travel man stuttgart

Jessica Fostekew and Joe enjoy a Canarian caper, as they trike through Lanzarote's lunar landscape, sample volcanic vino and cactus croquettes, and explore the Jameos del Agua lava tunnels

Jessica Fostekew and Joe enjoy volcanic vino and cactus croquettes on their Canarian caper

Adam Buxton and Joe explore Czech sights, eat sausages from skulls and hop into a beer spa

Desiree Burch joins Joe in Rovaniemi for aurorae-gazing and sleigh-riding shenanigans

Alan Davies and Joe traverse around Trieste and shoot the breeze at the Wind Museum

Joe and Asim Chaudhry visit an underwater museum and a world-famous skatepark

Joe and Roisin Conaty enjoy a culinary horse-carriage tour and a spot of musical cycling

Joe and comedian Mawaan Rizwan spend two days sightseeing, swimming and swigging stout

Sarah Millican joins Joe for hot air ballooning, cepelini dumplings and gira in Vilnius

96 Hours in Rio

Joe and Stephen Mangan visit Christ the Redeemer and cook Christmas dinner Brazilian-style

Joe and Katherine Parkinson sample local beers and explore Antwerp's subterranean tunnels

Find out more...

Visit the travel man webpage for detail on all locations and activities featured in the show travel man website, more like this, bargain-blagger joe wilkinson and luxury-lover katherine ryan show us how to live the champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget with some fantastically affordable getaways joe & katherine's bargain holidays, an exhilarating road trip around scotland's world-famous touring route - the north coast 500 - soaking up the culture and the breathtaking landscapes of the wild northern highlands britain's most beautiful road, comedians eddie kadi and guz khan immerse themselves in the exclusive millionaires' playground of ghana's capital, accra, exploring its rich culture and lavishly luxe lifestyle my super-rich holiday, julie walters meets a mariner in north berwick, rides the famous jacobite steam train, gets a lesson in herring gutting in mallaig, and visits remote duirinish in the western highlands scotland's coastal railway with julie walters, eighty-seven-year-old adventurer tim slessor sets out to recreate his own 1955 record-breaking drive from london to singapore - in the same badly behaved old land rover. what could possibly go wrong the last overland, the greek island of zante is the most searched-for destination by young brits. here are the stories of the holidaymakers and workers who made it to zante for summer 2021. party island: summer in zante, after a lifetime exploring the uk's countryside, matt baker crosses the atlantic to experience rural life in the usa matt baker's travels in the country: usa, a look at the great british holidaymaker abroad - at the largest all-inclusive resort on spain's costa del sol the secret life of the holiday resort.

Home » Travel Guides » Germany » 25 Best Things to Do in Stuttgart (Germany)

25 Best Things to Do in Stuttgart (Germany)

In the vine-decked Neckar Valley, Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg. For hundreds of years until the 19th century the city was the seat of the Counts and then the Kings of Württemberg, and they left behind royal palaces for that have become government buildings and museums.

Stuttgart was also the city of car-making royalty, as the place where the first car and motorcycle were invented by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler respectively. The headquarters for both Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are in Stuttgart and the stylish new museums for both brands are not to be missed. These are a couple of examples of Stuttgart’s head-turning architecture, joined by an Art Nouveau market hall, a house by Le Corbusier and a state-of-the-art new library.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Stuttgart :

1. Staatsgalerie

This excellent art museum started out in 1843 and is still partly set within its original Neoclassical building.

In the 1980s the architect James Stirling helped raise the museum’s profile with an ambitious Post-Modern extension.

The newer annexe holds 20th-century art by Matisse, Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Franz Marc, Piet Mondrian and Joan Miró.

The original building is filled with painting and sculpture up to the 1800s, with a particular interest in the Renaissance and Baroque masters like Rubens, Rembrandt and Hans Memling.

A couple of masterpieces to keep in mind are the Corpse of Christ by Annibale Carracci and Jerg Ratgeb’s 16th-century Herrenberger Altar.

2. Mercedes-Benz Museum

Visiting the Mercedes-Benz Museum, in a curved metallic building with a double helix, is partly a journey back to the birth of the automobile.

Karl Benz invented what is considered the first true car in 1886. The double helix design allows for two parallel audio-guided tours; one dipping into the distinguished history of the brand, and the other showing the great diversity of vehicles manufactured by Mercedes-Benz.

And because of that double helix design you can swap from one tour to the other at any moment.

The two routes converge when you arrive in the present day and size up the brand’s 21st-century innovations.

In all there are 160 vehicles and 1,500 or more exhibits.

3. Porsche Museum

At Zuffenhausen, a little way up the road from Stuttgart, are the headquarters of another automobile brand of international fame.

The Porsche Museum has been around since the 70s but got a stylish redesign ten years ago and reopened in 2009. The museum uncovers the early days of the brand, and recounts the many innovations of engineer and founder, Professor Ferdinand Porsche, the man who invented the VW Beetle and the first gasoline-electric hybrid.

There are multi-sensual, interactive displays, like a new sound installation you can control and a “touch wall”. Timeless classics like 356, 911 and 917 are just some of an 80-strong fleet of vehicles at the museum.

What’s great is that nearly all are in driving condition and are transported around the world for heritage races; you can even look inside the workshop where they’re maintained.

4. Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden

This much-loved zoo and botanical garden is in the north of Stuttgart on the grounds of a royal palace.

The Wilhelma was first landscaped as a pleasure park during the reign of William I, and he picked a Moorish Revival theme for the royal bathhouse, which is a miniature version of the Alhambra in Granada.

The park opened to the public in 1880 and was rebuilt as a zoo following damage in the war.

There are more than 1,000 species at the zoo, exceeded only by the Berlin Zoo.

Drawing the most attention are the many great apes like chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans.

The steamy Amazon House is also special, growing 2,000 plant species among habitats for mammals, reptiles and fish.

And then there’s the botanical garden, which has Europe’s largest magnolia grove, thousands of orchid species and dozens of varieties of camellia and azalea.

5. Killesbergpark

Landscaped for a horticultural show in 1939, the Killesbergark is 50 hectares of gardens, fountains and sculptures in a former quarry on high ground in a northern borough of Stuttgart.

Eighty years later the park continues to host gardening events, and its Tal der Rosen “Valley of Roses” is a wonder in summer, as are the 200 dahlia varieties.

There’s a catalogue of public art in the park bringing both whimsy and sophistication.

Most eye-catching being the Killesbergturm, which we’ll come to next.

Children are also very well catered for: They can feed donkeys, ponies and goats at the farm, and in summer ride both a narrow-gauge steam railway and a diesel-powered tram.

6. Killesbergturm

The most memorable thing in the Killesbergturm is a 40-metre cable-stayed tower by the structural engineer Jörg Schlaich.

The award-winning, cone-shaped structure opened in 2000. Two sets of stairs in a double helix format lead to four platforms at 8, 16, 24 and 31 metres.

Combined with the high ground, it leaves you with a supreme, far-reaching view of the city and Neckar Valley.

The tower is safe, but when the wind blows you’ll feel it swaying in the breeze, which can be a bit unnerving if you’re wobbly when it comes to heights.

