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Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

22 Reviews 4.32 out of 5 stars Based on 22 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 91% of reviewers
91% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Heidelberg, Germany
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from $6.99 per person

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Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour Image 1
Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour Image 2
Heidelberg Student Prison
Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour Image 4
Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.
70 to 140 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Join Heidelberg resident Erin McGann on a winding self-guided audio walking tour of the picturesque Altstadt, the old town of this fascinating German city on the banks of the Neckar River.

Take in the famous Church of the Holy Ghost in the center of the main market square, discover the carvings that allowed residents to check the legal size of their pretzels (really!), hear stories of the catastrophic floods, find out which buildings are the oldest, hear how the university students got so rowdy they ended up with their own prison, and learn about the romantic history of our ruined castle.

The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. The great thing about a self-guided tour is there are no crowds and you set the pace. Stop when you want and start when you want!

What's Included

  • Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Smartphone & Headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food/Drink
See 3 moreSee 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Marktpl. 5
69117 Heidelberg, Germany

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Hauptstraße 206
69117 Heidelberg, Germany

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Altstadt (Old Town) (pass by)

Enjoy the flexibility of a GPS-enabled audio tour of Heidelberg’s Altstadt whenever you’re ready to take it. Erin McGann, history geek, writer, and Heidelberg resident, takes you on a walk through the winding streets of the picturesque Old Town. Erin lets you in on some local secrets including stories about the dramatic floods that plagued the residents for hundreds of years, the secrets of the German street names, what the pretzel carvings on the Church of the Holy Ghost mean, why there is a student prison, and stories about the residents of the famous castle. Download the tour, pop your phone in your pocket, and let this enthusiastic Heidelberger resident take you around the town she loves.
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Market Square (Marktplatz) (pass by)

The center of the Altstadt, the Marktplatz, or Market Square, is where you can sit outside in the summer and enjoy a coffee, or a Glühwein in December at our gorgeous Christmas Market. There’s a lot of history in this square, and we’ll do a full circle on the audio tour.
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Old Bridge (Karl Theodor Bridge) (pass by)

The Alte Brücke, or Old Bridge, is a bit of a misnomer. Built in 1877, it’s quite young compared to the rest of Heidelberg. Depending on who you ask, it’s either the 11th or the eighth bridge on that spot. Floods are a common experience in Heidelberg’s history, and if you know where to look, you can find the marker for the highest flood ever to hit the town.
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Studentenkarzer (pass by)

The Student Prison, or Student Karzer was an important part of student life for over 135 years, from 1778 to 1914. No, students weren’t put in prison for bad marks, but what they did get up to was driving the town residents crazy. So much so, the phrase ‘letting the pigs loose’ in German is a local idiom for getting drunk and rowdy.
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Kornmarkt (pass by)

This square has been a meeting place for Heidelbergers since the 1500s, but the name Kornmarkt only came about in the 1600s. The red stone and white building here is a side of the Stadthalle, or the City Hall.
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Church of the Holy Ghost (Heiliggeistkirche) (pass by)

A landmark in Heidelberg, this church holds the keys to some fascinating stories about our historic town. Why are there doors halfway down the building? Have the shops under the eaves always been there? Find out more as we circle the building in the audio tour.
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Jesuitenkirche (pass by)

Jesuitenkirche is the main Catholic church in Heidelberg. The variegated red stone is from the Neckar valley quarries, and it practically lights up from within in the evening light. The construction began in 1712, and finally finished with the addition of the tower in 1872.
Read more

King's Throne (Konigstuhl) (pass by)

The Castle is located only halfway up the hill. You can take the old funicular, with its 100-year-old wooden carriages, up the last leg to the summit. There are incredible views over the city, many nature trails, a falconry open to visitors, and a small amusement park for children. You can, of course, make the climb yourself.
Read more
Show 7 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Heidelberg’s Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-110804P97

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.32
22 reviews

Average 4.32 out of 5 stars based on 22 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
12
4 stars
8
3 stars
0
2 stars
1
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Heidelberg’s Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start.
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it.
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata.
  • The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS.
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour.
The following is NOT included:
  • Smartphone & Headphones.
  • Transportation.
  • Food/Drink.
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 6..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour is as follows:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Heidelberg’s Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Smartphone & Headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food/Drink
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Report Product Issue

Activity name