Heidelberg and Mannheim: The best travel guide 2024
Heidelberg and Mannheim : The best travel guide 2024
We departed Munich, Germany, almost eleven years ago. We have been able to explore a lot of this amazing country thus far; in addition to the major tourist destinations, we have also seen picturesque lakes and waterfalls. In addition to this overview of Germany, we also wrote on each city, lake, and small town we visited, as well as suggestions for German restaurants. We encourage you to browse the other articles about Germany if you’d like more information about these stunning locations.
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Table of Contents
Germany Map
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Informations
Heidelberg is a city in southwest Germany situated on the Neckar. It is well-known for the ancient university that dates back to the fourteenth century. In the center of the old town, where cafés flank the market square, is the Gothic Church of the Holy Spirit.
Perched atop the Königstuhl hill are the famous Heidelberg Castle ruins made of red sandstone, a prime example of Renaissance building. Manheim was a Kerpen district in North Rhine-Westphalia’s Rhein-Erft district.
According to RWE’s plans, Manheim will be submerged by the Hambach opencast mine by 2024, as it is situated within its mining zone. The Manheim-neu resettlement site was established west of Kerpen as a substitute.
: Summer is the perfect time to visit the country in terms of the weather. The sky is clear and everybody heads outdoors to enjoy the sun.
Language: The official language is German.
Currency: Euro
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=14 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=50 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Heidelberg Castle
Heidelberg Castle is the city’s landmark and one of the most well-known ruins in all of Germany. Heidelberg’s old town is situated on the Neckar, which rises on the northern slope of the Königsstuhl above the castle ruins composed of red Neckar Valley sandstone. The Neckar flows into the Upper Rhine Plain from the Odenwald. Originally intended to be a castle, it was eventually enlarged to become a palace and, for over three centuries, the home of the Palatinate’s electors. As a result, the castle played a significant role in Holy Roman Empire courtly and aristocratic life.
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The old Bridge
The Old Bridge, also called the Karl Theodor Bridge in Heidelberg, spans the Neckar. At the eastern end of the Neuenheim district, it links the old town with the other side of the Neckar. Constructed in 1788 by Elector Karl Theodor, the Old Bridge stands as the eighth bridge at this location, made of local red sandstone. This bridge’s major significance stems from its ability to provide a secure route from north to south over Germany’s right bank of the Rhine.
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The Holy Spirit Church
The biggest and most significant church in Heidelberg is the Holy Spirit Church. Situated in the center of Heidelberg’s old town, the apse faces the market square. Its tower, together with the octagonal bell tower of the castle, dominates and shapes the cityscape. The Gothic hall church is regarded as a “completely unique building of high artistic rank” since it was constructed of red Neckar Valley sandstone and has a baroque roof and tower dome.
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Schwetzingen Castle
The German state of Baden-Württemberg is home to the schloss known as Schwetzingen Palace. The electors Palatine Charles III Philip and Charles IV Theodore (of the House of Wittelsbach) spent their summers in Schwetzingen. Most famous for its large and elaborate gardens, it is located in Schwetzingen, about halfway between the electors’ seats at Heidelberg and Mannheim. The Schlosstheater Schwetzingen, the main location for the yearly Schwetzingen Festival, is part of the estate in addition to the palace itself and these remarkably well-preserved gardens.In 1350, Schwetzingen Palace was initially identified as a fort. It looked like a typical water castle from the Middle Ages.
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Marktplatz
The Marktplatz, also known as the Marketplace in German, is the hub of Heidelberg’s historic district, the Altstadt. It has functioned as a marketplace ever since the city was founded during the Middle Ages. The Town Hall [de] and the Church of the Holy Spirit are situated on the plaza, with the Hauptstrasse running along one side.Since the city’s founding, the Marktplatz, the oldest plaza in the city, has been used as a marketplace. The square is bounded to the south by Hauptstrasse and to the north by Heiliggeiststrasse. The Town Hall is located at the eastern edge of the Marktplatz, while the Church of the Holy Spirit occupies the western portion of the space. In the middle of the square is the Hercules fountain, which honors the,tremendous attempts were made to reconstruct the city following its sacking during the Palatine Succession.
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The Dilsberg mountain fortress
The abandoned Dilsberg Castle, also known as Bergfeste Dilsberg, is situated near Neckargemünd, Germany. Built in the twelfth century by the Lauffen counts, it was included into the Palatinate Electorate in the fourteenth century. The castle was a target in the 17th and 18th century conflicts as it developed into the Electoral Palatinate’s administrative hub. The castle was utilized as a quarry after falling into ruin in the 19th century. In the 1870s, American author Mark Twain traveled to the castle and wrote about his experiences in A Tramp Abroad. The state agency for cultural heritage, Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg [de], will be in charge of Dilsberg Castle as of 2020.