7. Schlossplatz

In the heart of Stuttgart, this square effuses power and gravitas.

A lot of that comes from the facade of the Neues Schloss, the Classical seat of the kings of Württemberg and HQ for ministries of the Baden-Württemberg state government.

The space in front has been a private pleasure garden and parade ground in its time, but today is a place for the people of Stuttgart to gather for open-air concerts or when there’s something big to celebrate.

A few steps back is a formal garden embellished with fountains and a monumental column for William I. On the south side is the Gothic Old Palace for the Counts of Württemberg, now the state museum, and to the north is the unmissable cupola of the Kunstgebäude, built for the Württemberg Art Association in the 1910s.

• 8. Kunstmuseum Stuttgart

On the southwest corner of Schlossplatz is a modern landmark.

The facade of the Kunstmuseum changes depending on when you pass by.

By day it’s a large, reflective glass cube.

But when the interior is illuminated at night you can see the limestone walls behind the glass.

The design of the galleries inside is also exciting as they make use of a 5,000 square-metre system of disused tunnels in a subtle and imaginative way.

The museum was born in 1924 on the back of a donation by Count Silvio della Valle di Casanova and covers Swabian, German and Swiss art from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Look for the works by the Realist and early Modernist Adolf Hölzel, and the Concrete Artist Dieter Roth.

Otto Dix takes centre stage though, for his Portrait of the Dancer Anita Berber from 1925.

9. Solitude Palace

Posted on a ridge to the west of Stuttgart is a residence and hunting retreat commissioned by the 18th-centruty Duke of Württemberg, Charles Eugene.

Solitude Palace is the Stuttgart equivalent to Berlin’s Sanssouci, a peaceful escape from court life, and the duke oversaw almost every aspect of the design.

You can see for miles from the top of this ridge, and at the northern gate watch the arrow-straight Solitudeallee extend all the way to the royal palace at Ludwigsburg 13 kilometres in the distance.

The palace has Rococo and Neoclassical architecture, and is enriched with glorious ceiling frescoes by the Frenchman Nicolas Guibal.

The best bit is the Weisse Saal (White Hall), under the palace’s striking central dome.

10. Königstraße

To get some real shopping done, go to the 1.2-kilometre boulevard leading diagonally through Stuttgart-Mitte.

Königstraße has been pedestrianised since 1977, and in 2014 received 12,795 visitors per hour, making it the third most frequented shopping street in Germany.

Nine out of ten shops on the street belong to chains, and all the usual names are on hand (Uniqlo, Zara, H&M). Königstraße has long been held in high regard by Stuttgart’s citizens, and once had residences for members of the Württemberg court.

Its current route was plotted by King Friedrich at the start of the 19th century when he relocated his stables and the Eberhardskirche to this street from Solitude Palace.

11. Württemberg Mausoleum

You can catch the bus or S-Bahn to Untertürkheim in the east of Stuttgart, where there’s a solemn royal memorial standing over rows of vines above the Neckar Valley.

The Württemberg Mausoleum was built by William I at the start of the 1820s following the death of his wife Catherine Pavlovna of Russia.

The memorial is in the Palladian style and is the resting place of Catherine, William and their daughter Marie Friederike Charlotte von Württemberg.

The chapel is open in the summer for sightseeing, and has dreamy vistas of Stuttgart.

Above the western entrance reads the inscription “Die Liebe höret nimmer auf“, “Love never ceases”. The family tombs are in the crypt, and the space below the dome produces a haunting echo.

12. Weissenhof Estate

In 1927 world’s leading architects were invited to design 21 buildings for the Deutscher Werkbund exhibition (German Association of Craftsmen). The project was overseen by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and the estate is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of the 11 surviving buildings.

Sadly the remaining ten, including designs by Walter Gropius and Hans Poelzig, were claimed by the war, but what has been left is an unrivalled document of avant-garde architecture.

There are buildings by Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Peter Behrens and Jacobus Oud, all in one place.

13. Weissenhofmuseum

Le Corbusier’s building was intended as a showcase for his International style, and this pair of semi-detached houses has since become a museum.

They have his trademark clean lines, demonstrating the technical possibilities created by materials like steel, concrete and glass to increase airflow and the amount of natural light inside.

One of the semi-detached houses is a museum about the Weissenhof Estate, with lots of interesting details like plans, models and contemporary photos of the buildings that have been lost.

The other house has been left as Le Corbusier intended, complying with his “Five Points” and equipped with stowaway beds, sliding doors and a roof terrace.

14. Stiftskirche

The collegiate church in the Innenstadt has the same outline as a church constructed much earlier, in the 900s.

The oldest architecture on the current building is Romanesque style and from the 13th century, with later extensions in an Early Gothic (nave) and then High Gothic style (choir). The current church was built by the 13th-century Count Ulrich I, who resided close by at the Old Castle.

In the chapel of the south tower are tombs for him and his wife Agnes von Schlesien-Liegnitz.

After Ulrich I, and until 1677, the chancel became the burial place for every count of Württemberg . On the north wall is a row of memorial statues for all 11 counts, all sculpted during the Renaissance in 1574.

15. Linden Museum

Stuttgart has what many consider to be the finest ethnological museum in Europe.

The artefacts gathered from Africa, the Far East, Oceania and North and Latin America are like a trip around the world under one roof.

The pieces span hundreds of years and include Indian sculptures going back to the 700s, a 19th-century Native American transformation mask and 800-year old sculptures from Japan’s Kamakura Dynasty.

The collection has been assembled in stages since the 1800s, and now the museum’s aim is to showcase the beauty of other cultures, stimulate debate and promote understanding.

16. Markthalle

The city’s central market hall is a part of many people’s daily routine, even after total destruction in the war and then a fire in the 1990s.

As a gourmet destination the Markthalle has stalls selling specialty foods and exotic treats alongside staples like meat, cheese, vegetables, wine, confectionery and flowers.

The Markthalle was built in 1914 and has a graceful Art Nouveau design.

You don’t even need to look for anything in particular to appreciate the building and its soaring roof, immaculately presented stalls, bustling atmosphere and the scent of spices and freshly prepared food.

You can take it all in from the gallery on the first floor where there’s an Italian restaurant.

17. Stadtbibliothek am Mailänder Platz

The new central library hall opened close to the Hauptbahhof in 2011 and was designed by South Korean architect Eun Young Yi.

The architecture and ethereal white interior put this on the list of things you have to see in Stuttgart.

The cube-shaped exterior is inconspicuous, apart from at night when its panels are illuminated.

But go in (entrance is free) and you’ll step into a huge, cathedral-like hollow space lit from above by a glass roof.

The bookshelves and reading areas line the walls and there’s an almost bewildering system of stairways linking each floor.

Go to the very top and there’s a cafe in the attic with clear views of Stuttgart.

18. Fernsehturm

Lots of Modernist television towers sprouted across Germany in the middle of the 20th century, but Stuttgart’s was the first, and its reinforced concrete construction would be replicated many times.

Topped off at 216 metres, the tower was completed by 1956 at an eye-watering cost of 4.2 million marks.

That sum would be recouped by the start of the 1960s through ticket sales.

