FREE PUBLIC WALKING TOURS
Explore Heidelberg like a local. Come and experience an unforgettable day in the city we love.
FREE PUBLIC WALKING TOURS
Explore Heidelberg like a local. Come and experience an unforgettable day in the city we love.
ABOUT THE TOUR
Our aim is to take you on a unique journey through Heidelberg that not only tells you the story of our fascinating history but also leaves you with a smile from ear-to-ear from our guides quirky and engaging personal experiences. We give our tour guides free rein to show off Heidelberg in their own particular way, and every guide runs the tour depending on their tastes and interests – whether it be a love of churches, art, politics, or history.
The free tours tend to run for around 2 hours, and anyone in groups of up to 8 can register online beforehand – for groups larger than this, please book a private tour. We meet next to the famous Bridge Monkey which is a stone’s throw from the Old Bridge Gate, on the other side of the Hotel Holländer Hof. The English tours run every week. Make sure to be on the lookout for our smiling tour guide who will be wearing a backpack that is sporting our bright green logo on the front, and standing under our green Heidelberg Free Walking Tour umbrella.
See below for an example tour itinerary that includes many of the popular destinations that we venture through.
ABOUT THE TOUR
Our aim is to take you on a unique journey through Heidelberg that not only tells you the story of our fascinating history but also leaves you with a smile from ear-to-ear from our guides quirky and engaging personal experiences. We give our tour guides free rein to show off Heidelberg in their own particular way, and every guide runs the tour depending on their tastes and interests – whether it be a love of churches, art, politics, or history.
The free tours tend to run for around 2 hours, and anyone in groups of up to 8 can register online beforehand – for groups larger than this, please book a private tour. We meet next to the famous Bridge Monkey which is a stone’s throw from the Old Bridge Gate, on the other side of the Hotel Holländer Hof. The English tours begin run every week. Make sure to be on the lookout for our smiling tour guide who will be wearing a backpack that is sporting our bright green logo on the front, and standing under our green Heidelberg Free Walking Tour umbrella.
See below for an example tour itinerary that includes many of the popular destinations that we venture through.
ITINERARY
Please be aware this is just a sample, and the actual tour locations are at the discretion of the guides.
Student Karzer: These private jail cells for unruly students which eventually transformed into nothing more than party rooms, are a fascinating stop on the trail that describes students history and lifestyle!
Neckarwiese: This five-hectare space is the largest green area in the inner city and is the perfect place to relax and meet people during Heidelberg’s summer.
Neckar-Valley: The stunning Neckar-Valley trails you through old villages with views including the Hornberg castle – all beside our beautiful river.
University Square: This pedestrianised zone makes up the centre of the Old Town Campus and is right next to the main nightlife district. It is full of fantastic surprises – depending on the day you could witness a new art installation or an orchestra playing on stage.
Tower of Holy Spirit Church: Near the Heidelberg Castle rests the most famous church in Heidelberg, with its high-rising steeple dominating the rooftops of the town.
ITINERARY
Please be aware this is just a sample, and the actual tour locations are at the discretion of the guides.
Student Karzer: These private jail cells for unruly students which eventually transformed into nothing more than party rooms, are a fascinating stop on the trail that describes students history and lifestyle!
Neckarwiese: This five-hectare space is the largest green area in the inner city and is the perfect place to relax and meet people during Heidelberg’s summer.
Neckar-Valley: The stunning Neckar-Valley trails you through old villages with views including the Hornberg castle – all beside our beautiful river.
University Square: This pedestrianised zone makes up the centre of the Old Town Campus and is right next to the main nightlife district. It is full of fantastic surprises – depending on the day you could witness a new art installation or an orchestra playing on stage.
Tower of Holy Spirit Church: Near the Heidelberg Castle rests the most famous church in Heidelberg, with its high-rising steeple dominating the rooftops of the town.
FAQS
These are the questions we’re most commonly asked about our Free Public Tours. If you can’t find an answer to your question below, send us a message through the contact form at the bottom of this page, or reach out via the Instant Messenger icon at the bottom right-hand side of your screen.
What days do the tours run?
The English-speaking tours run weekly from, Friday to Sunday, and our Spanish speaking tours run on Saturday.
If for any reason there is a change, we will inform you via our Facebook page.
At what times do the tours leave?
The tours leave at 2:30 PM.
Do I have to register?
We do prefer it if you can book in advance on our website, as it allows us to prepare additional tour guides in case of large numbers, but it isn’t a problem if you just show up.
If you are planning a private tour with us, we would like to help by organizing your tour; therefore, you should contact us here.
What are we going to see on the free public walking tour?
Please check out our example itinerary for some of the places we visit.
Does the tour still go ahead when it rains?
Yes, as locals we have grown to love the rain and snow in Heidelberg. But please don’t forget to bring an umbrella and some warm clothes.
Why is the tour FREE?
As a group of travellers ourselves, we don’t believe that a budget should stand in the way of learning about a city and its culture. The tour is based on tips, as our guides are not paid by any company or the city – so you decide how much to give.
Can we join the public tour if we are under 18 years old?
The permission of a legal guardian is needed for people younger than 16 years old.
