This Castle is a great place to visit medieval architecture, and klassic design are great read more

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Heidelberg castle - have to say these ruins were okay but we were expecting more Sure the grounds are nicely walled in & the outside sculptures / gargoyles are really cool & the "World's Largest Wine Cask" is neat to see. I guess we were hoping to see some refurbished rooms or something that showed us how the inhabitants of the castle lived back then All we saw were a bunch of closed areas & a couple of empty rooms but were mainly left to walk around & admire from the outside.....but from such a huge, grand, intact state of castle "ruins", we thought there would be more to see on the inside We elected to take the guided tour & unfortunately our guide was lacking in knowledge & voice projection. She was to the point of whispering & hardly anyone could hear a thing she said, except for the gross stories of vomitoriums & chamber pots. We did get to see a room w/ miniature replicas of the castle & I think we went into maybe 1 room that had heavy wooden tables in it - it was the large dining area Cool part of this room was that the huge wine cask lived underneath but the pump for this cask was upstairs & we were informed it was used to supply all the castle w/ wine b/c back then, the wine was safer to drink than the water Also found out that many of the people paid their taxes w/ wine & it was all dumped into the cask & given this cask holds almost 60,000 gallons of wine - that's right. 60,000! Given the mixture of the various wines & qualities of the grapes, that wine tasted more similar to vinegar ( so we were told ) Great views of the city & the gardens show nice meadows & wooded areas - don't expect any sculptured gardens. There's also a gondola that will bring you up the hill & a nearby expensive parking garage if you're lucky enough & rich enough to get a spot before hitting the gondola So overall, this historical spot is worth viewing for first-time tourists like me but not a spot I'd want to come back to over & over again read more

This Gothic-Renaissance castle is amazing. They work on it all the time to help in its preservation/restoration. The views of the city are amazing. This castle was home to Bavarian royalty from the 13th to 18th centuries However, the bus area is not for the faint of heart. There are lots of buses and only parking for about 5. Our driver had to do a 180 degree turn in a spot that looked like it was designed for a Mini Cooper. The best surprise is that it is home to the worlds largest wine barrel. (58,124 gallons) with a dance floor on top of it. That barrel is the size of some New York City apartments. Then, you can ride the funicular down the very steep incline to get you back to the main part of town. Worth the effort. read more

I love our local castle. We've visited in all weathers. It is so worth taking the English guided tour to see the inside! Don't just go down to the giant wine barrel and leave! The views over Heidelberg are gorgeous. Aim for a visit right at the beginning of the day or towards the end to avoid the main crowds. Don't bother eating a meal up here, the food options are limited and not great. It's worth noting there's no longer part of the Christmas market up at the castle, it disturbs the nesting of the endangered bat species that returns every year. read more

Eat before you go-NO vegan options We arrived Frankfurt airport at 9am and wanting to stay up all day and adjust to the German time zone, on a lark went to the Castle. By the time we arrived and parked it was WELL after my dinner time. It appeared my only options were a 3 euro pretzel (that sells for half a euro in the grocery store) but I was told it was only vegetarian not vegan. So I did not bother to ask if the 7.50 euro veggie burger was vegan or not. So we toured the castle and was surprised they did not accept credit cards for payment. Then I was surprised there was no signage in the castle. I guess that is to encourage you to pay for the audio guide, but since I did not know there would not be a few signs to discuss the importance of particular features, I did not go out and purchase the add on just to go back in again. It is well preserved and clean. The views are beautiful. For 7 euro admission, if you are able, it is a beautiful stop. read more

The Heidelberg castle gives you access to one of the greatest view over Heidelberg! Best view to the "Alte Bruecke" over the Neckar. Also, you can look straight over to the sophisticated housing area on "Philosophenweg". We took the audio tour (4 Euro) and it turned out to be a good choice. You can play it over as many times as you want by simply typing in the number you would like to hear again. The rail (Bergbahn) ticket is 5 Euro to the castle stop. To go further up to Kaiserstuhl, it's a little more expensive, but so worth it. I simply love the Heidelberg castle!! read more

