Neckarwiese

The Neckarwiese is a long riverside meadow along the north bank of the Neckar in Heidelberg's Neuenheim district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, along Uferstraße. It is the city's best-known informal outdoor gathering place, used by students, families and residents for sunbathing, picnics, barbecues where allowed, sports and evening drinks. The wide lawn runs beside the river for several hundred metres, with plane trees and paths along the bank, and it faces the castle and Old Town across the water, so the setting is scenic as well as relaxed. Visitors arrive on foot along the Neckar from the Alte Brücke in about 15 minutes, or by bus to Neuenheim. There are no admission fees, and the meadow is open at all times. The atmosphere changes through the day: mornings are quiet with joggers and dog walkers, afternoons in summer see crowds spread out on blankets, and evenings fill with groups watching the sunset. Football, frisbee and slacklining are common, and in summer open-air events and festivals are sometimes held in the area. A typical visit lasts one to two hours, though many people stay for the entire afternoon. Rules about barbecues, glass and noise apply and can change, so visitors should look at posted signs. The best photographs are taken from the lawn looking across to the Alte Brücke and the castle, particularly in the late afternoon and at dusk. Weekends with good weather are the busiest times, and weekday mornings and cool days offer more space. The river path continues in both directions, so the meadow can be part of a longer walk or cycle ride. Kiosks and cafes nearby sell drinks and snacks, but many visitors bring their own supplies. Visitors should take rubbish with them and keep the lawn clean.