| Why
Travel to Heidelberg?
This town, in a valley that traps warm air, has a relaxed Mediterranean
atmosphere and a balmy summer climate.
The Old Town's haphazard, medieval cobbled streets, baroque architecture,
cafés, fountains and monuments are a pedestrian delight,
while its semi-ruined castle offers romantic vistas of rooftops
and spires, and hosts open air concerts and plays in the summer.
All this, the mile-long shopping street and a vibrant student lifestyle
makes the small town one of Europe's most attractive spots.
Heidelberg
climate guide:
Best: April-Sept
Worst: Dec-March [rain, rain, rain]
Main attractions:
***A dramatic 13thC red stone castle, which was destroyed three
times over 146 years and contains the world's biggest wine vat and
a bizarre apothecary museum.
**The quirky Old Bridge that was the original town gate.
**Germany's oldest university: the Karl Ruprecht University is the
country's answer to Cambridge.
Germany is known for its liberal attitude towards education –
everybody has a right to study or simply sit in on lectures.
*Walking up the winding Philosopher's Path provides views of the
Old Town and Castle, and on to Saints Mountain for an amphitheatre
- allegedly used by Hitler - and the ruins of St. Michael's Basilica.
Short
Trips:
Buses, trains and trams go to Handschuhsheim, northwest of Heidelberg,
with its 13thC sunken castle.
Also recommended are Ziegelhausen and the Neuburg Benedictine Monastery.
Schwetzingen is known for its castle and lovely gardens.
Nearby there's the former imperial cathedral city of Speyer.
For hiking trips the hilly Odenwald region is ideal.
There are also frequent boat trips on the Neckar from Heidelberg.
Festivals:
Feb/March, Fasching is Germany's answer to Mardi Gras, marking the
beginning of Lent, with local festivities and parades.
June & Sept, Castle Illuminations and fireworks mark the opening
and closing respectively of summer festival events.
June, Heidelberg chamber music festival.
July-August, plays, opera and classical concerts in the castle halls
and grounds.
December, Christmas Market.
New Years Eve, classical concert in the town hall (Stadthalle).
For
some precise dates or more information see: European
Festivals or Arts
Festivals.
Arts/Culture/Nightlife:
Classical concerts: The Castle's summer festival, and Stadthalle
on the River bank.
Live rock/pop: Regular gigs at the Town Hall Cultural centre Karlstorbahnhof
for concerts, theatre, cinema, parties and more.
Live jazz and blues: Billy Blues and Cave '54 (Germany´s oldest
student jazz club).
Nightclubs: Schwimmbad Music Club and Musikfabrik Nachtschicht.
Untere Strasse in the Altstadt for great bistros, coffeehouses,
bars and pubs.
Shopping:
Hauptstrasse is a mile-long shopping street packed with department
stores, and plenty of choice.
Walk along Untere Strasse and other narrow side streets for bookshops
and trendy fashion boutiques. Cuisine:
You'll be surprised by what Germany has to offer in the way of sustenance
apart from sausages!
This southwestern part of the country is home to delicious Spätzle
noodles (great with melted cheese and onions) and Maultaschen (stuffed
pasta pockets).
Join in the German tea time tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen - the
cakes and pastries are magnificent.
German beer is still brewed according to a 1516 law stating that
it's made only with hops, water, malt and yeast. Visit the Vetter
brewery and pub for Heidelberg's own homemade beer - Vetter 33 is
reputed to be the world's highest gravity beer at 33 Plato [original
gravity].
Heidelberg Map
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