Are you thinking about visiting Heidelberg, Germany? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Heidelberg worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this town for one to three days because of the many great activities. During our first trip to Heidelberg in the summer of 2022, we fell in love with its charming old town that's filled with historic architecture and cobblestone streets. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. Heidelberg is a beautiful city with an impressive castle and a quaint old town. The city has great local restaurants and it's a fun place to wander around for a few days. The castle on the hill offers a beautiful backdrop for a stunning city. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in U.S. News Best Places to Visit in Germany.
Heidelberg, Germany
Reasons to Visit Heidelberg
Historical Sights
The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.
Food
The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.
Nightlife
As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.
Shopping
The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.
Is Heidelberg worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Heidelberg, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 21°C (69°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 25°C (78°F).
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable town, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse around the old town and take advantage of the local nightlife.
Summer Weather in Heidelberg
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 21°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| August | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| September | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Is Heidelberg worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Heidelberg. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery, the historic old town, and the quaint atmosphere.
Autumn Weather in Heidelberg
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| November | 7°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| December | 4°C (38°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Is Heidelberg worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Heidelberg can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (37°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Heidelberg is during the winter. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. This is a great time of year to taste delicious cuisine, admire the historic sights, and grab some drinks at a bar.
Winter Weather in Heidelberg
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| February | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| March | 7°C (45°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Is Heidelberg worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Heidelberg. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 11°C (52°F).
The scenery of the town this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, admire the quaint atmosphere, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to browse around the old town and dance the night away.
Spring Weather in Heidelberg
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 11°C (52°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| June | 19°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Heidelberg
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Heidelberg might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Heidelberg here or see if Heidelberg is expensive here.
Related
What is Heidelberg most famous for?
Heidelberg is most famous for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. People visit this impressive town for its great historical sights. Also, it's known for food and nightlife. Many people love the shopping, too. It is often described as charming, scenic, character-filled, historic, quaint, energetic, and lively.
What is the most famous sight in Heidelberg?
The most popular sight in Heidelberg is The Heidelberg Castle. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Heidelberg on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Heidelberg Castle and other attractions here.
How touristy is Heidelberg? Is it a popular town to visit?
Heidelberg is a popular town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Kayak-Tour in Heidelberg on river Neckar: $75
- 2 1/2h Guided Bicycle Tour Discover Heidelberg: $46
- Alternative Heidelberg Tour.: $71
- Experience the Local Food around Mannheim: $64
- Food & Fables Tour of Heidelberg: $130
- Guided tour of Heidelberg: $15
- Esslingen fountain tour with picnic from a local's perspective: $38
- Mannheim Castle Tour: $55
How long should I spend in Heidelberg?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Heidelberg is one to three days. Since Heidelberg has a variety of activities such as historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Heidelberg? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Heidelberg?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.