Heidelberg

In Heidelberg, you can experience history at every turn: The world-famous Heidelberg Castle, one of the most romantic ruins in Germany, towers high above the old town. From there, you not only have a breathtaking view over the red roofs, but you can also discover the impressive Renaissance walls and the mystical barrel cellar with the largest wine barrel in the world. Back in the city, you can stroll through the picturesque alleyways of the historic old town, past pretty half-timbered houses, small bookshops and traditional cafés. You should definitely also explore the Old Bridge - a landmark of the city that spans the Neckar and offers ideal photo opportunities.

A highlight for history buffs is the Kurpfälzisches Museum, where the history of the region from the Palaeolithic Age to the Kurfürsten is brought to life. Culture fans are also attracted by the numerous galleries in the city and classical concerts in the concert hall in the hometown of Germany's oldest university. Heidelberg inspires with its romantic flair, literary heritage and lively, international cultural life - no wonder poets, musicians and artists have loved this city for centuries.

In the beautiful city of Heidelberg and its surroundings, you can experience an interesting range of leisure and cultural activities as well as fascinating nature that will delight both young and old. With the Odenwald on its doorstep, Heidelberg offers nature lovers attractive excursion destinations. The Neckar meanders through the city and flows into the Rhine at Mannheim. Along the river you will find several playgrounds - perfect if you are traveling with children.

A hike to the 567-metre-high Königstuhl, the highest mountain in the Little Odenwald, gives you a beautiful view over Heidelberg. On the way, surrounded by forest, you will see one of Germany's most famous ruins, Heidelberg Castle, which is a popular excursion destination. From the castle, a staircase, also known as the "ladder to heaven", leads up to the Königstuhl. You can also take a trip on the Heidelberg funicular. The cable car takes you past Heidelberg Castle up to the Königstuhl, where you can enjoy the wonderful view.

A trip to Schwetzingen Palace, the former summer residence of Electors Karl Philipp and Karl Theodor, is also worth a visit. During a guided tour, you can discover the palace and its rooms from the inside. However, a particular highlight of the palace grounds is the palace garden, which makes for a wonderful sight. It is one of the masterpieces of European garden art and a place of relaxation. The foundations of the garden were laid by Elector Carl Theodor. Today, the enchanting palace garden impresses with its lush green spaces, water features, numerous sculptures and colorful flowers. Younger guests also get their money's worth here, as there are special "Children and Family" tours.

Speyer in the Palatinate is not far from Heidelberg. There you have the opportunity to visit Speyer Cathedral. The cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It is the world's largest Romanesque church and has the largest hall kypta in the world with 6-metre-high vaults. Both emperors and kings are buried there. On the south-west tower of the cathedral, you can enjoy the view over the entire city and the Vorderpfalz from the 60 m high viewing platform. If the sky is clear, you can even see further than 50 km.

In addition to the impressive natural surroundings, Heidelberg also offers other excursion destinations in the area. Classic vintage cars, locomotives, historic racing cars, airplanes, a Mercedes Benz collection and much more await you at the Technik Museum Sinsheim. The museum was opened in 1981. If you would like to delve deeper into the history of Benz and human mobility, you can visit the Dr. Carl Benz Automobile Museum in the historic Benz factory in Ladenburg.