What to See and Do in Stuttgart

Located in Germany’s southwest region, Stuttgart is the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, the largest city in that state, and the sixth largest city in Germany (pop. 609,219; 2.7 million in the greater region). Although Stuttgart is an industrial and commercial powerhouse (Bosch, Daimler/Mercedes-Benz, Dinkelacker, Porsche), it is still a scenic, very livable city, spread out over rolling hillsides and the Neckar river valley. Many observers call it a big-time city with a small-town feel.

Some Stuttgart History
Human settlements are known to have been located in the region as early as 90 C.E. The Stuttgart we know now was founded in the 10th century by Duke Liudolf of Swabia (Herzog Liudolf von Schwaben). The duke’s stud farm (Stuotgarte/”horse garden” in Middle High German) gave the city its name. That and the local cultivation of grapes, which has been documented as far back as 1108, kept people in the area until the major expansion of the House of Württemberg from 1219 onwards. In that year the settlement near the stud farm came into the possession of the Margrave of Baden, and Hermann V of Baden gave it the status of “Stadt” (town, city). In 1495 Stuttgart became a ducal residence city.

Like most of Germany’s larger cities, Stuttgart suffered significant damage during World War II. As a commemoration of the city’s people who died during the war, the rubble was transported to the Birkenkopf (a hill in the city center) increasing the height by around 40 meters. A plaque atop the recognizable chunks of buildings reads: “Dieser Berg nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg aufgetürmt aus den Trümmern der Stadt steht den Opfern zum Gedächtnis den Lebenden zur Mahnung.” (English: This mountain, piled up after World War II from the rubble of the city, stands as a memorial to the victims and a warning to the living.) From the summit the view extends over the whole city, and on a clear day you can even spot the Schwarzwald (Black Forest).

Famous as Germany’s automotive capital, Stuttgart is home to both Daimler AG (previously Daimler-Benz) and Porsche. Unsurprising really, considering that the co-invention of the automobile is credited to native son, Gottlieb Daimler and Karlsruhe-born Karl Benz. The two men never met or knew each other, although they lived only 60 miles apart. They independently invented the motorcar in 1886, which went on to be industrialized by Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach from a small workshop in Bad Cannstatt, a place now better known as the home of the Volksfest, the annual Cannstatter Wasen beer festival and fair. (See more below.) The Bertha Benz Memorial Route (named in honor of Karl’s wife), an official member of the European Route of Industrial Heritage, marks the world’s first long-distance automobile trip made (by Bertha)  in 1888, and can still be driven by anyone who wants to duplicate her 120-mile roundtrip.

More at The German Way Auto Factory and Museum Tours in Germany for Car Buffs and Car Buyers – including Porsche and Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart

Stuttgart’s Climate
The city’s location at the bottom of a basin with hills surrounding it makes the summer temperatures higher than those in the surrounding countryside, and milder in the winter. But the natural basin or Kessel (cauldron), as the locals refer to it, also means that air pollution can be problematic at certain times. When the pollution reaches a certain level, people are encouraged to travel by public transport wherever possible in a bid to minimize the problem. See more about Stuttgart’s excellent public transport below.

Stuttgart’s American Military Presence Following a Cold War peak of over 45,000 US military (mostly US Army) personnel stationed at more than 40 installations in Stuttgart, today there are only about 10,000 Americans posted at four bases representing all branches of the the US armed forces. More: Army Garrison Stuttgart

Getting There

Stuttgart can be easily reached by air, rail, or car. If you’re driving, be prepared for traffic congestion as you approach the city, and stop-and-go traffic in the urban area. You may want to leave your car at your hotel and use the city’s excellent public transport system.

Air Travel
Stuttgart is served by Stuttgart Airport (Flughafen Stuttgart, IATA airport code STR), an international airport approximately 13 km (8 mi) south of the city center on land belonging mainly to neighboring towns. It takes about 30 minutes to travel between the airport and the city center using S-Bahn lines S2 or S3. Stuttgart airport is Germany’s only international airport with a single runway. Despite protests and local initiatives, surveys are currently underway to assess the impact of a second runway.