How long does the tour last?
Overall, the tour takes around two hours – this can depend on how adventurous you and your tour guide are feeling on the day.
What should I bring with me?
In the winter, make sure to bring warm shoes and clothes as well as an umbrella for the rain.
In the summer we recommend sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
Please do not forget to bring questions! Because we love them.
How many people normally show up for a public tour?
It depends. Normally, we try to have a maximum of 20 people in a group, but it can vary according to the weather, national holidays or events in and around Heidelberg.
What can we do before and after the tour?
We recommend visiting Frankfurt, it is 78km north of Heidelberg and is an extremely vibrant city with a fascinating history. Our sister site also offers free walking tours there.
Where is the best place for German beer in Heidelberg?
You can visit the Heidelberg TripAdvisor page for the best spots to find German beer; however, the city is actually famous for its Melonenschnaps.
Where should we stay in Heidelberg?
We recommend either the Lotte Hostel or the Steffis Hostel, both are great for budget travelers!
How do we get to Heidelberg?
The train is the simplest and cheapest way to travel to Heidelberg from nearby Frankfurt. You can find times here.
FAQS
These are the questions we’re most commonly asked about our Free Public Tours. If you can’t find an answer to your question below, send us a message through the contact form at the bottom of this page, or reach out via the Instant Messenger icon at the bottom right-hand side of your screen.
What days do the tours run?
The tours run weekly from, Friday to Sunday.
If for any reason there is a change, we will inform you via our Facebook page.
At what times do the tours leave?
The tours leave at 2:30 PM.
Do I have to register?
We do prefer it if you can book in advance on our website, as it allows us to prepare additional tour guides in case of large numbers, but it isn’t a problem if you just show up.
If you are planning a private tour with us, we would like to help by organizing your tour; therefore, you should contact us here.
What are we going to see on the free public walking tour?
Please check out our example itinerary for some of the places we visit.
Does the tour still go ahead when it rains?
Yes, as locals we have grown to love the rain and snow in Heidelberg. But please don’t forget to bring an umbrella and some warm clothes.
Why is the tour FREE?
As a group of travellers ourselves, we don’t believe that a budget should stand in the way of learning about a city and its culture. The tour is based on tips, as our guides are not paid by any company or the city – so you decide how much to give.
Can we join the public tour if we are under 18 years old?
The permission of a legal guardian is needed for people younger than 16 years old.
How long does the tour last?
Overall, the tour takes around two hours – this can depend on how adventurous you and your tour guide are feeling on the day.
What should I bring with me?
In the winter, make sure to bring warm shoes and clothes as well as an umbrella for the rain.
In the summer we recommend sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
Please do not forget to bring questions! Because we love them.
How many people normally show up for a public tour?
It depends. Normally, we try to have a maximum of 20 people in a group, but it can vary according to the weather, national holidays or events in and around Heidelberg.
Is the public tour provided in German?
Unfortunately not. Our public tours are only in English. If you require a tour in German please book a private tour.
What can we do before and after the tour?
We recommend visiting Frankfurt, it is 78km north of Heidelberg and is an extremely vibrant city with a fascinating history. Our sister site also offers free walking tours there.
Where is the best place for German beer in Heidelberg?
You can visit the Heidelberg TripAdvisor page for the best spots to find German beer; however, the city is actually famous for its Melonenschnaps.
Where should we stay in Heidelberg?
We recommend either the Lotte Hostel or the Steffis Hostel, both are great for budget travelers!
How do we get to Heidelberg?
The train is the simplest and cheapest way to travel to Heidelberg from nearby Frankfurt. You can find times here.
BOOKING
You can book a spot on our free public walking tour at 2:30 PM below. You can also book a private tour, and you can find more information here. If you book a private tour, please enter your desired start time and meeting point in the “Description” section, and we will reach out via email to confirm all of your details. For our Spanish-speaking tour, please visit the Spanish version of our website.
PLEASE NOTE: For groups of more than 7, you will need to book a private tour.
Please check our facebook page for the latest tour updates before booking.
BOOKING
You can book a spot on our free public walking tour at 2:30 PM below. You can also book a private tour, and you can find more information here. If you book a private tour, please enter your desired start time and meeting point in the “Description” section, and we will reach out via email to confirm all of your details. For our Spanish-speaking tour, please visit the Spanish version of our website.
PLEASE NOTE: For groups of more than 7, you will need to book a private tour.
Please check our facebook page for the latest tour updates before booking.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions about our free public walking tours, our private tours, or if you’re interested in finding out more about joining our team, please send us a message. We’d love to hear from you!
CONTACT US
If you have any questions about our free public walking tours, our private tours, or if you’re interested in finding out more about joining our team, please send us a message. We’d love to hear from you!
FIND US
CONTACT
heidelberg-free@alternative-walking-tour.com
+49 163 234 6786
Meeting Point:
Monkey Statue – Old Bridge Gate
69117 Heidelberg, Germany
FIND US
Meeting Point:
Monkey Statue – Old Bridge Gate
69117 Heidelberg, Germany
CONTACT
heidelberg-free@alternative-walking-tour.com
+49 163 234 6786