Visiting Heidelberg
Nestled along the wooded slopes of the Neckar Valley, Heidelberg was a major Protestant powerhouse in the 16th and 17th centuries. You can still see the dramatic ruins of Heidelberg Castle looming over the town today. Once the main residence of the Prince-electors of the Palatinate, the castle became an icon of romanticism, inspiring countless writers and thinkers. Victor Hugo famously chronicled its architecture in his travelogue The Rhine, Letters to a Friend.
A Political and Intellectual Hub from the 13th to the 18th Century
For five centuries, Heidelberg served as the capital of the Electorate of the Palatinate, one of the seven territories with the power to elect the Holy Roman Emperor. Stop by the Heidelberg Palatinate Museum along theHauptstrasse, a 1.5-kilometer pedestrian avenue that also features the oldest house in town, the gabled House of the Knight of Saint George.
Head over to theMarktplatz, the main town square framed by traditional red sandstone burgher houses. Just steps away, the Church of the Holy Spirit was built from the same stone and once housed one of the largest Renaissance libraries in existence. Education is deep-rooted here, anchored by the founding of the university in 1386, Germany's oldest higher education institution. Nearly one in four residents is a student today. To catch a glimpse of the city's lively academic past, step inside the historic student prison, where university authorities locked up unruly students back in the 16th century.
A Scenic Base in the Neckar Valley
For prime views of the old town and the castle above, cross the Old Bridge orAlte Brücke. The fortified southern gate is worth a close look as one of the few structures that survived French attacks and bombardments during the Nine Years' War, in 1689. Across the Neckar River, the Philosopher's Walk provides a tranquil trail with some of the best vantage points over the city.
Another option is to ride the funiculars up to theKönigstuhl summit, the highest point around at 568 meters of elevation. From there, you can connect to the Neckarsteig trail for a proper hike, hit the mountain bike paths, or even try paragliding.
When to go
Any time of year works well for a trip to Heidelberg, as the town hosts a steady calendar of events and festivals throughout the seasons.
How to get there
From Paris, you can reach Heidelberg by train with one or two connections. Cities like Besançon, Belfort, Mulhouse, and Strasbourg offer direct rail connections to Heidelberg in under 4 hours. If you are driving, you will arrive via the German A5 or A6 autobahns.
Heidelberg is a really adorable city. The city center is charming and easy to walk around. I loved the Philosopher's Walk, which offers a superb view of the city. You will find it easy to grab a bite to eat and park your car. Don't miss the old student prison turned into a museum. I recommend this city for a weekend trip.