Heidelberg in a Day - by Flora
If you only had one day in Heidelberg, what would be the perfect route to truly experience the city?
During my nine months in Heidelberg, I had the chance to host several friends and family members. While showing them around, I built a walking route that combines the city’s highlights with some of my personal favorites. Follow me on a journey that will take you from the quiet streets of Weststadt up to the heights of the Königstuhl!
Start in S-Bahnhof Weststadt-Südstadt (bus 29, tram 24 or around 20 minute walk from Hagebutze). You can then discover the peaceful neighbourhood of Weststadt (dotted circle on the map), which is full of beautiful houses and gardens (especially nice to stroll around this neighbourhood in the spring). In this neighbourhood, you can visit the church Christuskirche.
Walk in the direction of Bismarckplatz, a central spot of the city, a public transport node and an entrance to the old town. Join the riverbank of the Neckar and cross the river through the Theodor-Heuss Brücke from which you can admire the hills around the Neckar, the city and the castle in the distance. Here you can stop for a picnic or some games on the lawn of the Neckarwiese Park.
Then, you will walk the most famous path of the city: the Philosophenweg (dark blue line on the map). You will have to walk uphill, but I guarantee the view on the city is worth the effort! Take the Schlangenweg to join the Alte Brücke (old bridge) and cross the river again. On the other side of the bridge, you will go through the Stadttor, the entrance of the old town and one of the symbols of the city.
From the Stadttor, go to the Marktplatz, where you can visit the Heiliggeist Kirche. You can walk up the stairs of the church’s tower to enjoy a view on the old town, the river and the castle.
From the Marktplatz, go to the Kornmarkt square (nice water fountain, view on the castle) and join the path that leads up to the castle. Go to the Scheffelterrasse, a big terrasse of the castle’s gardens offering a spectacular view on the castle, the city and the valley. Stroll around the castle gardens before going to the castle. To enter the castle, you will need to buy a ticket (you can get a discount with your volunteer card) that gives access to the castle courtyard, some terrasses around the castle and the Apotheke Museum (museum on pharmacy). You can also book a guided tour of the castle (around 1h visit) to learn more about the castle’s history and have access to more parts of the castle.
Then you have the option of going up to Königstuhl, the highest point of the city. You can reach it with the bus 30 (not on Sunday). You will get an impressive view on the valley from the top of the hill, and you can also find some trails in the forest if you want to hike.
Go back to the castle with the bus and go down to the city center by following the Neue Schloßtraße. Walk down the Hauptstraße, the main street of the city center (or if you want a calmer way, you can take the parallel street Plöck) to reach Bismarckplatz and take bus 29 (or tram 23) to go back to Hagebutze!
A few restaurant recommendations:
In the city:
Raja Rani (Indian restaurant)
Cafe Schafheutle (Kaffee & Kuchen, nice garden)
Rada Arepa (Venezuelan restaurant)
Min Ramen bar (Japanese restaurant)
Next to Hagebutze:
Isstambul Döner
NiVe Pizza
Schmelzpunkt (ice cream)