10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Heidelberg

Hauptstrasse stretches for over a mile through the centre of Heidelberg, making it the longest shopping street in Germany. Usefully, large sections of the street are pedestrianised. 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 colourful buildings on each side and the ornate Karlstor Gate at the eastern end.

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 transport, 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 favourite 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.

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 areas 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?

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.

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 supermarkets, fabric shops, and skatewear stores cheek-to-cheek on Plock, making for an interesting and varied shopping experience.

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 transport 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.

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.

Heidelberger Zuckerladen is an old-fashioned sweet shop in Heidelberg. Located in the centre 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 favourite childhood sweets. Shelf after shelf is crammed full of chocolate, liquorice, and other sweet creations. It’s an institution in Heidelberg and a shopping opportunity that’s not to be missed.

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 coloured icing, Santa welcoming visitors in his grotto, and the Heidelberg Barrel, a 120,000-litre wooden barrel housing a Christmas drinking den.

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.