During this time of year, a Sunday in Heidelberg can seem quite dull and bleak. The shops aren’t open, it is probably cold or raining and, if you’re reading this, you’re probably wanting to do something. I know Heidelberg really well. I’ve visited numerous times over the years and one of my best friends lives just outside. So, here are my recommendations on what to do in Heidelberg on a Sunday.
What to do in Heidelberg on a Sunday
1. Museum Exploration
The historical town of Heidelberg has tonnes of different museums that stay open on a Sunday. Go to the Kurpfälzisches Museum (the Palatinate Museum), which specialises in art and archeology. It is really interesting to learn about the culture of Heidelberg and the surrounding region, so it is well worth visiting. The other main attraction is the Pharmacy Museum. It is a little out of the way (inside the castle), but is something a bit different. I loved learning about all of the different techniques that were used in the past and would highly recommend a visit. To get here, you will need to take the funicular (9EUR up to the castle; see timetable here). There are so many different museums that it is difficult to list them all. However, they are a great way to spend a Sunday in Heidelberg.
2. Heidelberg Castle
The castle is arguably one of the main attractions in Heidelberg. As you walk through the old town, you will see it towering overhead. To access it, you need to take the funicular again, so I would suggest tying it in with the Pharmacy Museum to save money. As castles go, this one is great as there are no winding stairs and it is in excellent condition. A highlight has to be the giant barrel of wine, with a dance floor on top. Whenever I speak to somebody about Heidelberg, this always comes into conversation. You also get some incredible views of the city here so make sure you bring your camera too.
3. Königstuhl
If you take the funicular up one more station past the castle, you will get to the 567.8 metre high Königstuhl. This is the highest point in the city and offers you some amazing views over the Neckar valley. Whilst this is probably not going to last you the entire day, I personally think that a coffee or a picnic here is a great idea, especially on a sunny day. Funicular round-trip tickets are again 9EUR.
4. Philosopher’s Walk
One of my favourite things to do in Heidelberg is trekking along the Philosopher’s Walk. This walkway goes the length of the old town on the opposite side of the river. To get to it, you need to cross the old bridge (Alte Brucker) from the old town. Go across the road and the signs to the Philosopher’s Walk should be clear. You then need to climb up a winding path, with various viewpoints to stop and admire the city. Once you get to the top, it is a 2 kilometre trek down to the other side of the old town. On a sunny day with a coffee, it is the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning.
5. Heidelberg Zoo
Who doesn’t love the zoo? Luckily, Heidelberg has a very good one and it is a perfect thing to do in Heidelberg on a Sunday. From Bismarckplatz (by the Old Town bridge), it is only a 24 minute ride by public transport. Take the number 26 tram to Betriebshof and then take the number 20 bus to Zoo Heidelberg. Alternatively, you could walk or catch a taxi (the latter taking 10 minutes). I think that the pricing for the tickets are excellent. Adults can go in for 11EUR, whereas children are 5.50EUR. This does change depending on the season.
6. Treat yourself to Coffee and Cake
Whilst the shops are closed on a Sunday, the cafes of Heidelberg remain open. When I lived in Germany, nothing was better than catching up with friends over coffee and cake. German cake is the best, hands down. In the Old Town, you will find lots of cute little cafes that offer the good stuff. Cafe Bar Grano, La Fee Bar Cafe and Cafe Extrablatt are all great options. If you’re wondering what to do in Heidelberg on a Sunday, it must start with cake!
7. Take a Boat Trip
If you go to Heidelberg, taking a boat trip along the Neckar is a must. If you are torn for what to do in Heidelberg on a Sunday, I always think that this is a good option. There are a few companies to choose from and all of them are along the river adjacent to the Old Town. I would recommend Weisse Flotte Heidelberg, which is a 12 minute walk from Bismarckplatz. They offer a variety of tours that you can decide on depending on budget and what you want to see.
8. Visit the Botanical Gardens
The 10. botanical gardens in Heidelberg are only open on a Sunday during the weekend. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Getting there from Bismarkplatz is simple; you take the number 26 tram to Betriebshof, where the number 20 bus will take you to the gardens. The gardens are filled with rare and exotic species of plants which are always lovely to look around. Adults go in for 6EUR, which in my opinion is well worth it.
9. Try Traditional Food
The Neckar valley has some tasty traditional food that is just waiting to be tried. In my opinion, the best places to get this is a Bierkellar, which are found throughout each city in the country. Bierkellars are mostly open on Sundays and could be a fantastic place to catch up with friends over food and drink in the late afternoon. In Heidelberg, you have a few good options. Palmbrau Gasse serves authentic German food and comes highly recommended. Pork dishes are the main attraction, but I would also recommend white asparagus in hollandaise sauce. Always a winner (surprisingly, I know).
10. Take a Day Trip to Schwetzingen Castle or Mannheim
This next one is more of an opportunity to visit nearby places. Public transport runs regularly on a Sunday in the city and a great option is always being able to explore a nearby place. Mannheim has plenty to see, including the Luisenpark, the famous water tower (Wasserturm) and the technoseum. To get to Mannheim, simply take the tram 5 from Bismarckplatz to the HD Hauptbahnhof. You can then take the IC train over to Mannheim. Another option is to visit the beautiful Schwetzingen Castle. The easiest way to do this is to take bus number 717 from the HD Hauptbahnhof. Tickets are only 12EUR per person and, for that, you get to explore the palace and the extensive grounds.
Final Thoughts
If you were wondering what to do in Heidelberg on a Sunday, I hope that you now have a better idea. Whilst the shops are closed, there is still plenty to see and do. I absolutely love this city and there is never a dull moment when you are exploring it’s historic streets.
You can also find me on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Did you know that I also vlog my travel adventures? I would love you to subscribe to my YouTube channel so that you never miss an episode… SUBSCRIBE HERE
Other posts that may help you:
- The Most Instagrammable Spots in Heidelberg
- What to do in Heidelberg Germany
- Hotel Panorama Heidelberg: A Review
Thank you for reading and I hope that you enjoyed the post! If you have any questions about Heidelberg please do get in touch in the comments below.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your family and friends!
Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
