I’ll admit it; this quaint little German town has stolen a piece of my heart after living here. There’s just something about the atmosphere and culture of the town that makes me want to move here permanently.

Although I won’t be planting my roots here, I’ve learned the ins and outs of how to experience the most of Heidelberg. I personally believe that if you’re traveling here, two days is a good amount of time to spend exploring the city. It can be done in a day but it’s never wise to rush a good thing.

Hopefully you will make the trip to Heidelberg one day and when you do, here is a list of must-do activities.

1. Walk up the Hauptstrasse

This is pretty much a no-brainer for anybody who visits the city. You can’t avoid the cobblestone street lined with shops and bakeries. Bonus points if you make it to the end of the street to Kornmarkt to get the beautiful picture of the castle that includes the golden Madonna statue.

2. Climb up to the castle

Bombed by the French centuries ago (thanks France), the castle still commands the hillside overlooking the city. For a small price of 8 euros you can wander around the castle courtyard, see the world’s largest keg (no longer in use), and even see the bench where Goethe once sat and wrote at.

If you don’t want to pay the fee, go after 6:00 in the evening when the office has closed down and you can wander around the entire castle grounds for free. Nothing beats the view of Heidelberg from the castle!

3. Walk along Philosopher’s Way

Across the Old Bridge from the Altstadt is Philospher’s Way. Winding into the hillside, many Heidelbergers and tourists alike will stroll along the path and let their thoughts consume them as they look over the river and city.

4. Enjoy a beer at Vetters

After walking along Philosopher’s Way, enjoy a cold beer at Vetters, the best brewery in town. If you want to enjoy the atmosphere of the city and still enjoy a beer, get one of their liters to go. For six euros, you can get a liter of their delicious beer. If you return the bottle, you receive three euros back. Vetters is a hit among the college students and is delicious too!

But most importantly, enjoy your time wandering around Heidelberg. It is known as one of the most romantic cities in Germany for a reason. Watch the people, soak up the culture, and appreciate the city of Heidelberg. It’s unparalleled beauty and atmosphere are just some of the reasons that I am proud to call it my Heidel-Home!