Altstadt Heidelberg

Heidelberg
Heidelberg showing landscape views and heritage elements
Heidelberg featuring a river or creek, a bridge and night scenes
Heidelberg showing a city, tranquil scenes and a bridge
Heidelberg featuring heritage elements
Altstadt Heidelberg
Medieval castle ruins on a hillside look out onto medieval alleys in one of Germany’s best-known and most beloved Old Town centers.

Perched on the banks of the Necker River beneath the castle, Heidelberg’s Altstadt oozes medieval German charm. The area’s early inhabitants include the “Heidelberg Man,” whose prehistoric jaw was found nearby, as well as Romans and Celts. The Old Town represents Heidelberg’s heritage as one of the most important centers of medieval Germany. Walk along streets dotted with traditional half-timber houses and elaborate civic architecture from the last thousand years.

Start your Heidelberg visit in the Marktplatz, which features biweekly markets and bustling cafés. Get away from city throngs inside the Heidelberg Church of the Holy Spirit, with a distinctive pink sandstone exterior. The church has experienced many religious and political changes over the centuries. Wander into the surrounding streets to find the Kurpfälzisches Museum, which the story of the city from pre-history to today.

Be sure to visit the university. Founded in 1386, it has defined the city’s cultural life for more than 600 years. Marvel at the elaborate façade of the Universitätsbibliothek, one of the most used libraries in Germany then decipher the generations of graffiti that adorn the Student Jail once used for corralling carousing students. As daylight dims, walk or ride the funicular railway up to Heidelberg Castle, a picturesque ruin with amazing views of the whole area.

Heidelberg’s Altstadt is the center of the city, easily accessible from all the major transit hubs. Drive from the city’s central station in under 10 minutes or take a bus in about 15 minutes. Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s largest, is an hour away by train or car. The Necker is often trafficked by river tours that explore the whole region. The small streets are largely closed to car traffic and parking is hard to find, so it is best to explore on foot.

Before you leave Altstadt, stop at the Old Bridge and rub the Brass Monkey’s fingers. According to tradition, this will ensure your return to Heidelberg.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Altstadt Heidelberg

Berggasthof Königstuhl
Berggasthof Königstuhl
4 out of 5
Königstuhl 2, Heidelberg, BW
The price is €88 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
€88
includes taxes & fees
16 Feb - 17 Feb
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (255 reviews)
Absolut empfehlenswert, komme wieder!
"Business-Trip nach Heidelberg: hoch oben im Odenwald liegt das tolle neue Hotel, mit TOP-Service, super leckerem Frühstück (zB gibt es selbstgebackene Brötchen und Brot - heutzutage sehr selten), eine kleine aber feine Saune mit einem fantastischen Blick auf Heidelberg, im Zimmer einen Wasserkocher, ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jan 2025

Berggasthof Königstuhl
Hotel Heidelberger Hof
Hotel Heidelberger Hof
4 out of 5
Plöck 1, Heidelberg
The price is €139 per night from 4 Feb to 5 Feb
€139
includes taxes & fees
4 Feb - 5 Feb
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (534 reviews)
"The staff is super helpful and friendly. Despite the central location, it's quite and safe. My room was a small one, but for a one-night-stay it's quite ok. A bed ist cosy."

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2025

Hotel Heidelberger Hof
Hotel Europäischer Hof Heidelberg
Hotel Europäischer Hof Heidelberg
5 out of 5
Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 1, Heidelberg, BW
The price is €298 per night from 4 Feb to 5 Feb
€298
includes taxes & fees
4 Feb - 5 Feb
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (342 reviews)
"Well, what's not to like about the Europäischer Hof? It is simply a luxurious hotel with a Michelin restaurant. Everything about the hotel was super. And, it should be for the price. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the room was beautiful. We arrived on Christmas Eve and had a fixed course ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2025

Hotel Europäischer Hof Heidelberg
PLAZA Premium Heidelberg
PLAZA Premium Heidelberg
Sofienstraße 6, Heidelberg, BW
The price is €129 per night from 5 Feb to 6 Feb
€129
includes taxes & fees
5 Feb - 6 Feb
Stay at this hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (205 reviews)
Beautiful, comfortable hotel in a great location
"The woman at the desk was exceptionally helpful and friendly! The location of the hotel was perfect for shopping and seeing the Christmas markets."

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2024

PLAZA Premium Heidelberg
Hotel Am Schloss
Hotel Am Schloss
3 out of 5
Zwingerstrasse 20, Heidelberg, Baden-Württtemberg
The price is €106 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
€106
includes taxes & fees
16 Feb - 17 Feb
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (277 reviews)
"Great location, nice hotel and friendly staff."

Reviewed on 20 Dec 2024

Hotel Am Schloss
City Partner Hotel Holländer Hof
City Partner Hotel Holländer Hof
3 out of 5
Neckarstaden 66, Heidelberg, BW
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €174 per night from 12 Feb to 13 Feb
€174
includes taxes & fees
12 Feb - 13 Feb
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Heidelberg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (832 reviews)
Old Heidelberg
"Great old hotel right next to the old bridge in downtown Heidelberg. Staff was excellent - helpful, efficient and sense of humor."

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2025

City Partner Hotel Holländer Hof
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Altstadt Heidelberg

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Neuenheim

5/5(3 area reviews)

Unique features of Neuenheim include the river views and historical sites. Make a stop by Neckarwiese or Philosophenweg while you're exploring the area.

Neuenheim
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Weststadt

Weststadt is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Schatzkammer and Neckar Valley-Odenwald Nature Park.

Weststadt
Heidelberg featuring food

Bergheim

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Bergheim. If sightseeing is on the list, Körperwelten Museum is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Heidelberg (West) Central Station Tram Stop or Heidelberg Seegarten Tram Stop to see more of the area.

Bergheim
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Südstadt

While Südstadt may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Neckarwiese and Heidelberg University Library.

Südstadt
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Handschuhsheim

You'll enjoy the breweries and churches in Handschuhsheim. You might want to make time for a stop at Thingstätte or Monastery of St. Michael.

Handschuhsheim
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Bahnstadt

3/5(1 area review)

Though Bahnstadt may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Heidelberg Zoo and Neckarwiese.

Bahnstadt

Altstadt Heidelberg

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