You can see what the fuss was about by taking the lift to the observation decks at 150 metres.

The tower stays open until 23:00 in summer, and the sunset and Stuttgart’s lights are well worth the entry fee if you pick a clear day.

In the daytime you can relish the views with a cup of coffee and a pastry at the cafe.

19. Birkenkopf

The highest hill in Stuttgart is partly man-made.

Birkenkopf is a literal mountain of rubble cleared from the ruins of the city following Allied bombing in the Second World War.

That masonry added an extra 40 metres to a hill that now crests at 511 metres above sea level and has a prominence of around 300 metres over the Neckar River.

A walk to the top is an opportunity to reflect on the war, and a large piece of rubble beside at the summit has a plaque stating that the hill is a memorial to the dead and a warning to the living.

At the top you can see as far as the Black Forest and the Swabian Jura.

20. Landesmuseum Württemberg

In the Old Castle on Schlossplatz is a museum about the art, handicrafts, archaeology and ethnography of the state of Baden-Württemberg.

An intriguing fact about the collections is that they derive from the royal cabinets of curiosity first assembled in the 1500s.

In the underground vaults is an astounding assortment of Renaissance clocks, and you can go from there to the Ernesto Wolf Collection, which has gathered an array of glass encompassing four millennia.

Further up you can view the Crown Jewels of Württemberg, medieval sacred art and a marvellous variety of Celtic artefacts, like weapons, jewellery, tools and cookware.

And from the royal cabinet of curiosities are two of the world’s four surviving Aztec feather shields, a card game dating to 1430 and a celestial globe designed by the 15th-century astronomer Johannes Stöffler.

21. Neckarpark

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is in a 55-hectare complex for events, entertainment and sport on the right bank of the Neckar River.

As well as the museum, the Neckarpark contains the Mercedes-Benz Arena, home stadium of the football team, VfB Stuttgart.

Also in the park is the Porsche-Arena, for high-profile indoor sports, and various exhibition halls and sports facilities.

There are three sports teams and 12 sporting associations based in the park.

Try to come when there’s something big on, because the Neckarpark really kicks into top gear during a citywide event.

The largest of these are the three-week Cannstatter Volksfest in Autumn, and the Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival), in late-April/early-May.

22. Standseilbahn Stuttgart

In Heslach to the southwest of Stuttgart there’s an elegant funicular railway shuttling up the slope from the Südheimer Platz U-Bahn station to the Stuttgart Degerloch cemetery.

The railway line is part of the public transport network, has heritage protection, and its cars are made from dark teakwood.

When it was complete in 1929 the Standseilbahn was the first semi-automatic cable railway in Europe.

Those two handsome cars are originals, even if one had to be restored after being hit by a tree in 1999. The trip to the top takes four minutes, and drops you off at a graveyard in the forest.

You could use the upper station as a starting point for a walk in the woods.

23. Gottlieb Daimler Memorial

Car aficionados can’t afford to miss this piece of automotive history on Taubenheimstraße.

The Gottlieb Daimler Memorial is the large shed where Daimler and fellow engineer Wilhelm Maybach worked tirelessly in the 1880s to develop a liquid petroleum engine that he hoped could power vehicles on land, water and even in the air.

It was here that they invented the first light sprinting motor, as well as a two-wheeled “riding wagon”, the first ever motorcycle and the “Neckar”, the first ever motorboat.

By 1887 the workshop had become too small and the pair relocated to a factory.

The old atmosphere of a workshop has been recreated, and there are models, photos, sketches, diagrams and a reproduction of that riding wagon.

24. Cannstatter Volksfest

For three weeks between September and October the Neckarpark Stuttgart puts on the second largest beer festival in the world, after Munich’s Oktoberfest.

The Cannstatter Volksfest began as a harvest festival to revitalise the city following a disastrous crop failure in the Year Without a Summer in 1816. This has burgeoned into a large-scale beer festival and funfair.

Seven huge tents seat thousands of revellers, and are named after the breweries that supply the beer.

The Fruchtsäule, a 26-metre column adorned with fruit, is at the heart of the celebrations and harks back to the time of the Württemberg monarchy.

And as for the funfair and market, you may never have seen something on this scale before.

There are 60 or more stalls, dozens of amusement stands, up to 100 places serving food, and all manner of rides like rollercoasters, carousels and Ferris wheels.

25. Stuttgart Christmas Market

There are no half measures in Stuttgart at Christmas time either.

Beginning on the last Thursday of November the centre of the city at Schloßplatz.

All the streets and squares north and west are overrun with hundreds of stalls.

Each open space has something different going on.

So at the Renaissance Courtyard of the Old Palace there are dignified concerts for seasonal classical music, while Schloßplatz itself is a winter wonderland with a fairytale theme, miniature railway and skating rink.

Stuttgart’s Christmas tradition is one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1692.

25 Best Things to Do in Stuttgart (Germany):

• Staatsgalerie
• Mercedes-Benz Museum
• Porsche Museum
• Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden
• Killesbergpark
• Killesbergturm
• Schlossplatz
• Solitude Palace
• Königstraße
• Württemberg Mausoleum
• Weissenhof Estate
• Weissenhofmuseum
• Stiftskirche
• Linden Museum
• Stadtbibliothek am Mailänder Platz
• Fernsehturm
• Landesmuseum Württemberg
• Standseilbahn Stuttgart
• Gottlieb Daimler Memorial
• Cannstatter Volksfest
• Stuttgart Christmas Market

2 or 3 Days in Stuttgart: Complete Itinerary For a Perfect Trip

Stuttgart holds a special place in my heart. I called this city home for six years and have every intention of returning someday.

While many locals think of it as simply a car city or business hub, it’s also a city surrounded by rolling vineyards, beer gardens (biergarten), festivals, nature trails, and so much beauty.

We traveled as much as possible in those six years but most weekends were spent exploring our own backyard. I love that Stuttgart isn’t a big tourist hotspot (at least not yet), so you can get a feel for what local life is like in Germany (well, Swabia) while you’re here.

I created a 2-3 day itinerary to maximize your time here and see the best sights. If you want a complete list of things to do, here are the 28 top things to do in Stuttgart .

Where to Stay

For a short 2-3 day trip, I recommend staying downtown at a hotel. The downtown area extends from the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof in the north and runs south between A14 and B27. The area is highlighted in yellow on Google Maps (screenshot below).

There are many hotel options downtown. For something more upscale (but central), I recommend going with Le Meridien . There’s a spa and pool area, and the breakfast is rated as very good.

Motel One is another great option – it’s not a motel, but an upscale chain around Europe. They have a fun atmosphere, and this one has a terrace and a bar. Motel One is also central, just a few minutes from the Hauptbahnhof.

Note on Airbnbs : For a 2-3 day stay, I’d recommend staying at a hotel and not an Airbnb. The hassle of check-in, not being able to drop your bags before your room is ready, and not having breakfast can add up. Plus you’re typically asked to do some housecleaning before you leave an Airbnb – since your time is precious, stay at the hotel with all the amenities.

