The Best Hotels in Heidelberg, Germany

The Alte Brücke is the oldest bridge in historic Heidelberg
The Alte Brücke is the oldest bridge in historic Heidelberg | © DanieleC / Alamy Stock Photo
Julia Hammond

Heidelberg is the oldest university city in Germany. It escaped World War II unscathed, and, surrounded by forests and rows of vineyards, is one of the most beautiful destinations in the country. Discover where to stay and book a hotel Heidelberg can be proud of with Culture Trip.

Heidelberg is large enough to feel lively, but sufficiently compact for a city break. Get your head around the local geography by hopping on the funicular up to a sprawling ruined castle. Across the River Neckar, the Philosophers’ Way leads hikers through verdant vineyards. Snake down the hill and cross the Alte Brücke to the quaint Old Town. When you’re ready to bed down, head back to one of the best hotels in Heidelberg – here are our favourites.

Hotel Europäischer Hof Heidelberg

Hotel, Luxury

Exterior of Hotel Europäischer Hof Heidelberg, with three steps to entrance and car parked next to them
© Hotel Europäischer Hof Heidelberg / Expedia

Family-owned Hotel Europäischer Hof Heidelberg is a five-star property and one of the grandest in Germany. Caroline von Kretschmann continues a tradition of hospitality begun by her great-grandparents in 1865. All 118 rooms are individually furnished to the highest standards; they have in common a refined elegance. Dine at the wood-panelled restaurant Die Kurfürstenstube, where you can select a bottle from the 300-strong wine list to accompany your artfully presented steak tartare.

City Partner Hotel Holländer Hof

Hotel

Exterior of five-storey City Partner Hotel Holländer Hof, lit up at night
© City Partner Hotel Holländer Hof / Expedia

Hotel Holländer Hof faces the Alte Brücke, the oldest bridge in Heidelberg. Though there has been an inn on this site since the 16th century, the present name dates from 1836 in reference to the many Dutch travellers who stayed here at that time. Traditional rooms range from snug singles to family-sized apartments; make sure to request one with a view of the River Neckar and beyond. Heidelberger Marktplatz is a three-minute walk from here.

Midori the Green Guesthouse

Hotel, Guesthouse

Two adjoining single beds with yellow cover in room with soft chair, desk, chair and balcony at Midori the Green Guesthouse
© Midori the Green Guesthouse / Expedia

Sustainability and energy-efficient living are core values at the Midori. This guesthouse encourages a rethink of traditional hotel practices; geothermal energy is used for heating, and almost half of the electricity comes from solar panels. On check-in, you’ll notice the high-quality materials used in each room – such as natural-wood flooring – and rain showers come as standard. If you don’t mind staying on the outskirts of Heidelberg, in Dossenheim, then this is a great choice.

Qube Hotel Bahnstadt

Hotel

Two single beds face desk, chair and wall-mounted TV in room at Qube Hotel Bahnstadt
© Qube Hotel Bahnstadt / Expedia

Right in the centre of Heidelberg, you’ll find the uber-contemporary Qube Hotel Bahnstadt. The architects designed it as a passive house – an ultra-energy-efficient building. Hypoallergenic materials have been used throughout, including solvent-free paint and oak parquet flooring in the bedrooms. You’re almost guaranteed a good night’s sleep on a Qube mattress, which utilises a special type of foam that adapts to your body shape. The main train station is just a 12-minute walk away.

Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg

Hotel

Wooden-framed double bed with footstool in room with armchair, desk chair and TV at Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg
© Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg / Expedia

The family-run Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg combines a hotel, brewery and pub. Rooms vary in size; some feature exposed beams and statement art prints. Don’t pass up the chance to drink at its 17th-century tavern Zum Seppl. Graffiti by former university students on the wooden tables and the inn’s collection of historical photographs provide numerous talking points. Dine on crispy pork knuckle in dark beer sauce or seasonal favourites such as wild boar and roe deer served with spätzle or creamy mash.

Hotel zur Alten Brücke

Hotel

View towards Hotel zur Alten Brücke from across the river; it stands above other buildings on a forested hill
© Hotel zur Alten Brücke / Expedia
Proving how hotels in Heidelberg bring the history, the Hotel zur Alten Brücke was built in 1707. As the name suggests, it occupies one of the best locations in Heidelberg, beside the 18th-century bridge. Before the hotel catered for tourists, it housed many generations of university students. Its former use is evident in the desks and bookshelves you’ll find in the rooms, as well as in the rooms’ classification names: Prädikat (predicate), Klausur (exam), Exkursion (field trip) and – the finest suites of all – Summa Cum Laude.

Boutique Hotel Heidelberg Suites

Hotel

Rooftop seating area with city views, plus sofa, footstool, table and day bed with cushions at Boutique Hotel Heidelberg Suites
© Boutique Hotel Heidelberg Suites / Expedia
“Sleep and smile” is the mantra of this skilfully converted former mansion, now a boutique hotel. It’s the work of brother-and-sister team Peter Hütter and Christine Hütter-Bönan. He championed the chic sophistication that brings a little Parisian flair to Heidelberg, while she created the hotel’s lavish interiors. Pamper yourself with a massage, or unwind in the invigorating jacuzzi in the hotel’s private garden. Leafy surrounds overlooking the River Neckar make this an enviable spot.

Berggasthof Königstuhl

Hotel, Guesthouse

Wooden balcony with seat, small table and long-ranging countryside views at Berggasthof Königstuhl
© Berggasthof Königstuhl / Expedia

Perched at the top station of the Heidelberg mountain railway, the Berggasthof Königstuhl looks down over the ruined castle and the city below. The first guesthouse on this site was constructed in 1864, and the present-day building reflects its style and traditions. Take advantage of the hotel’s position: hike mountain trails right from the door, admire the view from the sauna terrace, or taste local wines in the hotel’s cellar.

Hotel Villa Marstall

Hotel, Villa

Double bed under wooden beams in room with TV, desk, two wooden chairs, radiator and skylight at Hotel Villa Marstall
© Hotel Villa Marstall / Expedia

The Villa Marstall occupies a prime site on the banks of the River Neckar in the heart of Heidelberg’s Old Town. Its 18 rooms are spread over four floors. All are light and airy, and attic rooms feature sloping ceilings. Some are especially charming, with four-poster beds. The breakfast here is a real treat. Feast on local cheese and cooked meats in the historic vaulted cellar with exposed brick walls.

Boutique Suites Heidelberg Alte Zigarrenmanufaktur

Hotel, Boutique Hotel

Double bed, TV and bath in open-plan ensuite room with balcony at Boutique Suites Heidelberg Alte Zigarrenmanufaktur
© Boutique Suites Heidelberg Alte Zigarrenmanufaktur / Expedia

Boutique Suites Heidelberg occupies what was once a tobacco factory, built around 1900 by Johann Mathias Pfeiffer. High ceilings, steel girders and exposed brick walls are a reminder of the hotel’s original function. Today, the emphasis is on design and comfort. However, the real highlight is the space – choose from a snug studio right up to a two-bedroom apartment sleeping four. All have fully equipped kitchens, making it ideal for extended stays.

If you’d prefer somewhere more busy, why not make the ninety-minute trip to Stuttgart and stay in one of the best hotels in the city for every traveller?

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