Heidelberg | 24-Hour Transportation & Attractions Guide 🌟

Heidelberg is incredibly beautiful—probably my favorite spot during my 16-day trip through Greece, Hungary, and Germany! I visited almost all the major attractions (except shopping), and felt that a practical guide would make visits even better. Transportation 🚌 After arriving at the main train station, you’ll find bus ticket machines. I highly recommend buying tickets there since the app is mostly in German and can be confusing. Options include single trips, multiple rides, and day passes. 🚶‍♂️ Insight: If you’re staying in the Old Town, most attractions are within walking distance, including the Old Bridge. A day pass (€6.50) may not be necessary—a single ticket could suffice. Attractions 🐵 The Brass Monkey is near the entrance of the Old Bridge into the Old Town. Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit) is right in the heart of the Old Town—free to enter, though the interior is fairly simple. Heidelberg University blends seamlessly into the city. Take a stroll and explore small shops and quirky stores. I also popped into a couple of other churches, but they didn’t leave a strong impression. Heidelberg Castle 🏰 There are three ticket types—I recommend the Panorama Ticket (€17, students half-price), which includes castle grounds access (wine barrel, pharmacy museum, outdoor areas) and the funicular railway up and down. ℹ️ The castle interior requires a separate ticket. 🚂 The funicular has two stops: the first at the castle, the second where you transfer to a historical train going to the mountain top. ✅ Pro tip: Ride all the way to the top first for breathtaking views over the city. The higher paths are for hikers—most tourists can head back after enjoying the lookout. Then, take the train down to the castle to explore. 🚻 Free restrooms available inside. 💭 This is the very garden where Goethe lost his heart 💔. Philosophers' Walk 🚶‍♀️ Start from the opposite end of the Old Bridge. The path winds uphill and offers lovely views—you can almost imagine Hegel and Goethe wandering here, deep in thought. I used my day pass to hop on a bus and ride around town. Heidelberg is not only gorgeous but also very clean. The modern districts seemed nice too, but I was too tired to explore further. Food & Tips 🍜 The Old Town has plenty of dining options. I tried a Korean restaurant—their beef soup was rich and generous (€15.50). Sadly, heavy rain kept me from trying the roasted pork ribs for dinner. 🚆 Heads-up: To get to Cologne, you’ll need to go to Mannheim first. From the Old Town, it’s a 15-minute walk to the S1/S2 station (not the main Heidelberg station!). Take the train toward Mannheim Hbf—Platform 1 is the correct one. Google Maps didn’t clearly indicate this. All in all, Heidelberg is a beautiful city perfect for wandering and reflecting on life. 💖 #Germany #Heidelberg #HeidelbergTravel #TravelGermany #TravelTips