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P. tures fail to depict the true height and breadth of a European castle. Especially one so grand. This place was a fortress, with a moat and incredibly massive walls. To my cousin's, who live in this area, its just another place. Once you climbed the stairways to the top, the overlooking view was spectacular. The wine barrels were massive. Its a wonder if they were ever sober. Parts of the castle remain in disrepair from explosions and fires. However, most of the grounds were in excellent condition. I have been here many times when I have visited Germany. Y 4/100 read more

Tourist trap! Not worth the 7 euro admission. You can't enter the castle rooms unless you pay for a guided tour. You're limited to the interior castle courtyards, world's largest wine vat and the apothecary museum. I gave it 2 stars simply for those two attractions. The funicular is also included, but doesn't add much value to the admission unless you take it from the city center square. Also, you're limited to taking the funicular up only one station. You need to pay extra to continue up the next historic funicular. There's nothing to see up there either. We drove and parked a few meters above the castle (parking is metered, unless you have an A2 vehicle permit then you can park on the streets). Most of the castle and grounds are under construction (July 2016). Also, since they host many outdoor events, their equipment and stands were set up around the castle, which ruined the ambiance. Save your 7 euro and just walk around the exterior for free. The view of Heidelberg is nice from up top, but the view from below is just as good. read more

Heidelberg was one of the last stops on the tour of southern Germany I took, and I'm so glad I got to round out my vacation here. As I said in the title, I only wish I could have spent more time, but that's one of the drawbacks of being on a guided tour. No matter where I turned, whether it was walking down among the ruins to the palace proper and viewing Heidleberg from above, gazing up at the various portions of the palace built over many years, or pondering the enormity of a 58,000 gallon barrel of wine, I was awestruck, and think I could easily make a full vacation out of the city, with many days spent at the castle itself. read more

Beautiful castle, with gorgeous views of Heidelberg. English speaking and went on the English tour of the castle, my boyfriend and I really enjoyed the experience the tour guide was very intelligent and entertaining, provided great information and really kept our attention. We enjoyed wine tasting, the bartender was very kind and generous. The castle is beautiful and enjoyed the apothecary museum. Would definitely recommend. Plan to be here for hours there is a lot to see and it took a lot of time out of our day but well worth it. read more

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Took the family here to tour the castle and grounds. Access: there are a couple of ways to get to the castle, either walk or take the funicular...we opted to walk. Of course, with walking, one can take more of a sloping path or the stairs...we went with the stairs. It was a very nice path up, though very steep and seemed to take forever. Grounds: the grounds are definitely beautiful and the views fantastic. There is no fee to walk around the grounds. Since we were there in late November, they were just setting up for the Christmas Markets, so it wasn't as pretty as in warmer seasons. Tour: well, I was pretty aggravated that it was 6 Euro just to get in and another 4 Euro for the tour. Without the tour, I'm not sure what would be worth the money? The pharmacy museum is free with entrance. We decided to skip the museum. The tour guide was very knowledgable and fun. She lead us through the different sections describing the history and some brief stories to go along with the areas we visited. Photography is not permitted in most of the castle, which is also aggravating. Not part of the tour, but told about it (and free to see thanks to the entrance fee) is the large wine barrel. It's very cool to see and the story behind it is cool Interior: the castle is great to tour. Not all of it has been restored, and won't be. However, you can get a great feel for the times during which the various parts were built. Overall, this is a very cool castle and the tour is good. If you are in this part of Germany for vacation, then make it a stop. If you are elsewhere, don't make the trip over. There are loads and loads of castles in Germany that have guided (or even self-guided) tours that are every bit as fascinating. read more

This castle is beautiful! Reach the top and you overlook the entire city! the view of the lake and the little town is gorgeous! so many people here! the inside of this castle is a must see! best thing is the wine cellar read more

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It does not get much better than to walk around and enjoy the grounds, sights, and sounds of an old world legacy. This castle sits on a nice view of the river and adjacent valley. Make the trip, have dinner/lunch and walk around the town, don't miss out. read more

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Of course you can't go wrong with visiting a castle. Buy the ticket that lets you get to the castle by train.

