“Guten Tag” to our loyal Kaptain Kenny readers!
The main point of today’s blog post is whether or not it’s possible to see Heidelberg in 4 hours. As I live in Germany, I’m always asked which German towns or cities are perfect for a day trip. Heidelberg & Rothenburg ob der Tauber would be the winners hands down.
Heidelberg has got everything you need. Good beer, good food, cobblestoned streets and quaint little streets.
HEIDELBERG CASTLE:
The Heidelberg Castle is now more like 50% ruins and 50% renovated castle but it’s absolutely worth the trip nonetheless.
Heidelberg Castle (German: Heidelberger Schloss) is a ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps.
The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is located 80 metres (260 ft) up the northern part of the Koenigstuhl hillside, and thereby dominates the view of the old downtown. It is served by an intermediate station on the Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway that runs from Heidelberg’s Kornmarkt to the summit of the Königstuhl.
The earliest castle structure was built before 1214 and later expanded into two castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt caused a fire which destroyed some rebuilt sections.
I’ve taken probably five friends here all on separate occasions. Heidelberg is always a winner because it’s what the tourists want. It’s a cute little student town, close to Frankfurt where we live and it’s paved with cobblestones.
Out of those 5 occasions, I have walked from the centre of town up to the castle 4 times. Yes it’s a slightly tough walk but it’s really worth it to see that view.
The last time I went, I made the *MISTAKE* of taking the railway up the hill. DO NOT DO THIS IN SUMMER! It was the most un-German slowest process of my life. We had to line up to buy tickets, line up to take the first train, line up to take the second train and once at the top of the hill, we had to do it all again to come down. (It reminded me of that painful process to get up and down the Eiffel Tower.)
Admittedly the view at the top was nice but in my personal opinion, I’d recommend you just walk to the castle and zip around the side to get a much more detailed panorama of Heidelberg.
Thank you for reading and if you’d like to know more about other castles, keep an eye on my upcoming posts as there’ll be one soon on Schloss Johannisberg in Geisenheim and one on the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich. You can also click here to see photos from Burg Eltz.
Dankeschoen for reading! Do you have a question? Drop us a message – we read them all
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Heidelberg Germany – only a 45 minute drive from Frankfurt.
We won’t let the slippery streets get in our way!
A cute little book shop.
This sort of pedestrian tourist traffic is ‘light’ as it’s been raining.
Don’t rain on our parade!
The Heidelberg Castle up there.
This walk is lovely and steep and at the top, you’ll be rewarded with lovely views.
Quaint!
Imagine this viewpoint on a clear day!
I believe this is where Hansel and Gretel live. Yes, I believe it.
Just your average mansion on a hill. Pmft.
Noooo! Rain on ze lens! (Wearing my Dad’s trusty denim jacket from his youth.)
I’d love to live on that little winding street.
I love taking people up here.
Clean streets – Heidelberg is just lovely.
I wouldn’t recommending driving into town and finding a park on the street – it’s better to find a ‘Parkhaus’.
Why does Starbucks get to have such a nice building? Not fair.
In love!
Cute and quaint – Heidelberg.
Apparently a lot of those mansions nestled amongst the hills belong to university frat clubs. Is this true? If so, where can I sign up to become a student again?
I’ve chosen my next humble abode, yep thanks.
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