Street in Heidelberg

Heidelberg Old Town

Heidelberg’s Altstadt is a compact pedestrian zone of Baroque buildings, student pubs, bookshops, and the oldest university in Germany (founded 1386). Free to walk. The Hauptstrasse (main street) runs 1.6 kilometers from Bismarckplatz to the Marktplatz. The Studentenkarzer (Student Prison, paid, small) is a building where misbehaving students were locked up and decorated the walls with graffiti. Budget travelers walk the Hauptstrasse, eat at the cheap student restaurants, and find a university town that has been hosting budget visitors (students) for over 600 years.

Practical

Before you go

Address
Hauptstraße, 69117 Heidelberg
Good to know

Nearby

More in Heidelberg

Other places worth the walk, and what each one costs.

Alte Brucke

The Alte Brucke (Old Bridge) is a Baroque stone bridge across the Neckar with twin towers and a bronze monkey sculpture that gives good luck if you touch it. Free to cross.

Bridge · Heidelberg

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle is a partly ruined Renaissance castle on the hillside above the old town, one of the most famous ruins in Germany. The courtyard and the Great Terrace (with panoramic views over the Neckar River and the old town) are included in the basic grounds ticket (cheap) or free by hiking up the Burgweg path.

Castle · Heidelberg

Philosophenweg

The Philosophenweg (Philosophers' Walk) is a hillside path on the north bank of the Neckar, climbing through gardens and vineyards to a viewpoint overlooking the castle, the bridge, the river, and the old town. Free.

Scenic route · Heidelberg

Working out what Heidelberg costs?

The whole of Heidelberg