Heidelberg Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany)

With many distinct neighbourhoods and plenty of tourist appeal, life in the city of Heidelberg varies from district to district. Old Town Heidelberg is known for its romance and relaxed atmosphere, whereas the western side of the city, close to the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) is considerably more modern and home to a number of important local businesses.

Highlights around the city include Germany's most historic universities, the attractive Neckar River, which flows from east to west and lies on the northern side of the Old Town, and the major pedestrian boulevard of the Hauptstrasse, which is often referred to as the 'Royal Mile'.


For tourist information and travel advice, the city's tourist offices are worth visiting, for the Heidelberg Card alone. Available for just a small charge, the Heidelberg Card unlocks many of the city's best attractions, providing large discounts to museums, galleries, theatres and a number of the main shops and eateries, together with unlimited free travel on the trams and buses. Useful travel tips about life in Heidelberg are below.

Tourism and Tourist Information

The city's main tourism and convention centre lies next to the Hauptbahnhof train station and is brimming with helpful advice and even features a reservation board for local hotels, which is clearly displayed outside. With staff who are happy to help with your enquiries or suggest a possible itinerary to suit you tastes, either in person or over the telephone, the Heidelberg tourist centre can often get busy, with lengthy queues at times.

Heidelberg Tourist Information Centre (Heidelberger Kongress und Tourismus GmbH)
Address: Ziegelhäuser Landstrasse 3, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany, DE
Tel. +49 062 2114 220
Fax +49 062 2114 2222
Email address: info@cvb-heidelberg.de
Website: www.cvb-heidelberg.de

Heidelberg Tourist Information Centre at the Main Train Station (Hauptbahnhof)
Address: Willy-Brandt-Platz 1, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany, DE
Tel. +49 062 211 9433
Fax +49 062 211 38 8111
Email: touristinfo@cvb-heidelberg.de
Website: www.cvb-heidelberg.de
Open hours: Monday to Saturday, April to October - 09:00 to 19:00; November to March - 09:00 to 18:00

Heidelberg Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall and Market Places
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00

Main Post Office
Address: Hugo-Stotz-Strasse 14, Heidelberg, Germany, DE

Currency

Just a few years ago, the whole of Germany was happily using the unified currency of the Deutsche Mark (DEM). However, from 2002 onwards, the whole country, including Heidelberg, successfully switched to using the Euro (EUR), converted at the fixed exchange rate of 1.95583. Both credit and debit cards can be used as forms of payment within Heidelberg and are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to coins and notes.

Language, Dialect and German Phrases

As with the whole of Germany, locals in Heidelberg speak German. Whilst German may not be the easiest language to learn, it can be relatively straightforward to pick up many important words and phrases, making it possible to communicate with the people of Heidelberg. A simple German phrasebook will always be of use in many situations, particularly when shopping or eating out. Here are a few useful German phrases.

Please may I look at the menu? - ich hätte gerne die speisekarte?
I am a vegetarian - ich bin vegetarier
I would like a large beer, please - ein grosses bier, bitte
Where is the post office - wie komme ich zum postamt?
I do understand a little - ich verstehe ein wenig
Please would you repeat - wiederholen sie, bitte
Where is the closest subway station? - wo ist die nächste u-bahn station?
Will it be nice tomorrow? - wird es morgen schön sein?