Travellers are flocking to Heidelberg, and it’s easy to see why.
The German city is trending according to Hilton, which has seen a 132% increase in searches for Heidelberg in the last year.
The hotel company puts the bump in interest down tourists preferring ‘less-trodden’ locations, as Heidelberg provides the German charm of Berlin or Hamburg and Gothic architecture of nearby Prague, just without the hordes of stag dos.
On the Neckar River in the southwest of the country, it’s home to Heidelberg University, one of many centuries-old buildings. Known for its history and scenery, it welcomes over 11 million visitors each year.
The German tourist board describes Heidelberg as ‘a city worth falling in love with’, saying it has ‘an unparalleled choice of culture and entertainment and hearty yet heavenly cuisine.’
They may be a little biased, but others have similarly glowing reviews. Indian travel blogger Sonal of Drifter Planet calls it ‘charming, and historical’ with ‘amazing nature, hiking possibilities, a dreamy castle, an old town with a romantic bridge, and a super amazing party scene.’
High praise indeed.
Things to do in Heidelberg
Start your trip by immersing yourself in Heidelberg’s old town (Altstadt), which is a hub of restaurants, shops and churches to explore.
Heidelberg Castle is also a must-see. While it may effectively be a ruin, this Renaissance structure is impressive given it dates back as far as 1200. You can get funicular railway from the old town and tour the building, from its massive wine cellar to the Knights’ Hall – if you’re lucky, you may even see one of its summer fireworks shows.
A walk across Karl Theodor Bridge is a wonderful way to take in the city, as are the many river cruise tours available on the Neckar.
There are also a number of museums around Heidelberg University, including the Carl Bosch Museum documenting the life and work of the chemist and Nobel Prize-winner.
Or, if you prefer a more outdoorsy break, Philosopher’s Walk is a hiking trail that’ll put you through your paces and give you picturesque views galore.
How to get to Heidelberg
The best way to get to Heidelberg is via Frankfurt am Main Airport, which offers daily flights to and from multiple UK airports. Direct return fares from London to Frankfurt can cost as little as £87 according to Skyscanner.
Once you land, it’s then a 55-minute train from Frankfurt Airport Station to Heidelberg, with one-way tickets on the Deutsche Bahn service priced at around £16.
Alternatively, Flixbus has a number of direct coach routes from Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg that cost less than £7 a ticket and get you to your destination in around 90 minutes, or you can hire a car between the two cities and drive in under an hour.
When to visit Heidelberg
Weather in Heidelberg is cold in winter and warm in summer, with average temperatures reaching maximum 5°C in January before peaking at around 26°C in July and August.
The wettest month here is May with an average of 3mm of rain, but it’s fairly rainy year-round so pack a brolly regardless.
Weather aside, Heidelberg’s Christmas markets are always popular, and seasonal events like an Old Town Autumn Festival (held on the last Saturday of September with music and a Medieval Market) and the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg in November could also be worth planning your itinerary around.
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