The sunset view
The castle glowing over town, the river between — free from the grass.
Vladislav Bezrukov from Walldorf, Germany — CC BY 2.0 · Stephan van Helden — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sciencia58 — CC0 · Nikolai Karaneschev — CC BY 3.0
The Neckarwiese is Heidelberg's summer living room: a long green ribbon on the river's north bank, carpeted with students and families from the first warm sun — barbecues, ball games, naps — with castle and old town as the permanent scene across the water. For a visitor it is the tourist city's other face: cross the bridge from the crowded lanes and find the real, young Heidelberg stretched on the grass. The sunset view of the castle from here is among the finest — and entirely free, with endless room to sit. With children it is treasure: playgrounds along the strip, a safe bank, running space without end — the perfect close to a heavy sightseeing day. Buy ice cream in town, cross the bridge, and sit where the locals sit.
The castle glowing over town, the river between — free from the grass.
The student city as itself — the postcard's other face.
Playgrounds, safety, endless running room.
Uferstrasse, 69120 Heidelberg
Bismarck TowerThe Bismarck Tower is a square stone tower on the Gaisberg hill north of Heidelb2 minutes walk4.4
Body Worlds HeidelbergBody Worlds in Heidelberg displays real human bodies preserved by a process call7 minutes walk4.6
Altes HallenbadThe Altes Hallenbad is a public indoor swimming baths built in 1906 in Art Nouve7 minutes walk4.6
German Packaging MuseumThe German Packaging Museum is a small and unusual museum in the heart of Heidel7 minutes walk4.0
Philosophers' WayThe Philosophers' Way is a walking path on the hillside across the river from th11 minutes walk4.8It is exactly what you need after the sights: an hour lying with the castle view is worth another museum in the trip's memory. List-tickers may skip it; travellers who live cities will find this city living here.
Any warm day's sunset, peaking on summer evenings when it fills with life. On the summer 'castle illumination' firework nights it is the best seat in town — check the dates.
A blanket and food from town — supermarkets and bakeries steps from the bridge. Barbecue only in marked zones; glass is allowed but take your litter — it stays clean because everyone keeps it so.