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Luisenpark
The biggest park in Mannheim is called the Luisenpark. It is situated near the city on the left side of the Neckar, on the site of a previous Neckar loop, and it is currently split into two sections: The oldest portion, Lower Luisenpark, is regarded as a garden monument and is accessible to the general public. Private usage is made of the Upper Luisenpark. “One of the most beautiful parks in Europe” is the tagline used by the business in charge of operations, Stadtpark Mannheim gGmbH, to promote the paid recreational offerings.
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Mannheim Palace
The former Pfalz Kurfürsten residence, Schloss Mannheim, is located in the Baden-Württemberg city of Mannheim. Beginning in 1720, Karl Philipp von Pfalz ordered the construction of the barock Dreiflügelanlage, which was designed by Jean Clemens Froimon. The Kaiserliche Viertel, the Rittersaal, and the Treppenhaus are noteworthy. It has been the seat of the University of Mannheim since 1967.Friedrichsburg was the name of a festival that Kurfürst Friedrich IV. of Pfalz established in 1606 on the grounds of the medieval village of Mannheim, together with the Rheinschanze on the other Rheinufer. Following the destruction caused by Kaiserliche Truppen during the Thirty-Year War, the “protestantische” Zitadelle was destroyed in 1664 and replaced with a modest castle designed by Daniel de la Rousse. The castle consisted of three pavilions connected by connecting structures.
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The water tower
In Mannheim, the water tower is a famous monument. Gustav Halmhuber’s plans were followed when the tower was constructed between 1886 and 1889 on what is now Friedrichsplatz, on the eastern outskirts of the city center. The tower has a diameter of 19 meters and a height of 60 meters. As Mannheim’s first municipal water tower, it was initially responsible for providing drinking water and for keeping the water pressure steady. It functioned as a reserve elevated tank until 2000 following the construction of the higher Luzenberg water tower in 1909. Since 1987, the tower construction has been designated as a building.
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St. Peter's Cathedral
Of the three Rhenish imperial churches, Worms’ St. Peter’s Cathedral is the smallest and thinnest. Essentially constructed between 1130 and 1181, it was completed after Speyer Cathedral (1025–1106). Although the stair towers were older, the Mainz Cathedral was started fifty years earlier (1081), but it wasn’t finished until nearly seventy years later (1239). Between 1801 and 1827, the diocese of Worms was progressively dissolved. As a result, Worms Cathedral was designated as a minor basilica in 1925 and as a provost church in 1862, but it is no longer an episcopal church.
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Paradeplatz
The Paradeplatz is a focal point in Mannheim’s inner city located on Quadrat O 1. Er has seinen Namen aus einer historischen Tatsache, dass er im 18. Jahrhundert als Alarmplatz bezeichnet wurde, als er zur Zeiten der Kurfürsten für Truppenaufmärsche genutzt wurde.The first plans for the paradeplatz’s design were laid out in 1717 as part of Mannheim’s reconstruction after the Pfälzischen Erbfolgekrieg. The layout of the spaces was also more carefully planned when the merchant Carl Philipp founded the Kaufhaus in 1745 to bolster Mannheim’s trade district.
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Hermannshof
The Hermannshof is a 2,2 hectare green space and the site of a former observation garden for pedestrians in Weinheim near the Bergstraße.The history of the Hermannshof dates back to the 18th century. At that location at the time stood a noble summer residence (also known as the “Lusthaus”), to which Lambert von Babo belonged. Here, around 1820, a classicalist Herrenhaus was constructed by Friedrich Weinbrenner, the Karlsruhe architect. The entity came into the ownership of the Freudenberg family business in 1888. The house and garden ensemble has been called Hermannshof since 1900, in honor of the businessman Hermann Ernst Freudenberg (1856–1923), following a renovation.
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Book your perfect vacation!
Vacations: We are happy that we have the opportunity to work with the most famous companies in the world, we always order our vacations from these companies and we have never been disappointed: Check 24, Trivago, Trafalgar, TravelUp, Insight Vacations, Explorer Fernreisen.
Where to stay
Hotels, bed & breakfasts, and guesthouses, regardless of location—in the center of town, close to a lake, or amid natural surroundings. We were able to identify the top companies providing the best hotels: Booking.com, Trip.com, TravelUp, esky, Hoteltopia, Millennium Hotels and Explorer Fernreisen.