Rail Service
Stuttgart is now infamous for its “Stuttgart 21” railway station renovation and urban development project, which has run over budget and past its original deadline. Somewhat like Berlin’s notorious BER airport, the rail project that began in 2010 was originally scheduled to be completed in 2019, but the remodeled station is now projected to start operating in 2025 and run approximately 2 billion euros over the original budget. But travelers arriving at or departing from Stuttgart’s classic Hauptbahnhof (Central Rail Station) should experience little inconvenience. (See station photo above.)

Driving
As with most cities, it is best to avoid the roads during rush hours. The autobahns that serve Stuttgart, the A8 and A81, are frequently congested. Other routes out of the city include the B10 (for Esslingen) the B14 (for the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Böblingen) and the B27 (for Tübingen to the south and Ludwigsburg to the north). The almost continuous road construction in the city can mean that GPS (sat-nav) is sometimes less than useful.

Getting Around in Stuttgart

Public Transport
Stuttgart has a light rail and bus system operated by the Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB). In the city center and densely built-up areas, the Stadtbahn runs underground. Stations are signposted with a ‘U’ symbol, which stands for Untergrundbahn/U-Bahn (underground rail). Until 2007, Stuttgart also operated regular trams, but now has a large bus network with over 40 routes crisscrossing the city. Light-rail lines and buses are operated by the SSB. The outlying suburbs of Stuttgart and nearby towns are served by a regional S-Bahn commuter rail system that uses tracks supplied by the national Deutsche Bahn AG. Riders can buy tickets that are valid all across the Stuttgart region under the VVS (Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart) regional transport agreement. You will see both the SSB and VVS logos on ticket machines in the greater Stuttgart metro area. As long as you don’t exceed the allowed time, tickets are valid for all means of public transport covered by the SSB and VVS.

Although many of Stuttgart’s attractions are located in the city center, others are far from one another. But the city’s buses and light rail (Stadtbahn) trains can whisk you around the area – from the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen in the east, to the spa of Bad Cannstatt in the west. Even if you have a car, you may be better off using public transportation to get around. Stuttgart has the dubious distinction of being Germany’s traffic-jam capital, and finding a parking spot can be both almost impossible and expensive.

Diesel Ban
It must be noted that as of 1 January 2019 Stuttgart has banned diesel vehicles and all vehicles with an emission standard 4 or lower from the city of Stuttgart. The decision was made based on the pollution levels in the city. A fine of 80 euros (plus costs) will be incurred for any violations. More information: Stuttgart’s Diesel Ban

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Stuttgart’s Sister Cities Among Stuttgart’s ten sister cities are St. Louis, Missouri (US); Cardiff, Wales (UK) and St. Helens, England (UK).

Scenic Sights and Attractions (City Center)

Königstraße
Starting from north of the city center at the Hauptbahnhof (Central Train Station), the pedestrian/shopping boulevard known as Königstraße (King Street) extends southwestward for 1.2 kilometers (just under a mile). At about the halfway mark you’ll discover one of the city’s most popular landmarks, the Schlossplatz (Palace Square) with its lawns and fountains.

Walking down Königstraße into the heart of the city, it is hard to visit one of these central attractions and not trip over the others. The Altes Schloss (old palace) now houses the Landesmuseum and retains many of its original architectural features, including the galleried courtyard which hosts a huge tree and carol concerts at Christmas. The Neues Schloss (new palace) is predominantly used for governmental business, but tours can be made by special arrangement. The Schlossplatz is seen on almost every Stuttgart postcard. The expanse of green can rarely be seen in the summer under the weight of sunbathers and picnic blankets. Music events hosted at the Neues Schloss can also be heard from the Schlossplatz, so if you don’t have a ticket for the latest sold-out event, you could simply relax on the grass and listen free of charge. The Theater and Oper (opera) stand side-by-side and overlook the Eckensee (lake) and Oberer Schlossgarten (park). Guided tours of both buildings are available a few times a year.

Landesmuseum Württemberg
The Württemberg State Museum, located within the Altes Schloss, is devoted to the history, culture, folklore and architecture of the state, all recorded in the permanent collections, while other collections change frequently. The children’s museum is also housed here, and children under four get free entry. TIP: Should you find yourself in Stuttgart during a heat wave, you can access the museum for free, look out for the “Hitzefrei” (heatwave day) signs when temperatures exceed 25° Celsius (77°F).

