Die Hirschgasse stands at Hirschgasse 3 in Neuenheim, on the northern bank of the Neckar and directly below the slopes of the Philosophers' Walk. The building dates from 1472, which makes it one of the oldest hotel addresses in the city, and it is presented as a small luxury boutique hotel by the river. It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and the accommodation is organised as suites rather than standard rooms, in Comfort, Junior, Deluxe and Salon categories. Two restaurants share the house: Le Gourmet, a fine-dining room serving French-influenced cuisine, and the Mensurstube, a more rustic room whose name recalls the student fencing tradition that gave Heidelberg its scarred-cheek legend. There is also a bar and lounge, a terrace and a garden, plus a banquet hall for weddings and private events. The setting is the draw: you are across the river from the castle view, with the Old Bridge a short stroll away.
Location and getting around
Neuenheim is the residential district across the river from the Old Town, and the hotel sits at its edge near the foot of the hillside path. The walk to the Old Bridge is about eight minutes, the Marktplatz is around twelve minutes on foot and the castle is reachable on foot in roughly the same time, though the last stretch climbs. The nearest rail stop is the Heidelberg-Altstadt station, a few minutes away, and buses and trams serve the wider district.
Most visitors simply walk across the bridge in the evening and back again, which is a pleasure in itself with the castle floodlit above the river. Parking is available on site for a daily charge, and a paid airport transfer can be arranged, but check the details when you book.
The rooms and the food
The suites are the reason to stay here, since they give you space to spread out and a sense of being in a private house rather than a hotel block. If you like a quiet room, ask for one facing the garden, and if you want the river outlook, ask which suites have it.
Dinner at Le Gourmet is the splurge, and the Mensurstube is the easier choice for a hearty regional meal with a story attached. Breakfast is cooked to order and charged separately on most rates, so decide whether you want it included before comparing prices with Old Town hotels.
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and anyone who values atmosphere and a calm night over being in the pedestrian zone. It is less convenient than the Hauptstraße hotels for late evenings, because you will walk home across the bridge, and it is not the budget pick, with prices generally in the upper range.
Families with small children may prefer a larger hotel with a pool, while guests who want a dinner-and-bed address on a historic site, with the river at the door, will find few better options in Heidelberg. Book early for the Christmas market weeks and for summer weekends, when the small number of suites goes quickly.
Why stay here
- ✓Historic building dating from 1472
- ✓Suites in four categories
- ✓Le Gourmet fine-dining restaurant
- ✓Mensurstube regional restaurant
- ✓Bar and lounge
- ✓Terrace and garden
- ✓Free Wi-Fi in rooms
- ✓On-site parking for a fee
Good questions
Is Die Hirschgasse within walking distance of the Old Town?+
Yes. It is in Neuenheim, across the Neckar, and the walk over the Old Bridge to the Old Town takes around ten minutes. The castle is also close on foot, with a short climb at the end.
What kind of rooms does it have?+
The accommodation is suites, in Comfort, Junior, Deluxe and Salon categories, so you get more space than in a standard hotel room. Ask which ones have garden or river views.
Is there somewhere to eat in the hotel?+
Yes. Le Gourmet is the fine-dining restaurant and the Mensurstube serves a more rustic menu, and there is also a bar and a garden terrace.
