Top 5 Must Do's in Bade

Located on the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Heidelbeg is a town rich with history and culture. Here's a list of the Top 5 Heidelberg Must Do's: hiking Philosopher's Way, photographing the Old Bridge, visiting the Heidelberg Zoo, sightseeing around the Heidelberg Castle, and relaxing at Salzraum Heidelberg.

1. Hiking Philosophers' Way

One of the things that differentiates Heidelberg from other cities in Germany is its hillside paths that allow you to view the whole city from a higher point. This way owes its name to the several German and foreign philosophers who have hiked this path in search of an answer to their most poignant riddles. Grab a good pair of hiking booths, some insecticide and sunblock, water and snacks and a walking stick and head to Philosophers' Way. The walking stick may look funny but it makes the hike much easier, especially on uneven terrain. The way is divided into several paths, all classified by difficulty and steepness. Make sure to check in advance the classification of your path.

2. Photographing the Old Bridge

The Old Bridge is one of the main landmarks of Heidelberg and it provides several great photo opportunities. Picture the clean streams of the Neckar River, local street musicians and buildings from the Medieval Times in the background. If you have a digital camera, you will be able to take some amazing shots from this location, its surroundings and its people. You can complete your photo session with a snack at one of the dozens of local cafes and restaurants within walking distance from the Old Bridge.

3. Visiting the Heidelberg Zoo

It is quite impressive that such a small town as Heidelberg has its own zoo. Unlike big city zoos, the Heidelberg Zoo can be seen all within one afternoon and will not leave you needing a foot massage from all the walking.  The main attraction of this zoo is the monkeys, which are really playful and always a favorite of the little ones. This zoo has a trained falcon exhibition that runs every two hours.

4. Sightseeing around Heidelberg Castle

Visiting Heidelberg Castle is one of the activities that provides the most bang for your buck in Heidelberg with an admission price that is just five euros for adults and three euros for students and children. This castle has elements from the baroque and classic schools of architecture. Kids of all ages will feel like a little prince or princess here. There are four buildings that can be visited from the inside and there is also a Pharmacy Museum that can be visited at no extra charge.

5. Relaxing at Salzraum Heidelberg

This spa is the perfect getaway from the noisy tourists or a perfect way to relax after a long hike on Philosophers' Way. Phone reservations are recommended as this is a popular spot for locals. A visit to Salzraum Heidelberg takes about one to two hours, during which time you will receive a mixture of massage therapies and salt-water treatments. The spa staff is very professional and friendly, and they don't even mind if you end up falling asleep (as often happens).