15 Best Things to Do in Heilbronn (Germany)

More than 1,200 years in the making, Heilbronn on the Neckar River offers a variety of attractions. The city serves as Württemberg’s wine capital, hosting a wine festival in September that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. Furthermore, Heilbronn boasts an impressive cultural heritage, evidenced by landmarks such as the Gothic St Kilian’s Church, which features an exquisite Late Gothic altarpiece.

The scenic banks of the Neckar River are notably beautiful, particularly in the verdant southern region around Wertwiesenpark. For those familiar with German literature, a visit to the Medieval tower where Götz von Berlichingen, the protagonist of Goethe’s drama, was imprisoned is highly recommended.

Here, we present the best activities and attractions in Heilbronn:

1. St Kilian’s Church

Heilbronn’s principal historical edifice, St Kilian’s Church, is a Gothic hall church constructed from local sandstone. Elements of the oldest architecture trace back to the 1200s, while the majority of the structure originates from the 14th and 15th centuries. The tower, initiated in 1508, reflects some of the initial Renaissance influences north of the Alps. As with much of Heilbronn, the church suffered extensive damage during the war, first from an aerial assault and later from artillery strikes. Fortunately, its valuable decorations and fixtures had been relocated for protection.

The centerpiece is a masterfully carved Late Gothic altar by Hans Seyffer dating from 1498, which measures 11.64 meters by 7.86. The altar features Mary with Child, surrounded by saints in the central panel, while the elaborate reliefs on the wings depict scenes such as the Crucifixion and the Death of Mary.

2. Astronomical Clock

Situated on the gable of the town hall’s historic Renaissance facade is an extraordinary piece of 16th-century craftsmanship by Isaak Habrecht, who also created the clock at Strasbourg Cathedral. This clock features three faces: at the top, beneath the bell, the moon clock indicates the phases of the moon over a 30-day cycle. Below this is a standard 12-hour clock with hour and minute hands. At the hour, several automatons animate: two angels face each other, one playing a trumpet while the other signals the bell toll with a sceptre. Additionally, two golden rams and a rooster, which crows at the fourth, eighth, and twelfth hours, are positioned below. At the lowest face, the zodiac clock displays the current positions of the sun and moon across the twelve zodiac signs.

3. Käthchenhaus

After admiring the Astronomical Clock at Marktplatz, visitors may turn to the southwest corner of the square to admire this exquisite Gothic residence dating back to the 14th century. At a time when most houses were constructed using timber, this building was entirely built from Heilbronn sandstone, which contributes to its preservation into the 21st century. The three-storeyed structure features Gothic and Renaissance mullioned windows. Notably, the oriel (bay window) displays relief portraits of the Hebrew prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and Habakkuk from 1534. Although it has no direct connection to the work, the house is named after the Romantic writer Heinrich von Kleist’s play Das Käthchen von Heilbronn, which significantly contributed to Heilbronn’s recognition in the 19th century.

4. MS Experimenta

For those who visit Heilbronn before 2019, one of the city’s premier attractions was undergoing renovation. Experimenta is an interactive science centre and laboratory located in a former warehouse on Kraneninsel, nestled between the Wilhelmskanal and the Neckar, which opened in 2003. This center features 150 interactive exhibits addressing topics such as communication, renewable energy, and transport technology. After its closure for renovations in 2017, many of its activities were temporarily relocated to a 100-meter-long container ship moored at the canal adjacent to the museum building.

5. South German Railway Museum

Located in the former Bundesbahn locomotive depot in Heilbronn’s Böckingen district, this museum showcases a modest collection of locomotives and carriages, predominantly from the early to mid-20th century. Approximately 80 exhibits are on display, including historic maintenance infrastructure such as a roundhouse from 1893. A highlight of the collection is the Prussian P8 steam locomotive, which was produced between 1908 and 1926 and has been fully restored following its service on Romania’s railways. The P8 is one of over ten steam locomotives in varying states of repair, alongside several diesel locomotives, a selection of Saxon and Prussian passenger coaches, and an I-gauge model railway.

6. Deutschhof

This former commandery of the Teutonic Order dates back to the 1200s and represents some of Heilbronn’s oldest remaining architecture. Following Heilbronn’s annexation by the Electorate of Württemberg in 1805, the complex underwent various transformations, serving as a barracks, court, and governmental building. The site features an array of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles around two expansive and tranquil courtyards. These open areas host markets and concerts during the summer, while the buildings house a café, a cultural center for temporary exhibitions, and a museum dedicated to the city’s rich history, which will be discussed next.

7. Haus der Stadtgeschichte

Utilizing Heilbronn’s municipal archives, the Haus der Stadtgeschichte presents an organized museum that chronicles the city’s history. The exhibition reopened in 2012, covering Heilbronn’s narrative from the High Middle Ages to the 21st century within two expansive rooms. The smaller room contains a detailed 3D model of Heilbronn circa 1800, allowing identification of individual buildings. This section also features Medieval documents conferring privileges to the city, liturgical sculptures, oil portraits of notable individuals, tomb effigies, and an 18th-century porcelain collection. The larger room focuses on the 19th and 20th centuries, employing newspapers, everyday objects, stamps, and archival photographs to illustrate life in Heilbronn through the Empire, Weimar Republic, National Socialism, and post-war reconstruction.

