Heidelberg is a city with a variety of attractions which include a romantic castle, Germany’s oldest university, a hillside "Philosopher’s Walk," boat trips on the Neckar River, and countless taverns, cafés, and restaurants where you can sample local wines and taste the gastronomy of Germany.

The architecture of this city is beautiful, head to Alstadt or the Old Town where you will see historic buildings made out of red sandstone. This city was off-limits to Allied bombing in World War II which is why many of its buildings are genuine and have not been restored or rebuilt.

Since World War II, Heidelberg has grown into a modern, business city of 140,000 people, many of them living and working in new districts outside the historic Altstadt. The Altstadt is a long, narrow strip of medieval cityscape on the south bank of the Neckar River. Most sights are within a block or two of the Hauptstrasse or Main Street, which runs from the department stores of the Bismarkplatz to the Karlstor at the eastern end of town. There are shops for everyone’s taste!

Visit the Alte Universität with its historic assembly hall; a combined ticket will also get you into the Studentenkarzer where academic misfits did time for drunkenness, womanizing, pig-stealing, and other “sins” dating back to the 1500s until 1914.

Wander into the churches, especially the Gothic Heiliggeistkirche on the Marktplatz( Market place) the Jesuitkirche, and the Peterskirche (Heidelberg’s second-oldest church, dating back to 1316).

Walk down the Steingasse toward the river, where you’ll encounter the Brückentor(Bridge Gate) and the Alte Brücke or old stone pedestrian bridge across the Neckar, which inspired Goethe to gush about its beauty when he first saw it in 1797. Walk out onto the bridge and enjoy the view of Heidelberg’s river, old town, and castle.

Schloss Heidelberg is a spectacular castle, which is located on a hill a hill behind the Altstadt. The castle is easy to reach on foot, via its winding streets and paths. Make sure to climb to the Königstuhl, which offers great views of the city, an interesting falconry center,a children’s fairy-tale park, and other attractions.

Whether you are strolling across the Alte Brucke to the Philosopher’s Walk, visiting Handschuheim, an old 11^th Century church with fascinating catacombs or enjoying touring the festival town of Schwetzingen, Heidelberg is a city whose beauty and history will fascinate you.