to Frankfurt main railway station, located at the city center; from Fernbahnhof trains go to different cities in Germany. Thus, from the Fernbahnhof station, you can catch a train to Heidelberg, which departs once an hour, starting at 8 am (trains run less often at night).
⇒Take a not that you need to make a change in Mannheim, since there are no direct trains from Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg, however, the change, as a rule, does not take much time (about 10-20 minutes), therefore it does not greatly affect the overall duration of the trip. The timetable can be viewed on the Raileurope booking service.
⇒There is another way to get to Heidelberg by train. You need to take an electric train from the Regionalbahnhof station at the airport to the central railway station at Frankfurt city center, and then catch a direct train to Heidelberg, which runs once an hour, starting at 6 am (less often at night). Travel time is a little over an hour, changes are not required. Tickets to Heidelberg can be purchased in advance online, or at the ticket office of the Frankfurt railway station. I tried both variants and as a rule when booking online I have more options available.
By bus: You can take the bus to Heidelberg at the airport or at the Frankfurt Central Station. The first bus starts running at 04.45 am, the last one departs from the airport at 0.25 am. Routes are operated by various companies, incl. Flixbus, Postbus, BerlinienBus and others. The travel time is from 1,5 hours to 1 hour 50 minutes. The bus timetable can be checked,for example, at the Flixbus online service.
By taxi: Taxi is the more expensive way to get from Frankfurt to Heidelberg. However, in some cases it can be useful, for instance, if you have an overnight flight to Frankfurt, as trains do not run regularly at night and getting to Heidelberg can be problematic. It will also be more convenient to take a taxi in case of heavy luggage. You can order a taxi right at the airport at the information desk, or in advance via the Internet on the Kiwitaxi transfer booking website. Based on my research, this online service has a lot of positive reviews that is why I can recommend it. The travel time is approximately 50 minutes.
By renting a car: Another popular way to travel between cities in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Frankfurt. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Frankfurt and Heidelberg are connected by highway № A5 (see on the map).
Where to stay in Heidelberg
I found out some information about accommodation in the city and I can say that Heidelberg may offer all-stars categories hotels, but the most common are 3- or 4-star hotels, as well as bed and breakfast hotels without any stars, which are great for one night stay in the city.
Leonardo Hotel Heidelberg City Center 4* is located in the Bergheim district, within walking distance of the old town. The hotel has its own parking, restaurant and free Wi-Fi. Outside the hotel is an outdoor terrace for relaxation. Comfort or superior rooms have air conditioning, a safe, hair dryer, telephone, TV, satellite TV, work desk, coffee/tea set. Breakfasts may be included in the room rate, or may be extra paid depending on the type of room. The hotel received the highest ratings from guests for its location and professionalism of the staff. The hotel reception is open 24 hours a day. Standard check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
Hotel Goldene Rose 3* is located in the Old Town area, within walking distance from the main attractions of the city. The Old Town area is considered to be the most convenient for exploring the city. There are also public transport stops nearby. Parking, free Wi-Fi, a terrace for relaxation are offered to the hotel guests. All hotel rooms are divided into standard and comfort types. The rooms have everything you need, including a work desk, ironing facilities, TV, radio, telephone, hair dryer. Buffet breakfasts are included in the room rate. The hotel received the best reviews for its location, cleanliness of the rooms and the professionalism of the staff. Check-in at the hotel is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00.
Hotel Bayrischer Hof 3* is located in the city center, at an equal distance from the railway station and historical sights. There is a public transport stop next to the hotel. The area where the hotel is located is also great for shopping. The hotel has its own parking, free Wi-Fi and luggage storage. The hotel has rooms of different categories: standard, superior, twin, junior suite ones. The standard room has a bathroom with hairdryer, telephone, cable TV, mini-bar. Breakfasts in all types of rooms are extra paid (if desired). The best reviews from tourists are about hotel location, the cleanliness of the rooms and the professionalism of the staff. Check-in is from 16.00, check-out is until 10.30.
Hotel Heidelberger Hof 3* is located in the university district of Heidelberg. The hotel has private parking, a sauna, a fitness room, and you can also rent bicycles. Free Wi-Fi is available in any area of the hotel. The hotel offers standard, comfort or junior suite rooms. The rooms have TV, safe, work desk, hair dryer, telephone, fan. Breakfast is included in some room types. The hotel receives the best ratings for its location and professionalism of the staff. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 11.00.
