The Best Weekend Trips From Heidelberg Germany

Heidelberg is unanimously agreed to be among the most romantic towns in Germany. In addition to its many attractions, its appeal lies in its fabulous location. With this town as a base, you can not only explore several exciting spots in Germany, but even hop across the border to exquisite destinations in three more countries (Liechtenstein, France, and Switzerland) over a day or a weekend. Get ready to be spoiled for choice.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a tiny country, sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, that packs incredible alpine beauty. A weekend is enough time to enjoy its highlights, including the historic hilltop Vaduz Castle, where royals still reside, shopping in Vaduz town, the stunning gothic castle in Balzer and sweeping views from Triesenberg. The country also offers great conditions for skiing, snowboarding, biking, mountain biking, and hiking.

Weekend Trips to Switzerland

The Swiss city of Basel is less hyped than many other locations in Switzerland, but certainly worth a stop because of its many attractions. Basel has a series of incredible museums catering to every interest. Take your pick from a toy museum, art museums, history museums, and more. Follow it up with a visit to the historic Munster and explore the historic old town around the river, and it will certainly be a weekend worth remembering.

Zurich

Highlights of a weekend in the Swiss capital of commerce must include the beautiful architecture (Grossmünster, Fraumünster, Peterskirsche) its old town is known for. While art enthusiasts would love the Kunsthaus (deemed to be the best art museum in Switzerland), nature lovers will certainly enjoy a lazy cruise on Lake Zürich. If there is time, head to Uetliberg, Zurich’s very own mountain, for incredible views.

Bern

Bern promises a delightfully quiet and pristine weekend, as it lacks the hustle and bustle you would normally associate with a capital city. It’s a pleasure walking by the River Aare and exploring the quaint alleys branching off the old town. Don’t miss the rose garden that houses almost 200 varieties of rose and promises great views of the city skyline, including the Bern Munster.

Weekend Trips Within Germany

Stuttgart

The city of two snazzy automobile museums (Mercedes Benz and Porsche), lush gardens, and stunning architecture, Stuttgart promises a busy, exciting weekend. If you are an art enthusiast, a weekend will go by in a blink as you explore the rich art scene of this city.

Frankfurt

Though often sidelined as a boring business city, Frankfurt has enough exciting sights and sounds to fill a weekend. Start by exploring its historic old town with its many unique pieces of architecture, and stop to admire Frankfurt’s super-quaint market square, Römerberg. The city also boasts a number of great museums and galleries, many of which appeal to children and adolescents as well.

Konstanz

Konstanz, a captivating city by Lake Constance, is known for its historic old town, ancient architecture, and panoramic views of the river. Don’t miss rediscovering the city skyline from a cruise boat. And if you wish to branch out, spend a few hours at the nearby flower island of Mainau.

Triberg

Triberg is a jewel in Germany’s fairy-tale region, the Black Forest. A weekend here is best spent exploring the small town on foot, hiking to the top of the the roaring Triberg waterfalls, checking out endless cuckoo clocks at the House of 1000 Clocks, and treating yourself to heaven on plate, also known as Black Forest gateau.

Baden Baden

The upscale, impeccably maintained city of Baden Baden should be your destination if you wish to treat yourself to a luxurious spa weekend. As well as for its natural thermal springs, the city is known for its vast swathes of greenery and high-end shopping.

Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe is an intoxicating mix of breathtaking neoclassical architecture, vast swathes of greenery and lakes, vibrant shopping scene, and seemingly endless museums and galleries. The most famous sight in town is the sprawling Karlsruhe Palace.

Weekend Trips to France

Colmar

When you visit Colmar, you feel as if you have walked into a glossy travel magazine. This gem in the French Alsace region is crisscrossed by canals, which are lined by chocolate-box houses with flower-box windows and picturesque cafés.

Nancy

Nancy, a chic riverside French city, is best known for its Place Stanislas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other highlights include several great art museums, a large wooden parkland named Parque de la Pépinière, and the lush Jardin botanique du Montet garden.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a magical city where beautifully preserved ancient architecture blends seamlessly with a multicultural, lively, modern atmosphere. Spend an unforgettable weekend strolling by its beautiful canals, gazing at its stunning architecture, and indulging in some scrumptious German–French cuisine.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.