Living in prime tourist-destination Heidelberg

Heidelberg is the most beautiful city in all of Germany. Obvious highlights include visiting our castle and taking a stroll down Philosophenweg on the opposite side of the river. Heidelberg also is home to Germany's longest Hauptstrasse, filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Quick Tips:

To see the city at its prime, try to schedule your trip on the first Saturday of June, July, or September so that you can enjoy the Castle Illumination. This tri-annual event is in remembrance of the three times the castle burned in 1689, 1693, and 1764 and displays the castle "on fire", followed by spectacular fireworks. If you cannot make it in the summer, December is another wonderful time to visit, so that you can enjoy Heidelberg's Christmas Market, which fills three of the downtown's market squares and offers a variety of arts and crafts, as well as amazing Glühwein (warm wine) and other fun warm foods to take off the winter chill.

Tourists should stop by the Heidelberg Tourist Center located in front of the Hauptbahnhof for the latest information and look into purchasing the HeidelbergCard which allows access to the castle, museums and public transportaion services as well as other benefits. These cards start at around 10 euros and are a great deal!

Best Way To Get Around:

Once in Heidelberg, public transportation is a great way to get around. The city has a great network of buses, street cars, and trains. If you are staying downtown, you probably do not need any of those services, as most attractions are well within walking distance.

German cuisine in Heidelberg is at its absolute best at Gasthaus Hackteufel. The charming restaurant is located just behind the Heiliggeist Kirche off Main Street. In the summer, guests enjoy sitting along the street, while colder days are spent inside along the Kacheloffen. The staff is very friendly to locals and tourists alike. The food cannot be described as anything but amazing, whether you are looking for a seasonal specialty or traditional fare. Prices are very decent given its prime location and authentic German atmosphere. For very hot days, keep in mind that it is one of the few restaurants in all of Heidelberg that is air-conditioned. Aside from the restaurant, it also offers 12 charming guest rooms at decent prices in, of course, the prime tourist location. After 11 years in Heidelberg, this is still one of my favorite places when I go for German food. Visit the restaurant online at www.hackteufel.de.

Da Mario's has the best Italian food in downtown Heidelberg. The restaurant reminds guests of ‘50s chic and will make you wonder where they hide the flappers. The stylish restaurant is located just above McDonald’s, but will make you feel like you're in a completely different era. It has circular booths, large windows, and even a small terrace overlooking one of Heidelberg's busiest streets, but you will feel like time has stopped still. The staff is delightful, and the male waiters are always charming. Their pasta dishes are very good, as are their pizzas, and you'll have enough to take some home with you. My friends who enjoy fish love their salmon dishes.

I personally do not usually make reservations unless I'm taking a big group, but if you want to be sure of a great table, it can't hurt to give them a call.

One tip: as you enter the restaurant, approach one of the staff members for a seat instead of simply seating yourself, as is traditional in most German restaurants.

Also, be sure to try their Lambrusco, a red, slightly carbonated wine that is very good on hot summer nights and hard to come by in the US (at least a good bottle).

The restaurant is a great deal and one of the cheaper in Heidelberg, especially if you're simply eating an entrée. It's a great place for families to dine or friends before a night on the town, as well as if you're looking for a romantic place for two. Afterwards, pop across the street to Cafe Rossi for dessert or post-dinner drinks. It's a sure way to feel like a million dollars without spending more than $20!

Schwimmbad Musik Club is the most well-known disco in all of Heidelberg. It boasts two discos, one live stage, and a movie room. It is a rather laid-back club where you can go with a group of friends and feel very comfortable. There is no need for dressed-up clubbing attire (i.e. black pants or "Sex in the City" attire). Be sure to check their website at http://www.schwimmbad-musik-club.de to see what the night's music type and band will be. Cover charges can vary, but are usually under 5€, unless you're trying to see the live band. Drinks range from about 2€ for beer to 7€ for fancy stuff. Parking is usually not a problem, as they have a large car lot. The party picks up around midnight and lasts into the wee hours of the morning.

Many Americans living in Heidelberg enjoy hanging out at Schwimmbad because of its laid-back atmosphere. If you're between the ages of 16 and 18, you will be allowed in until about 1am, but you must leave your ID at the entrance and pick it up as you leave. Over 18, you're in for as long as you like.

One piece of advice: Wednesday night is "Goth Night" in the downstairs club, which may intimidate some party-seekers, but if you can get past all the pleather, there is lots of fun to be had (you might just want to gear your wardrobe towards black). The upstairs plays alternative that night, so any type of grunge is cool. All other nights are more traditional "club" nights.

Cafe Rossi is fabulous by day, but amazing by night. This two-story café is the place to enjoy a laid-back night socializing with friends or flirting with a date. The staff is very friendly and prices are decent. The more social atmosphere is usually out on the large terrace, while those searching for a more intimate and romantic spot may choose to sit in the dimmer and more personal upstairs. This is the place to experience the relaxing side of Heidelberg's nightlife 7 nights a week. For more information in terms of location, menu, and special offers, visit www.caferossi.de

Heidelberg's newest club moved into the basement of the Darmstätter Hof Zentrum in November 2004. Imagine Sex and the City does Heidelberg. Deep is a trendy lounge/dance club that prides itself on playing the best house (techno-like music) in Heidelberg. It’s a little out of place here in Heidelberg, but has the potential of attracting a previously untapped yuppie crowd. The lounge area is spacious and very modern. The dance floor is midsize and lots of fun once the party gets started, usually around midnight. If the crowd isn't dancing when you get there, grab a couple of friends and take the floor. The crowd will follow almost immediately; they just need someone to do it first (the general crowd tends to be a little yuppie, so they are too cool to make the first move). So, if house music is your thing and you can stand the above-average cover fee and slightly expensive drinks, this is your place. One bonus is the free coat and purse check, so be sure to take advantage of it. The club’s homepage can be visited at www.deep-club.de.