Stuttgart 2 Day Itinerary

Before we dive into the details, are you visiting during a festival? Germany is loaded with amazing festivals, and Stuttgart is no exception. Here are the top festivals in the Stuttgart area . I recommend taking a look and even adding in a festival if possible while you’re here!

This itinerary assumes you’ll have two full days in Stuttgart. If you’re arriving that day, you’ll want to adjust the itinerary based on your timeline. I included the estimated times for each activity so you can easily adjust and make it your own.

Day 1 Itinerary

Highlights : Wilhelma Zoo or Ludwigsburg Palace | Schlossgarten | Königstrasse | Schlossplatz

Today you have two choices; you can visit the large Wilhelma Zoo and botanical gardens or take the train north to explore the Ludwigsburg Palace and Gardens. Then you’ll have fun at a biergarten in a park and explore downtown Stuttgart.

Start your morning with breakfast at the hotel. If that’s not an option, grab a croissant or other item at one of the many bakeries downtown. Just type in ‘bäckerei’ into maps and a large list will appear.

Germany doesn’t typically offer big American style breakfasts (unless you stay at a larger hotel) but there are options downtown such as Academie Der schönsten künste and Cafe le Theatre .

Brunch Tip! Germany is known for their weekend brunch. In Germany these are all day affairs, starting with breakfast in the morning then switching out for lunch and finally ending with sweet treats in the afternoon. Schönbuch Brauhaus and Amadeus are the best brunch spots downtown, and Schönbuch even has self serve beer on tap all day.

Wilhelma Zoo Estimated Time: 4-6 hours

I’ve been to many zoos around the world and Wilhelma Zoo truly tops the list.

This is a beautiful zoo and the only zoological-botanical garden in Germany. In addition to the animals, the botanical collections are a treat to see and walk around. This is one of the most visited zoos in Germany.

The zoo is just north of downtown Stuttgart. To get here, you can take the city train line called the U-Bahn. From the Hauptbahnhof (main station), you can take lines U13, U14, and U16 (this takes 8 minutes). Alternatively, you can just do U13 and U16 then walk about 250 meters.

Train Tip! I recommend downloading the VVS App to easily purchase tickets.

There’s a parking garage at Wilhelma. It fills quickly, so if you plan to drive I recommend arriving around opening time (8:15am) to guarantee a spot. There are three other parking garages nearby, around 750-900 meters away.

If you want a nice stroll, you can walk through the beautiful Green-U park from the Hauptbahnhof. It’s about an hour walk (2.5 miles/4.1 km) which is something to consider since you’ll be walking quite a bit at the zoo. But if you’re up for it, it’s a lovely area with ponds, greenery, and trails.

Now let’s talk about the zoo. It doesn’t look large on a map, but the last time we went, we were there for 5 hours and realized we didn’t have time to see all the exhibits. So you can definitely spend an entire day here, especially with kids.

In between the exhibits and buildings there are playgrounds. And I mean really cool playgrounds and climbing structures. We spent just as much time at these play areas as we did looking at animals. If you don’t have kids, you’ll likely get through the zoo much quicker.

I’d recommend planning about 4-6 hours here. There’s a large gorilla exhibit, petting zoo, giraffes, zebras, many large cats, flamingos, penguins, and much more. Be sure to set aside time to explore the botanical gardens and buildings.

We always bring snacks but there are a few restaurant options to hold you over.

Once you leave, take the U-Bahn or walk back downtown.

Ludwigsburg Schloss (Palace) Estimated Time: 5-7 hours

The second option is to head north to a beautiful palace. To get here, you can take the S-Bahn (local train) from the Hauptbahnhof (main station) in Stuttgart. Take the S5 and S4 to get there (about 20 minutes). You can also drive, but if you’re downtown, it’s almost always faster to take the train.

The Ludwigsburg Residential Palace is a sight to see. The mighty Baroque palace sits on large and beautifully maintained grounds, and was spared from destruction in WWII. It’s one of the largest Baroque buildings in Europe still in it’s original condition.

This complex is massive.

There are guided tours in English throughout the year. From April 1 – October 31, tours are available Mon-Fri at 1:15pm and 3:15pm. From November 1 – March 31, they’re available Mon-Sun at 1:15pm. The tours are about 90 minutes long and don’t cover many of the rooms – it’s that big!

In addition to guided tours, there’s a ceramics, fashion, and theatre museum. There’s also an interactive museum for kids (kinderreich). Be sure to check their website for opening hours as they change throughout the year.

Also on the grounds you can find a Fairytale Garden (Märchengarten) for kids. We took our son there when he was four and he absolutely loved it.

There are 40 recreated classics to explore. There’s a boat ride (fairytale stream), a playground, a mini train ride, and other small rides for kids. Kids can see where Sleeping Beauty lives and warn little red riding hood. It’s so much fun for little ones.

If you visit in the fall, there’s an impressive pumpkin festival. In fact, it’s the largest pumpkin festival in the world. During each year, they change themes every few weeks, replacing the pumpkins with new features. When we visited last time, the theme was under the sea, and there were all sorts of statues and scenes.

The pumpkin festival runs from August through November and is open daily.

Once you return from either activity, you’ll get to explore the downtown area of Stuttgart, known as the ‘Altstadt’ or old town. The Main Street is called Königstr, which runs a mile starting at the Hauptbahnhof. It’s called the ‘shopping mile’, and is one of the longest in Germany.

You can head directly here, or take a left out of the Hauptbahnhof and walk over to Biergarten Im Schlossgarten . It’s a nice biergarten set in a park. There’s a small playground and in the summer there’s often music in the afternoons.

You can order typical German food (bratwurst, pretzel (brezel), or fries (pommes) for example. There’s been construction nearby for the past few years with the expansion of the train station, but it’s still a nice spot for a drink.

Then you can take a short walk over the pedestrian bridge to get to the Opera house . There’s a large pond and it’s a pretty area right in the city. From there, continue walking along the pond until you reach Schlossplatz (‘platz’ is a large square). This is the hub of downtown and is usually filled with people relaxing, enjoying the weather, and having a drink or bite at one of the surrounding restaurants.

Then make your way down Königstrasse . There are many shops – I always stop in at TK Maxx to see what they have. Often you can find great deals on items from Portugal, Poland, Turkey, etc.

Dinner Recommendations : For traditional German fare, most of the breweries (Brauhaus) are good. There are many options such as Paulaner, Schönbuch Brauhaus, or Carls Brauhaus.

I personally love Burger House, but I don’t get the chance to eat burgers too often. My favorite Indian place is Indian Palace. Maredo is a good upscale Steak house.

For a quick and inexpensive bite, grab a döner kebab at one of the many stands. There are also many Italian restaurants. I’d steer away from the Mexican options, especially if you’re coming from the US.

Day 2 Itinerary

Highlights : Mercedes Museum | Biergarten | Feuersee | Markthalle

Today is a bit more laid back. If you want to explore outside of the city, check out the day 3 itinerary.

This morning you’ll head to the Mercedes Museum, listed as the top attraction in Stuttgart. The S1 on the S-Bahn train will get you to Neckarpark, then it’s a short walk to the Museum. There’s also the option to drive, and there’s a decent amount of parking.