Kunstmuseum Stuttgart
The Art Museum Stuttgart, featuring modern and contemporary works of art, stands prominently in the pedestrian zone on Königstraße at the Schlossplatz right in the center of the city. The museum is housed in a shining glass cube (designed by Berlin architects Hascher and Jehle) that reflects light during the day and glows from within at night. The new museum opened in 2005 as the successor to the Galerie der Stadt Stuttgart and its collection, including the most significant works of Otto Dix (1891-1969), one of the top artists of the New Objectivity (Neue Sachlichkeit) movement. The fantastic “Schwäbischer Impressionismus” (Swabian Impressionism) and the Stuttgart Avant-Garde are not to be missed. Besides art in permanent and revolving exhibitions, the museum is also home to the Cube, one of the best restaurants in the city, with great views of Stuttgart. The ground floor “o.T.” café/bar serves coffee until 4:00pm (with light snacks), wine and cocktails after that. The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday-Sunday (until 9:00 pm on Friday; closed Monday). See photo below.

Stuttgarter Markthalle
Delight your culinary senses at the Stuttgart Market Hall with a range of foods from around the world. Located just south of the Schlossplatz on Dorotheenstraße, records show a market present on the site from 1435. The current large indoor market is housed in an art nouveau building completed in 1914, restored after WWII damage in 1946. The Markthalle narrowly avoided being torn down in the 1970s, but gained listed-building/landmark status in 1978. If you are looking for a particular or specialist food, and a dose of history, this is the place to start. See the Stuttgart Markthalle website for more.

Mineralquellen/Bäder (Spas)
Home to the second largest collection of thermal baths in Europe, Stuttgart’s city center has three main facilities. Mineralbad Leuze with its newly renovated pools and extensive sauna complex is the most family friendly, MineralBad Cannstatt, smaller but perfectly formed, and Mineral-Bad Berg the most traditional of the three (recently renovated and reopened in 2018). While most public pools in Germany require swimsuits, and saunas mostly don’t, do be aware that the Schwabenquellen pool is a totally swimsuit-free facility except on specific Textilbadetage (“textile swim days”). Mineralwasserbrunnen (drinkable mineral-water fountains) are also available throughout the city. For their exact locations check here.

Johanneskirche
St. John’s Church, which sits on the Feuersee (literally, “fire lake”), was built in the Gothic Revival style and had to be reconstructed after the war. Consequently, part of the tower has been left incomplete intentionally to act as a memorial. A lovely place to sit, have a coffee, and try to spot the turtles that inhabit the lake.

Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart
Opened in 2011, the controversial Stuttgart Municipal Library building (designed by Korean architect Eun Young Yi) is one you will either love or hate. The interior is quite something to behold. Take the elevator to the 8th floor to get the full effect. The building’s exterior really comes into its own after dark when it glows in iridescent blue. Open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Saturday, the library is accessible and welcoming to all. You do not need to be a member to simply browse, read, study, enjoy the art selection, grab a coffee in the café, or take in the view from the roof. The building displays the word “Library” in large silver letters in four languages at the top of each of its four facades: in English on the west side, in German on the north, in Korean on the east, and in Arabic on the south side. (See photo below.) Drive or take the U-Bahn to Mailänder Platz (next to the Milaneo shopping mall). Also see this GW blog post: Playing tourist in Stuttgart.

SEASONAL ATTRACTIONS

Cannstatter Volksfest
The Cannstatter Wasen, also known as the Stuttgart Oktoberfest (September/October) and Frühlingsfest (April/May), each event taking place in the same location and involving similar fairground rides and beer tents. While wearing Lederhosen or Dirndl is not compulsory, traditional costumes are ever more popular at festivals. You won’t look out of place if you choose to join in and wear yours. A more authentic and less touristy festival than some others, the Wasen has something for the whole family, and although large groups are advised to book tickets for the beer tents in advance for the evenings, weekday afternoons are much less crowded and seats can easily be found.

