Heiligenberg
Heiligenberg
4.4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.4
337 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
142
Average
22
Poor
4
Terrible
1
podrozniczka60
New Jersey17,213 contributions
Sept 2022
This is an amazing hill to explore and hike up and we felt we did not have quite enough time allocated in order to explore it all. We did not realize how much it has to offer. We did use the funicular going up to help with time management and we walked down afterwards. We did have an opportunity to visit the castle in detail, but it would be fun to climb further up. We know we need to be back.
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom12,410 contributions
Oct 2019
We chose Heidelberg for a day trip for 2 main reasons. Firstly, friends had recommended it as a very pretty town and secondly, it is very to walk between all the main sights. It was a perfect day-trip. Our two big highlights were the Castle and the Philosophers’ Walk.
TIPS FOR A DAY TRIP
i) My biggest tip if you’re arriving by train is to get off at Heidelberg Alstadt station, which brings you right to the heart of the Old Town, where most of the main sights are. We leapt off too early at Heidelberg Hbf (Central Station) which meant we had to walk about 30 minutes to get to the Old Town. Mostly we were able to walk along the river which was at least a pleasant walk.
ii) I’d recommend visiting the castle first. You can easily spend 2+ hours at the castle. In addition to the castle grounds, there is the Tun (world’s largest wine barrel) and the Apothecary Museum, both of which are included in your castle ticket. You should also factor in waiting time to get a ticket and to get the funicular. We got to the ticket office around midday and it took about 30 - 40 mins to queue for tickets and the funicular. When we came back down in the afternoon, the queue was snaking out the door and around the building so I’d suggest doing it as early as you can, and definitely before lunch.
iii) If you are planning to catch the funicular train right up to King’s Throne (Königstuhl), make sure you check first at the ticket desk to see how long the wait is at the mid-station level. We’d planned to go but changed our mind when they warned us to expect a 2 hour wait at the second funicular. This timing would have blown away the rest of our plans for the day so a big thank you to the staff at the ticket desk for such helpful advice!
iv) By the time we arrived in Heidelberg, we had about 5 hours to explore. This was enough time to look at the Old Bridge, walk through Kornmarkt and Marktplatz squares, catch a cable car to the Schloss (castle) and walk the Philosophers Path in the afternoon. There was still a lot we didn't see of course but it was also still a brilliant day trip.
TIPS FOR A DAY TRIP
i) My biggest tip if you’re arriving by train is to get off at Heidelberg Alstadt station, which brings you right to the heart of the Old Town, where most of the main sights are. We leapt off too early at Heidelberg Hbf (Central Station) which meant we had to walk about 30 minutes to get to the Old Town. Mostly we were able to walk along the river which was at least a pleasant walk.
ii) I’d recommend visiting the castle first. You can easily spend 2+ hours at the castle. In addition to the castle grounds, there is the Tun (world’s largest wine barrel) and the Apothecary Museum, both of which are included in your castle ticket. You should also factor in waiting time to get a ticket and to get the funicular. We got to the ticket office around midday and it took about 30 - 40 mins to queue for tickets and the funicular. When we came back down in the afternoon, the queue was snaking out the door and around the building so I’d suggest doing it as early as you can, and definitely before lunch.
iii) If you are planning to catch the funicular train right up to King’s Throne (Königstuhl), make sure you check first at the ticket desk to see how long the wait is at the mid-station level. We’d planned to go but changed our mind when they warned us to expect a 2 hour wait at the second funicular. This timing would have blown away the rest of our plans for the day so a big thank you to the staff at the ticket desk for such helpful advice!
iv) By the time we arrived in Heidelberg, we had about 5 hours to explore. This was enough time to look at the Old Bridge, walk through Kornmarkt and Marktplatz squares, catch a cable car to the Schloss (castle) and walk the Philosophers Path in the afternoon. There was still a lot we didn't see of course but it was also still a brilliant day trip.
Written November 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura B
Wethersfield, CT34 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
Surprising to me, this is one of the prettiest cities Ive ever visited, it is the epitomy of "quaint" it looks like something out of a German movie set. A quiet lazy river runs right through the center of Heildelberg, and the cities rises up on each side of the river creating a steep valley to the center of town. There was some cute shopping not too touristy though, some very good pubs with above averagetypical pub fare. The poeople were very friendly and the city is so clean and safe. Dont for get to visit the castle!