The building is laid out in in a circular pattern that slowly ascends to different levels. There are over 1,500 exhibits – my favorites were the old vehicles from the early 20th century.

Expect to spend a few hours here. If you love cars, you can definitely spend more time. And if you’re not a crazy car person (like me), you’ll likely still find the history of Mercedes quite interesting.

Afterward, head back to downtown Stuttgart. From here, grab lunch at one of the places listed in day 1, then make your way toward Karlshöhe . This park area sits up on a hill and is a great place for beautiful views. There’s also a nice biergarten here called Tschechen & Söhne . It’s a great place to stop and grab a drink.

If you enjoy hiking, I recommend continuing over to the Teehaus (Tee House) in Weissenburg Park for even more views of the city. In the summer there’s a biergarten area, which also a lovely place to relax and hang out.

By now it’s late afternoon. Head back downtown and check out Markthalle , a large international indoor market. Here you’ll find food and goodies from all over the world, as well as household items and a restaurant too.

If you like museums, head over to Schlossplatz toward the big glass building. This is the Kunstmuseum , and there’s a great restaurant at the top called CUBE. The views are fantastic and the food is just as good.

Grab dinner at one of the restaurants listed in Day 1 or at CUBE (requires reservations).

Stuttgart 3 Day Itinerary

Follow everything on day one and two then add day 3, below.

Day 3 Itinerary

Highlights : Lichtenstein Castle and Tübingen

Germany is a country of castles. It’s estimated that there are over 25,000 castles across the country. Schloss Lichtenstein is an impressive castle, set high atop a cliffside overlooking the valley below.

Today you’ll visit this stunning castle, and stop at an equally impressive town called Tübingen on the way back.

I highly recommend getting around today by car. The train options are limited, and to get to Lichtenstein you need to take a train and bus combination. It’s possible, but it’s so much easier to rent a car, even for a day.

Want to learn more about castles in the area? Check out the 17 best castles to visit near Stuttgart.

The drive down takes about an hour by car and 2 hours by train and bus. I recommend reading over both places and deciding how you want to spend your time. I added some optional stops at the end which will require some pre-planning if you decide to do them (which I recommend!).

Lichtenstein Castle (Schloss)

First you’ll drive to Lichtenstein. Along the way, you can stop at a large outlet mall in Metzingen (Outlet City Metzingen). Parking can be tricky, but if you’re patient you should be able to find something. There are 380 brands here, they even offer childcare too while you shop!

Metzingen is about 30 minutes from Lichtenstein Castle, so plug in Lichtenstein Schloss (Schloss Lichtenstein 1, 72805 Lichtenstein, Germany) and continue on your way. You’ll make your way through the valley floor and then climb up the hill until you reach the castle grounds.

There’s a small parking fee and it’s just down the hill from the castle.

There’s a lot you could do while here. The castle grounds are worth exploring and I recommend walking around the courtyard and along the cliffside to get beautiful views of the castle.

There’s also a ropes course, a beer garden, a small zip line, and many hiking trails in the area. There’s a restaurant, Altes Forsthaus (Old Forester’s Lodge), next to the castle with beautiful views and delicious Swabian dishes. I recommend trying Kuchen (cake) while you’re here!

TIP! If you love hiking, consider adding Bad Urach Waterfall, only 17 minutes away.

Tübingen

After you leave Lichtenstein, make your way northwest to the university town of Tübingen (about 40 minutes from Lichtenstein).

I recommend parking at one of the many Parkplatz (parking garages) around town. We always find a spot at ‘Parkhaus Altstadt-Mitte (Stadtgraben)’. Some can be quite small, so if you have a larger vehicle, you may want to consider an open parking area or side street.

Note : Parking garages have electronic signs that show how many spaces are remaining.

Tübingen is a lovely college town of about 90,00 people, with nearly 30,000 being students. Because of this, the town always feels lively and vibrant. It’s one of Germany’s fairytale medieval towns that is beautiful everywhere you turn.

Tübingen was largely spared from bombing in WWII, and many of the buildings you see date back to the 15th century. Hohentübingen Castle towers over the old town below and has records dating back to 1078.

Once you park, make your way to the Old Town (Altstadt). This is a large area teeming with beauty. You can see half-timbered homes quite literally leaning against one another for support. There are many alleyways and narrow streets to walk along.

The best stops in the old town include Marktplatz and Stiftskirche St. Georg (the church). I always enjoy meandering through the area, stopping in at shops, grabbing a cafe or eis (ice cream), and exploring all the narrow streets.

You can pick up a map at the tourist office just across the Neckar Bridge. It’s called Verkehrsverein Tourist & Ticket Center and the address is An der Neckarbrücke, 1, 72072 Tübingen, Germany.

Walk up the hill and check out Hohentübingen Castle. From here you have great views and can check out the beautiful inner courtyard.

Afterward, head toward the Neckar River to the island of Neckarinsel. There’s a beautiful treelined walkway through here and you can watch the famous punting boats that are reminiscent of the boats in Venice. They’re also called “Stockerkahn” and are navigated using a long wooden pole. These used to be reserved for college students but are now popular among locals and visitors alike!

In fact, you can even go on a punting tour here, although you’d need to reserve this in advance.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, I recommend heading over to Neckarmüller . They have fantastic beer (bier) here and delicious German & Swäbisch dishes too. The restaurant is along the river and in the summer there’s a large outdoor patio overlooking the water.

Once you’ve explored Tübingen, it’s time to make your way back to the city. If it’s not too late in the day and you want to see more of the area, I recommend following this route ( link to Google Maps ).

Pro Tip : There are many speed traps on this particular route, so follow all the posted speed limits!

This route will take you to the Bebenhausen Monastery , which offers tours with the last admission at 4:30pm. It’s one of the most impressive medieval monasteries in the region, and I recommend a visit if you have time.

Then continue north toward Ritter Sport Chocolate Factory .

Yes, the famous Ritter Sport chocolate is made right here near Stuttgart! The factory is in the town of Waldenbuch, a beautiful village of half-timbered homes.

There’s a shop, museum, and cafe here (open until 6pm). The shop has tons of chocolates and Ritter candies you can’t find elsewhere. They also sell large bags of chocolate deemed not good enough to sell elsewhere, so it’s heavily discounted. It’s open until 6:30 so plan accordingly.

Then use Maps and plug in your hotel to make your way back to Stuttgart for the night.

FAQ’s

Do people speak English? Yes, English is widely spoken in Stuttgart, although learning common phrases is appreciated. Some simple phrases include Hallo, Guten Tag, and Auf Wiedersehen.

Where is Stuttgart? Stuttgart is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany. It’s just north of the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) and a short drive to France. It’s surrounded by rolling hills and an area known as the Swabian Jura or Alb, the foothills of the Alps.

What is Stuttgart Known For? Stuttgart is known for cars. The massive Mercedes plant is in an outlying town of Stuttgart called Sindelfingen where roughly 35,000 people work. You’ll find many engineers and people in related fields working for the company. Porsche also started here and there’s a Porsche Museum. Stuttgart is in the “Swabian” region of Germany where people speak a different dialect than in other parts of the country.

