🇩🇪 Heidelberg Day Trip: Ultimate Guide with Route & Castle Tickets

📍 Perfect 1-Day Itinerary (All walkable! See map for details) 🚶 Must-Visit Spots 1️⃣ Hauptstraße (Main Street) 1.6km charm from Bismarckplatz to Kornmarkt (castle funicular) Boutiques + quirky German souvenirs 🛍️ 2️⃣ Studentenkarzer (Student Jail) Where misbehaving uni kids doodled on walls 🎨✏️ 3️⃣ Heidelberg Castle 🏰 Ticket Hack: 💙 9€ (Castle grounds + wine barrel + pharmacy museum + blue funicular) ❤️ 16€ (Adds red funicular to Königstuhl summit) Free option: Hike up for castle views (no interior access) 4️⃣ Heiliggeistkirche (Church) Climb the tower for postcard panoramas 📸 5️⃣ Old Bridge + Bronze Monkey 🐒 Rub the monkey’s mirror for luck (locals’ secret!) 6️⃣ Philosophenweg (Philosophers’ Path) 90-min hike with epic castle views (find Schlangenweg shortcut!) 💡 Pro Tips Skip the castle interior unless you love guided tours Wear comfy shoes—cobblestones + hills = leg day 💪 Golden hour > sunrise (better light for photos!) #Heidelberg #GermanyTravel #CastleLover #HiddenGems