Why Visit Heidelberg Castle: Best Things to Do in 2021

Heidelberg Castle (Schloss Heidelberg) is one of the many things to see and do in the city of Heidelberg in Germany. The city is awarded the “Creative City of Literature” recognition from UNESCO.

A perfect city to spend a weekend, easy to walk through, and explore all its experiences.

We planned a weekend in the town of Heidelberg, being very curious of its castle, the old city center, the University of Heidelberg, and the philosophers’ path(!).

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City

We found more than these in this beautiful and well-organized city. Here are our experiences in Heidelberg.

What are the Things to Do in Heidelberg, Germany?

Two days are enough. You can combine a weekend in Heidelberg along with another city as part of a more extended trip or -even better- as part of a road trip through Germany.

The historical center occupies an area you can explore in a couple of days in detail.

We went to Heidelberg near the end of August, so the weather was slightly chilly, not too warm.

Clouds were coming and going, and in some places, a light jacket was necessary. A few days ago, we were spending a week in Ios island, Greece, where it was boiling — talking about a huge difference!

Here is our itinerary, which also left us plenty of time to relax too.

Explore the vast Heidelberg Castle & Museums

One of the must-do things in Heidelberg is to visit the place for which is mainly famous for.

That is the Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss). It is one of the most important Renaissance structures, north of the Alps.

You can easily spend 4 to 5 hours (maybe more) there since the castle complex hosts a variety of museums and open areas.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Inner courtyard

A big part of the castle ruins was an extended castle that the king offered as a present to his queen.

You know, like “here, darling, I have a “surprise” for you; it is a castle to be ready in a couple of years.” Early present spoiler!

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City

Anyway, the castle is built on the top of the hill and occupies a vast area. You have two options to get there. Either with the funicular or walking. The entrance fee is the same either way, so take the road uphill only if you want to walk.

Hiking up the hill, involves a lot of stairs too, something you can skip with the funicular. The entrance fee was 7 euro p.p.

Make sure to allow time to relax at the terrace and the castle gardens. There are small stores selling ice cream and snacks. The view from the terrace is spectacular.

German Pharmacy Museum in the Castle

That is a vast and well-structured museum related to the history of pharmacy in Germany. You can be more than 1 hour in there.

You will see some great visuals that explain the history of pharmacy, from ancient years, going through alchemists up until the form it has today.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Old pharmacist store. Notice the alligator at the top right.

That is not all. There are complete apothecary setups, all the tools, lots and lots of herbs, and all kinds of natural products that were used to produce ointments, tinctures, and powders.

At an underground level, you will visit the apothecary laboratory with all the cauldrons and distillers and tools. It will remind you of an alchemist’s secret den, as seen in movies.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Part of the (magicians?) pharmacists lab

But it is true! This whole place shows how medicines were produced.

The World’s Largest Wine Barrel in Heidelberg Castle

The Great Heidelberg Tun is indeed a huge wine barrel. I mean, it is enormous. You can stand next to it or on top of it and feel small. Its current capacity is 219,000 liters (57,854 U.S. gallons)!!!

These people got in some serious work and trouble to store their wine.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Heidelberg Castle, Huge Wine Barrel (Maria is 1.80mt)

There were four such barrels in the history of Heidelberg. This one is the Karl-Theodor-Fass (1751). The other three are Johann-Casimir-Fass (1591), Karl-Ludwig-Fass (1664), Karl-Philipp-Fass (1728).

Get next to it and take a beautiful photo with a big smile!

Heidelberg from the Castle Terrace

There are different spots while in the Heidelberg castle courtyard from where you can enjoy the view of the city, but the major one is the big terrace at the back.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Kissing in the terrace, with a Heidelberg view as a background

Talking about a huge one, where you feel the greatness of this place. Just sit there and enjoy the view. Many will do the same.

Visit Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University is top-rated for many years now. It was founded in 1386, the third university established in the Holy Roman Empire. It is one of the most prestigious in the world.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Lectures Hall

You need to get into the old Lecture Hall of the university, all covered with paintings and that dark wood. The hall beams knowledge and wisdom.

There is an additional museum in the university showcasing instruments and books related to the early discoveries on science.

It is located at the Universitats Platz. The entrance fee is at 3 euro and includes admission to the Students Prison, University Museum and Great Hall.

Explore Heidelberg University Students Prison

Now that is a rather exciting thing to visit. It is indeed a prison (Studentenkarzer) for students who misbehaved.

The word prison may sound dreadful enough, but for students, this was a kind of ritual to be “hosted” there.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Heidelberg University Students Prison (Studentenkarzer)

“Prison time” was from 3 days to 4 weeks.

There are students graffiti everywhere in prison; roofs, tables, walls, floors, you name it. Every bit of the surface is covered with words.

A student would get some time in there for reasons like disturbing the peace, womanizing, heavy drunkenness, & setting the townspeople’s ubiquitous pigs free.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Heidelberg University Students Prison (Studentenkarzer)

Well, it seems this was their way of pointing out the “all work and no play,” with lots of… play.

Walk on Heidelberg Old Bridge

Getting down from the castle, using the beautiful path behind the castle (and not the funicular), you will end up a few meters away from the lovely old bridge of Heidelberg (Karl Theodor Bridge), also known as Alte Brücke (Old Bridge).

It’s not that big, but it connects the Old City with the eastern part of the Neuenheim district of the city on the opposite bank. It is nice to walk it through and admire the statues.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Old bridge of Heidelberg (Karl Theodor Bridge), aka Alte Brücke (Old Bridge)

The two sculptures groups on the bridge are by Konrad Linck. One is a monument to Prince Elector Carl Theodor. He had the bridge built.