What to see & do in Heidelberg
The attractions of Heidelberg are surprisingly diverse. You can find historical monuments, cultural sights, for instance, interesting museums, such as the Palatinate Museum or the Museum of Antiquity, the German Museum of Packaging or the Max Berk Textile Museum, natural attractions, e.g., mountains which are equipped with observation platforms and hiking trails, as well as many park and garden areas.
You may also be interested in medieval architecture. Heidelberg Castle, in my opinion, is a must-see attraction in the city. Heidelberg Castle is included in the list of 100 most beautiful places in Germany, and this is no coincidence. A huge architectural building in the style of German romanticism was built 5 centuries ago and served as a home for royalty. Today, the castle, located at the highest point of the city, rises on the old quarters and makes a great impression on the guests and residents of Heidelberg. The views of the castle are equally attractive both in the daytime and in the evenings, when the sun begins to set below the horizon, and at night, when the castle is illuminated by multiple lights. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting and here it is:
- The castle is open to visitors from 9 am to 6 pm daily
- The main view is the exterior, because the interiors of the castle have not been preserved.
- Entrance to the castle area costs from 9 euros, audio guides cost 6 euros.
The bridge over the river Neckar was built in the 18th century from sandstone. There are only a few bridges of this type in Europe. From the side of the old town, the bridge is decorated with medieval gates. In addition, the Old Bridge is decorated with several sculptural groups; in the center of one you can find a statue of Prince Karl Theodor (the initiator of the creation of the bridge), in the center of the other you can see a sculpture of the Roman goddess Minerva. The Old Bridge is completely pedestrian and is part of the longest pedestrian street in Europe. You can get to the old part of the city and further to the Heidelberg Castle through this bridge.
After some research, I discovered that Heidelberg is administratively divided into several districts, one of which is Altstadt (The Old town). There is the largest number of preserved historical monuments. If you are, like me, interested in medieval architecture, you will be amazed with this district. In particular, it includes the building of the Old University (founded in 1386), made in Baroque style. More than 30 thousand students from different parts of the world are studying at 12 different faculties here. The entrance to the university is free and accessible to tourists.
Karlstor, or Karl’s Gate, is another well-preserved attraction, located in the eastern part of the city. The construction of the gate dates back to 1775, the architectural style is neoclassical, with elements of Romanesque architecture, the gate is decorated with 4 lions, symbolizing the power of the former kings.
The City Hall, built in the early 18th century, is a mix of styles. Traditional elements are mixed here with elaborate rococo details, but this does not create the impression of a mess, rather it demonstrates continuity in art. Such a mixture of styles is typical for many buildings in Europe and is associated with the need for rebuilding and reconstruction. Heidelberg City Hall was last refurbished in the early 20th century.
In the old quarter, some residential buildings are also of interest, for example, the Zum Ritter residential building dates back to 1592 and is considered to be the oldest residential building that has survived in the city; It`s also advisable to see the Kornmarkt square with the statue of the Virgin Mary, St. Peter’s Church, the University library, the Hexenturm tower and others.
City squares, Botanical Garden, Zoo
The city has preserved several beautiful old squares, which are perfect for tourist walks surrounded by historical buildings – these are Bismarkplatz, Karlsplatz, Marktplatz, and University square. In addition to urban landscapes, the city is ready to offer several landscaped park areas. These, in particular, include the Botanical Gardens (on the territory of Heidelberg University). The Heidelberg Gardens are considered to be the oldest botanical gardens in Germany (founded in 1593). I found out that it has unique collections of plants and flowers that grow in different ecosystems, such as upper swamps, alpine meadows, wooded dunes or vineyards.
The Zoo in Heidelberg was built relatively recently, but has already managed to gain fame thanks to the animals living in the zoo. These are lions, tigers, brown bears, pandas, giant tortoises etc. Also, on the territory of the zoo there is an area for feeding fur seals. You can find a separate area, where elephants inhabit. After some research, I discovered the following practical information:
- The zoo is organized in such a way that there is a lot of entertainment for children
- There are also places for outdoor picnics
- The zoo is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm (April – September), to 6 p.m (March and October), to 5 p.m. (November-February)
- The entrance fee is 14 euros for adults and 7 euros for children.
