This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Heidelberg.
Heidelberg is one of the few German cities that was not destroyed in World War II, which means it still has beautiful old buildings dating back as far as the Middle Ages.
If you look for hostels in Heidelberg, you may want to find one in the old city center (Altstadt) since this is where all the attractions are. Less expensive but still quite close to the center is Weststadt. Whereas Bergheim is conveniently located close to the train station, which is where you will be most likely arriving and departing from. Heidelberg hostels can be quite expensive. And if you are coming here in summer make sure to book your hostel well in advance since options are limited.
The closest airports are Frankfurt and Stuttgart, both can be reached within an hour by train. A major setback of Heidelberg is the public transport system which is not as comprehensive as it should be and can be pretty unreliable with buses being very late or not turning up at all. In the old city center it is best to walk anyway. But travelling to more remote places can be a bit tricky, so plan to spend some extra time. You can also take a boat on the Neckar and go to some of the neighboring cities which are very charming. Do not forget to visit Heidelberg castle. And spend a sunny afternoon chilling with the numerous students at the Neckarwiese (meadows next to the Neckar). Heidelberg is home to the oldest university in Germany, dating back to 1386 which has more than 25.000 students.
Take a look at the Heidelberg hostel selection to consider your hostel choices in the city.
Written by local enthusiast for Heidelberg hostels
Mona