Stuttgart Weihnachtsmarkt
The Stuttgart Christmas market stretches through the entire city center. Particular to this market are the ornately decorated roofs of the market stalls. Due to the large city center layout, the market stretches from the Neues Schloss to the Marktplatz, and has something for everyone. The ice rink and Märchenland (fairy-tale land) which houses antique rides and a steam train and are a must-see (and do) for younger visitors, while the more mature can enjoy a hot organic Spätburgunder (pinot noir) outside the Rathaus (city hall) under the wave of twinkling lights which cascade down from the city hall tower.

Stuttgart Weindorf
The Stuttgart Wine Village takes place in the city’s open spaces in late August/early September, and focuses on the wine and food of the region. For 12 days, over 250 different Swabian wines take over the Marktplatz, Kirchstraße, and Schillerplatz. Go early as it gets very busy in the evenings. Be sure to try some local Trollinger red wine and traditional Maultaschen (Swabian ravioli). Its popularity is so great that it is even celebrated in Hamburg, that conveniently sends back Hamburger Fischmarkt in return.

Stuttgartnacht
This is an October evening of entertainment and culture, when the city’s entertainment venues open their doors into the early hours. Catch a short film, a historical tour, jazz in a basement, star gazing from the Rathaus tower, or maybe even a little light burlesque. Whatever your choice, one ticket will provide you with access to every event as well as access to public transport to get your there.

Scenic Sights and Attractions – Farther Afield

MUSEUMS

In addition to the centrally located Landesmuseum Württemberg and the Kunstmuseum that we mentioned above, there are other notable museums a bit farther out that most people want to visit.

Mercedes-Benz Museum
Opened in 2006, the museum boasts of being the only auto museum that can document a continuous timeline of the 130 years of automotive history. The museum is accessible to all, as a lift delivers you to the top floor, and you wind your way back down a spiral ramp until you reach the modern day (and beyond) and the exit. During VfB Stuttgart games or other events happening at the Mercedes-Benz-Arena nearby, access may be restricted. From Central Station: S3 to Bad Cannstatt, 56 bus to the museum (25 minutes total).

Porsche Museum
Unsurprisingly, the architecture of the building itself makes a bold statement. Since its opening in 2009, the Porsche Museum has become one of Stuttgart’s most identifiable landmarks. Particularly photogenic at night and notably during the weekend of Le Mans, it stays open for 33 hours straight. From the Central Station: S6 train to Neuwirtshaus/Porscheplatz. You can’t miss the large white cube of the Porsche Museum right across from the station platform.

Both Stuttgart auto museums also provide tours of their respective factories, but tour reservations for these must be made in advance. For more, see Auto Factory and Museum Tours in Germany for Car Buffs and Car Buyers.

SchweineMuseum
The world’s largest pig museum makes for a fascinating, quirky day out. Who knew that the pig was such an important part of life all over the world? The on-site restaurant also specializes in pork, because well, they simply must. From Central Station: U9 to Schlachthof station, then a three-minute walk to the museum.

Other notable museums include the Neue Staatsgalerie (New State Gallery), the Linden-Museum (State Museum for Ethnology), and the Weissenhofmuseum located within the Le Corbusier house in the famous Weissenhofsiedlung area of the city – something that Bauhaus architecture fans don’t want to miss. (Closed Mondays.) Take the U5 train to Killesberg station and take the exit marked Weissenhofsiedlung. Bus line 44 (Kunstakademie stop) also drops you off within walking distance of the museum at Rathenaustraße 1-3. Also see: Bauhaus in Stuttgart.

TIP: If you are visiting during March look out for “die Lange Nacht der Museen” (museums night, “the long night of museums”) that happens once a year in many cities in Germany, Stuttgart included. On purchase of an entrance pass you will have access to exhibits all over the city and public transport until the wee small hours. The former WWII bunker located underneath the Marktplatz is open for tours on this night only.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Fernsehturm (TV Tower)
Completed in 1956, this is Germany’s and the world’s first reinforced concrete television tower, upon which all subsequent TV towers were based. Standing at an impressive 710.7 feet (217 m), with antenna, it was the first to feature an observation deck and a restaurant in addition to its transmitter technology. Closed for three years due to fire safety concerns and other issues, the tower reopened to the public on January 30, 2016. It offers a view of the city and surrounding landscape like no other. TIP – The official tower app is free, comes in English and is actually really fun and informative. Also discounted tickets are available early and last in the day.

