The Sights

Experience Heidelberg

Our world famous city is waiting to be discovered by you.

Immerse yourself in the student flair of Germany's oldest university city and experience ...

... numerous historical sites such as

  •   the romantic Heidelberg Castle its magnificent garden and the legendary Great Barrel
  •   the famous Old Bridge with medieval bridge gate
  •   traditional student pubs with a unique atmosphere and sometimes even live music
  •   the early Gothic Heiliggeistkirche with its varied history and the glass windows designed by artists from all over the world


... fantastic views that you will not forget offer you

  • the Great Altan - the spacious castle terrace in front of the Friedrichsbau, which rises above the old town
  • the philosopher's path - the sunny side of Heidelberg with the unique view of the romantic old town
  • The Königstuhl - the highest mountain in the city with a fantastic view of the Neckar valley
  • the ascent to the church tower of the Heiliggeistkirche


... diverse activities for every taste

  • a tour along the old town of Heidelberg on the solar catamaran "Neckarsonne"
  • a boat trip on the Neckar to the historic cities of Neckargemündt and Neckarsteinach
  • a bicycle tour across the fields to the castle in Schwetzingen with its huge castle park, along the Neckar into the medieval Ladenburg or for experienced cyclists also to the imperial cathedral in Speyer
  • Relaxation and recreation with a unique backdrop on the Neckarwiese
  • Take advantage of the opportunity to shop in Heidelberg. Discover the shops and boutiques of Heidelberg, Mannheim or the shopping paradises of the region!


... Heidelberg, an important center for science and research especially in the fields

  • Medicine and medical technology
  • Cancer Research and Therapy
  • biotechnology
  • Information Technology and New Media
  • environmental management
  • Process development and optimization

And of course many leading international companies have their headquarters or at least one branch in Heidelberg.

In addition, our entire region offers you countless attractions. We are happy to advise you - of course about destinations and attractions in the area!


The Heidelberg Castle

World-famous and a byword for German Romanticism – Heidelberg Castle. The castle ruins rise majestically over the roofs of the old town, but for five hundred years it was home to the Prince Electors of the Palatinate. Nowadays, the enigmatic castle attracts several million tourists each year.

 

 

 

Opening Hours

Courtyard:
8 am - 6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm)

Big Wine Barrel:
8 am - 6 pm (last entry 5:50 pm)

Pharmacy Museum:
10 am - 5:30 pm (last entry 5:10 pm)

Prices

Castle-Ticket (funicular railway, castle courtyard, barrel cellar and German Pharmacy Museum included):

Price
Adults €8, reduced €4

With your HeidelbergCARD this ticket is already included!

Guided tours supplement:
Adults €5, reduced €2.50, Families €12.50, Groups (of 20 and more) per person €4.60

Special guided tours supplement:
Adults from €6, reduced from €3

Audio Tour in English, French Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Russian
Price: €5

Further information at www.heidelberg-schloss.de

The Philosophers Walk

The name "Philosophers' Walk" can be traced to the fact that Heidelberg's university professors and philosophers found this path a congenial place where they could talk seriously and contemplate while enjoying the charming view of the Neckar.

This view of the town inspired also the poets Eichendorff and Hoelderlin on their walks to write their poems. Among the attractions of this now world-famous walk are the Eichendorff Stone, a sandstone stele with a bronze relief of the poet, and the Merian-Kanzel, a sandstone platform from where in 1620 Matthaeus Merian immortalized Heidelberg in an engraving. The Hoelderlin-Anlage, an area at the eastern end of the Philosophers' Way dedicated to the poet Hoelderlin, pays tribute to his ode to Heidelberg "Lang lieb ich dich schon..." ("Long have I loved you...")

Even today, this world-famous path offers new sights and insights. Enjoy a beautiful view of Heidelberg and a climate that reminds you of the Italian Tuscany. Many sub-tropical plants flourish in the "Philosophengaertchen". The temperate climate is perfect for Japanese cherries, cypresses, lemons, bamboos, rhododendrons, gingko and yucca trees, and several other plants from the Mediterranean, North Africa and Asia.

"Schlangenweg" (Winding Path)
This walkway starts just above the Old Bridge opposite the Old Town and cuts steeply through terraced vineyards until it reaches the woods, where it crosses the Philosophenweg. It is partly enclosed by bushes and trees, as well as some lovely vineyards, but there are several viewing platforms for terrific views of the city.