8. Pfühlpark

The oldest park in Heilbronn, established in 1575, features the picturesque Trappenseeschlösschen on an island within Trappensee lake on the park’s eastern side, making it one of the city’s most charming sights. The remainder of the park, approximately nine hectares, was redesigned in 1934 for a horticultural exhibition. Following restoration efforts over the past few decades, this park is well-maintained.

Children will enjoy the playground, which includes a large slide atop a pyramid, while the Pießsee lake offers a stunning 35-meter-wide wooden deck for visitors to appreciate the lake’s serenity and lush vegetation along its banks.

9. Trappenseeschlösschen

This charming Baroque structure, located on Trappensee, warrants special attention. Distant from Heilbronn’s center, it remarkably remained unscathed by the ravages of war. Initially commissioned in 1575 for the city’s mayor, Philipp Orth, the building attained its current Baroque appearance in the 1780s when it was acquired by the Dutch admiral and diplomat Heinrich August von Kinckel, originally from Heilbronn. Although still privately owned, it offers a delightful backdrop for dining on the terrace of the Trappensee Restaurant.

10. Siebenröhrenbrunnen

Located in front of the church on Kilainsplatz, this fountain is as ancient as the city itself. The well that supplies its water may have inspired Heilbronn’s name in the 8th century. The term “Siebenröhren” relates to the fountain’s seven pipes and sits beneath a Renaissance pavilion from the 1540s, adorned with vaults and a gabled roof. The 19th-century reliefs depicted here illustrate significant figures from Heilbronn’s history, including Carloman, the 8th-century Duke of the Franks, notable for the city’s first documented mention, and Emperor Charles IV, who elevated Heilbronn to the status of Imperial City in 1371.

11. Wertwiesenpark

Situated along the Neckar River, this inviting park was established in 1982 in preparation for the Baden-Württemberg Landesgartenschau (State Garden Show) held in 1985. Visitors come to enjoy leisurely strolls along both banks of the river, crossing on a footbridge, and to have summer barbecues in designated areas. The park also features a playground for children, a skate park for teens, an outdoor swimming pool, and a mini-golf course. Additionally, Wertwiesenpark boasts horticultural significance through its individual gardens designated for perennials (13,000 plants), roses, grasses, and fragrant plants.

12. Bollwerksturm and Götzenturm

Two towers from Heilbronn’s formidable defensive wall system have been preserved to this day. The Bollwerksturm (Bulwark Tower), dating from the Hohenstaufen dynasty in the 11th and 12th centuries, is situated at the northwest corner of the city wall and historically served as a prison for the most dangerous offenders. The famed Franconian knight and poet Götz von Berlichingen, who is featured in Goethe’s eponymous play (1773), was incarcerated here after his capture by the Swabian League in 1519. The Götzenturm, constructed in 1392 and standing at 30 meters tall, is made from local sandstone. Interestingly, the Götzenturm is named after Götz von Berlichingen and gained popularity following the publication of Goethe’s play, despite the protagonist being imprisoned in the less aesthetically appealing Bollwerksturm.

13. Botanischer Obstgarten

Located beneath Wartberg hill in the northern part of Heilbronn, this botanical orchard has an intriguing origin. The Botanischer Obstgarten was established in the 1850s as a response to the social challenges arising from industrialization. To uplift impoverished youths, practical education emphasizing trades and horticulture was introduced, resulting in the foundation of this garden. The orchard exhibits a variety of fruit trees, showcasing the diversity and richness of South German agriculture. Accompanying the trees are show gardens featuring herbs, vegetables, and an assortment of flowerbeds. The park is adorned with charming arbours, garden houses, and pavilions designed in Moorish and Classical styles.

14. Wartbergturm

Visible from multiple vantage points in Heilbronn, the Medieval Wartbergturm oversees the city from its position on Wartberg. Surrounding the tower is a modest playground alongside the Wartberggaststätte, a restaurant that originated in 1760 and boasts Goethe as one of its previous patrons. The tower serves as an excellent launch point for nature walks in the hilly, forested landscape northeast of Heilbronn. It is open to the public, and from its summit, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Neckar basin from an altitude of 330 meters above sea level.

15. Wine

Heilbronn is situated within the Württembergisches Unterland, recognized as one of Germany’s most prominent wine regions. The surrounding area comprises nearly 500 hectares of vineyards, predominantly located on the eastern slopes of the city, oriented to maximize sunlight exposure. Approximately half of this cultivated area is dedicated to the Trollinger grape, known for producing a light-bodied, refreshing red wine, while Riesling constitutes the other primary grape variety in this region. To immerse oneself in the local wine culture, attending the Heilbronner Weindorf, held at Marktplatz during the harvest season each September, is highly encouraged. At various stands throughout the square, visitors can sample around 300 different wines and purchase their preferred selections.