A very beautiful castle and an amazing view of the city! I missed out on the guided tour, so I'm only giving it 4 stars because I would have liked to hear more about the castle from the experts. The guided tour times were a bit wanky but if you show up early in the day you shouldn't have any problems (we showed up later in the day and the tours were over for the day). The apothecary museum is worth the walk through especially for all the old bottles & medicines. There are some great signs from the Thrid Reich times too. We took the lift up from the bottom at Korn Markt and then walked down the stairs. Its a very nice way to enter into the old city. read more

I've been to the castle several times now and while the courtyard and giant beer barrel are cool to see, I have taken to just walking up and exploring the grounds which are open for free and have great views of the castle and town. The cable train is also an interesting experience, but you can walk up for free, and while the way is fairly steep, it isn't as bad as it looks and is pretty short. Follow the trail to the left instead of entering the cashier area and you'll wind behind the castle and end up in the gardens. From here you can still get to the overlook area which has great panoramic views of the castle, old town, and river. Its a great way to spend a morning or afternoon and get the lay of Heidelberg. read more

Beautiful castle that remains as it was after the war. One of the towers still looks as if though it was just attacked and shows how the walls fell. A few large wine caskets are inside the property that Mark Twain wrote about, unfortunately no swims inside are allowed . They have wine tastings inside for about €8 for two glasses of their local wine as well as other wine bottles for sale. Great view of the town, river, bridges, and dam. I went during the winter during Christmas, so views of the Christmas markets were great. No fee to walk the grounds around the castle, but entry is €6 per person, ages 5 and under (maybe older) are free to enter. Audio and guided tours are available, check the website for details. Be ready to walk uphill or up stairs to get to the castle grounds, the views are definitely worth it though. read more

Heidelberg Castle - The castle - Castles Near Me - Heidelberg, BW

For 8 and a half years I lived in a charming city called Karlsruhe - a mere 35 minute ride from Heidelberg - and, I had the pleasure of visiting Heidelberg hundreds of times because of that proximity. Now, my husband and I are happy yearly visitors - back to our lovely adopted homeland. Heidelberg Castle is the world's most famous palace ruin. (ruins?) It is still a beautiful structure, one that sits regally in the hills of this gorgeous city. One whose beauty is enchanting no matter how many times you visit. Each year, Heidelberg "Schloss" attracts over a million visitors from all over the world. Guided tours are interesting, historic, and enjoyable for everyone ages 6 to 106. My son Jon was born in Heidelberg, on March 21st, 1970, and he returned to the place of his birth with us a few years ago and he was astounded and amazed at this spectacular, picturesque city and its Castle that watches over it all with dignity, pride, and grace. It's beautiful and magical, and its presence will stay with you long after your enchanting visit is over. Questions? Please dial their information hotline, daily from 8 am until 8 pm: +49 (0)72 51.74-27 70 read more

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This castle is pretty cool although you can't go inside. The views alone are worth the visit and the grounds are pretty for strolling. It's good for old people too because once there it's easy walking around. read more

Plan for an entire day here. If you're into medieval castles, 18th century apothecaries, ravishing landscapes dotted with medieval ruins, this is Nirvana. A welcome respite from the more commercial parts of Heidelberg. The modern-day tram ride up the mountain is a delightful contrast to the medieval sights at the top. Get a thorough workout walking all the way down the steep cobblestone path to the bottom again. read more

There are castles all over Europe, but this is one of the best. It commands an incredible view of the beautiful valley and Neckar river below. Great tours of the grounds or just take up a picnic lunch! read more

We all love our local castle. It is not the same as those built by King Ludwig in Bavaria but it should not be. Take the guided tour. One of the best and most fun places to watch our national team play in the World Cup too. read more

Beautiful castle grounds. Be sure to take the rail line up, the cost of your rail ticket includes castle admission. Absolutely stunning views of Heidelberg. We opted for the audio tour and glad we did. We also enjoyed the Apotheke museum. I've been to quite a few castles in Germany and this one is toward the top on favorites, if in Heidelberg or nearby, this one should not be missed. read more

The views of the city from the castle are magnificent. The castle itself is a wonder to see. I am not a huge history buff nor an expert on architecture, but you can't help but be taken in by the beauty and history of the castle. You have to see the 58,000+ gallon wine barrel. One hundred and thirty oak trees were reputedly used in its construction. read more

