Stuttgart is a very international city, with almost one third of its population originating from outside of Germany. Located in the south western Baden-Württemberg state, it is one of the most livable cities in Europe. Companies in the auto industry such as Daimler, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz find Stuttgart their home.
Getting There
For international or long distance travellers, Stuttgart Airport is one of the top ten airports in Europe by passenger traffic. The airport serves major European destinations as well as several locations in North America and Asia. From the airport, visitors can take the S-Bahn to the city centre in just under half an hour.
For European travellers, travelling by train to Stuttgart is also a convenient option. The Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is a major railway station and interchange point. ICE intercity services are frequent and TGV has services directly to France as does SBB services to Switzerland are also available throughout the week.
The Autobahn route numbers A8 and A81 form the major north south and east west highway routes into and out of Stuttgart. Drivers are reminded to avoid morning and evening peak periods when the traffic could be severe.
Public Transportation
There’s really no need to drive within Stuttgart where public transportation comes frequently and is accessible to all. The U-Bahn will take you around the city efficiently on underground rails, the S-Bahn is for commuter traffic or travel to the suburbs, and Stuttgard also features different forms of mountail transportation.
Single tickets start from €1.20 and up depending on the number of zones traveled through. Day tickets are around €7 for one traveller in the city zones, but group tickets could be more cost effective at €12 for the same area for up to 5 people travelling together
For more information, please visit: www.vvs.de
Visitors with a more active lifestyle may also choose to cycle around the city. Many roads are marked with specially appointed cycling lanes and there’s always plenty of parking for bicycles on the streets. Deutsche Bahn operates the ‘call-a-bike’ service that lets cyclists rent out bicycles with just a mobile phone and credit card information.
For more information, please visit: www.callabike-interaktiv.de
Stuttgart is composed of several smaller towns merging together so walking is another viable option. If you want to be able to walk to anywhere in the city centre in under half an hour, check out where to stay in the next section.
Top 10 Attractions
1. Mercedes-Benz Museum , is a very advanced museum with striking architecture. It is one of the top spots in Stuttgart and houses the history of the Mercedes-Benz company that spans over a century. You even get to keep your lanyard if you get the audio guide! Adult tickets at about €10. For more information, please visit: www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/classic/classic-overview/
2. Porsche Museum , another car museum in the city, this one is dedicated to sports cars. Located right next to an S-Bahn station, this large white building is hard to miss. Adult prices are around €8 with concessionary tickets at half price. For more information, please visit: www.porsche.com/germany/aboutporsche/porschemuseum/
3. Kunstmuseum Stuttgart , initially contained pieces donated by a count in 1942. Now with over 15000 valuable pieces spread over 5000 square metres, this modern art museum is something you have to see. Prices are around €6 for adults with steep discounts for children and families. For more information, please visit: www.kunstmuseum-stuttgart.de
4. Schloss Solitude , is an impressive palace built in 1763. Featuring craftsmanship from the Rococo and Neoclassical periods, this architectural masterpiece feels like a mansion in a sculpture. It is still considered one of the most beautiful buildings created in the entire state. For more information, please visit: www.schloss-solitude.de/en/home/
5. Stuttgart TV Tower , is the world’s forst TV tower made of steel and reinforced concrete. Built in 1954, it serves as a prototype and a model for all modern TV towers built after it. Get right up to the top with a scenic elevator ride to see all of Stuttgart under your feet. Prices for adults start from €7 with concessions for children and certain visiting hours. For more information, please visit: www.fernsehturm-stuttgart.de
6. Bohnen Viertel , is a charming little neighbourhood that isn’t usually visited by tourists. There, visitors can find independent bookstores, mom and pop workshops, and local cafes to get away from the city scene. For more information, please visit: www.bohnenviertel-stuttgart.de
7. ZACKE , is the only rack railway in an urban centre in Germany. Starting from a conspicuous surface level platform in Marienplatz, the cog railway runs up the hill to give you a beautiful view of the towns below. It is included in a day ticket or a regular single trip ticket is also valid. For more information, please visit: www.ssb-ag.de/Zahnradbahn-230-0.html
