Dog-Friendly Road Trip Stop in Heidelberg, Germany

Heidelberg wasn’t in the plan. But halfway through our winter road trip returning from the Austrian Alps (hello, Ischgl) to Amsterdam, we realized we—and the dogs—needed a proper break. Turns out, Heidelberg is almost exactly the halfway point, making it an ideal overnight pit stop. What we didn’t expect was just how lovely this little pause would be.

Booking Last Minute? No Problem (Even With Two Dogs)

We were travelling in peak ski season (January), so we braced ourselves for limited options. But to our surprise, it was surprisingly easy to find a dog-friendly place last minute. We ended up at Aparthotel Adagio Heidelberg, and honestly, it was better than expected.

Think: a clean, functional studio/one-bedroom layout with a fully equipped kitchen, comfy bed, and even a sofa that turns into a decent single bed, which I can confirm after migrating there in the middle of the night to escape a symphony of snoring. There’s a smart sliding door that separates the living and sleeping areas, so we and the dogs had our little zones.

Two dogs are welcome per unit, and there's a reasonable surcharge of about €10 per dog per night—very fair considering the space and convenience.

A Morning Loop: Grass, Sniffs, and Coffee

One unexpected perk? The location is ideal for a quick morning walk with your dog. A 15-minute stroll takes you to a grassy patch near the Neckar River—a perfect loop for the pups to stretch their legs (and for us to shake off sleep). Bonus: it ends right near the central train station, where you can grab a decent coffee before hitting the road again.

Philosopher’s Way: A Highlight for Both Humans and Hounds

We lucked out with the weather on our final morning—dry and sunny—so we made the most of it by tackling the Philosopher’s Way (Philosophenweg). And let me tell you, this walk alone makes Heidelberg worth a stop, even if you're not on a cross-country drive.

The trail starts with a steady uphill climb, with sweeping views of the Neckar and the old town below. Once you pass the lower viewpoint and garden area, it opens into a gorgeous forest trail where dogs can roam off-leash. We saw plenty of happy pups doing zoomies through the woods while their humans tried to keep up.

We wandered uphill for nearly two hours, then took about 50 minutes to descend—a perfect leg-stretcher before another six-hour drive home. The scenery? Peaceful, green, and thoroughly soul-refreshing.

Lower viewpoint

No Old Town This Time—And That’s Okay

We didn’t make it to the old town, primarily because of timing and partly because we’re crowd-avoidant creatures. But word has it it’s charming, historic, and packed with dog-friendly cafes and restaurants. We’ll save that for next time—because yes, there will be a next time.

Final Thoughts

Heidelberg was meant to be a practical pit stop, but it gave us a lot more than that. If you’re road-tripping through Germany with dogs, this city makes for a perfect, pet-friendly break: easy accommodation, good walking routes, and just enough charm to leave you wanting more.

Would we stop here again? Without question.

Would the dogs vote yes? Absolutely.