Market Square (Marktplatz)

Given its prominent location, it’s no surprise that the Main Market Square is a key destination on guided tours of Heidelberg’s Old Town. Travelers typically choose a guided walking tour to learn about the city’s history while ticking off essential landmarks, such as Heidelberg Castle, the Market Square, the Karl Theodor Bridge, and the City Hall. For more freedom and flexibility, some visitors choose a self-guided audio tour or a private tour.

• The Market Square of Heidelberg is accessible to wheelchair users and strollers, but the ground is made of cobblestones, so it may be uneven at times.

• If traveling by public transport, barrier-free boards are available to help wheelchair users and those with limited mobility who want to get onto trams and buses.

• If you want to take a break from sightseeing, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants around the main market square—and outdoor dining in the warmer months.

• Heidelberg has free public Wi-Fi at 200 locations across the city—look out for the “Heidelberg4you” network.

• The market square still holds twice-weekly markets where fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats, crafts, and other local specialties are sold.

It’s easy to get to the Market Square, located in the heart of the Old Town. If arriving by train, you can take a 40-minute stroll beside the Neckar River to access views of another popular landmark—the Old Bridge—along the way. Alternatively, you can get a bus to Rathaus/Bergbahn (such as #20 or #33), around a 2-minute walk away.

It is beautiful year-round, especially during the spring and summer when you can dine al fresco. If you happen to be in Nuremberg in December, Market Square is an essential place to visit, as it’s home to the Heidelberg Christmas Market. Here, you can see wooden huts filled with festive ornaments, food stands selling gluhwein and sausages, and more.

Heidelberg hosts a weekly market on the Market Square each Saturday—this is usually from early morning until mid-afternoon, and it sells a variety of groceries, such as fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, and flowers. The annual Christmas market also takes place on the Market Square—typically from the end of November until Christmas time.