The best places to go shopping in Heidelberg include its main streets and retail districts. The city may be famous for its fairytale Old Town, stunning hillside castle, and Germany’s oldest university, but there are cool shopping scenes to experience. Each of its retail districts offers something unique. From the main street of Hauptstrasse to the city’s popular shopping malls, Darmstadter Hof Centrum and Galeria Kaufhof, Heidelberg can certainly hold its own.

Independent shops line both sides of Plock as well as the narrow, winding streets of the Old Town. Sofienstrasse is the home of fancy clothing brands. And Heidelberg also has its fair share of iconic stores that entice shoppers in with their characterful frontages and quirky wares. So, don’t write off shopping in Heidelberg, you might be pleasantly surprised. Read on to learn more about where to shop in Heidelberg and what to buy.

  • 1

    Hauptstrasse

    Heidelberg’s long and bustling main street

    Hauptstrasse
    • Budget
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    • Shoppers

    Hauptstrasse stretches for over a mile through the center of Heidelberg, making it the longest shopping street in Germany. Usefully, large sections of the street are pedestrianized. This makes it ideal for some casual window shopping, or for a pit stop at one of the street’s many outdoor cafes as you ponder that next purchase.

    Hauptstrasse has a great selection of shops, from high-street names to independent boutiques. It’s also a great spot to souvenir shop, or to find the latest fashions. But, as you wander along this lengthy street, take the time to browse the colorful buildings on each side and the ornate Karlstor Gate at the eastern end.

    Location: 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Map
  • 2

    Darmstadter Hof Centrum

    One of Heidelberg’s most popular shopping malls

    Darmstadter Hof Centrum
    • Families
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Darmstadter Hof Centrum in Heidelberg is located just off Hauptstrasse in a pretty and historic listed building. Not only is it perfectly placed for visitors exploring the city’s Old Town, but Darmstadter Hof Centrum is also easily accessed from anywhere in the city. You can get there by public transportation, or park in one of the centre’s 700 parking spaces.

    Darmstadter Hof Centrum is always busy, but never oppressively so. It’s home to favorite shops like H&M, DM and fashionable Goertz, and also has a range of cafes and restaurants if you need to take a break from shopping.

    Location: Fahrtgasse 18, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +49 (0)622 122441

    Map

    photo by 4028mdk09 (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 3

    Untere Strasse

    Home to independent shops and party spots

    Untere Strasse
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Nightlife
    • Shoppers

    Untere Strasse in the heart of Heidelberg’s Aldtstadt, or Old Town is a narrow, cobbled street where you’ll find unique, independent shops. It makes a nice change from other neighborhoods where you'll only see brand names. The independent spirit of Untere Strasse makes it popular with Heidelberg’s large student population, as well as with younger visitors to the city.

    Untere Strasse is home to a nice little vinyl shop called Musikzimmer, as well as fashion boutiques and a well-rated wine shop. It’s also known as the ‘Pub Mile’ for its profusion of bars. Evenings and weekends are energetic, so why not pop into one or 2 bars once you’re done shopping for the day?

    Location: 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Map
  • 4

    Galeria Kaufhof

    German department store with 2 branches in Heidelberg

    Galeria Kaufhof
    • Families
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Galeria Kaufhof is a popular department store with multiple stores in Heidelberg and across Germany. The largest store in Heidelberg is found on Hauptstrasse, but there’s also a branch on Bismarckplatz. With departments dedicated to clothing, footwear, homewares and toys, this is truly a one-stop-shop.

    If you’re looking for guidance on what to buy, Galleria Kaufhof offers personal shoppers to assist you. There are also regular fashion shows and events. If you want to have a break from your shopping spree, visit Galleria Kaufhof Bismarckplatz which offers panoramic views over Heidelberg from one of its upper levels.

    Location: Hauptstraße 30, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 9.30 am to 8 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +49 (0)622 15040

    Map

    photo by 4028mdk09 (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 5

    Plock

    A pleasant shopping street in Heidelberg

    Plock
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    • Shoppers

    Plock runs parallel to Hauptstrasse, Heidelberg’s main street. It’s a calmer street than many in the city centre, having been traffic-calmed back in the 1990s. This has made way for many more cyclists, who now use the street as a handy thoroughfare. Prominent Germans like the philosopher Hegel and former University Professor Kussmaur were its former residents.

