Heidelberg, Germany Hotels and City Guide

Heidelberg - Travel Tips

When to Visit - Arts and Events

Heidelberg's magnificent neo-gothic castle provides the backdrop to festivities throughout the summer. Between June and September there are three ‘Schlossbeleuchtung' (castle lighting) events when the castle is lit up to look like it is on fire. This commemorates the burning of the castle in 1689, 1693 and 1764. The ‘lightings' are followed by spectacular firework displays during the celebration weekends and throughout August, when the Heidelberg Castle Festival has a varied programme of events in and around the castle.

The German Grand Prix takes place at Hockenheim, about 12 kilometres (seven miles) from Heidelberg, in July attracting huge crowds to the prestigious Formula One event. In November the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival attracts over 50,000 visitors to screenings by newcomers and internationally unknown film-makers whose work "tells a unique story in a unique way, cinema that takes itself seriously and its audience, too".

Heidelberg Dining

Traditional food of the region features fresh wholesome ingredients such as beef, pork, and seasonal vegetables. Local specialities include Flädle Suppe (thin strips of pancake in beef broth), Leberknödle Suppe (small dumplings of liver and bread cooked in a beef broth), Spargelsuppe (asparagus soup), Schweinebraten (roast pork loin) usually served with Reibeknödle (potato dumpling), Jaegerschnitzel (‘hunter's schnitzel' a meat cutlet, not breaded like other schnitzel, but fried and served with a brown mushroom sauce) and Leberkäse (meatloaf). There are a number of restaurants in the town serving regional specialities as well as others offering a wide range of international cuisine.

Heidelberg Tipping Advice

Hotel bills include a service charge, however it is customary to tip porters two DM per bag and to leave that amount each day for room cleaning staff. Restaurants add a service charge (Bedienung) and tax (MWST) to their bills, but it is usual to give around five per cent (or a couple of marks) to the waiter or waitress on leaving. Taxi drivers will automatically charge 50 pfennigs extra for each piece of luggage and expect the fare to be rounded up to the nearest mark.

Hotels in Heidelberg, Germany