One Day in Heidelberg Germany

This is a guest post from a fellow travel lover. See her bio at the end of the post. I’ve been to Heidelberg for work once, but now want to go back as a tourist after reading her article. Enjoy learning about Heidelberg, Germany!

Are you looking for things to do in Heidelberg, Germany? If you have only one day in Heidelberg Germany, here are some ideas for what to see and do!

Heidelberg, a picturesque riverside castle town in Germany, is situated around River Neckar in the southwestern part of the country. Heidelberg seeps in history and is one of the most romantic cities in Europe, with fairytale castles and meandering streets encompassing stunning river views. Your Germany Visa allows you to explore this hidden gem. This place is home to the oldest university in Germany, a 13th century castle, and the longest pedestrian street in Europe.

Climb up the Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg castle is a Renaissance masterpiece dating back to the 1200s. Visitors can ride a funicular and reach the Schloss Heidelberg, positioned 80 meters on the Konigstuhl Hill, overlooking the river and old town. It was repeatedly assaulted and eventually destroyed during the 17th century, resulting in the red sandstone remains seen today. Aside from roaming about the outer gardens, the Deutsches Apotheken-Museum covers the history of pharmacies and medical research in Germany in 11 rooms inside the castle. Wine lovers would love to visit the cellar, housing the Heidelberg Tun, an enormous wine barrel.

Explore the Altstadt (Old Town)

Altstadt is Heidelberg’s center, with historic buildings, attractive plazas, and elegant fountains at every corner. Attractions in Old Town include the centuries-old Church of the Holy Spirit, which will provide spectacular views from the top. You can also visit the arched Old Bridge across the Neckar, spanning 200 meters. The oldest residential structure in Heidelberg, Haus Zum Ritter (House of the Knight), was erected in 1592 and formerly functioned as a town hall before becoming a hotel. Do check out the Marketplatz and the Kornmarkt, a charming square with a fountain and castle views. 

Walk across the Karl Theodor Bridge (Old Bridge)

The Karl Theodor Bridge is undoubtedly Heidelberg’s most gorgeous monument. This bridge, known as the Old Bridge, was erected towards the end of the 18^th century during the reign of Karl Theodor, one of Bavaria’s most successful rulers. It’s worth noting that there were formerly two bridges where the current one sits, but floods destroyed them both. The reddish-colored stone used in the bridge may be found in several other buildings across town. It’s worth pausing in the middle of the bridge to see the castle and the Old Town’s stunning entry gate with its white towers.

Take a Walk along The Philosopher’s Way

The Philosophers Walk (Philosophenweg) may be the location most closely connected with intellectual wealth. It is a hillside walking trail with stunning views over Heidelberg and the entire Old Town. Historically, it was only a rough walkway through the vineyards, named Philosophenweg, because it was frequented by many of Heidelberg’s academicians and philosophers. The exotic greenery of the Philosopher’s Garden, among which is a monument stone to Joseph von Eichendorff, who studied romantic poetry in Heidelberg, is one of its most beautiful landmarks. 

Visit the Studentenkarzer

One of the most intriguing things to do in Heidelberg is to visit the Studentenkarzer or student jail. The Ruprecht Karls University students from Heidelberg City were detained in this specific cell. As it was normal practice to detain disruptive students in the 14th century, the Studentenkarzer was in use till the start of the 20th century. The pupils took delight in being “imprisoned” in one of these cells, despite how horrifying it seemed. Even the Studentenkarzer in Heidelberg has many names of students enthusiastically scrawled on its walls in the form of graffiti. 

Admire the Flora and Fauna of Botanical Gardens Heidelberg

The Botanical Garden of the University of Heidelberg, founded in 1953, is one of the oldest botanical gardens and has major scientific work conducted here by Heidelberg botanists. Here you will find a herbarium with unique specimens. The Heidelberg Botanical Garden, a location of scientific study and academic teaching, protects endangered plant species, conducts public education programs, and is an important institute for the horticulture trade and training. Last but not least, it is a space for reflection and relaxation. 

Meet the Animals at Heidelberg Zoo

Visiting the Heidelberg Zoo provides a perfect outing for the whole family. It was established in 1934 by Nobel Laureate Carl Bosch and ornithologist Otto Fehringer and is home to more than a thousand animals belonging to 250 different species. The Heidelberg Zoo, located in the Neuenheimer Feld region just over the Neckar, has a lovely collection of trees, a children’s playground, and a children’s zoo for a one-of-a-kind experience. The zoo has five thematic areas having notable animals like Sneaky, Heidi, Kelo, Bobo, Maike, Conny, Lea, Lulu, and more. 

Experience Heidelberg’s Shopping and Food Scene at Hauptstrasse

Heidelberg’s main street Haupstrasse runs parallel to the Neckar River. It is the town’s commercial artery that connects Bismarck Square to Karlstor, a type of triumphal arch from the 18th century. This street is usually bustling with locals and visitors, and street musicians may be seen in a variety of locations, particularly on weekends. Enjoying the joyful atmosphere of this street is one of the best things to do in Heidelberg. There are several stores, attractive ancient houses, cafés, and restaurants along the long walking path. It also houses the well-known Hotel Ritter as well as the Heiliggeistkirche, or Church of the Holy Spirit.

Relax at Neckarwiese

A lovely evening spent in Neckarwiese, a ribbon of green along the River Neckar, will surely rejuvenate and relax you after a tiring day exploring the various attractions around the city. Here, you can watch the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area with excellent views of the castle and Old Town, grill a wurst, or lie on the grass and bask in the sun. On bright, sunny days, there will be a large crowd on this river bank reading, talking, walking, jogging, relaxing, and playing. 

Heidelberg is a lively place with music clubs, jazz clubs, and late-night bars and restaurants throughout the city center. If you have only one day in Heidelberg Germany or hopefully more, prepare for a fantastic time full of excitement and adventure to experience this remarkable riverside castle town.

About the Author

Kritika is a dreamer by nature and a travel blogger by passion, who not only loves to travel but also to tell the world about it. She pens her travel experiences in her blog and dreams of traveling to every corner of the world.