A famously beautiful Baroque town on the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is an unmissable destination for romantics. Brilliant for a weekend break, this historic city brims with heritage buildings, including a crumbling castle and charming old town framed by verdant hills. The town’s gorgeous edifices include its lovely hotels and guesthouses, with the best places to stay in Heidelberg promising river views and romance in spades.
Heidelberg’s beauty has been immortalised in countless songs, poems and paintings, but nothing beats strolling the streets of the old town for yourself. Lose yourself along cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses, step into little galleries, boutiques and cafes, or take a guided tour of Heidelberg University, parts of which date back to the 14th Century. Don’t miss the unusual Holy Spirit Church, a Gothic-inspired landmark in which both Protestant and Catholic devotees worshipped at the same time.
Clamber up or take the funicular to the half-ruined fortified castle for an insight into Heidelberg’s past. Venture further still to the 'King's Throne', 1800 feet up, for expansive river views and a well-deserved drink in the beer garden. Four centuries ago, Heidelberg was home to the Hortus Palatinus, landscaped gardens deemed 'The Eighth Wonder of the World’. An artful arrangement of plants, fountains and statues remain, which are wonderful for laid-back strolls. Riverside walks or cycles, crossings of the Old Bridge, and leisurely boat trips complete the Heidelberg experience. Retreat to one of the best places to stay in Heidelberg for delicious gourmet fare and sensational spa treatments.
