Attractions Nearby Heidelberg, Day Trips and Excursions

(Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany)

Many attractions are located close to Heidelberg and make for ideal day trips and excursions. Close to Heidelberg are various walking trails around its surrounding countryside, along the River Neckar and throughout the Neckar Valley, which is home to no less than four castles.

For wine lovers in Heidelberg, there is a wealth of vineyards and wineries nearby, offering wine tasting and tours, with the official German Wine Route being a good starting point. The main attractions outside of the city are listed below.

Frankfurt Am Main

Around 88 km / 55 miles north of Heidelberg, the city of Frankfurt is a true city of culture. With a population of around 650,000 people and sited along the Main River, Frankfurt is known for its important financial centres, which include the city's important Stock Exchange and also the headquarters of the European Central Bank. Those looking to visit Frankfurt's main tourist attractions should consider a trip to the 14th-century Gothic-style Saint Bartholomeus' Cathedral, the Römer Town Hall, the Opera House, and the Museum for Modern Art. Frankfurt's historic old town area is particularly unusual, since it contains a mixture of historic and modern architecture, including many eye-catching skyscrapers.

Mainz

Mainz can be found approximately 93 km / 58 miles north-west of Heidelberg and is the state capital. The historic Altstadt quarter offers a collection of historic buildings and is close to the Rhine River, where you will find a number of appealing riverside trails, pathways and other attractions. Around the very centre of Mainz, the shopping streets, the 10th-century cathedral and Gutenberg Museum are all worthy of your attention.

Mannheim

Lying on the western outskirts of Heidelberg, Mannheim is a mere 21 km / 13 miles away from Heidelberg and was officially founded more than 400 years ago. Whilst not one of Germany's most popular cities, Mannheim does boast a big-city vibe, many fun attractions and plenty of things to see and do, a good shopping district, a fine selection of restaurants around the Planken area, the stunning Luisenpark, the 18th-century Baroque-style Mannheim Palace, and a comprehensive bus and tram network.

Stuttgart

Perhaps best known for being the official home of the famous German car manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz, Stuttgart and its many attractions can be reached in less than two hours and stands 128 km / 80 miles south-east of Heidelberg. Surrounded by a particularly important green belt and full of tourist appeal, when in Stuttgart, look out for its locally produced wine, historic zoological and botanical gardens of Wilhelma, and the nearby early 18th-century Ludwigsburg Palace and its eye-catching Baroque-style architecture.

Speyer

A historic town founded around 2,000 years ago, Speyer lies just 45 km / 28 miles south-west of Heidelberg and is home to just over 50,000 inhabitants. Lying alongside the Rhine River, central Speyer is fairly compact and the majority of the main attractions are within easy walking distance of each other, including the magnificent 11th-century Speyer Cathedral with its vaulted interior, and also tall city gate, which is the highest of its kind in Germany and known locally as the 'Altpörtel'.

Darmstadt

An important city sited on the southerly side of the Rhine Main Metropolitan Area, roughly 59 km / 37 miles north of Heidelberg, Darmstadt has a population of just over 140,000 people. Many of the main attractions in Darmstadt are centred around the Hauptbahnhof and Europaplatz area, and also the Old Town (Altstadt) area. The Palace of Darmstadt dominates much of the city centre, while the city's 13th-century Frankenstein Castle, the namesake of Mary Shelley's famous novel, enjoys an elevated setting and overlooks the city itself.