Save to Pinterest

I'm Brea, an Alaskan with a serious case of wanderlust. Join me as I share insider information and firsthand accounts to help with your travels. Find destination guides, itineraries, general travel tips, learn how to take better photos, and more! Follow me on Instagram for all my up-to-date travels @travelingigloo

Similar Posts

How to Spend a Weekend in Heidelberg, Germany

Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in The Winter

Winter’s Delight: The Beautiful Königsee and St. Bartholomew’s Church

Christmas Market 10-Day Itinerary: Germany, France, and Switzerland

Schloss lichtenstein: how to visit württemberg’s fairytale castle.

Visiting Triberg – Home of the Famous German Cuckoo Clocks

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Best Things to Do in Stuttgart, Germany in 2024

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my  disclaimer policy.

In the scenic state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany lies Stuttgart – a bustling capital city rapidly appealing to visitors all over the world. I used to live in Stuttgart and am excited to share this wonderful city with you!

Though it’s well known as an automotive hub, the birthplace of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, and home to a major university, the greater Stuttgart area has even more to offer visitors in the arts, history, and cuisine.

From museums to castles, scenic parks to hiking trails, vineyards to super fun beer festivals, and a world-famous Christmas market, there’s so much that draws tourists to Stuttgart!

There are 2 things in particular that I loved about living in Stuttgart: 1) the beautiful hills surrounding the city and 2) that it’s not super touristy.

Join our FREE Germany Trip Planning Facebook Group!

If you’ve been to Germany before or if you simply want to balance visiting super popular cities like Munich or Berlin with a less touristy destination, add the Stuttgart area to your itinerary. Flying in/out of the Stuttgart airport makes a visit super easy.

If you’re planning a trip to the Stuttgart area aren’t sure what to add to your itinerary, this guide lists popular destinations and top things to do in and around Germany’s 6th largest city. Be sure to check out our Stuttgart Travel Guide to start planning your visit, our Stuttgart Hotel Guide for where to stay, and our Germany trip planning guide for beginners for lots of helpful vacation planning tips!

• 1 Getting To & Around Stuttgart
• 2 31 Must-See Sites In & Around Stuttgart
• 3 Stuttgart Map
• 4 1. Königstrasse Shopping Street
• 5 2. Schlossplatz Square
• 6 3. Neues Schloss (New Castle)
• 7 4. Stuttgart Kunstmuseum 
• 8 5. Markthalle (Market Hall)
• 9 6. Schillerplatz & Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church)
• 10 7. Altes Schloss (Old Castle) & Landesmuseum Württemberg 
• 11 8. Rathaus (Town Hall)
• 12 9. Stuttgart Christmas Market
• 13 10. Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
• 14 11. Eugensplatz 
• 15 12. Bean District
• 16 13. Lindenmuseum
• 17 14. Schweinemuseum (Pig Museum)
• 18 15. Mercedes-Benz Museum
• 19 16. Porsche Museum
• 20 17. Wilhelma Zoo & Maurischer Botanical Garden
• 21 18. Fernsehenturm (TV Tower)
• 22 19. Neckar River
• 23 20. Cannstatter Volksfest
• 24 21. Killesberg Park & Tower
• 25 22. Grabkapelle on Württemberg Hill
• 26 23. Universität Stuttgart (Downton & Vahingen Campus)
• 27 24. Bärenschlössle im Rotwildpark
• 28 25. Vineyard Visit & Hike
• 29 26. Birkenkopf 
• 30 27. Standseilbahn Stuttgart
• 31 28. Bad Cannstatt
• 32 Day Trips from Stuttgart
• 33 29. Ludwigsburg Palace 
• 34 30. Esslingen
• 35 31. Tübingen

Getting To & Around Stuttgart

If you arrive via the Stuttgart International Airport (Flughafen) you can easily get into the city via S-bahn (about 45 minutes), bus or taxi (about 25 minutes). I fly into Stuttgart from the US whenever I can! I’ve gotten direct flights in/out of Stuttgart from Atlanta, and I’ve flown to Stuttgart via Paris.

If you travel to Stuttgart by train or bus you’ll arrive at the main train station (Hauptbahnhof). From there you can walk down Königstrasse to reach several of the city center sites listed below. For others you’ll need to take public transportation (S-bahn, U-bahn, tram, bus), which you can catch at the train station, along Königstrasse, and all over the city. You can also easily find taxis everywhere.

If you’re only in Stuttgart for a day or two, take the Hop On Hop Off Bus tour ! It’ll give you a great overview of the entire city, even outside the city center, and you’ll be able to see most of the sights listed below in a short period of time.

I’ve taken the HOHO tour and was surprised that it showed me parts of Stuttgart I hadn’t explored when I lived there! It’s such a great way to see a lot in just a couple hours, and the guided narration is actually fun to listen to.

Depending on the time of year you’re in Stuttgart, you’ll have 1 or more tour options. In the winter there’s usually one option (the green tour) and possibly a Christmas tour (I did that one, along with the green tour, last time I was in Stuttgart but I’m not sure if the Christmas tour is available every year). In the spring/summer/fall you can choose between the green and blue tours, and there might even be a wine tour option!

Wondering where to stay in Stuttgart? Check out our hotel guide here !

31 Must-See Sites In & Around Stuttgart

Sights 1-13 below are in the city center and easy to get to on foot. If you only have a couple hours or a half-day in Stuttgart, you can easily walk to most or all of these sights. To see #14-28 you’ll want to take public transportation or the HOHO bus . To visit #29-31, take the S-bahn or regional train.

Stuttgart Map

Here’s a map of the city center and other sights to give you a general idea where they’re located.

1. Königstrasse Shopping Street

A must-visit and perfect for all your (window) shopping needs! Running through the heart of Stuttgart and ending at the city’s central train station, this 1.2-kilometer boulevard is filled with popular brands such as Primark, Zara, and Uniqlo and various restaurants and cafés. If you only have an hour or two in Stuttgart, take a walk through this popular pedestrian zone. If you exit the train station and walk down Königstrasse, you’ll walk right to Schlossplatz.

2. Schlossplat z Square

Schlossplatz is a pedestrian zone square in the heart of the city and a vibrant and popular tourist attraction that has something for everyone passing through. Schlossplatz was originally a private garden that was opened to the public as a beautiful park and grounds for open-air concerts, events, and just hanging out. Just a few steps from the square, you’ll also find Kunstgebäude (contemporary art gallery), the Landtag (state parliament), and the Königstrasse shopping street. Schlossplatz is the perfect place to take a break and people-watch.

Grab our FREE Germany Trip Planning Checklist Now!

3. Neues Schloss (New Castle)

The Neues Schloss (New Castle) is a Baroque building from the 18th century. Its facade provides Schlossplatz with a beautiful regal backdrop, since it served as the royal seat for kings of Württemberg for decades. Nowadays, to go inside you must book a special public tour because it’s used for government offices but you’re welcome to wander around admiring the beautiful building.

4. Stuttgart Kunstmuseum 

Located in the city center by Königstrasse, Stuttgart Kunstmuseum is a popular destination that’s hard to miss. During the daytime, the reflective glass cube structure offers amazing views. At night, the interior limestone walls light up and illuminate the street. Inside you can visit their modern and contemporary art exhibits or dine at the museum restaurant.

