Looking for some things to do in Heidelberg, Germany? Check out this post for 16 things you can do in this traveler’s paradise.
Known for its rich cultural heritage, Old Town, and breathtaking beauty, Heidelberg is a great city worth visiting as a traveler’s paradise. It’s located in the German state of Baden-Württemberg and it’s about an hour south of Frankfurt. Hence, making it the perfect stop if you’re flying in from Frankfurt or on your way to the Black Forest.
However, besides visiting the Old Town, you may be wondering…
What else is there to do around Heidelberg?
Well, there’s a lot.
From guided tours to sightseeing cruises, there is no limit to what you can do in Heidelberg, Germany. So, if you’re looking for some out-of-the-box things to do in Heidelberg, keep reading! This post alone highlights 16 things you can do in this traveler’s paradise.
Germany Travel Series
P.S. This is a post in my Germany Travel series. Here is the complete series:
Cologne Restaurants: Where To Find the Best Restaurants in Cologne Germany
Prettiest Cities: The Top 8 Prettiest Cities in Germany You Need To Visit
Uber: Is There Uber in Germany?
Beer Festivals: 10 Top German Beer Festivals in Germany Other Than Oktoberfest
Walk Through the Enchanting Alleyways of Heidelberg’s Old Town (things to do in heidelberg)
Walking through the enchanting alleyways of Heidelberg’s Old Town is a great thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done through a guided walking tour by Heidelberg Marketing GmbH where you walk around for 1.5 hours as you look behind the scenes of Heidelberg. The tour itself will breathe life into the city’s past as the guide tells you stories about the “contours” of the city.
These “contours” include but are not limited to the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Jesuitenviertel, or other sightseeing attractions. They all have a unique ambiance, being situated in the Old Town, and their history is well worth immersing yourself in for a few minutes.
Board a Sightseeing Cruise on the Neckar River (things to do in heidelberg)
Boarding a sightseeing cruise on the Neckar River is another thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done through Weisse Flotte Heidelberg and it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the charm of Heidelberg through a new perspective. Their cruise will even take you by the Old Bridge as you glide underneath it, taking in the view of the Heidelberg Castle in the back.
In fact, you’ll even be able to admire picturesque views of the grand villas along the Neuenheimer riverbank. The cruise will then reach its turning point at the Wielblinger Wehrsteg where you’ll then be able to see the historic town hall before you disembark.
Experience the Vibrant Nightlife of Heidelberg on a Pub Crawl (things to do in heidelberg)
Experiencing the vibrant nightlife of Heidelberg on a pub crawl is another great thing you can do! This can be done through NiceGuides and it’s a great way for you to get to know Heidelberg’s bar scene. Their pub crawl starts at Market Square where you’ll have your first drink. From there, you’ll go through the Old Town as you hear fascinating anecdotes about Heideberg’s rich past and cultural significance.
Afterwards, you’ll make a stop at the majestic Old Bridge where you’ll have another drink as you take in the views of the Neckar River. Finally, you’ll stop at the Untere Straße which is the heart of Heidelberg’s nightlife. It’s where the city’s student population comes together and where you will have your final cocktail to toast to the evening’s adventures.
Discover the History of Heidelberg Castle on a Private Guided Tour (things to do in heidelberg)
Discovering the history of Heidelberg Castle on a private guided tour is another great thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done through Heidelberg Marketing GmbH and it’s a great way for you to also visit the Großes Fass which is the world’s largest wine barrel that has ever been filled.
So, if you plan on booking this private guided tour, you’ll meet your guide at the tourist information Neckarmünzplatz and head to the castle. Your guide will then immerse you in the eventful history of the castle as you explore the courtyard and the garden.
You can even take some time to explore the castle on your own after the tour.
Listen to Entertaining Stories and Anecdotes from a Night Watchman (things to do in heidelberg)
Listening to entertaining stories and anecdotes from a Night Watchman is another great thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done through Erlebnisführungen Heidelberg and it’s a great way to hear stories about the former nightlife in Heidelberg. The tour starts at the Market Square and continues as you walk along small historic streets like Burgweg and Kanzleigasse.
