Heidelberg

A visit to Heidelberg, 20 km from Mannheim, is a step back in time to a medieval world where knights and castles were commonplace and monks were busy brewing beer in their monasteries. You'll spot the towering red sandstone castle of Heidelberg and its towers atop a hill in the centre of Heidelberg. Here it stands overlooking cobbled streets, historic houses and on a stroll, you'll quickly sense the charm of the bustling university town. With the River Neckar meandering through the city, pleasure boats and old bridges, hills covered in greenery, and a lively downtown core filled with artsy boutiques and cafes covered in ivy, Heidelberg is an idyllic place to visit, even without the castle. But Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberg Schloss) is the city's crown, pride and joy and should definitely be experienced when on a family holiday or weekend break in southern Germany.