Altstadt (Old Town) in February

May through September delivers Altstadt at its most magical, when cafe tables spill onto cobblestone squares and castle gardens bloom with medieval herb varieties. July brings the annual Altstadtfest, transforming the entire quarter into a living history fair with authentic crafts demonstrations and period music. But here's what guidebooks won't tell you – late September offers the sweet spot. Summer crowds thin out, restaurant prices drop back to normal, and autumn light makes those stone buildings glow like something from a fairy tale. Winter has its own charm if you can handle the cold. Christmas markets fill Marktplatz with wooden stalls selling glühwein and handmade ornaments, while snow on medieval rooftops creates scenes worthy of a postcard. Just pack serious winter gear – those stone buildings don't retain heat, and the wind whipping through narrow alleys can cut right through you.