5. Markthalle (Market Hall)

If you’re a foodie looking for a culinary experience beyond restaurants, the Markthalle is the perfect place for you. Explore over 30 stalls offering everything from fresh produce, premium meats, and exotic spices. Housed in an Art Nouveau building, the Markthalle also boasts gourmet restaurants from international cuisines. To taste delicacies from all over the world, book your guided tour here (with a glass of prosecco!) here.

6. Schillerplatz & Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church)

Schillerplatz is an historic old town square a 10 minute walk from the central train station and just a few minutes from Schlossplatz. It’s named after poet Friedrich Schiller, who is commemorated with a statue in the center. While you’re here, visit the Stiftskirche, an important Evangelical-Lutheran church damaged during WWII but then modernly reconstructed in the 1950s.

7. Altes Schloss (Old Castle) & Landesmuseum Württemberg 

The Altes Schloss (Old Castle) in Schillerplatz, was a water fortress in the 10th century before turning into a royal palace. After withstanding wars, the Altes Schloss became home to the Landesmuseum Württemberg, which is now the state museum established by King Wilhelm in 1862. Its vast collection of archeology and cultural artifacts makes it one of the best places to learn about the city’s history.

8. Rathaus ( Town Hall)

A short distance from Schillerplatz you’ll find the Rathaus (town hall – not a house of rats haha!) is a post-modern building characterized by its asymmetrical design, large windows, clock tower, and a Glockenspiel. You can visit the inside and even take a ride in one of the last remaining paternoster lifts. During the Christmas market season the Rathaus turns into a huge Advent Calendar and there are evening concerts on the Rathaus steps featuring choirs from the Stuttgart area.

9. Stuttgart Christmas Market

The Stuttgart Christmas Market is one of the oldest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, dating back 300 years ( click here for my full guide and review ). For a month leading up to Christmas, the market welcomes over 3 million visitors who stroll under sparkling lights, buy toys and crafts, and enjoy all kinds of delicious food and drinks (like Glühwein and Gebrannte Mandeln !). If you’re lucky enough to visit Stuttgart in December, be sure to book a 2-hour Stuttgart City Walk with a personal guide so you can enjoy the Christmas Market and all of the city’s must-see sites. 

10. Staatsgalerie Stuttgart

The Staatsgalerie is one of the best museums in the city. Established in the 19th century, this art museum has an impressive collection from the middle ages to the present. The old annex highlights impressionist artists like Monet and Renoir while the new building features 20th-century art with works from Picasso and Matisse. I always enjoy visiting this art museum. It’s big enough to have plenty to see but not so big that you’ll feel overwhelmed. And it’s the perfect place to go when it’s raining!

11. Eugensplatz 

Get ready for beautiful city views! The stunning statue and the Galatea-Brunnen fountain are the main attractions of Eugensplatz in Stuttgart. It was designed and constructed in 1980 by architect Otto Rieth and sculptor Paul Stotz. Many tourists visit the site for its panoramic view that highlights the beauty of the city. You can walk up to Eugensplatz or take the tram. There’s also a youth hostel near Eugensplatz.

12. Bean District

The Bean District was built as the first residential quarter outside of the city’s walls, and originally housed the city’s poorer residents. This quaint district offers visitors unique shops, and alleys full of bars, cafés, and restaurants. Want a taste of the local cuisine? Book a 2-hour walking tour here and discover this historic area with an expert. 

13. Lindenmuseum

The Linden Museum is dubbed as one of Europe’s best ethnological museums. With an aim to promote non-European culture, the museum offers guided tours to showcase its collection of artifacts from around the world. It’s easily accessible by public transportation or a 10-minute walk from Stuttgart’s main station.

14. Schweinemuseum (Pig Museum)

If classic museums aren’t your thing, consider checking out the Schweinemuseum! Quirky, amusing, and just a little bizarre, this museum dedicated to pigs has more than 50,000 pieces spread over 25 thematic rooms. It’s also easily accessible from Schlachthof U-Bahn station, or you may opt to ride on the U9 from Hauptbahnhof (central station). This is also one of the stops on the HOHO bus tour.

15. Mercedes-Benz Museu m

This museum is a must-visit for car enthusiasts! It displays over 1,500 exhibits and more than 160 cars – from vintage models to modern race cars. The museum also provides free audio guides in a variety of languages.

Just two minutes away from the museum is the Mercedes-Benz Arena, home of the German sports club, VfB Stuttgart. Want to go behind-the-scenes? Book a 1.5-hour stadium tour here and enjoy a full panoramic view of the arena.

16. Porsche Museum

Another one for the car lovers out there! Located right next to the S-Bahn (Neuwirtshaus/Porscheplatz), the Porsche Museum boasts nearly 100 cars, more than 200 small exhibits, and offers guided tours so visitors can enjoy the entire collection with an expert. If you’re tired from walking, their indoor coffee bar is the perfect place to recharge before continuing the tour.

17. Wilhelma Zoo & Maurischer Botanical Garden

Built in the mid-19th century as a private garden for King Wilhelm I, this popular tourist attraction is now home to a wide variety of plants and animals. The zoological-botanical garden spans nearly 70 acres of land, so plan ahead to maximize your visit. If you’re in Stuttgart in December, be sure to visit their magical Winter Garden full of amazing light displays (I loved it). To get there by public transport, take the U 14 to Wilhelma Station.

18. Fernsehenturm (TV Tower)

The Fernsehturm Stuttgart is the world’s first television tower. Standing at 217 meters high, it’s considered the prototype for many TV towers around the world. At the top you’ll find a restaurant, a café, and a two-tiered observation deck that offers a panoramic (and windy!) view of the city. On a clear day you’ll have the most amazing views of the city and surrounding area!

19. Neckar River

Enjoy what nature has to offer and spend some time by the riverbanks of the 362-kilometer-long Neckar river. You can take a stroll along the river or if you’re up for a little adventure rent a canoe or a stand-up paddleboard and explore different corners of the beautiful and relaxing Neckar river.

20. Cannstatter Volksfest

The Cannstatter Volksfest is an annual three-week long event in Stuttgart that takes place from late September to mid-October. There’s almost 200 years of history behind this event! A 10-minute walk from the Bad Cannstatt station, this super fun festival offers beer tents with live music, market stalls, and numerous amusement rides, such as roller coasters, carousels, and a Ferris wheel. I went to the Volksfest after visiting Oktoberfest in Munich and actually had more fun at the Stuttgarter Volksfest! A smaller version of the festival is held in the spring.

2 1. Killesberg Park & Tower

Easily accessible by car or public transportation, this beautiful park is a breath of fresh air located in the heart of Stuttgart. Walk through the park and you’ll find a train ride, artistic mustang statues, a petting zoo, a swimming pool, and Killesberg tower, a 40-meter-high observation tower. If you’re not scared of heights, climb to the top viewing platform to enjoy a full view of the city. Even if you’re not a fan of heights (like me) the views are worth a quick climb!

