Heidelberg Travel Guide

Back to guides overview

Introduction

by Frommers Travel Guides

120km (74 miles) NW of Stuttgart, 20km (12 miles) SE of Mannheim, 88km (55 miles) S of Frankfurt

Summertime in Heidelberg, according to the song from The Student Prince, is a time for music and romance. Today, it's also a time when droves of visitors invade this beautiful city. Heidelberg is one of the few German cities that was not leveled by air raids in World War II and therefore still has original buildings from the later Middle Ages and early Renaissance. Modern Heidelberg centers on Bismarckplatz at the foot of the Theodore-Heuss-Brücke; in this part of the city, you'll find many of the best hotels and restaurants. The tall buildings and shopping plazas here contrast with the Altstadt nearby. Across the Neckar are sports grounds, a zoo, and a large botanical garden.

Heidelberg is, above all, a university town and has been since 1386. Students make up much of the population. The colorful atmosphere that university life imparts to the town is felt especially in the old student quarter, with its narrow streets and lively inns. This oldest university in Germany is officially named Ruprecht-Karl-University, honoring both its founder, Elector Ruprecht I of the Palatinate, as well as the man who, in 1803, made it the leading university in the state of Baden, Margrave Karl Friedrich. The school was founded after the Great Schism of 1378, when conflicting claims to the papacy created unrest and German teachers and students fled the Sorbonne in Paris.

Find a Real Deal

Compare Prices for Heidelberg

Heidelberg Travel Experiences

German Beer

On route from Prague to Heidelberg, I spent a night on a train and a day in Munich. On the train I met a couple from the states who I end... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler iammcbean
Mannheim Germany to Switzerland

After Paris, I flew with Lyndsay to Stuttgart Germany and we took a subway and then the train and arrived in Mannheim. On the Wednesday a... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler Traveling Teacher
Drei Wochenende in Heidelberg

Finally, a long awaited update! Second semester is now in full swing. I left the states on Tuesday, January 9th, arriving in Germany earl... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler sschott27
Another Castle!!

Left on the train to Heidelberg - one of the loveliest places in Germany. The train ride up the Neckar Valley is so picturesque eve... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler Tony and Louise
Fasching

OK so the “official” definition of Carnival sounded much better than my attempt to explain it. Therefore, “Officially it starts on the 11... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler sschott27