The district of Heilbronn lies in the north of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Neighbouring districts are Neckar-Odenwald, Hohenlohe, Schwäbisch Hall, Rems-Murr, Ludwigsburg, Enz, Karlsruhe and Rhein-Neckar. The free-city of Heilbronn, which has its own separate administrative area sits slap bang in the centre of the district. Heilbronn city has a population of 122,000 residents, on an area of 100 sq km. Heilbronn is also the "major economic centre" of the Heilbronn-Franken region that includes almost the entire northeast of Baden-Württemberg. It is famous for its wines.
How to Get There:
Heilbronn connects to Baden via Karlsruhe and Bretten. Stuttgart is another city from where you can catch a train to Heilbronn, for € 9.60. The Neckarbahn and Elsenztalbahn run from Heilbronn to Heidelberg and Mannheim. The Hohenlohebahn links to Schwäbisch Hall via Öhringen.
Heilbronn is readily accessible by road with two Autobahns and three other major roads providing ingress. Karlsruhe has a direct link. Stuttgart International Airport is 60 km away and driving time to Heilbronn is about 80 minutes. You can also take the train from the Airport to Heilbronn Station.
What to See:
Historic manual crane, Bollwerksturm, Deutschhof, Steam power plant, Community centre "Harmonie" Court and Fleischhaus, Götzenturm, Hafenmarktturm (pot market tower), Haus Zehender and Käthchenhaus at the market place, City Hall with historic astronomic clock, Schießhaus, Trappenseeschlösschen and Weinvilla can be taken in in a single day. Churches to visit are Kilianskirche (Protestant, Early Renaissance), the logo of the city; the Deutschordensmünster St.-Peter-und-Paul (Catholic) and the Nikolaikirche (Protestant).
Other sights to be seen include the Old cemetery, Viewing tower on the Wartberg hill, Ehrenfriedhof for the victims of the air raid on December 4, 1944 and Fleinertorbrunnen. Heilbronn is well known for its wines. In the hills around Heilbronn, numerous vineyards produce excellent wines you can drink cheaply and happily. You can visit some of the vineyards to eat a homestyle meal – watch for a sign saying “Besen”, that means food is available. If you visit Heilbronn in September, you must experience “Weindorf” (Wine Village) when central town squares have stalls representing all local vineyards, with cheap tastings and hot snacks. Viticulture is an important part of its economy.
Where to Eat:
Of the 102 restaurants in Heilbronn, Flair hotel, Land hotel Roger, Neckarmühle, Elevator restaurant gypsum hut, Les Trois Sardines, Hotel restaurant Herzogskelter, The Götzenburg and Historik hotel ox may be tried.
Hotels:
There are over 20 hotels in Heilbronn. Ringhotel Heilbronn, Insel-Hotel and Businesshotel Biberach are in the expensive range. Ibis Heilbronn, Hotel Park Villa, Hotel zur Post, City Hotel Garni, Sperber Hotel and Hotel Gruener Kranz come in the mid-cost range. The Insen-Hotel and the Ibis Heilbronn have been found to be more than adequate.
