Heidelberg Tourist Traps

1. The Altstadt, esp. the Hauptstrasse. I couldn't see anything special about. You walk down a well-paved pedestrians-only street for a few hundred yards, past mostly fairly expensive chain-store type shops, chain fast food eating establishments and pubs, cafes etc, clearly aimed at the tourist trade, and slightly more expensive than pubs, cafes, etc normally are in Germany, till you get to the end, where there are a few not especially interesting old buildings and some restaurants, almost all non-German and none cheap.. You look at the bridge (again nothing special for Germany) then you walk back. That's it.

2. The castle. I went there in February, and although it was snowing I'm glad I did. I was told that in the summer it gets EIGHT THOUSAND visitors a day! Even there alone I didn't think it was all that romantic, though presumably the "thousands and thousands" of mainly Japanese couples that the tourist office says get married there every year think differently. Admittedly, of course, you don't get much of a view if you're up there like I was, in a blizzard.

Unique Suggestions: If you go, go out of season

Fun Alternatives: Try Ulm, or Regensburg

The whole of Heidelberg is a tourist trap, albeit a very nice one! There are plenty of shop signs in Japanese in the Old Town, American bar staff everywhere and well...with the American army based just outside town it's easy to see why. Sometimes it gets to you and sometimes you can live with it and enjoy the atmosphere.

Unique Suggestions: Enjoy the great Neckar valley views and visit the castle. Try to visit off season.

Fun Alternatives: Head for nearby Speyer or Schwäbish Hall.

There are lots of little shops around the Heiliggeistkirche. And they sell there everything which is in relationsship to germany. But nothing typically for Heidelberg. And very high prices for low quality!

Unique Suggestions: Take some pics and that a better souvenir than buying anything there

It is hard to get to the city center by car.
Driving and outside parking is permitted for residents only and where paid parking is available it is often very expensive.

So think if you really want to stay in a accomodation in the old village or if you choose a central location an take Heidelberg's good public transport to the sights.

Paying much for parking a cheap room can easily become the most expensive!

Unique Suggestions: Check out where parking is available and what the fees are!

Fun Alternatives: As in every larger city it's always the best to use the public transport to get to the city center.

This isn't really a tourist trap, but be sure you know what you're getting when you buy a ticket to go up to the castle or to the Königstühl. Its only a small fee to the castle, but double that only gets you half way up the hill. You need a second ticket to get to the top. And 2 more to get back down again. Plus, it doesn't matter if you get on at the castle or at the bottom, its still the same price to the half-way point.

Unique Suggestions: I would recommend taking the train all the way up (for the experience -- its pretty cool) then walking down or getting the bus back to town.

- Always have a spare film role with you. (It is expensive in Heidelberg)
- Lack of parking place in the city centre (and expensive as well)
- Do not buy ticket each each ride to public transport, use daily public tranport cart or Heidelberg card (ask tourism information in the train station --hbf.- )

Unique Suggestions: be proactive accordingly.

Be careful with the restaurants and shops at Heidelberg castle, also with the 'Student Pubs' on close to Kornmarkt, the real student night life is
located in Marstallhof (close to Main Street) and
Untere Straße (parallel to Main street)

It is hard to get to the city center by car.
Driving and outside parking is permitted for residents only and where paid parking is available it is often very expensive.

So think if you really want to stay in a accomodation in the old village or if you choose a central location an take Heidelberg's good public transport to the sights.

Paying much for parking a cheap room can easily become the most expensive!