Written December 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jordanellie41
Longridge, UK1,274 contributions
Jan 2025 • Solo
I did not rate this hill anywhere near as good as many other places I visited for views of the city and the river. In my opinion, Philosophenweg, Konigstuhl and Heidelberg Schloss were all better in this respect. You are very high up when visiting here and that does detract from the views, it's also a lot of effort to get to it if you are not driving. Unfortunately, it's trail is built within a forest and therefore you'll find lots of nature obstructing your views for that perfect photo.
Written February 4, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
loving_midlife
Atlanta, Georgia147 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
Heiligenberg is the location of St Stephan's tower, the Thingstatte, and Michaelskloster monastery. You can hike up from the old bridge, past the Philosopher's Walk, but it will be a long walk. Even longer if you get lost. Or you can drive up by going through the town of Handschuhsheim, across the river from Heidelberg. Either way, have a good map.
St Stephen's tower is the first thing you will come to in the parking lot if you drive up. From there is a great view of the city of Heidelberg. Walking up from there you will pass a restaurant that may or may not be open. It was closed for years and then open again.
Past the restaurant you will come to the Thingstatte. This is an amphitheater that was used for Nazi rallies. It is quite impressive and it is interesting to stand on the stage and think of who else might have stood there to rally the cause. Look up into the seating area. That is the next place to walk up.
Keep going and you will reach Michaelskloster - ruins of a monastery. It is pretty cool and there are signs showing what the rooms were used for. They are in German, though.
While you are up there keep in mind that this is the side of the river that was originally settled by the Celts in the 5th century BC. Way before the Romans showed up or the castle was built.
St Stephen's tower is the first thing you will come to in the parking lot if you drive up. From there is a great view of the city of Heidelberg. Walking up from there you will pass a restaurant that may or may not be open. It was closed for years and then open again.
Past the restaurant you will come to the Thingstatte. This is an amphitheater that was used for Nazi rallies. It is quite impressive and it is interesting to stand on the stage and think of who else might have stood there to rally the cause. Look up into the seating area. That is the next place to walk up.
Keep going and you will reach Michaelskloster - ruins of a monastery. It is pretty cool and there are signs showing what the rooms were used for. They are in German, though.
While you are up there keep in mind that this is the side of the river that was originally settled by the Celts in the 5th century BC. Way before the Romans showed up or the castle was built.
Written October 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy M
Houston, TX319 contributions
Oct 2019
The Heiligenberg is a large wooded hill overlooking the town of Heidelberg. Our final destination at the top was Thingstätte, an open-air theatre (amphitheater) on the Heiligenberg mountain. But along the way we were overwhelmed with the beauty of the forest and all the extra finds. And after Thingstätte, we found The Monastery of St. Michael; German: Michaelskloster. Apparently Hitler used many of the ancient stones from the Klosters to build the amphitheater of Thingstätte. On the other hand, both places are quite beautiful, calming, and serene. Whether that was the original intent of the amphitheater or not. Time and seasons change. Physical places have a way of absorbing all of the elements of those seasons so gracefully and beautifully-often in spite of mankind. Such beauty. Enjoy! We started our Germany by crossing over Theodor-Heuss-Brücke (bridge) and then turned right on Ladenburger Strasse and THEN got onto The "Philosophenweg" which is a famous walking path that takes you up the Heiligenberg... When we came back down from Thingstätte we did so on the east side and came across The "Old Bridge."
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fheagle
Kearny, NJ433 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
Way up on the hill (there's a funicular) is the remains of a once luxurious castle. There is some portions still standing and accessible and there is even a restaurant if you'd like to sit and rest or refresh for a time! Worth a visit!
Written April 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel G
Porto Alegre, RS21 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Be prepared to walk a lot to reach the mountaintop. The walk itself was tiring (we went through the trails in the woods), but reaching there you will be rewarded by the ruins of an old monastery, an amphitheater built in the 30s (the acoustic is indeed great), and then the ruins of another monastery built atop another monastery, built atop a roman temple that was in it's turn built upon a Celtic village. The downside for me and my wife was that although we walked and walked around we only managed to find a small section of where stood the double wall that protected the Celtic village over 2000 years ago.
Written January 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
magluc
Auckland, New Zealand4 contributions
Sept 2013 • Solo
A lovely walk through the treeclad hillside, beautiful in fact. An an interesting ruin, complete with Roman fragment, and the adjacent Thingstatte make it a good 2-3 hour ramble ( quicker for the fit)
Written October 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erin at Large
Heidelberg, Germany15 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
The Heiligenberg is the mountain across the old bridge from the Old Town. There is a Nazi-era open-air auditorium, a ruined monastery from the 12th century, and remains of a Celtic hill ring from the old fort. It's beautiful, but a proper hike from the bottom!
Written November 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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