Heidelberg
The romantic and bright one, the artist
The most famous castle ruins of the world, the oldest university of Germany, nine Nobel prize winners, an authors' and philosophers' favorite from Goethe to Mark Twain, a vibrant cultural and festival metropolis, an outstanding academic and science center, picturesque nature with a Mediterranean climate... Heidelberg lures you with more highlights than any other city.
A romantic atmosphere persists in the city on the Neckar River that has been adored by many poets and painters. The Old Town was well preserved over the last centuries and is very easy to discover by walking through one of Germany's longest pedestrian areas.
Let your eyes meander about - you will discover the most beautiful monuments and churches all around you. In between, you will find exclusive boutiques, cozy student pubs, breweries, wine bars and many more inviting places for a nice break.
One definite highlight are the ruins of the Heidelberger Schloss (Heidelberg Castle) situated high above the city. The ruins are easy to access, you can either walk up the hill or simply take the comfortable funicular railway that also brings you to the Königstuhl, Heidelberg's "local mountain". From above, you enjoy a wonderful view over the river, the forested hills and the city that is known as an innovative place of science and research.
The offer on cultural activities in Heidelberg is more diverse than in any other city of comparable size, starting from the music event Heildelberger Frühling (Heidelberg Spring Festival) to the Heidelberger Schlossfestspiele (Heidelberg Castle Festival) in summer, to the festival "Enjoy Jazz". Especially delightful are the castle illuminations with fireworks finale, held in June, July and September. In December you can indulge yourself with a mulled wine and a bratwurst on the Christmas market.
Our advice for your rendezvous of the senses in Heidelberg:
Follow the traces of great poets and thinkers on one of Europe's most romantic walks: already Goethe, Eichendorff and Hölderlin wandered the famous Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Walk).
On Valentine’s Day, the 14th February 1613, Frederick V and the English king’s daughter Elizabeth Stuart got married in London at the age of 16. The couple was welcomed by the cheering population of Heidelberg and a celebration of several days’ duration took place at the Heidelberg Castle, which also included a huge fireworks display. This is the starting signal for today’s illuminations of Heidelberg Castle.