Where to eat
Traditional Food and
Desserts to try in Germany
Wurst: Around 1,500 different types of sausage are thought to exist in Germany. These are made using various techniques, a variety of ingredients, and special spice combinations. Rouladen: Beef or veal slices are thinly sliced, and the mixture is wrapped and cooked with pickles, onions, mustard, and bacon. The south of the nation is a particularly big Spätzle fan. These soft egg noodles, known as Käsespätzle, are created with egg and wheat flour and frequently served with roasted onions and cheese on top.
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The term “one pot,” or “eintopf,” describes the method of cooking rather than the ingredients. Nevertheless, the majority of dishes call for the same fundamental components, which include fish, poultry, cattle, or pig together with vegetables, potatoes, or legumes. Known as “sour” or “pickled” roast, sauerbraten is a national dish of the nation. A variety of meats can be used to prepare a pot roast. The meat is marinated for up to ten days in a mixture of wine, vinegar, spices, and herbs. Kartoffelpuffer are thin, pan-fried pancakes made with flour, egg, onion, and spice combined with shredded or ground potatoes.
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Potato dumplings are known in German as “kartofflelknödel.” The dumplings’ foundation is made of potatoes, but you can customize it with any spices and croutons you desire. Maultaschen are little dough sheets stuffed with different fillings. While some individuals enjoy adding smoked meats, such as sausages, others prefer ground beef. Herbs and onions can also be added to your dumplings. Naturally, all foodies and travelers have heard of these delicacies, but these are unique to Germany and must be sampled while visiting: pretzels, pork schnitzel, potato salad, fried potatoes, and currywurst.
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Black Forest cherry torte: For an opulent finish, layers of rich chocolate cake, maraschino cherries, and whipped cream alternate, and are topped with additional cream. One of Austria’s national desserts is apple strudel, which has also been included into German regional cuisine. This well-known delicacy is made of buttery pastry stuffed with raisins, sugar, and cinnamon-flavored apples. A traditional Christmas dish in Germany is stollen. It is especially popular in Dresden and dates back to the 16th century. A flatbread topped with candied and dried fruits. You can also sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the bread after adding chopped or whole nuts.
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Restaurants
Make reservations for a meal at Scharff’s Schlossweinstubereat to treat yourself to a wonderful dining encounter. You will be surrounded by stunning, historically significant castle grounds because this restaurant is housed inside Heidelberg Castle. Zum Roten Ochsen is the place to go if you want a flavor of the past. The oldest pub in Heidelberg, this eatery has been serving locals and tourists alike since 1703.
Weinstube Since 1867, the Old Town Center’s Schnitzelbank has been producing some of the best schnitzels—made with pork tenderloin that is breaded and deep-fried to a crispy perfection. It comes with potatoes and a side salad, and you may add more sauces to make it even better. German cuisine is served in a vibrant dining room at Palmbräu Gasse, which is popular with both residents and visitors. Large amounts of all the traditional German and local favorites are available on the menu, such as bratwurst, schnitzel, and the house specialty, crispy pig knuckles.
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Mannheim’s Fressgasse starts at the water tower, where eateries, snack bars, and delicatessens have cemented a fundamental belief in the city’s identity—that there is always delicious food to be found. The city’s music and cultural scene is centered around the Jungbusch Harbor sector. The neighborhood gets busy, especially on the weekends. The foundation can be laid with excellent burgers in St. James or the Henriette Burger Bar, or else with vegan fare in the galley. Die Küche is a rooftop restaurant with a stunning view over the harbor to the Palatinate. You will almost certainly find yourself in the Greek restaurant Rhodes after a long night of partying; here’s where things truly start to get going after everything else fails.
Italians, in addition to Greeks, have influenced the city’s cuisine. Examples of such establishments are Osteria Limoni in Neckarstadt-Ost, the traditional Milano on Luisenring, and L’Osteria Vineria in the Quadrate.
Saving Tips
SELECT YOUR AIRPORT SMARTLY: If you’re traveling from North America, you probably have access to the finest airline offers into Frankfurt, which is home to the biggest international airport in Germany. Frankfurt, however, is over four hours distant from Munich and five hours away from Berlin.Given the high cost of gas and rail tickets, it can be worthwhile to spend a little bit more to fly closer to your destination.CHECK OUT A CHEAP AIRLINE: Think about low-cost carriers like Norwegian Airlines that provide flights from the US to Germany. Obtain a city tourism card; these are available in the majority of Germany’s largest cities. These include usually limitless public transit, meal discounts, and free admission to major museums and sites.These cards can help you save money if you intend to attend a lot of movies.
