Heidelberg (Germany)

Advantages: Tourists love it.
Disadvantages: Tourists love it.

..., loved and studied in Heidelberg for six years. You're not convinced, you think I'm prejudiced and all this talk about Heidelberg being romantic and picturesque is just 'ad speak' to lure the tourists and you'd like to hear a different opinion before you embark on your journey? No problem, just listen to this: "Truly, Heidelberg is a place of all exceeding loveliness. Here the romantic ruggedness of the German landscape unites in perfect harmony ...
...When I studied in Heidelberg I had a room in a house in the street running above the castle and in summer when I slept with the windows open I didn't need an alarm clock, because at 8 o'clock sharp I would wake up to polyglot cries of "Ah's" and "Oh's" - the guides always start their tours there and explain that the gate was built in one night as a birthday present for a princess. We then look to the left and see a big round tower which extracts ... Read review

Advantages: A bit of everyhing - museums, parks, palaces, shops, often great weather, the ice cream at Eis Roma, always something going on
Disadvantages: Dreary Januaries

...numerous visits to the country, Heidelberg has still managed to escape my attention, and when I moved here in august last year I really did not know what to expect. Factoring in various holidays, I’ve spent around 10 of the last 11 months here, and as you’d expect, I’ve come to know the town pretty well. Heidelberg has everything you could want from a tourist destination – an ancient castle, a charming old town area, a river ...
...the shuttles also drop off). Heidelberg has a good selection of accommodations, from the youth hostel up near the uni halls of residence to budget, mid-priced and luxury hotels. However, it is a popular place, and rooms get booked up well in advance. One of the most reasonably priced places is the Ibis at the station, where a double room will set you back about 40 GBP per night without breakfast. The further into town you go, the higher the prices ... Read review

Advantages: Lots to do (see op)
Disadvantages: Too many tourists

...year and went out in Heidelberg at least once a week. I have gained a pretty good insight into what there is to do in this very busy town – and also what should be avoided. My intention here is to give a girl’s view on the choice of sights, restaurants, cafes, bars and of course shops that Heidelberg has to offer. But first of all... What is Heidelberg like for non-German speakers? I would here and now like to lay to rest any language ...
...won’t be a problem; Heidelberg is probably the most international German town I have ever been to - everybody and his dog seems to speak English (yes, speaking dogs...). In fact, as a German speaker, it is quite annoying for me, because as soon as someone realises that I am English, they immediately insist speaking it! Most of the menus in Restaurants are multilingual too and if you happen to be given a German-only menu, they usually have English ... Read review

Advantages: gorgeous
Disadvantages: parking is expensive

Heidelberg isn't a typical German town. In fact, due to the large numbers of British, American and Japanese tourists, and the 2 large US army bases nearby, you're more likely to need English than German. However, if you do happen to meet a native(rare)they'll be appreciative if you can speak at least a few phrases of German. There's so much to do in Heidelberg a day-trip definitely doesn't do it justice. The Main Street is full of beautiful sandstone ...
...strangely, one for packaging. Obviously, everyone has to visit the castle,which was partly ruined during the franco-prussian war,but can still be walked around and contains a huge wine-barrel with a dance floor on the top. The castle gardens are lovely too. However, I think the nicest place to go is Heiligenberg, the hill opposite the castle. There's a walkway about a third of the way up called Philosophenweg, where everyone goes to take pictures ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful scenery and town, good atmosphere
Disadvantages: Can feel cramped, virtually everything squashed into old town

If you're arriving in Heidelberg by train, the town does not seem particularly inspiring as you step outside the Hauptbahnhof - hemmed in by the main road and the tram lines with new offices rising all around, this does not seem to be the beuatiful mediaeval city the tour guides rave about. Take the number 1 tram to Bismarckplatz however, and you will begin to see what everyone was going on about - the wooded hills soar high up to your right, and ...
...cobbled alleyways that constituted the Heidelberg known to the electors of the Holy Roman Empire. The Alte Bruecke (Old Bridge) still spans the River Neckar, painstakingly rebuilt after its destruction on the last day of WW2, and from there you can find any number of local bars and restaurants withing a few minutes' walk. Good place to seek out are Vetters restaurants, typical German hostelries serving large locally-brewed beers and serving good, ... Read review