Heidelberg

A university town (founded 1386) on the Neckar under the red sandstone ruins of its castle, reached by funicular, with the Great Barrel in the cellar. The Old Bridge, the baroque old town and its Main Street, and the Philosophers' Walk on the far bank for the classic view. About an hour from Frankfurt and 40-70 minutes from Stuttgart by train; the old town is a bus ride or a 30-minute walk from the main station. Busy with day-trippers at midday.

Highlights

• Heidelberg Castle and the Great Barrel
• Old Bridge over the Neckar
• Philosophers' Walk view
• Old-town Main Street
• Student Jail
• Neckar river cruise

Things to do

• Castle by funicular, the Great Barrel and the gardensMorning · 3h
• Old Bridge and the old townAfternoon · 2h
• Philosophers' Walk at sunsetEvening · 2h
• Neckar river cruiseAfternoon · 1h 30m

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: April – October, December

• Christmas markets across Germany — From late November to about 23 December almost every town holds a Christmas market: Rothenburg's Reiterlesmarkt in its medieval square, Berlin's many markets (Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace), Lübeck's and Hamburg's by their town halls, Stuttgart's large market by the old castle. Opening days vary by town and most close on or before Christmas Eve: check before you plan a December trip around one.