The other is devoted to the Greek goddess Minerva (Pallas Athene). The Prince Elector was a passionate supporter of arts & sciences. That is the reason a monument to the goddess of wisdom was erected there.

Hike the Heidelberg Philosophers Way (Philosophenweg)

Since you just walked through the bridge, you are happy to know that the Philosophers Way (route) is close to the point you are.

You are also at the “rich” area of Heidelberg. You will understand this by the type of old aristocratic houses.

Just spot the small sign that says so, that leads through a narrow (but long) uphill stone-paved path to a circular route. Now you are in the philosophers’ way. That path before reaching the Philosophers one is called Schlangenweg (Winding Path).

It will take some of your breath away, mostly due to all the uphill walking. Look out for the hidden spots along with this one where you can sit on a bench and admire the city view.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
View from the Philosophers Way

At the end of the Schlangenweg (Winding Path), you end up on an asphalt road. That is the (Philosophenweg).

What is this Philosophenweg about? “…Heidelberg’s university professors & philosophers found this path a harmonious place where they could talk seriously and contemplate while enjoying the charming view of the Neckar…”.

That is exactly as described and is indeed very beautiful.

Take some water with you as there are no places to get any, except one kiosk near a crossroad that gets you higher in the Heiligenberg Hill and another coffee house near the top of the hill (which is far).

This route is a lovely promenade route, but if you want to get deeper in the hill forest and examine some ancient ruins and an old theater, then you need to go up and deep.

Hiking Heiligenberg Hill

We suggest taking the signs towards Heiligenber Hill.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City

That is a very nice one, almost all done in asphalt road but through the forest.

Along your way, there are small castle towers, a well that mentions that it connects underground with a castle, an old monastery, and an ancient theater.

We did all the route up to the hilltop where the monastery ruins are.

Enjoyable hiking, through this -absolutely- quiet German forest. No birds were singing, just quietness.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City

Many hiking routes are starting from various points of the hill. Some end up at the castle, while others go around the mountain and in the city of Heidelberg.

Make sure you have enough time before getting dark.

Additional Museums of Heidelberg, Germany

We didn’t allocate time to visit these museums, but they could worth a visit. These are:

  • The Cultural Museum, at Hauptstraße 97, Heidelberg
  • Ethnographical Museum, at Hauptstraße 235, Heidelberg
  • Earth Sciences Museum, at Im Neuenheimer Feld 235, Heidelberg

Walk Through the Old City of Heidelberg, Germany

Take a long slow walk in the old city.

Taste some traditional sausage from the kiosks or some chocolate sweets.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Street Food in Heidelberg

Drink beers in any of the many restaurants. Note that most of them are closer to the castle area than to the old city entrance. We had some excellent sausage and cabbage plate in one of them.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City

There are stores for all kinds of touristy things in the old city, and you can enjoy the city architecture as you walk.

Two major keypoints:

  • Everyone was eating ice-cream! I mean, wow!
  • Most restaurants serve Italian food, not local food.

How to Get to Heidelberg, Germany?

You can get the flight to Frankfurt and then take the train to Heidelberg. The train takes around 1.30 hours to get there, or drive in your car if you are in the country.

The train ticket cost is 20 euro p.p. from Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbf (airport). If you want to have a seat on the train, it is better to book a business ticket. More or less, the same concept stands from any other place in Germany towards Heidelberg.

Where to Eat in Heidelberg?

Try to locate a traditional German food restaurant. We were eager for such as we love (well, I -Chris- for sure) German sausages, pretzels, and sour cabbage.

Who would imagine that it was so difficult to find a variety of such traditional restaurants?  Most were serving Italian food, along with some German food.

We recommend the Palmbrau Gasse (Hauptstr. 185, 69117 Heidelberg).

There is also a bar next to it with the same name — a lovely one with large wooden tables, lots of people and decent plates. We liked the black beer and the sausages.

The cabbage was okay but maybe way too much in the dish.

Heidelberg Castle and Things To Do in the City
Dining in Palmbrau Gasse restaurant

We noticed that many were eating plates of pork shank too, which is a classic for beer restaurants. Maybe we try that next time.

Where to Stay in Heidelberg Germany

We stayed in a modern hotel near the central train station, relatively close to Heidelberg Castle. The old city was in 20 minutes’ walking from there, but you could also take the bus just outside the hotel. We usually prefer to walk a lot.

We stayed at the Star Inn Hotel & Suites Premium Heidelberg by Quality.

Big clean, modern rooms, minimal design everywhere, excellent complimentary coffee. Breakfast was vast and pleasant, with lots of tasty varieties.

Most of the weekend visitors were Germans and Italians!

Heidelberg Weather

Our visit was in late August, and it was a bit cold. We had a light jacket all day long. When the sun was striking out, it was a bit warmer but not hot, if you know what I mean.

You will notice the clouds in our photos. However, when swimming in the sea is not an option we like this kind of weather as it is perfect for walking and hiking around.

Here are the weather details for Heidelberg.

Summer (June to August): You can encounter unpredictable weather ranging from 20 to 30°C. Most tourists come during this period.

Winter (December to February): Can get low (3-5°C).

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November): Temperatures around 10 to 14°C. Chill but nice.

Conclusion for Heidelberg Castle and City Sightseeing

A city for a weekend. That is why many Germans visit this place during weekends. You have lots of things to do for two days, and the things we mention are the best to experience.

When you do, share your findings with us! Always keep in mind to travel safely. Don’t neglect your travel insurance.

Have fun.

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