Things to do in Heidelberg

Look behind the scenes of Heidelberg! If you want to discover the exciting, romantic, funny and always entertaining stories Heidelberg has to offer, join this guided tour of the old town and learn more from the qualified guides. Enchanting alleys and squares, small gardens that pop up unexpectedly, museums and galleries: Heidelberg’s old town has many facets. This tour will breathe life into the city’s past, adding rich detail to the contours of today’s city. Whether it is the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Jesuitenviertel, Germany’s oldest university with its Students’ Prison, or other sightseeing attractions: every place of interest in the old town has a unique ambiance and history well worth immersing yourself in for a few minutes. The tour also passes along the main street, one of the longest pedestrian zones in Europe. Many detours into the alleyways of the old town confirm the truth of the old saying “you only truly learn about the countryside by taking the back roads.”

Experience the charm of Heidelberg on this day trip from Frankfurt which includes entrance to Heidelberg Castle. Board a bus in the morning and spend the day seeing sights like the one of the largest wine bottles in the world.  Hop aboard an air-conditioned bus at a centrally-located bus stop in Frankfurt. Sit back and relax on the drive to Heidelberg. Visit the world-famous ruins of Heidelberg Castle which has a stunning combination Gothic and Renaissance elements.  Stroll through the expansive courtyard and admire the views from the terrace. Marvel at one of the largest wine barrels in the world. Wander through the medieval town center to find the Old Bridge, the Karlstor, and the Church of the Holy Spirit. Admire the Haus zum Ritter (Knight's house) with its magnificent Renaissance façade. Take a walk on old narrow lanes lined with half-timbered houses. Pass by Germany’s oldest university and is full of interesting stories.  Extra time can be spend philosophizing on the Philophenweg (Philosophers' Way) or purchasing a glass or two of excellent regional wine. Return to Frankfurt by bus at the end of your tour. 

Learn all about the lives of those on the outside of society with this interactive historical adventure tour through scenic Heidelberg. Take in the City Hall, Korn Market, and all the key sights as you go. Meet your Night Watchman at Hercules fountain in the Market Square to begin your tour of Heidelberg from below. Hear stories from Medieval history as you pass by the landmarks like the Korn Market Madonna, the Palais Prinz Carl, and the Palais Graimberg. Pause at Karl Square and admire the ruins of the city's old castle. Stroll through old small streets and paths with your guide including Eselspfad, Leyergasse, Semmelgasse, and Steingasse. Stop at the 18th-century Holländer Hof and learn about the fate of those living outside the city walls. Admire the iconic old town bridge as you immerse yourself in old Heidelberg in the company of your Night Watchman.

Learn about all aspects of the human body through unique exhibits at the amazing BODY WORLDS Museum. Visit the permanent collection created by plastinator Dr. Gunther von Hagens and curator Dr. Angelina Whalley and explore the human anatomy. Examine organ functions, questions about health, and the interesting Anatomy of Happiness exhibition that examines what makes is content. Track your own happiness at interactive stations and understand the wonderful complexity of your inner world. Marvel at the precise and scientifically focused preparation of the plastinates, and enjoy their aesthetically pleasing, creative, and often delightfully whimsical presentation.

The call of the night watchman rang out every hour in the streets of the former electoral residence on the Neckar. And now it sounds again: During the tours of the Heidelberg night watchman. The tour starts at the Market Square, by the Hercules Fountain. You'll pass by the City Hall, Holy Spirit Church, and Palais Prinz Carl (former Grand Hotel, one of the most beautiful wedding locations in the region). Walk along small historic streets like Burgweg and Kanzleigasse until you reach Karl Square from where you can enjoy the best view of the world-known ruins of the old castle. Pass by many old historic buildings like Palais Boisseree, Science academy, Schmitthenner House, and many more. The guide will share entertaining stories about the sites and things that one experienced in the nocturnal streets of Heidelberg, the history of the city, its streets and squares, its local originals, and personalities.

