Heidelberg tours

Things to do in Heidelberg

Welcome to Heidelberg, a place where the echoes of history intertwine with academic prestige. As you stroll through its cobblestone streets, you'll feel the presence of poets and philosophers who once walked the same paths. The iconic ruins of Heidelberg Castle stand watch over the town, a silent testament to a rich past. With a local guide, Heidelberg tours offer more than just sightseeing. Discover hidden courtyards and ancient taverns on a walking tour, or delve into the region's culinary delights on a food and wine tour that captures the essence of the Palatinate. Your guide's insights open doors to the city's secrets, allowing you to bypass the usual tourist queues and absorb Heidelberg's unique atmosphere. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Heidelberg. Explore Heidelberg your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Heidelberg tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Heidelberg for every interest, including: History tours: Explore Heidelberg Castle’s terrace and the Great Barrel while hearing stories of the Palatinate princes, then cross the Old Bridge to the Church of the Holy Spirit. Your guide can also unlock the University’s Student Prison to show centuries of student graffiti. Architecture tours: Compare Gothic and Baroque in the Altstadt at the Heiliggeistkirche and the Jesuitenkirche, then study Renaissance façades at the castle’s Ottheinrichsbau. Finish at the Old Bridge Gate to see its twin towers and details up close. Nature and Wildlife tours: Walk the Philosophenweg for city‑and‑river views and spring wildflowers, or ride the funicular to Königstuhl for quiet forest trails where you might spot woodpeckers and roe deer. Along the Neckarwiesen, try easy birding for herons and kingfishers, or visit Heidelberg Zoo in the morning for calmer paths. The Old Town is very walkable, and trams, buses, and the funicular link the castle, hills, and river. For farther trailheads, valley vineyards, or a multi‑stop day along the Neckar, you can book chauffeured tours or ask your local guide to arrange private transportation. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Heidelberg inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Join a private walking tour in Heidelberg and include some of its notable neighborhoods in your itinerary. With a local guide, you'll uncover the stories and secrets of each area. - Altstadt (Old Town): This historic center is a must-visit for cultural tourists, with its iconic castle and vibrant university atmosphere providing an enriching experience. - Neuenheim: Known for its leafy streets and proximity to the Neckar River, this district is great for families and those who enjoy leisurely strolls and picturesque views. - Bergheim: Offering a blend of modern amenities and historical charm, this area caters to multi-generational groups who want to explore both contemporary and traditional aspects of the city. Day trip ideas from Heidelberg From Heidelberg, you can branch out to nearby cities and river towns for easy day trips that match your pace and interests, keeping travel time short and the experiences varied. Schwetzingen, a short hop from Heidelberg, pairs a Baroque palace complex with formal gardens and quiet lanes. If you like design, landscape history, or relaxed café time, this compact town fits well, and your tour can focus on garden highlights, architecture details, or food stops in the old centre. Speyer brings big history on a manageable scale with its UNESCO‑listed Imperial Cathedral, Romanesque stonework, and a walkable core beside the Rhine. Come for landmark churches and Jewish heritage sites, then add time for local bakeries or a riverside stroll, which works nicely if you enjoy history‑rich tours without a long drive. The Neckar Valley to Hirschhorn and Neckarsteinach gives you castles, forested hills, and river views in one line of travel. You can mix short hikes with old town stops, see the Four Castles above Neckarsteinach, and enjoy photo spots that feel close to nature, a good fit if you prefer scenery and medieval streets over museums. Maulbronn Monastery, a UNESCO site, is one of the best‑preserved medieval cloisters in Europe, with half‑timbered houses around the monastic square and quiet corners for photos. If you lean toward architecture, monastic history, or calm spaces, it slots into a half‑day plan, and your tour can spend more time in the cloister or the craft workshops nearby. Worms layers Romanesque and Reformation landmarks with the Nibelung saga and one of Europe’s oldest Jewish cemeteries. Choose it if you want a clear thread of stories in one place, from the cathedral to Luther sites, with time left for local wine bars that showcase the Rheinhessen region. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Heidelberg most travellers miss.