Is Heidelberg Worth Visiting?
Wondering if Heidelberg is worth visiting? We can answer that for you!
During our visit to Germany, our family fell in love with Heidelberg. Set along the beautiful Neckar River, this picturesque town with its iconic castle perched up on a hill is full of charm and history.
But is Heidelberg worth visiting? With so many fantastic things to see and do, YES! This pretty little town should definitely be on your Germany itinerary.
Pros and Cons of Visiting Heidelberg – Quick Guide
If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the pros and cons of visiting Heidelberg:
Things We Liked
Things We Did Not Like
11 Reasons Why You Should Visit Heidelberg
We have been to Heidelberg several times over the years. With many family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and outdoor things to do, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
Here are the top eleven reasons why we think that Heidelberg is worth visiting:
1. Heidelberg is Family-Friendly
Heidelberg is a very family-friendly city. There are many activities and attractions that are suitable for families with children, such as visiting the Heidelberg Zoo, taking a boat tour on the Neckar River, or exploring the castle.
There are many parks and green spaces in the city where children can play and run around.
We have been to Heidelberg several times, both when our kids were younger and now that they are in their teens. And each time, the kids found something interesting that they wanted to do.
2. There is an Incredible Castle to Visit
You can’t possibly visit Heidelberg without seeing the iconic Heidelberg Castle!
This awesome castle is perched up on a hill and overlooks the city, offering jaw-dropping views of the surrounding city and the Neckar River.
Not only is the castle itself a popular tourist attraction, but it is also home to a pharmacy museum, a restaurant, and of course, the world’s largest wine barrel.
So if you love quirky roadside attractions like we do (not that this is roadside), then you will appreciate this!
3. English is Commonly Spoken
Since German isn’t my first language and I’m not entirely fluent, I’m always grateful to find that many people in Germany are also comfortable speaking English.
Heidelberg was a perfect example. My kids, who are picking up German, managed to order food in restaurants, chat with vendors at the Christmas Markets, and even get directions to the nearest bathrooms.
And they were able to do all this by mixing a bit of English with their German.
Even still, as with any travel destination, we believe it’s respectful and worthwhile to try using a few phrases in the local language.
4. Heidelberg is a Safe City to Visit with Kids
Heidelberg is considered to be a pretty safe city to visit with children. Our kids were 8 and 10 when we visited Heidelberg for the first time, and we felt totally safe.
The city actually has a very low crime rate when compared to other parts of the country.
We even felt totally comfortable strolling the city after dark, as well as taking public transportation to get around.
Of course, like with any other city, it is always important to use common sense.
5. The Old Town is Gorgeous
Heidelberg’s old town is filled with charming, cobbled streets and historic buildings. We really enjoyed exploring the scenic town squares, the quaint shops, restaurants and the cafes.
I even found the shape of a pretzel worked into the cobblestones outside of a bakery near Karlsplatz. Details like this made me really fall in love with the town’s charm.
So if you love to shop, admire stunning architecture, or just enjoy finding a cool spot to people watch, then the Old Town is a wonderful place to spend the day.
6. Heidelberg is Very Walkable
Another thing that we loved about Heidelberg, is how walkable the city is. Most of the spots we wanted to check out were just a short walk from each other.
We even skipped renting a car this time. For longer distances, we found the public transportation system really straightforward to use.
Plus, Heidelberg offers loads of walking tours, both with guides and self-guided ones, that are great for exploring the city.
7. There is Plenty of Nature to Enjoy in Heidelberg’s Green Spaces
Heidelberg is home to a number of beautiful parks and gardens, including the Philosopher’s Walk (our favourite). This scenic path runs along the Neckar River and up into the Heiligenberg.
The Neckar River is also a popular spot for walking, biking, and relaxing. There are many beautiful parks and green spaces along the river, making it the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
The city is also home to the Heidelberg Botanical Gardens, which feature a wide variety of plants and flowers from around the world.
8. There Are Plenty of Unique Attractions
Aside from the castle, Heidelberg is also home to a great mix of museums, churches, gardens, a zoo, and other unique attractions that cater to all sorts of interests.
Grab that perfect Instagram photo on the Old Bridge, or head to the University of Heidelberg to admire the architecture and gardens.
If you’re a museum enthusiast, the German Pharmacy Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into medical history. And for something a bit unusual, check out the Student Prison, which tells a quirky part of the university’s past.
9. Heidelberg is a Good Home Base for Day Trips in the Region
Heidelberg is a great home base for exploring the region. It is well-connected to the rest of Germany, with good transportation links by train, bus, and car.
