Best Heidelberg Tours & Trips

Best Time to Visit Heidelberg

Heidelberg is charming year-round, but the best times for sightseeing are April to June during spring and September to November during autumn.

The average temperature during these two seasons ranges from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C). Compared to the summer tourist peak, crowds are lighter at this time, and the river valleys are adorned with magnificent autumn foliage.

How Many Days Do You Need to See Heidelberg?

For most visitors, one full day is sufficient to cover the main historical core: the castle, the Old Bridge, and the Old Town. If you are arriving from Frankfurt or Stuttgart, Heidelberg is an excellent day trip destination.

However, to truly appreciate the atmosphere and explore the surrounding areas, we recommend 2 to 3 days. This allows time for a leisurely Heidelberg boat tour on the Neckar, hiking the scenic Philosopher’s Walk, and taking one of the available day tours from Heidelberg, Germany, to nearby palaces or towns.

Getting to Heidelberg and Getting Around

Travel to Heidelberg: The city is centrally located in Southwest Germany, with excellent regional and national train connections. The main station, Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof, connects directly to major hubs like Frankfurt, Mannheim, and Stuttgart. Many visitors choose to travel to Heidelberg via a train ride from Frankfurt International Airport (FRA).

Local Transportation: Heidelberg is very walkable, but if you want to visit the castle, you can take the tram or bus. To reach the viewing points, however, you'll need to take the Heidelberg Bergbahn, which is the fastest way.

1 Day Heidelberg Tour Itinerary

This itinerary is ideal for visitors taking a day trip to Heidelberg, allowing them to explore essential Heidelberg attractions within a limited timeframe.

Morning: Castle and Heights

Start your day at the Kornmarkt or Heidelberg Castle funicular station. Take the Bergbahn up to the castle. Dedicate the morning to a comprehensive Heidelberg castle tour, exploring the massive ruins, the Great Barrel, and the informative German Apothecary Museum.

If time permits and the views are clear, ride the funicular further up to the Königstuhl summit for sweeping panoramas of the city and the Rhine Valley. Walk down from the castle grounds into Altstadt. Stop for lunch at one of the traditional taverns or cafes around Marktplatz.

Afternoon: History and Walking

Explore the central Market Square and visit the towering Church of the Holy Spirit, which is Heiliggeistkirche, which dominates the square. Walk through Universitätsplatz, visiting the historic Old University and the unique Student Prison, where unruly students were once briefly incarcerated.

Evening: Views and River

Cross the Old Bridge and take the steep Schlangenweg up to the Philosophenweg on the north bank of the Neckar. This path offers the most famous postcard views of the castle and Old Town. For a truly unique perspective, consider taking the Heidelberg boat tour on the Neckar River.

Day Tours from Heidelberg

Schwetzingen Castle: Just a 15-minute drive from Heidelberg, this 17th-century castle features Baroque and Rococo gardens.

The Black Forest: The northern stretches of the famous Black Forest, known for hiking and charming small towns, are reachable within an hour’s drive.