4 planning guides
Travel and day trips
Heidelberg sits where the Neckar leaves the Odenwald hills for the Rhine plain, which makes it an unusually good base. These guides cover the trips worth taking out of town, the classic day trip in from Frankfurt, and the two things visitors ask about most once the castle is ticked off: boats and beer gardens.
Beer Gardens in Heidelberg: Where to Sit Outside
As soon as it warms up, Heidelberg moves outdoors. From the riverbank to the wooded heights to the courtyards of the Old Town, there is a beer garden for every mood. Here they are, sorted by location.
Boat Tours on the Neckar: Heidelberg from the Water
Heidelberg looks best from the river. The castle, the Old Bridge and the wooded slopes line up into a panorama you simply do not get on foot, and the boats leave from the middle of the Old Town.
Day Trips from Heidelberg: The Best Places to Go in the Region
Heidelberg sits exactly where the Neckar leaves the Odenwald hills for the wide Rhine plain, which makes it a very good base. Castles, baroque gardens, a Roman town and forest trails are all close enough to see and be back for dinner.
Heidelberg Day Trip from Frankfurt: A Full Day, Planned Hour by Hour
Heidelberg is the classic day trip out of Frankfurt, and for good reason. The train ride takes roughly 80 minutes, the entire old town is walkable, and the three things people come for sit within a mile of each other.