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Things to do in Heidelberg

A half-ruined Renaissance castle, Baroque old town, and historical churches await in this riverside town.

Our most recommended things to do in Heidelberg

1.5-Hour Walking Tour in the Old Town of Heidelberg

1. 1.5-Hour Walking Tour in the Old Town of 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.”

Sinsheim: Technik Museum Day Pass and IMAX 3D Ticket

2. Sinsheim: Technik Museum Day Pass and IMAX 3D Ticket

Explore the Technik Museum Sinsheim – which offers a unique variety of technology, unparalleled worldwide, just an hour south of Frankfurt. Embark on a journey through time and discover the milestones of technical history. See a red Ferrari, learn about the record that the Blue Flame set, and learn the cubic capacity of the Brutus experimental vehicle. See the largest dance hall organ in the world, and the Concorde. In addition to the supersonic jets and other aircraft that you can walk right up to, there is even more: hundreds of elegant vintage cars, motorcycles high in horsepower, sports cars, colourful dragsters, powerful agricultural machines, Formula-1 legends, nostalgic racing bikes, and huge steam locomotives. Imax 3D Laser 4K Then, enjoy a unique adventure documentary and Hollywood blockbusters in IMAX size, on gigantic, 22 x 27-meter screen. Enjoy a crystal-clear and razor sharp brilliance from the screen with 12-channel surround sound and mega bass. Take a break at our restaurant or bistro which will spoil you with cold and hot meals, beverages as well as coffee and cake.

Heidelberg: Night Watchman Historic Adventure Tour

3. Heidelberg: Night Watchman Historic Adventure 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.

Heidelberg 6-Hour Tour from Frankfurt

4. Heidelberg 6-Hour Tour from Frankfurt

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. 

Heidelberg: Private 3-Hour Tour with Castle Visit

5. Heidelberg: Private 3-Hour Tour with Castle Visit

Discover Heidelberg and immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the old town. In just a few hours you can explore all the historical sights. Learn interesting information and get great insider tips that won’t be found in any guide book – specifically tailored to your wishes. Stroll along one of the longest pedestrian zones in Germany directly through the picturesque old town and admire the magnificent Baroque buildings. See the beautiful Old Bridge and the impressive Church of the Holy Spirit, which once housed a collection of valuable documents. Walk through the former Hortus Palatinus (Garden Palatinate) to Heidelberg Castle ruins. After a detour to Scheffel Terrace with breathtaking views of the city and the Rhine River, you will head to the castle complex itself. Here you can see the largest ever wine barrel and enjoy wine tasting in the castle cellar or visit the Pharmacy Museum in the courtyard.

Heidelberg: Neckar and Heidelberg Boat Tour

6. Heidelberg: Neckar and Heidelberg Boat Tour

On our jaunt you have 1.5 hours to discover the Neckar and Heidelberg from a whole new perspective with up to 10 of your friends, colleagues or family. Experience Heidelberg and the Neckar from its most beautiful side on an exclusive boat tour. Our sloops "Orso" and "Pulpito" offer you a wonderful place for a boat tour in the middle of Heidelberg. The solid wood ships built in 1930 and 1920 radiate a very special charm after extensive restoration. As unique as the respective sloop, so unique are their legendary boat trips for celebrations, cozy get-togethers or simply for romantic hours for two. With good wines you will experience the Neckarstadt Heidelberg in a completely different way. Whether as a starter for a celebration, a round birthday, a wedding shoot or for a company party - take a look at our offers, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone. Enjoy the 1.5-hour trip with a view of Heidelberg Castle and other sights accompanied by a Heidelberg guide who will tell you and your group exciting information about the most romantic city on the Neckar.

Heidelberg: BODY WORLDS Museum Entrance Ticket

7. Heidelberg: BODY WORLDS Museum Entrance Ticket

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.

Heidelberg: On the trail of the Night Watchmen

8. Heidelberg: On the trail of the Night Watchmen

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.

Heidelberg: Sightseeing Bus and Castle Tour

9. Heidelberg: Sightseeing Bus and Castle Tour

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.

Heidelberg: Segway Tour

10. Heidelberg: Segway Tour

The main attraction Heidelberg offers is not the castle, but the Philosophers’ Walk, as it features the best views of the castle. Whoever sees the massive castle ruins from the Philosophers’ Walk is certain to visit them. The appeal of the Philosophers’ Walk, however, cannot easily be spotted from the castle. It’s an insider’s tip which you’ll discover on a Segway. Start the tour from Neckarmünzplatz in front of the tourist office. Float along the banks of the Neckar and cross the Old Bridge, moving towards Neuenheim to the market square. From there, continue to the zoo, the public swimming pool, and across the Neuenheimer Feld with its imposing University buildings via Handschuhsheim to Neuenheim. Here, the path of great minds begins: the Philosophers’ Walk. Enjoy magnificent views and fascinating insights. Afterwards, drive back to the starting point, the Old Bridge.

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Frequently asked questions about Heidelberg

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Other Sightseeing Options in Heidelberg

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What people are saying about Heidelberg

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 3,445 reviews

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the Heidelberg/Rothenburg Full Day Trip. It was not rushed at all and we were able to enjoy both sites without getting too tired. It helped that we just happen to be the only ones in the tour (we were 4) so we pretty much had our own schedule. Peter, our guide, was very attentive and accompanied us all throughout. I highly recommend this trip if you only have a few days to visit this part of Germany.

Only come from about 1 p.m. Before is a super long line. We had tickets and were there at 11am. The queue of visitors WITH a ticket was super long (about 4x as long as those without a ticket) and ended up merging with the visitors who didn't have a ticket. We then went into the garden and by 1 p.m. the line had completely disappeared, so we got into the castle without queuing.

It was very informative and the guide very entertaining. Was a different kind of city tour. We thought it was great and therefore highly recommended.

Very good tour with many explanations, presented very authentically. It is definitely worth it

A very atmospheric and informative evening with the night watchman.