Eh. I don't mean to sound condescending (which is what people say immediately before they say something condescending) but I've traveled a lot and I was not impressed with this place. I walked around the castle a bit and admittedly the view looking out onto the town is very pretty. But it's not something spectacular that you should go out of your way to see. If you're in the area and you have the time you should come here to enjoy the view. If you're planning a trip to Germany, I would probably skip Heidelberg based on my personal experience. The exterior of the castle is not in great shape. It's a very sturdy building but it's clear that there hasn't been a lot of (if any) restoration work. The vat of wine is really nothing to write home about. I think I looked at it for about five minutes while the guide was talking and then hightailed it out of there to try and find something else to occupy my time. There's a damaged part of the exterior that is worth a look, but yeah, not a lot to see here. The apothecary/pharmacy museum is free. There's not really much to view. There are a lot of cabinets and jars labelled with various herbs and remedies and the plaques aren't particularly interesting or informative. read more

The best parts are the Apothecary museum and the view. The ticket is 7 euros and includes the visit to the museum, the visit of the castle's internal court (the castle itself can only be visited with a guided tour) and the ride on the new funicular (I didn't get this at first). read more

There are two ways to go to the castle. You can walk up an incline or take the funicular. The funicular fare includes the admission fee to enter the castle. Due to time constraints, we did not visit the inside of the castle and opted to walk up to the castle to get some more exercise. It is not for someone with mobility issues. We were able to walk around the castle and take pictures of the excellent view of the city of Heidelberg. At the entrance of the castle, expect a lot of people. There are also a lot of kids and people hanging out by the courtyard. Toilets are available to use for free. read more

Visited in June and it was beautiful. It's a bit of a hike up the hill so take walking shoes.

Great view of the city, access to the castle grounds will cost 5 euros (this ticket also is valid for the train) Access to the gardens are free and the castle is also free after 6pm. Best time to visit is during a sunset as the view of the city is east. read more

it's gorgeous and you should go. It was raining the day we visited and we didn't mind a bit. You should have decent shoes if you're going to take The Philosopher's Way up. It was quite a hike for a fat guy in boots. Beautiful at night as well. read more

Well, what can I say, but I have learned my lesson to read Yelp (shame on me an Elite member) before I go. I never thought to read the review on the castle, its just something I knew I would see. No one told me that my tram ticket is also my entrance fee to the castle so I paid twice, for the whole family. Not a single sign in any language but German so you would think that they would have a few in some other languages to explain this to people, but nope...Then you pay, the second time and you get nothing, no map, nothing to tell you where anything is so you just walk around aimlessly. The view is great, the castle is in bad shape but nice to see and there is an Apothecary Museum which was OK, maybe interesting if I were a pharmacist? I found out later that I should have paid for a guided tour, then I would have been able to see the inside of some of the room in the castle?? Who knew, and at that point it was too late anyway. Oh well. Not a big deal, it was a great weather day to be up there anyway! read more

It s not just a castle. With all the buildings and walls here and low areas there it is a fantasy place. Take the tour and absorb the life and times these buildings have been through. Prince and princesses, would be kings, German high command and US garrison in WWII. The area buildings suffered little during WWII so many of the original buildings are there including homes on the opposite banks where the German command lived and partied. Several neat churches including one that was divided in half during the Reformation. GREAT views of EVERYTHING from the castle. Architecture, statues, romance and more. Gift shop, bathrooms. Cobblestone walkways inside the castle. Town is just a walk down the hill. We went in early November 2017 read more

I have been to so many castles in Europe that I wasn't expecting much. But it was surprisingly interesting! You pay 5 euros for the ground visit, and it is worth it! The view from the castle is amazing. Also, you have to see the huge wine barrel, never seen one that big! Sure worth the visit! read more

The views from the castle are to die for!!! The stairs/ steep climb into the castle are quite the workout so don't attempt unless you are in shape. I found out there was a funicular the day after I got a good workout. Lol. I did the guided tour which was about an hour long and very interesting. The castle itself was cool but the VIEWS are worth the hike up. read more