Boat Trips along Heidelberg

From April to October, the “Weisse Flotte Heidelberg” offers river cruises along the delightful Neckar Valley from Heidelberg to Neckargemünd or on to Neckarsteinach. There are commentaries on all trips in German, English and French, and on-board catering is provided.

In addition to these round trips, the “Weiße Flotte Heidelberg” also offers a range of themed cruises. We recommend the popular firework cruises to the Heidelberg Castle Illuminations. For more information and sailing times, visit the official website www.weisse-flotte-heidelberg.de

Landing stage:
Kongresshaus Stadthalle, Neckarstaden 25, 69117 Heidelberg
The bus lines 31, 32 and 35 reach the buss stop "Kongresshaus/ Stadthalle".

Castle Cruises on the Neckar 2019

Off-peak season (March 30 – May 10, 2019 / Sep. 16 – Oct. 27, 2019)
Monday - Friday
from Heidelberg: 11 am & 2 pm
from Neckarsteinach:  12.40 am & 3.40 pm

Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays:
from Heidelberg:  10 am, 11 am, noon, 2 pm, 3 pm
from Neckarsteinach: 11.40 am, 12.40 pm, 1.40 pm, 3.40 pm, 4.40 pm

Peak season (May 11 – Sep. 15, 2019)
Monday:
from  Heidelberg: 10 am, 11 am, noon, 2 pm
from Neckarsteinach: 11.40 am, 12.40 pm, 1.40 pm und 3.40 pm 

Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays:
from Heidelberg: 10 am, 11 am, noon, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm
from Neckarsteinach: 9.40 am, 11.40 am, 12.40 pm, 1.40 pm, 3.40 pm, 4.40 pm
Tickets & Prices

Heidelberg – Neckargemünd
One way: adults € 10, children € 5
Round trip: adults € 16, children € 7.50

Heidelberg - Neckarsteinach
One way: adults € 11, children € 5.50
Round trip: adults € 17, children € 8

Tickets can be bought at the landing stage Kongresshaus Stadthalle, online at the ticket shop or in our Tourist Information center.

Requests for groups:
Phone +49 6221 58 40 223 or +49 6221 58 40 225
Email: guide(at)heidelberg-marketing.de

Solar-powered boat "neckarsonne"

The ship on the Neckar River is powered by solar enery. The passengers experience the most delightful views of the city while the ship gently glides by. During the 50 minutes trip on the river the passengers receive information about solar shuttle and the highlights of Heidelberg and its outlaying areas. They serve refreshing drinks, snacks, coffee and cake.
You can also rent the solar shuttle for private charter trips.

 

Boat landing: Karl-Theodor-Brigde, Old Bridge, Old Town
Duration: approx. 50 minutes

Departure from Heidelberg

May 1 - September 30, 2019:
Tuesday to Sunday 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm

April 1 - April 30, 2019 and October 1 - 31, 2019:
Tuesday to Sunday 11:30 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm

Price per person:
Adults € 9 , Children (3-13 years): € 3.50
Pupils/Students: € 7.50
Handicapped persons: € 8
Discount 10 % with HeidelbergCARD
Groups from about 15 persons 10% discount

Note: The boat as well as the jetty is wheelchair accessible.

Information and Booking for Groups:
Heidelberg Marketing GmbH
Phone +49 6221 58 402 23 or +49 6221 58 402 25
guide(at)heidelberg-marketing.de

 

Check out the following brochures as well: https://www.heidelberg-marketing.de/en/service/brochures.html

Guided Tours

Guided tours with different focuses are offered in Heidelberg's old town and at Heidelberg Castle.

Current information can be found at:

www.heidelberg-marketing.de

www.heidelberg-stadtfuehrungen.de

www.heidelberger-gaestefuehrer.de

www.cabrio-sightseeing.de

More Sights

Something special, but certainly also very interesting for some people: the body world exhibition, which has its origin and now has a permanent presentation in Heidelberg.

Heidelberg Webcam

For those who can't come to Heidelberg, who can't wait or who just want to know what the weather is like in Heidelberg, there's the great Heidelberg webcam.