22. Grabkapelle on Württemberg Hill

The Grabkapelle is a burial chapel where the late Queen Katharina was buried. It’s located on Württemberg Hill overlooking the Neckar Valley and Stuttgart. This popular destination was built in 18th century by King Wilhelm, consisting of a Neoclassical domed rotunda. The place is known to be the most romantic site in Stuttgart because of the “Love never ceases” inscription on the entrance.

23. Universität Stuttgart (Downton & Vahingen Campus)

Wonder what a German university is like? The Universität Stuttgart is the perfect place to find out! It’s divided into two campuses – the downtown campus (a few blocks away from the train station) and the Vaihingen campus (10 minutes from the main train station on the S1, S2 or S3, get off at the Universität stop). The university is globally known for first-class education and exceptional research in Europe. Take a stroll around either campus and you’ll see modern university buildings, campus housing, and more.

24. Bärenschlössle im Rotwildpark

The Bärenschlössle im Rotwildpark can either be reached by walking through the woods from the Vaihingen University campus (that’s how we like to get there there), taking the S-bahn and a bus from the main train station, or driving and parking in a designated area in the Rotwildpark. This beautiful park is home to fascinating wildlife species, and you can hike or ride a bike to explore the area. There are various drinks and foods to try at the Bärenschlössle for a leisurely break.

25. Vineyard Visit & Hike

If you like wine, you should visit the vineyards in and around Stuttgart. Yes, Stuttgart has vineyards in the city! The vineyard hiking trails are one of the top things to check out in Stuttgart as they offer views of the marvelous wine landscapes, as well as city or valley views. One place you can go is the Uhlbach district (get off at the Obertürkehim station). You can hike the Stuttgart Wine Hiking Trail that goes from Uhlbach to Rotenberg, stopping to try local wine along the way. The optimal time for a vineyard visit is spring or fall but I still enjoyed my December vineyard hike!

26. Birkenkopf 

During World War II, Allied bombing ruined a good half of the city and left a mountain of debris. It was cleared and turned into what is now known as the highest, partly man-made hill in Stuttgart: Birkenkopf. At 511 meters above sea level, the view from the top is breathtaking! You can take public transportation to the Birkenkopf stop or park your car in the designated parking lot and then walk up to the top (the hike isn’t too far or strenuous). On a clear day you can see the city, the Swabian Alb, and even into the Black Forest.

27. Standseilbahn Stuttgart

From the Sudheimer Platz U-Bahn station, you can ride a wooden car that traverses the elegant cable railway to Stuttgart Degerloch cemetery. The Standseilbahn is the first semi-automatic railway line that was completed in 1929. Shuttling up takes around four minutes, but you can book a guided tour here to explore the woods and enjoy the area.

28. Bad Cannstatt

A humble city borough, Bad Cannstatt is known as the oldest district of Stuttgart. You can walk around the Altstadt and enjoy half-timber houses, cobblestone streets and cafes, visit the Mineralbad (natural mineral spa), or do as I did and grab a pastry and a coffee to enjoy on the bank of the Neckar river. To see these famous sites with an expert, book this culinary tour with a local guide here .

Day Trips from Stuttgart

One of the great things about Stuttgart is that there are SO many day trip options ( click here for several more, including castles )! Three popular options are described below. The map below shows you where they are in relation to the Stuttgart sights described above.

29. Ludwigsburg Palace  

Despite being a small city in the north of Stuttgart, the Ludwigsburg Palace is one of the grandest Baroque palaces in Germany. The Marble Hall is the most notable feature in this lavish place with ceiling that resembles an open sky. Built in the middle ages, this is Europe’s oldest heritage-protected palace theater. In December, Ludwigsburg hosts a Christmas market that’s a must-see after dark. You can easily reach Ludwigsburg via S-bahn from the main train station in about 20 minutes. I suggest planning to spend 3-6 hours here, depending on whether you just want to walk around the city or visit the Palace, have a meal, etc.

30. Esslingen

Located 17 kilometers east of Stuttgart is the town of Esslingen, where half-timbered buildings line the streets. There’s also a beautiful castle on the hill with towers and bulwarks that offer viewing platform for a captivating scenery of the Neckar River and the ancient town below. At Christmastime Esslingen hosts a Medieval Christmas Market that’s a must-see! You can reach Esslingen via S-bahn from the main train station in about 20 minutes. I suggest planning to spend 3-6 hours here, depending on whether you just want to walk around the city or visit the castle, have a meal, etc.

31. Tübingen

A charming university town south of Stuttgart, Tübingen is the perfect day trip from Stuttgart. You could even visit after first stopping in Esslingen. Explore Tübingen’s Altstat (old town), ride in a famous punt boat, and enjoy the views from the old castle. In December you can even visit their famous ChocolArt Festival ! You can reach Tübingen in about 50 minutes via regional train from Stuttgart’s main train station. I recommend spending a full day in Tübignen, unless you have a car and only want to stop for a couple hours to walk around before visiting another near-by town or sight.

Click here for more day trip ideas from Stuttgart !

Grab your FREE 10 Germany Gems Cheatsheet Now!

Cate has been traveling to Germany for 30+ years. She has lived in Germany, taught college German, and has a PhD in German Applied Linguistics. She loves helping travelers plan their dream trips to Germany!

Similar Posts

Summer in Germany: 19 Beautiful Places to Visit & Things to Do

1 Day in Frankfurt Guide (Frankfurt am Main)

What To Do On a Layover In Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in 2024

50 Famous Landmarks to Visit in Germany

Best Scenic Germany Road Trip Ideas And Routes

How to Tour the 23+ Best Castles in Germany in 2024

Here’s how we can help you plan your perfect trip in 2024.

GERMANY TRAVEL PLANNER:  Just getting started? Have questions about Germany’s confusing train tickets or how to find the best guided tours? Not sure which parts of Germany should be in your itinerary (and what to leave out)? Our  Germany Travel Planner  answers those questions and more via how-to videos, our interactive Germany Planning Map, City Cheatsheets, and MUCH more. Click here to unlock the best of Germany the easy way!

GERMANY TRAVEL CONSULT:  Feeling overwhelmed? Itinerary just not coming together? Wonder if a few tweaks would take your trip to the next level? Book a Mini or Full consult with Cate! She’ll help you create or tweak your itinerary, recommend train tickets/passes, hotels, things to do, guided tours, show you how to buy train tickets, orient you to specific cities, help you plan out day trips, and answer your Germany travel questions.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  We recommend using  Booking.com  since they have widest range of accommodations available from hostels, boutique hotels, luxury chains, aparthotels, at the best prices. Check out our  accommodation guides  for specific recommended hotels.

WHAT TO PACK: If you’re bringing your phone, be sure to bring this plug adapter , this power bank , and this wrist strap . They’ve been lifesavers for us! You can see our other packing essentials here and here .

TICKETS & TOURS:  For guided tours, day trips, private tours, and skip-the-line tickets,  Get Your Guide  is our go-to!

TRAINS & BUSES:  To research train schedules and buy tickets or a Germany Rail Pass, we recommend the official  Deutsche Bahn (German Rail System)  website (and download their DB Navigator app). For buses, look at  FlixBus  , which offers tickets for routes within Germany and to other European countries. FlixBus is often cheaper than trains but can take longer.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.