    Plock is crammed with tall buildings painted in various shades, each with a shop, bar, or restaurant at ground level. The street hosts a range of shops, which tend to be more independent than others nearby. You’ll find grocery stores, fabric shops, and skatewear stores cheek-to-cheek on Plock, making for an interesting and varied shopping experience.

    Location: 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Map
  • 6

    Sofienstrasse

    An upmarket street with Heidelberg's finest clothing shops

    Sofienstrasse
    • Luxury
    • Shoppers

    Sofienstrasse cuts a southerly path from the banks of the River Neckar down to the main road of Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage in Heidelberg. It’s the go-to place in Heidelberg for upmarket shopping. Offering mainly clothing stores, Sofienstrasse is popular with younger people who appreciate fashion-forward retail therapy.

    Sofienstrasse isn’t huge, but it offers a different atmosphere to nearby Hauptstrasse, so is worth a look. It also has immediate access to the transportation hub at Bismarckplatz, so is easy to get to. Don’t miss the pharmacy called Hof Apoteke, a gorgeous old building painted in warm orange that links Sofienstrasse with Hauptstrasse.

    Location: 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Map
  • 7

    GOODsHOUSE Heidelberg

    The home of green shopping in Heidelberg

    GOODsHOUSE Heidelberg
    • Shoppers

    Heidelberg’s GOODsHOUSE will appeal if eco-credentials are important to you when shopping. Everything on sale, from clothing to homewares, is made from recycled or all-natural materials. All are produced in fair trade conditions and with no animal testing.

    Despite the extensive environmentally-friendly practices, the pricing at GOODsHOUSE is fair, especially for the design and quality of the items on sale. From cork bags to bamboo speakers and wooden watches, this is the place to visit for innovative gifts – whether that’s to treat a loved one, or just yourself.

    Location: Hauptstraße 113 a, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Open: Monday–Friday from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +49 (0)622 165 9687

    Map
  • 8

    Heidelberger Zuckerladen

    Sugar heaven at the heart of Heidelberg’s Old Town

    Heidelberger Zuckerladen
    • Families
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    • Shoppers

    Heidelberger Zuckerladen is an old-fashioned candy store in Heidelberg. Located in the center of Heidelberg on Plock street, the window displays don’t indicate what’s to be found inside. But once you open the traditional dark-wood doors, you step into an Aladdin’s cave of sugary treats.

    This sugar lover’s dream has been in Heidelberg for over 35 years, bringing joy to many of the city’s children – and adults. Hundreds of glass jars display all manner of favorite childhood candies. Shelf after shelf is crammed full of chocolate, licorice, and other sweet creations. It’s an institution in Heidelberg and a shopping opportunity that’s not to be missed.

    Location: Plöck 52, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Open: Tuesday–Friday from noon to 6 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

    Phone: +49 (0)622 124365

    Map
  • 9

    Marktplatz (Christmas Market)

    An ornate square that becomes magical at Christmas

    Marktplatz (Christmas Market)
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    • Shoppers

    Heidelberg’s Marktplatz – or Market Square – is a hub of activity in the city. Housing the city’s beautiful Town Hall, and lined with gorgeous architecture, this is a great place to stop and have a cup of coffee at one of the square’s enticing cafes. There are also great shopping opportunities, including the tempting Lindt Boutique, Ornee Tea Store, and plenty of gift shops.

    Every year as winter arrives, the already pretty Marktplatz becomes even more enchanted, as Heidelberg’s Christmas Markets take over the town. There’s a big focus on Marktplatz, where you can expect to find delicious German gingerbreads decorated with brightly colored icing, Santa welcoming visitors in his grotto, and the Heidelberg Barrel, a 120,000-litre wooden barrel housing a Christmas drinking den.

    Location: Marktplatz 5, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Map
  • 10

    Käthe Wohlfahrt

    A festive decoration shop where Christmas lasts all year

    Käthe Wohlfahrt
    • Families
    • Shoppers

    Käthe Wohlfahrt is a family-run business that has been operating for almost 60 years and has now diversified, selling quality products for other annual celebrations, including Easter. If you take a walk along Hauptstrasse in July, you might be surprised to see its shop window trimmed and ready for Christmas. It is Heidelberg’s all-year-round Christmas wonderland.

    However, the main focus is on German Christmas traditions, so you can expect to see intricately decorated wooden houses filled with candles alongside Nativity scenes, Nutcracker statues and Christmas tree baubles. It’s a delight whatever time of year you visit.

    Location: Hauptstrasse 124, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +49 (0)800 4090150

    Map
Carly Rolfe | Compulsive Traveler