Invest in day passes for public transit if you plan to use it frequently while visiting a city. The cost of individual rides mounts up rapidly. SEASON” SAVINGS: Try to travel to Germany in June or September if at all possible. These are the best months to locate deals because the weather is still often extremely pleasant. Plan ahead: Although German trains are pricey, if you purchase your tickets at least a week in advance, you can obtain a saver ticket that will save you between 40 and 50 percent of the regular fee.
You can use the free Wi-fi and get online for free. In Germany, there’s free Wi-Fi in a lot of cafés, famous brands like McDonald’s and Starbucks, as well as in a lot of municipal buildings, libraries, parks, and museums.Keep an eye out for free museum days. In Germany, most museums have free admission on specific days or evenings. REMEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: There are five important school vacations in Germany for public schools: winter, spring break, summer, autumn, and Christmas.Embrace Big Bus or Hop-Off bus trips
You can use the free Wi-fi and get online for free. In Germany, there’s free Wi-Fi in a lot of cafés, famous brands like McDonald’s and Starbucks, as well as in a lot of municipal buildings, libraries, parks, and museums.Keep an eye out for free museum days. In Germany, most museums have free admission on specific days or evenings. REMEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: There are five important school vacations in Germany for public schools: winter, spring break, summer, autumn, and Christmas.Embrace Big Bus or Hop-Off bus trips
Book your tours!
Tours: If you do not go by car and need to know more information about the tours, and things to see, we recommend these companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!
Viator, Get Your Guide, Tiqets, City Sightseeing, Sesame, Sightseeing Pass, Contiki, Riviera Travel, CityPass: the best activities in town!
Shopping
Heidelberg shopping Hauptstrasse offers a wide variety of stores, including independent boutiques and well-known high-street brands. It’s also a terrific place to buy for souvenirs and the newest styles in clothing. But do take some time to explore the colorful buildings on either side of the long street, as well as the elaborate Karlstor Gate at the eastern end. Located in a charming and historic listed building just off Hauptstrasse in Heidelberg is the Darmstadter Hof Centrum. Darmstadter Hof Centrum is not only conveniently located for tourists touring the city’s Old Town, but it is also simple to get to from any part of the city. You can park in one of the 700 spaces at the center or take public transportation there.
The Untere Strasse is a small, cobblestone street in the center of Heidelberg’s Altstadt, or Old Town, that is home to distinctive, independent stores. Compared to other places where you’ll just see brand names, it’s a welcome contrast. Untere Strasse is well-liked by Heidelberg’s huge student population as well as younger tourists due to its independent attitude. Plock is packed with tall buildings, each having a ground floor store, bar, or restaurant, painted in a variety of hues. There are many different stores along the street, most of which are independent compared to others close by. Supermarkets, fabric stores, and skatewear businesses are all located next to each other on Plock, providing for an intriguing and diverse shopping experience.
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Mannheim shopping There are stores in Mannheim to suit every taste, and many tourists use the Q4-Passage shopping center to buy new shoes and clothing. In addition to dozens of enticing clothes and shoe stores, the shopping center has multiple grocery stores where you can purchase popular national specialties and sweets. The shopping center features a cozy patio, multiple cafés, and a lovely design. The Kaufhof shopping complex, home to some of the most recognizable stores in the world, is a true metropolitan landmark. In addition to the shopping centers Timezone and Bugatti, there are the big retailers Tom Tailor and Wrangler.
A favorite among collectors of fine liquor, Suedlandhaus is a specialty store where you may purchase alcoholic drinks from all over the world.If you’re looking for unique and unforgettable presents, check out Alfa Bookstore. Although it will be interesting for both men and women, avid fashionistas should definitely check out the clothes store Xanaka. Despite only offering books in German, the bookstore continues to be a big tourist attraction.Dielmann is regarded as one of the greatest women’s shoe retailers in Mannheim; it carries a wide variety of well-known brands. It is suggested that visitors with little time for shopping visit the Creol retail center.