Heidelberg is famous not only for its attractions inside the town, but also for its landscapes in the surrounding area. Around the city there are many hiking trails that allow you to see the city from a panoramic deck. For those who do not want to climb the mountain on foot, there is a funicular.
Observation decks and funicular lift
I did some research and made a list of Heidelberg observation decks. Around Heidelberg there are several natural observation decks. The most famous places for viewing the city are Heiligenberg Mountain, Konigstuhl Mountain and Molkencourt Mountain. Here the list is:
The Heiligenberg is located on the north side of the city, its height is approximately 440 meters. At the top of the mountain, you can find the ruins of St. Stephen’s Abbey. In addition, on the neighboring peak you can also find the ruins of another abbey of Saint Michel. Both points offer picturesque views of the Neckar valley.
The Konigstuhl has a height of 568 meters. You can see not only Heidelberg, but also the entire Neckar valley and even partly the Rhine valley. In addition to the observation deck, you can also find a family theme park and an observatory here.
The Molkencourt mountain, which is located just below the Konigstuhl, also offers breathtaking views of Heidelberg and the valley. In addition, you also stay longer here, because there is a hotel with a terraced view and a restaurant surrounded by a picturesque forest.
The Heidelberg funicular has a route to all the most interesting places in the city. Starting at the Kornmarkt, the cabins pass the Heidelberg Castle station and then go up the Molkenkur mountain. Further, if you wish, you can stay here, or you can go up even higher – to the Königshtul mountain, but making a little change on another funicular. There is some information for visiting below:
- The fare for the lower funicular is 9 euros (return ticket), the fare for the entire route, including the Konigstuhl mountain, is 14 euros.
- In summer, the funicular operates from 9 am to 8 pm (the cabins depart every 20 minutes).
- In winter, the funicular operates until 5 pm.
The cable cars and funiculars in the Black Forest are not uncommon. It is the most convenient way to see the local mountains. I can confirm the panoramic views on the Black Forest are definitely worth seeing.
Since the city is considered to be academic, it is not surprising that the hiking trail around Heidelberg was also named poetically, and the name is associated with education. The Philosophers’ Trail passes through the surroundings of Heidelberg, revealing the best landscapes of the city and the Neckar valley. Many sites along the route were named after various philosophers – Eichendorff, Merian, Holderlin etc.
In addition, during the route you can also visit the “Gardens of the Philosophers” – this is the name of the botanical gardens located on the hills of the valley. Since the climate of Heidelberg is close to Italian Tuscany, many heat-loving plants have taken root here – Japanese sakura, cypresses, lemons, bamboos, rhododendrons, gingko and much more. The landscape garden has collected so many interesting floras that it has become a tourist attraction in its own right.
The small but picturesque town of Schwetzingen is located 8 km from Heidelberg. It is famous, first of all, for its palace and park; the construction dates back to the 14th century. The palace reached its peak during the reign of Prince Karl Theodor. Extensive (70 hectares) park areas around the palace were designed at the same time.
Part of the park area is made in traditional English style, while the garden of the palace is made in Baroque style. There are more than 100 different sculptures in the park. In addition, you can find several interesting architectural buildings here, for instance, the temple of Apollo, a Summer House. Their design resembles small Italian villas. You will be surprised, but you can even find a small mosque with minarets here, decorated with oriental ornaments and made in the late baroque style (the mosque never served religious purposes).
Inside the palace, you can also find a lot of interesting things, since the original interiors have been preserved here. It is advisable to visit the Rococo Theatre, which can be found in the north wing of the palace. After some research, I discovered the following practical information for visiting:
- Inside the palace, you can only move around with organized tours, which are held daily from 11 am to 4 pm (on weekends – until 5 pm).
- The cost of the tour is from 11 euros. You can check current fare information at Schwetzingen Palace official website.
- Entrance to the gardens can be separated (without a tour), the entrance fee is from 6 euros.
- The gardens are open from 9 am to 8 pm in summer and until 5 pm in winter.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Sebastian Müller
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…