The guide will then share entertaining stories about the sites you pass and the things that one used to experience walking through the streets of Heidelberg at night.
So, if you’re looking for something to do in the evening in Heidelberg, I highly recommend this guided tour. It’s always done by a night watchman or a member of his family.
Learn about Human Anatomy and Health at the BODY WORLDS Museum (things to do in heidelberg)
Learning about human anatomy and health at the Body Worlds Museum is another great thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done through Institut für Plastination e.K.
and it’s a great way for you to learn about all the aspects of the human body through unique exhibits.
In fact, you’ll even be able to examine organ functions at the museum as well as track your own happiness at interactive stations. So, if you still have questions about health in general, I highly recommend visiting the Body Worlds Museum. Buying your ticket with Institut für Plastination e.K. includes the entrance fee and you’ll able to marvel at the precise and scientifically focused preparation of the plastinates.
Discover the Best of Heidelberg on a Guided Bike Tour (things to do in heidelberg)
Discovering the best of Heidelberg on a guided bike tour is another great thing you can do! This can be done through Bike Romance Heidelberg and it’s a great way to get to know the city through the most popular mode of transport and experience the student lifestyle.
On the bike tour, you’ll even see the famous Old Bridge, the Old Town, Heidelberg Castle, and the newest district, Bahnstadt. So, if you’re looking to explore Heidelberg in a completely unique way, I highly recommend doing this guided bike tour. You’ll see some hidden gems of Heidelberg outside of the Old Town and get to enjoy a relaxed, entertaining, educational bike ride.
Solve Riddles at Your Own Pace with a Scavenger Hunt (things to do in heidelberg)
Solving riddles at your own pace with a scavenger hunt is another great thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done through Stadtspiel Schnitzeljagd GmbH and it’s a great way to discover the sights of the city through a unique, self-guided tour.
Once you book the activity, Stadtspiel Schnitzeljagd GmbH will have a scavenger hunt box delivered to your front door that you will use to begin. Inside the box will be 11 sealed and numbered envelopes containing riddles. Your job will be to open the envelopes one after the other to find the next city sightseeing point. Once you’ve gone through all of them, you’ll be safe to say that you’ve seen all that Heidelberg has to offer in terms of tourist attractions.
So, if you’re looking to embark on a fun and interactive stroll through Heidelberg’s charming landmarks, I highly recommend doing this activity. The scavenger hunt is self-paced so you can start on any day or time that you’d like.
Ride Through Philosophers’ Walk on a Segway (things to do in heidelberg)
Riding through Philosphers’ Walk on a segway is another great thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done through StadtSafari – Segway-Touren and it’s a great way to see the best views of the castle.
So, if you’re interested in this activity, the tour will start from Neckarmünzplatz in front of the tourist office. Then, you’ll ride your segway along the banks of the Neckar River towards Neuenheim to the market square. From there, you’ll continue to the zoo and cross the Neuenheimer Feld to enter the path of the Philosophers’ Walk. Once you complete your ride there, you’ll head back to your starting point.
Photograph the Most Beautiful Views of Heidelberg at Sunset (things to do in heidelberg)
Photographing the most beautiful views of Heidelberg at sunset is another great thing you can do! This can be done through Perfect Light Photo Art Gallery GmbH & Co. KG
as a Sunset Photo Walk since it’s the best way to explore the beautiful views of Heidelberg.
At the photo walk, you’ll take advantage of the golden hour before sunset so that you can experience taking photos in the best light of the day. Then, you’ll experience the dawning blueness of the night in the blue hour right after the sun sets. So, if you’re a photography enthusiast looking for something to do in Heidelberg, I highly recommend doing this activity. The sunset photo walk starts two hours before sunset and you’re welcome to bring your own camera.
