Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle is Germany's most famous castle ruin, a red sandstone palace perched on a wooded hillside above the old town of Heidelberg and the Neckar River. For almost three centuries it was the residence of the Electors Palatine; then war and lightning left it in ruins, which inspired generations of Romantic poets and painters. Today it is one of the top things to do in Heidelberg, combining Renaissance architecture, a gigantic wine barrel and sweeping river views.

Where it is and how to get there

Heidelberg lies in Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany, about an hour by train from Frankfurt and its international airport, which makes it a popular day trip. From Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof (central station):

• Take bus 20 or 36 to the stop Rathaus/Bergbahn.
• Ride the Bergbahn funicular from Kornmarkt station up to the Schloss stop. The round trip is included in the castle ticket.
• Or walk up the steep Burgweg footpath next to the funicular.

Cars cannot drive up to the castle itself. There are just over 100 paid parking spaces about 500 m away; note that the Graimbergweg access road is closed from June 2026 until around the end of the year.

A short history

A castle in Heidelberg was first recorded in 1225. Over the centuries, the Electors Palatine turned it into a grand Renaissance residence, adding the richly decorated Ottheinrich Building in the 1550s and the Friedrich Building between 1601 and 1607. Frederick V built a gate and an ambitious terraced garden for his English wife, Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of King James I.

French troops set the castle on fire in 1689 and blew up its towers in 1693 during the Nine Years' War. In 1764 lightning struck twice and caused another devastating fire. Instead of being rebuilt, the ruin became an icon of German Romanticism, admired by writers such as Victor Hugo.

What to see

• The courtyard facades: the Friedrich Building with its rows of statues and the Ottheinrich Building with 16 allegorical figures.
• The Great Barrel: built in 1751 and originally holding more than 221,000 liters (about 58,500 gallons) of wine. A statue of the court jester Perkeo guards it.
• German Pharmacy Museum: historic apothecary rooms and remedies inside the castle.
• The terrace (Altan): the classic view over the old town and the Old Bridge.
• The Blown-Up Tower: half of it still lies in the moat where it fell in 1693.
• The castle garden: free to enter during the day.

Interiors can only be seen on a 60-minute guided tour. An audio guide is available in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian and German.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026:

• Castle ticket: €11, reduced €5.50 (children from 6, students and trainees up to 28). It includes the funicular round trip, the courtyard, the Great Barrel and the Pharmacy Museum.
• Guided tour: €6 extra (reduced €3, family €15).
• Audio guide: €6 extra.
• Hours: courtyard, terrace and barrel cellar daily 9 am to 6 pm, last entry 5:30 pm. The Pharmacy Museum opens daily from 10 am. Closed on December 25; shorter hours on December 24 and 31.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes. Allow two to three hours for the courtyard, barrel, museum and garden, more if you join a tour. Arrive early to beat tour groups, and for the best photos of the castle, cross the Old Bridge or walk the Philosophers' Walk on the opposite bank. Paths are hilly and partly cobbled, so wear comfortable shoes; visitors with limited mobility should contact the visitor center in advance. Afterward, explore the Hauptstraße, Heidelberg's long pedestrian street, and the Old Bridge.