From Heidelberg, you can easily visit other cities and towns in the region. In fact, awesome cities like Mannheim, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart are all under a 2-hour drive from Heidelberg.
In fact, we had no trouble at all taking the fast train between Stuttgart and Heidelberg for our day trip. And it wasn’t very expensive either.
And if you are looking to escape into nature, there are many beautiful outdoor destinations nearby. The Odenwald Forest, the Rhine Valley, and the Black Forest can all be easily reached from Heidelberg on a day trip.
10. Heidelberg is Home to Many Festivals
Heidelberg is a cultural center and hosts several festivals throughout the year.
Some of the more popular events include the Heidelberger Frühling (Heidelberg Spring), a festival of classical music that takes place in April and May, and the Heidelberger Herbst (Heidelberg Autumn), which features a variety of cultural and musical events in September and October.
Other popular festivals in Heidelberg include the Heidelberger Theater Festival, the International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg, and of course, the Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt.
11. The Heidelberg Christmas Markets are Amazing
And speaking of the Christmas Markets, December is definitely an amazing time to visit Heidelberg. During our last visit to the city, we spent much of our time wandering through the Christmas Markets.
The Heidelberg Christmas Markets were pretty busy, even during a weeknight, so be prepared for crowds. But what we really liked, is that most of the markets were within a short walk of one another.
From ice skating and epic views of the castle in Karlsplatz to the incredible handmade treasures we found in the Kornmarkt, we had an amazing time.
Marktplatz was where we found most of our delicious treats. And the Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit) served as a wonderful backdrop to the festivities in this market as well.
Reasons to Avoid Visiting Heidelberg
Of course, as much as we love Heidelberg, no place is perfect. And there are a few things about the city that might be deal-breakers for some people. We will leave it up to you to decide.
Heidelberg Gets Pretty Crowded with Tourists
Keeping in mind that Heidelberg is a university town, you will already know that it is busy.
This, coupled with the fact that the town is also included on most organized group tours of Germany, it should come as no surprise that Heidelberg can get overrun with tourists.
Considering we even visited Heidelberg during the week, we found that it got pretty crowded during the evening. In fact, we think it was even more crowded than what we experienced in Munich!
If you want to avoid the crowds as much as possible, visit during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall), and on weekdays. Summer and Christmastime (especially on weekends) can get pretty crazy-busy.
The Winters in Heidelberg Can Get Cold
So while I was looking into the Heidelberg Christmas Markets, I kept coming across comments about how cold it gets.
But let’s face it, we are Canadian! We are not exactly strangers to winter weather.
In comparison to some southern parts of Germany, winters in Heidelberg can get very cold and windy, and stay mostly cloudy.
The coldest month of the year in Heidelberg is January, with an average low of -3 °C and a high of 5 °C.
While the wet and chilly weather wasn’t pleasant during our visit, it certainly didn’t detract from the city’s charm.
And in our opinion, you really shouldn’t let the cold weather deter you from visiting Heidelberg in the winter (especially for the incredible Christmas Markets).
Is Heidelberg Worth Visiting – FAQs
Heidelberg, with its incredible castle perched above the city center, is considered to be one of the most romantic cities in Germany. Over the years, Heidelberg has even been immortalized in the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Heinrich Heine, and Mark Twain.
Aside from the iconic castle, the gorgeous architecture of the Old Town with its Baroque façades is a huge draw for tourists. This picture book town is also popular with visitors because it is brimming with small cafes, restaurants and shops.
Yes. Heidelberg is particularly attractive for families, students, creative people and entrepreneurs from business, science and research. It is considered by many, as a city of science and culture.
While German is the official language in Heidelberg, many people living in the city will also speak some English. In fact, you will find many residents of the younger generation to be quite fluent.
Heidelberg is not a particularly cheap city, but it is not excessively expensive either. Prices for accommodation, food, and entertainment are similar to those in other major cities in Germany. Overall, with a bit of planning and budgeting, it is possible to visit Heidelberg without breaking the bank.
From the iconic castle perched up on the hill to incredible architecture, amazing green spaces, a vibrant cultural scene, rich history, and many family-friendly attractions, Heidelberg is an awesome city to visit.
Final Thoughts
In our opinion, Heidelberg Germany is definitely worth visiting. As one of Germany’s most picturesque and romantic cities, there is so much to see and do.
Whether you are looking to visit the popular attractions, sample the local cuisine, do some shopping in the Old Town, stroll along the Nechar River, or just enjoy the vibrant culture, Heidelberg really does have something to offer everyone.
And considering we have been to the city on more than one occasion, we still can’t wait to go back!
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- Ultimate Guide to the Heidelberg Christmas Market
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- Is Heidelberg Worth Visiting?