Getting there: The Stuttgart TV Tower is only a few minutes’ walk away from the Ruhbank terminus of the U15 subway line. Alternatively, you can take the subway lines U7 and U8 or a No. 70 bus directly to the stops “Ruhbank (Fernsehturm)” or “Waldau.” By car, take the B27 highway to Jahnstraße. Free parking is available. More: Fernsehturm Stuttgart (in English)

Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Germany’s only combined zoological and botanical gardens. Built in the Moorish Revival style and staffed since 1846, the public have been able to enjoy it since 1918. The gardens are a peaceful way to while away a few hours, and the animal facilities are being frequently extended and renovated. Its smaller size makes it easy to see the whole place in one day. Public transport: 20 minutes by train and on foot from the city center. Take the U14 train from the Central Station to the Wilhelma stop, and then walk five minutes to the Wilhelma entrance.

Nearby Towns Worth Seeing

Towns and attractions with under two hours travel time from Stuttgart. Most can be day-trip destinations or weekend excursions.

Esslingen am Neckar: Only about 10 miles southeast of Stuttgart, Esslingen is a half-timbered house heaven, and is also known for its medieval Christmas market. The S-Bahn train (S1) from Stuttgart’s Central Station only takes about 15 minutes to reach Esslingen. By car, take the A8 autobahn. See the Esslingen Tourism website (in English) for more about the city.

Tübingen: About 30 km (19 mi) south of Stuttgart, this student-heavy town is famed for its pretty houses along the river. Take a boat ride to appreciate the architecture. The university houses a great paleontology museum. The city’s official name: “Universitätsstadt Tübingen.”

Ludwigsburg: Must-see attractions include the palatial Residenzschloss and accompanying gardens, the fall Pumpkin Festival, and a baroque-style Christmas market. Take the S4, S5, or regional lines from Stuttgart for the short trip. Web: Official Ludwigsburg website (English)

Marbach am Neckar: Only 25 km (16 mi) north of Stuttgart, Marbach has a scenic old town that features the house where the German poet and dramatist Friedrich Schiller was born in 1788. Although Schiller left Marbach when he was only four, the town has a major literary archive devoted to his works, along with the newer (2006) Literaturmuseum der Moderne (Museum of Modern Literature). If you’re not driving, you can take the S4 or S5 train from Stuttgart.

Würzburg: Home to the beautiful Würzburger Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Festung Marienberg (Marienberg fortress) high above the city is an excellent spot from which to survey the whole city and its surroundings. Normally about an hour and 30 minutes drive via the A81 autobahn from Stuttgart.

Heidelberg: A university town (Germany’s oldest, founded in 1386) that boasts a beautiful Altstadt (old town), a castle with an unlucky history built in a mishmash of styles, and the famous medieval Old Bridge over the Neckar where everyone wants to be photographed with a monkey. About 125 km (78 mi) from Stuttgart via the A8 and A5 autobahns, taking an hour and 30 minutes with normal traffic.

For more about Stuttgart and our other City Guides, see the links below.

Contributors: This city guide was written with the collaboration of German Way Expat Blog writer AlieC, who resides in the Stuttgart region.

Next | City Guides for Germany

Related Pages
AT THE GERMAN WAY

• City Guides: Germany – More cities
• Hotels and B&Bs
• Driving in Europe – Tips for driving in Germany and Europe
• Air Travel – Flying to, from or in Germany
• Rail Travel in Germany
• Travel and Tourism – Travel-related information for Germany, Austria, Switzerland
• Notable People – Bios of notable people from the German-speaking world

ON THE WEB

• Stuttgart Tourism is an excellent online resource for discovering Stuttgart and the surrounding region.
• Bauhaus in Stuttgart – A nice overview of Bauhaus architecture in the Stuttgart region
• Stuttgart Markthalle – This “hall of delicacies” is a popular shopping location boasting 43 different sales booths and 33 retailers
• Daimler, formerly known as Daimler-Benz and Daimler-Chrysler, has gone through several name changes in its long history.
• Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart – The museum’s official website is very informative.
• Porsche Museum – The official site for the museum

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