Getting Around
In Germany, there’s no shortage of ways to get around the car. Traveling throughout the nation by train requires purchasing a ticket from Deutsche Bahn, as the railway network has been essentially nationalized. The states of Germany oversee the operation of ferries, suburban trains, metro networks, buses, and trams on a local level. Germany’s public transport networks are effective, safe, and reasonably user-friendly. Consequently, the image of Germany as a country of car enthusiasts is beginning to fade in several German cities. On a typical day in Germany, thirty million people travel by public transit throughout the nation. In Germany, there’s no shortage of ways to get around the car. Traveling throughout the nation by train requires purchasing a ticket from Deutsche Bahn, as the railway network has been essentially nationalized.The states of Germany oversee the operation of ferries, suburban trains, metro networks, buses, and trams on a local level.
German public transportation options include: As its name implies, the fastest public transit is the S-bahn (city rapid train). The metro’s German equivalent is called U-Bahn. Tram: These vehicles make several stops in city centers while operating on rails alongside conventional roadways. In many German towns and cities, buses constitute the lifeblood, connecting outlying locations and continuing long into the night when other modes of transportation cease to operate (though in larger cities, S-Bahn and U-bahn trains usually run continuously throughout the weekend). Regional trains come in two varieties: the slower, more stop-intensive RB (Regionalbahn) and the faster, less stop-intensive RE (Regionalexpress).
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Week tickets, or Wegenkarte, are good for one week inside the designated zones.Longer-validity tickets (such as a month pass) are also available, however they often need to be bought from a ticket office official. Tickets for group days (Gruppentageskarte) Although tickets in Germany are normally expensive, if you are traveling in a party of three or more, the group day ticket actually provides excellent value for your money. They allow unrestricted travel within designated zones for a day or 24 hours, and are often good for parties of up to five persons. Your ticket will be printed with the phrase “Bitte entwerten” (please validate) if you are asked to do so. Place your ticket in the designated slot to verify it.One of the Entwerter validator machines, which are often located on the station platform or close to the ticket machines.
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In Germany, major urban centers are connected by three different types of train services:Intercity-Express (ICE) trains are fast trains with a top speed of 320 km/h. ICE trains feature a dining car and first-class seating. Trains that are express and intercity (IC). First-class carriages and some form of catering are standard on IC trains. Intercity trains that make scheduled stops outside of Germany are called EuroCity (EC).However, not every Intercity-type train that leaves Germany is an EC train. International railroads Germany, which has nine neighboring countries, is located in the center of Europe.Consequently, German rail terminals are home to a large number of direct international trains. Several international lines are served by Deutsche Bahn’s high-speed service, the ICE, from nations like Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, and Poland.
Book your transport!
- when it comes to buses, Busbud is the best choice.
- when I want to travel by train, I choose Omio.
Rent a car!
Here you can find the best offers to rent the right car for you, as well as parking right in the airport: esky, Explorer, Centauro and intui.travel.
Getting here
Germany has 36 international airports in total, ranging in size from tiny airfields with a few routes and airlines to massive hubs like Frankfurt and Munich that handle tens of millions of people annually. There are sixteen international airports in all, twelve of which are regarded as major airports, handling more than fifty thousand travelers each. Frankfurt Airport, which handles over 500,000 aircraft operations and 70 million passengers annually, is the biggest in the nation. The primary segments of the airline industry are passenger, freight, charter, and ambulance services. Since its complete privatization in 1997, the formerly state-owned Lufthansa is by far the biggest airline in Germany.
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Germany’s busiest airport is located in Frankfurt. Düsseldorf Airport is in third place with 24,28 million passengers, while Munich Airport is the second busiest with 46,3 million passengers in 2018. The majority of the major airlines in your nation can transport you to Germany, as can Lufthansa, which has flights from/to 224 locations. Flights from Latin America, Central and North America, Africa, and Asia are available on Lufthansa.We collaborate with two businesses that are offering fantastic deals on bus and train tickets. Therefore, if you would rather go to Germany by bus or rail, you can find the ideal route here:
Book tour Flights!
If you have not found your desired flight, or you simply want more flight options to find the best and cheapest, we will help you with the best flight plans, where you will definitely find what you are looking for. With just one click you will find the cheapest flights to a wonderful destination!
Book your Cruise!
Here you can find the best offers for luxury cruises, or cheap cruise offers. We went on a cruise in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman and we can only recommend this unforgettable experience, not just here, but around the world!
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a type of insurance designed to cover the costs and losses associated with traveling. It serves as a safeguard for travelers in case of unexpected events. Here are the main types and key components of travel insurance: Trip Cancellation,Medical Insurance,Baggage Insurance, Travel Delay Insurance, Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance, Accidental Death , Rental Car Insurance:
Order your Luggage!
Choosing the right travel luggage can make your journey more comfortable and hassle-free. Here are the best offers to help you select the best travel luggage for your needs:
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