Heidelberg
Travelers come for the castle ruin above the Neckar, the Old Bridge and a university Old Town that is easy to walk.
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Heidelberg is a city of about 156,000 residents in Baden-Württemberg, where the Neckar flows out of the Odenwald into the Upper Rhine Plain. The castle ruin stands on the slope of the Königstuhl above the river, and the Old Town lies in the valley below it. The Old Bridge (Alte Brücke) links the Old Town with Neuenheim, and the Hauptstraße runs the length of the Old Town as a long pedestrian street. Heidelberg University dates to 1386, making it the oldest in Germany, and its historic buildings are in the Old Town.
Frankfurt is about 78 km north of Heidelberg, so a train day trip is practical. Heidelberg is also among the warmest parts of Germany, with summer days often near 30 °C and mild, usually rainy winters. Fog becomes more frequent from the second half of October. The Philosophers' Walk on the Heiligenberg, opposite the Old Town, gives the classic view of the castle and the river.
Heidelberg in five
- Take the funicular up to the castleThe Bergbahn runs from the Kornmarkt up to the castle terrace and on toward the Königstuhl. Walking up from the old town takes about 15 minutes of steep cobbles. Check the official site for the combined castle and funicular ticket.Heidelberg Castle official site
- Sleep in the Altstadt or by the station, not betweenThe old town is the charming choice but pricier and quiet at night. Rooms near the station and in Bergheim cost less and save a transfer. Decide before you compare prices.Where to stay in Heidelberg
- Climb the Philosophers' Walk for the viewThe path on the north bank gives the postcard view of the castle and the Old Bridge. It is steep in parts and best on a clear afternoon; reach it by crossing the Old Bridge.
- Combine it with Mannheim or FrankfurtHeidelberg is about an hour from Frankfurt, about 12 minutes from Mannheim. Use one of them as a hub for a longer trip.Heidelberg day trip from Frankfurt
- Avoid midday in July and AugustTour buses and school groups peak in the late morning. Go to the castle first thing or in the evening, and keep the old town for the middle of the day.
Things to do in Heidelberg
See all attractions in Heidelberg
Need to know
- Airport
- Frankfurt (FRA), about 1 hour by train or direct bus
- Getting there
- Train: Frankfurt about 1 hr, Mannheim about 12 min, Stuttgart about 40 min
- Getting around
- Walking, buses and trams; the old town is pedestrian
- Best base
- Altstadt, or Bergheim near the station
- Time needed
- 1 day trip; 2 days with the castle and walks
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low1°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh9°Low2°Cool, quietFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cool, almond bloomMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, almond bloom
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Mild, springAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Warm, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Warm, castle lightsJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, castle lights
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Hot, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Hot, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Mild, goldenSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Cold, dark earlyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dark early
- DecemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Christmas marketDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Heidelberg, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Apr Schwetzingen Festival · May Schwetzingen Festival · Jun Schwetzingen Festival
Right now in Heidelberg
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- 2°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Heidelberg
09:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°3°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue8°3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed9°4°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°4°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri6°2°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat8°2°5%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun10°2°7%Sunday: Fog. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 7%.
Updated 06:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Feb–MarMainz carnivalWiesbaden, a day trip
- MarLuminaleFrankfurt, a day trip
- Apr–JunSchwetzingen FestivalHeidelberg
- MayInternationale Maifestspiele WiesbadenWiesbaden, a day trip
- Jul–AugNibelungenfestspiele WormsMannheim, a day trip
- JulHeinerfestFrankfurt, a day trip
- AugRheingauer WeinwocheWiesbaden, a day trip
- Sep–OctCannstatter VolksfestStuttgart, a day trip
Before you go to Heidelberg
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Heidelberg, checked
- Many nationalities can enter Germany without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the German Foreign Office site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for fire or an ambulance and 110 for the police anywhere in Germany.
- Do not join the 30 April gathering at the Thingstätte. The city has announced it will fence the site and prosecute trespassers during that night.
Heidelberg FAQ
How many days do you need in Heidelberg?
One full day covers the castle, the old town and the Philosophers' Walk. Two days let you add a museum, a boat or the Königstuhl and avoid rushing for a late train.
Is Heidelberg worth visiting?
Yes, for the castle ruin, the old town and the river. It is smaller and more crowded in summer than Freiburg or Konstanz, but easier to reach from Frankfurt.
Where should I stay in Heidelberg?
In the Altstadt for atmosphere, or in Bergheim and near the station for lower prices and trains. Neuenheim suits longer, quieter stays. Our where to stay guide compares them.
Is Heidelberg a good day trip from Frankfurt?
Yes. Trains take about an hour each way, so you have a full day. Start by 9am to see the castle before the tour groups, and plan a late-afternoon train back.
Do you need tickets for Heidelberg Castle?
Parts of the castle need a ticket, and a combined funicular and castle ticket exists. Check the official site for what each ticket covers and for opening hours on the day.