Venture on a City Tour to the Heidelberg Mountain Cemetery (things to do in heidelberg)
Venturing on a city tour to the Heidelberg Mountain Cemetery is another great thing you can do! This can be done through H&B Tour Conception and it’s a great way to visit the Bergfriedhof which is a veritable haven of town history. The cemetery alone even tells a story about the Jewish community, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Bunsen, and several other important people.
So, if you want to learn more about Heidelberg’s cultural history through tombstones and burials, I highly recommend doing this activity. The biographies of those buried will reflect upheavals in Heidelberg’s history and the tombs provide information on the conceptions of death and the historical change of these ideas.
Learn Local Insider Tips and Fun Facts on a Running Tour (things to do in heidelberg)
Learning local insider tips and fun facts on a running tour is another great thing you can do in Heidelberg! This can be done through Running City Tours and it’s a great way to see the city while being athletic in a combined jogging and city tour. During the tour, you’ll even get fun facts, insider tips, and insider knowledge from locals instead of the standard information about Heidelberg that’s on Wikipedia.
So, if you’re a sports lover and you’re looking for something to do in Heidelberg, I highly recommend doing this activity. It’s better than the standard double-decker bus and it’s great for beginner runners and pro runners.
Embark on a Castle Tour with a Knight of the Duke’s Guard (things to do in heidelberg)
Embarking on a castle tour with a Knight of the Duke’s Guard is another thing you can do in Heidelberg! This can be done through H&B Tour Conception and it’s a great way to learn more about the fortress’ history through a time traveler guide. During the tour, you’ll even have the opportunity to witness medieval fencing as well as clothes and gear.
So, if you’re looking to do a tour in Heidelberg that will take you back to the Middle Ages, I highly recommend doing this activity. You’ll see the castle in a completely different light and you’ll learn everything about how a medieval siege worked back then at the castle.
Hear the Gruesome Stories of a Nearly Forgotten Profession from the Middle Ages (things to do in heidelberg)
Hearing the gruesome stories of a nearly forgotten profession from the Middle Ages is another great thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done through H&B Tour Conception and it’s a great way to hear ghost stories while doing a walking tour of Heidelberg. During the tour, you’ll even hear stories about the souls of burned witches and the evil dogs that lurked in the darkest corners of the Old Town.
So, if you’re looking to get to know the dark side of Heidelberg, I highly recommend doing this activity. You’ll learn more about how an executioner made a living in the old days and what dreadful crimes and cruel punishments were like during the Middle Ages.
Experience Legends and Spookiness at Heiligenberg (things to do in heidelberg)
Experiencing legends and spookiness at Heiligenberg is another great thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done through H&B Tour Conception and it’s a great way for you to immerse yourself in the history of Heiligenberg whose remains await you deep in the woods. During the tour, you’ll even hear stories about the “black rider” as well as the “headless” woman from the time of the Crusades. These stories are of course meant to scare you while also providing context into the history of the oldest urban areas in the region.
So, if you want to discover Heidelberg off the beaten track, I highly recommend doing this activity. You’ll be able to follow a grand ducal woodsman during this tour as well as visit a mysterious crypt.
Learn about the Regions’ Christmas Traditions at the Heidelberg Christmas Market (seasonal) (things to do in heidelberg)
Learning about the regions’ Christmas traditions at the Heidelberg Christmas Market is another thing you can do in Heidelberg. This can be done as a walking tour through Heidelberg Marketing GmbH and it’s a great way for you to hear amazing stories about the regions’ Christmas and pre-Christmas traditions. During the tour, you’ll even be able to smell the roasted almonds from the booths which is such a staple snack to get during the market.
So, if you want to learn more about what the Heidelberg Christmas Market has to offer around Christmastime, I highly recommend doing this walking tour. The tour itself will stretch among many different historic squares as it continues through some of the most beautiful corners of the Old Town.
Overall, I hope you enjoyed this post on the 16 things to do in Heidelberg, Germany. Please let me know in the comments below which thing you plan on doing the most while you’re in Heidelberg. I would love to hear from you! 🙂
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