This picturesque town in the Neckar Valley in Germany is known for its fine wine, fun festivals and beautiful Renaissance sights.
Heilbronn is a city based right on the Neckar River, in a valley surrounded by the spectacular Alps. Architectural gems from the 16th century, fascinating wine tasting tours and tasty food and music festivals along the river make this town one of the most popular places to live in Germany.
Tour the city centre on foot and take a look at the Gothic City Hall, which like many other city sites was flattened during the Second World War, and later rebuilt. The Rococo Hall of Honour, Ehrenhalle, commemorates the 11,000 people who lost their lives in the war. Nearby, the 16th-century astronomic clock is a city trademark and worth viewing on the full hour, when all three parts of the clock chime in.
The lifeline of the city is the Neckar River. Stroll along the embankment, enjoy the famous Neckar Festival during the summer or relax on the sandy beaches of Hip Island. Heilbronn is the main Neckar city, holding the seventh largest domestic port in Germany. Why not take a riverboat tour and see the beautiful green scenery or opt for your own tour with a paddleboat instead?
You can also visit the salt harbour, the entrance to Heilbronn’s massive underground network of salt mines. The Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke is one of the largest salt producers in Europe and offers tours of the deep mines 590 feet (180 metres) below ground.
Many people are drawn to Heilbronn because of its Riesling wine. Heilbronn claims to have the best wine in the entire Neckar Valley, so take a tour of the wineries and see for yourself. Enjoy a glass or two at one of the various festivals like the Heilbronner Weindorf or, better still, visit one of the Besenwirtschaften. These are the local residences that, if they have left a broom outside, invite visitors to come inside and try the home produce. It's a tradition that, combined with the striking architecture and scenic sights, makes Heilbronn one of Germany's most rewarding towns to visit.
