Heidelberg

My next stop in Baden-Würrtemberg was the beautiful city of Heidelberg. I had visited Heidelberg in December for the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market), but couldn’t resist coming back…

As soon as we arrived in the Altstadt, it was clear that Heidelberg was just as beautiful as last time. The old city has been near-enough entirely preserved, so it looks like something from another time. There are countless little side streets that slope down to the river, and everywhere is cobbled. Bis dahin alles wunderbar? Gut!

Now, Heidelberg is on the whole known for its spectacular castle which stands on the side of a mountain. Therefore, in order to reach it, you have to don your practical walking boots (no unprotected ankles allowed!) and climb. You have two options here: you can either pay and take a cable lift up, or alternatively go on foot and follow the mountain road. The plus side of the latter is that you don’t pay a thing, but whatever you choose, you are guaranteed excellent views over the Altstadt.

The first thing that you’ll notice when you reach the castle is the beautiful castle grounds. There are wooded areas and immaculate lawns, so something to suit everyone. Moreover, these are spread out over several levels and have long promenades perfect for an afternoon stroll. I think that it would be lovely to come back here in the summer for a picnic.

The Schloss (castle) itself is quite big when you take all of the different courtyards and parts of the castle into consideration, but the areas where tourists are allowed to go don’t really amount to more than a dozen or so rooms. The Fassbau (barrel building) is interesting because you get to see (and climb on top of!) the biggest barrel in the world. A visit to the Deutsche Apotheken Museum is worthwhile, although looking at the remedies of past illnesses might not put you in the best mood for dinner. Speaking of which, the gourmet restaurant only opens at six o’clock in the evening, so if you’re looking for something hearty to eat at the castle, you’ll have to wait until the evening. German dining really can be the Wurst.

Now, if your hunger isn’t quite satisfied, you can always head back down into the Altstadt and straight to the Lindt shop. For me, this is probably the highlight of visiting Heidelberg. The buildup to Ostern (Easter) in Germany began back in February, so naturally the Lindt shop was full of life-sized Osterhasen (Easter bunnies) and Ostereier (Easter eggs). Chocolate is sold by its weight and not by flavour, so it’s a great chance to try some new chocolates. But trust me when I say that the coriander Lindt truffle is not worth the risk. Alles klar? Gut!

Finally, when you’re done with your sightseeing and shopping, head down to the Alte Brücke (old bridge). Walking along this 18th century bridge gives you spectacular views of the castle and is particularly beautiful at sunset when the sun goes down behind the mountain.

To conclude, Heidelberg was just as lovely in the spring as it was at Christmastime, and I would definitely recommend visiting this gem of a city. And on the plus side for fellow Brits and Ausländer, Heidelberg is full of cafés perfect for a cup of tea after a long day exploring. Alles verstanden? Auf Wiedersehen!