8. Stadseilbahn , was built in 1929 and it still uses the original wooden railcars from the early 20th century. It leads up to a cemetery in the hills with a relaxing atmosphere to have a coffee in the middle of a forest. For more information, please visit: www.ssb-ag.de/Seilbahn-229-0.html
9. Musikininstrumente Museum , has free entry! It is a rather unusual museum that features the history of various musical instruments used in the western world. Some of which, such as the harpsichord are rare to find nowadays. For more information, please visit: www.landesmuseum-stuttgart.de/ausstellungen/schausammlungen/musikinstrumente/
10. Wilhelma Zoo , has everything from fish, to snakes, to lions. It is also famous for its landscaping efforts and variety of floral species. Single tickets start from €16 with half price for children and discounts for families. For more information, please visit: www.wilhelma.de
Where to Stay
Budget:
• Alex 30 Hostel , with prices starting from €25 per night, this is undoubtedly one of the best deals in town. Breakfast, pay TV, and Internet are all available at an additional cost. For more information, please visit: www.alex30-hostel.de
• Ibis Budget , with rooms starting at about €40 per night, this Accor hotel has all the comforts of a hotel for a fraction of the price. Breakfast buffet, Internet, and parking are all avalaible, pets are also allowed. For more information, please visit: www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5441-ibis-budget-stuttgart-city-nord/index.shtml
• Park Inn Hotel Stuttgart , this hotel is at the higher end of the budget scale with rooms atarting from €64 per night. For more information, please visit: www.parkinn.com/hotel-stuttgart
Comfort:
• Le Meridien Stuttgart, is an upscale five star hotel with business facilities and modern rooms. Prices start at €130 per night. For more information, please visit: www.lemeridienstuttgart.com
• Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin , has prices atarting from €135. But with a fitness center, a spa, a swimming pool, and a restaurant all less than a kilometre to historical sites, it’s worth the money. For more information, please visit: www.steigenberger.com
• Der Zauberlehrling , the sorcerer’s apprentice is more than just a fancy name, this unique hotel with magically decorated rooms starts from around €150 per night. For more information, please visit: www.zauberlehrling.de
Nightlife
- Club Schocken , is an alternative themed bar open every single night. For more information, please visit: www.club-schocken.de
- Penthouse , is an upscale club catered to bankers coming off work from the city centre. They have a large location with reservations possible. For more information, please visit: www.penthouse-s.de
- Skybeach , is a rooftop outdoor bar complete with sand, lawn chairs, and umbrellas that is only open during summer. This is perfect for younger groups and good weather. For more information, please visit: skybeach.de
Shopping
- Markthalle , is a refurbished market hall complete with cafes, restaurants, and food stalls to satisfy all your eating needs. It is also indoors so it is a good place to pick out some fresh fruits and vegetables even if it’s a rainy day. For more information, please visit: www.markthalle-stuttgart.de
- Königstraße , is the main shopping street in Stuttgart. Conveniently starting form the main railway station, there are boutiques and shops lined along both sides of the street. Visitors from outside the European Union can get up to 19% off listed prices when they apply for VAT tax returns. For more information, please visit: www.koenigstr.de
- Bauernmarkthalle , is a farmer’s market that sells locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Located just along the U-Bahn line number 9, the venue is entirely indoors. But do beware that it may be closed on certain days. For more information, please visit: www.markt-am-vogelsang.de
Food
Being an international city with a diverse population, there are is no shortage of cuisines from around the world. Here are some favorite eats in Stuttgart:
- Brezel , these are pretzel shaped baked goods that are usually softer on the inside. Starting from about €0.80, these delicious snacks are available all over town from snack stalls.
- Sophies Brauhaus , serves a variety of local beers as well as beers from its very own brewery. Prices are about €15 for a main dish. For more information, please visit: www.sophies-brauhaus.de
- Restaurant Aspendos , is a famous Turkish restaurant. With a large Turkish population in Germany, you cannot miss this one! Business lunch main dishes start from about €6. For more information, please visit: www.restaurant-aspendos.de
Typical regional dishes are:
- Schwäbischer Zwiebelrostbraten
- Gaisburger Marsch
- Kässpätzle
- Maultaschen