Discover the city of Heidelberg with one card: entrance tickets to Heidelberg Castle, a cable car ride to the castle, free use of public transport, and many discount and special offers are included! All HeidelbergCARD options include many discounts. Whether it is for tours, culture, museums, restaurants, or shopping – with the HeidelbergCARD you can enjoy the city even more! With the card you can also use public transport for free. The HeidelbergCARD allows you to ride on the city’s VRN metro buses, trams, and authorized trains - 2nd-class seats on Deutsche Bahn: Regional-Express, Regionalbahn, and S-Bahn - in the greater Heidelberg area, or “Wabe 125” fare zone, during the period shown.

Discover Heidelberg and the Neckar Valley on this Segway tour. Ride along the Philosophenweg (philosphers' way), pass by the Neuburg Monastery, and admire views of Heidelberg Castle. Uncover facinating information about the city from your guide.  Start your tour at the Neckarmünzplatz and cross the Old Bridge to the opposite side of the river Neckar. From there, head to the first highlight of this 360 degree tour, the Philosophenweg (philosphers' way) with a fantastic view over the city. Roll on by the Neuburg Monastery, which was founded in 1130. Continue to the Köpfel and see the Neckar Valley, the city of Heidelberg, and the Rhine Valley from above.  Follow your guide to the valley to Ziegelhausen and make your way uphill easily to the Wolfsbrunnen restaurant and conference center which has been extensively restored to its former glory. Hear about its glamourous, star-studded guestlist. Go further towards Heidelberg Castle and pass Villa Bosch and the Carl Bosch Museum, which will provide fascinating insights into the life and the inventions of Carl Bosch, the Nobel Laureate from Heidelberg. Enjoy the amazing view of the castle garden from above the castle before gliding further to the Klingenteich. Pass the Jewish Cemetery on your way back to the Old Town and the starting point at the Neckarmünzplatz.

Discover Heidelberg by night as your Night Watchman leads you through the medieval alleyways of the old town. Light up your torch and experience Heidelberg as its inhabitants did hundreds of years ago. Start your tour from the Market Square by the Hercules Fountain. Pass by the city hall, the Korn Market, Palais Prinz Carl, and Palais Graimberg. Make your way to Karl Square to take in the views of the ruins of the old castle. Wander through many of the old streets and paths, such as Burgweg, Ingrimstreet, Mittelbadgasse, and Steingasse. Have a glimpse at the Haspelgasse, also known as "The Bermuda Triangle", where most of the town's bars can be found. Finally, end your tour at the Old Town Bridge.

First enjoy a comfortable bus tour with a certified guide, where you will learn more about the history of the city. Enjoy an unobstructed view of the spectacular Heidelberg Castle. Then, visit the grounds of Heidelberg Palace and admire its beauty up close. See the elegant inner courtyard and the famous Great Heidelberg Tun (wine barrel.) After exploring the castle, ride the funicular railway back to the Old Town.

Immerse yourself in the history of Heidelberg and discover both well-known and obscure highlights of the city by Segway on this tour. See a living picture of the interesting landscape of the Neckar Valley as you ride down historically-significant streets. Begin the tour at Neckarmünzplatz and ride over the Old Bridge to the other side of the Neckar. The first famous sight is the Neuburg Abbey, built in 1130 and filled with history. Then head to Köpfel with its views of the Neckar Valley, the city of Heidelberg and the plains of the Rhine. Continue into the valley to Ziegelhausen and take the steep ascent to Wolfsbrunnen, a restaurant and conference center that was recently renovated. See the glamour of the restaurant's earlier days with a look at the guest list filled with famous artists and royalty. Ride in the direction of the castle past the Villa Bosch and the Carl Bosch Museum that takes an exciting look at the life and discoveries of Nobel Prize winner and Heidelberg resident Carl Bosch. Enjoy the incredible view of the castle's gardens before making your way to the Klingenteich Jewish Cemetery. The tour ends back in the Old Town at the viewing point at Neckarmünzplatz.