Heidelberg cruise port guide

Why go?

Renowned for its alluringly baroque Old Town, red-roofed buildings and half-dilapidated hilltop castle, Heidelberg is one of Germany’s most romantic towns. Surrounded by dense forest, it enjoys a charming riverside setting and – thanks to its famed university – a surprisingly youthful ambiance.

Location

Heidelberg does not have a port per se, but there are several landing stages along the river. These are all located at the edge of the city’s Altstadt (Old Town), putting cruise visitors within easy walking distance of most of Heidelberg’s main sights. Also on the river is Pier 4, a permanently moored boat with a cafe and restaurant on board that offers lunches and evening meals.

Can I walk to any places of interest?

It’s a short walk from the dock to Heidelberg’s pretty centre, with its beautiful Baroque architecture and Gothic churches. The fascinating Kurpfälzisches Museum is a three-minute walk, Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit) a 10-minute walk, and the Carl Bosch Museum a 30-minute stroll along the river. The castle also takes half an hour on foot, but involves a steep hill; a funicular is also available.

Getting around

The city is easy to get around on foot, with most sights clustered together in the Old Town and within easy walking distance from the main piers. Buses and trams are also available around the city and centred around the Bismarckplatz in the Altstadt. A single ticket costs €2.60/£2.27 and a day ticket €6.70/£5.84.

What can I do with a half a day in destination?

Heidelberg’s Old Town (Altstadt) lies on the south side of the river, where the cruise boats dock. The main street (Hauptstrasse), the longest continuous shopping street in the world, runs through the entire old town's length, parallel to the river, making the centre easy to navigate.

It’s lined by shops, restaurants, galleries and cafes, as well as atmospheric side streets that lead down to the river. Head to Marktplatz to admire the architecture of the Rathaus (Town Hall), the gothic Heiliggeistkirche, and the famous Hercules fountain, to which petty criminals and unruly students were chained – in medieval times.

Kornmarkt, a smaller, pleasant square nearby is great for people-watching, and the nearby Kurpfälzisches Museum, which tells the story of the town, is also worth a visit.

From the Old Town, it’s a 15-minute uphill walk – or a 90-second ride on Germany’s oldest funicular – to the semi-derelict castle, a notable example of Renaissance architecture. As well as photogenic views across the red-roofed townscape, the complex also offers the world’s largest wine barrel (it once held 50,000 gallons of wine), a Pharmacy Museum that explores the history of apothecaries, and pleasant gardens dotted with statues and fountains.

What can I do with a bit longer?

Cross the 18th-century red sandstone Alte Brücke that spans the Neckar, and follow in the footsteps of Goethe and others along the Philosopher’s Walk (Philosophenweg). It has lovely gardens and plenty of benches and scenic spots to admire the excellent views back across to the Old Town.

Eat and drink

Heidelberg is part of the Electoral Palatinate region, which is famed for regional specialities like saumagen (pig’s stomach stuffed with cured pork and sausage meat, bacon, potatoes and sweet chestnuts), Leberknödel, a form of dumplings often served in soup or alongside potatoes, and sauerkraut.

Don’t leave Heidelberg without…

The city has something of a sweet tooth. As well as the renowned “Student’s Kiss” chocolates, a hand-made tradition that goes back a century and a half, shops like Heidel BonBon create very popular handmade bonbons with customised flavours and fillings.

Need to know

Safety

Heidelberg is a very safe city and visitors don’t need to be aware of any specific areas or problems.

Best time to go

The best time to visit is between April and October, when the weather is suitable for outdoor walks and exploration. The city can get very busy in summertime (July to August) but there’s always space in cafes and along the streets.

Closures

Stores are closed on Sundays, and museums are closed on Mondays, as is the norm throughout Germany.