Stuttgart packs more attractions into its valley basin than many visitors expect. The city is the global headquarters of both Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, making it holy ground for car enthusiasts, but there is also a 19th-century palace square, one of Europe’s largest zoological-botanical gardens, a 217m TV tower that was the world’s first of its kind, and vineyards growing Trollinger grapes within the city limits. Most attractions are reachable via the efficient U-Bahn and S-Bahn network, and many cluster within walking distance of the Hauptbahnhof (main station). Stuttgart travel guide
Things to Do in Stuttgart: Museums and Car Culture
Mercedes-Benz Museum
The Mercedes-Benz Museum (Mercedesstrasse 100, U-Bahn U1 to Neckarpark) traces the entire history of the automobile across nine levels and 16,500 square metres of exhibition space. The collection includes 160 vehicles ranging from the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen to futuristic concept cars. The double-helix architecture lets you spiral down through 130 years of automotive history. Admission is EUR 16 for adults, EUR 8 for students and seniors, free for children under 14. Opening hours are Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 to 18:00 (closed Mondays). Book tickets online at mercedes-benz.com to skip the queue, especially on weekends. Stuttgart weather by month
Porsche Museum
The Porsche Museum (Porscheplatz 1, S-Bahn S6 to Neuwirtshaus/Porscheplatz) sits at the company’s Zuffenhausen headquarters. The striking white building designed by Delugan Meissl appears to float above its three supporting columns. Inside, roughly 80 vehicles rotate through the exhibition, including the 356, the 911 lineage, and Le Mans winners. Admission is EUR 12 for adults, EUR 6 for reduced tickets. Open Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 to 18:00. The combined Mercedes-Benz + Porsche Museum ticket is EUR 22 and saves EUR 6 compared to separate tickets. The gift shop sells exclusive Porsche Design items that are not available elsewhere. best time to visit Stuttgart
Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
The Staatsgalerie (Konrad-Adenauer-Strasse 30-32, U-Bahn U1/U2/U4 to Staatsgalerie) is one of Germany’s most visited art museums, housing a collection spanning the 14th to 21st centuries. The building itself is an architectural landmark: the original neoclassical wing (1843) connects to James Stirling’s postmodern 1984 extension with its bright green window frames and pink-and-blue stonework. Highlights include works by Picasso, Dali, Matisse, and Beuys. Admission is EUR 7 for the permanent collection, EUR 14 including special exhibitions. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 to 17:00 (Thursday until 20:00). Stuttgart events and festivals
Things to Do in Stuttgart: Outdoor and Sightseeing
Schlossplatz and Neues Schloss
Schlossplatz (Palace Square) is Stuttgart’s central gathering point, framed by the three-winged Neues Schloss (New Palace, 1746-1807), the Konigsbau colonnade with its shops and cafes, and the Jubilaumssaule (Jubilee Column) topped by a goddess Concordia figure. The square hosts open-air concerts, the Wine Village in late summer, and the Christmas Market in winter. The Neues Schloss itself houses government ministries and is not open for tours, but you can walk through the courtyard. The adjacent Oberer Schlossgarten stretches east toward the Neckar River, popular for jogging and picnics. best neighborhoods in Stuttgart
Fernsehturm Stuttgart
The Stuttgart TV Tower (Jahnstrasse 120, U-Bahn U7 to Waldau then 10-minute walk or bus 70 to Fernsehturm) was the world’s first television tower built from reinforced concrete, completed in 1956 at 217 metres (712 feet). The observation deck at 150 metres offers panoramic views across the Neckar Valley, the Black Forest to the west, and the Swabian Alb to the east. On clear days the Alps are visible on the horizon. Admission is EUR 10.50 for adults, EUR 6.50 for children. Open daily from 10:00, closing times vary by season (22:00 in summer, 20:00 in winter). The Panorama Cafe serves Swabian dishes with the view. where to stay in Stuttgart
Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Garden
The Wilhelma (Wilhelmaplatz 13, U-Bahn U14 to Wilhelma or U13 to Rosensteinbrucke) combines a zoological and botanical garden within the grounds of a 19th-century Moorish-style palace built for King Wilhelm I. It houses over 11,000 animals from roughly 1,200 species and 8,500 plant species. The ape house, Amazon house, and the historic Moorish architecture are standout features. Adult admission is EUR 20, children 6-17 pay EUR 8. Open daily from 8:15 to 17:45 (extended to 20:00 in summer). Arrive at opening time on weekends to avoid crowds, or visit on a weekday afternoon. Stuttgart travel tips
Grabkapelle auf dem Wurttemberg
The Sepulchral Chapel on Wurttemberg Hill (Wurttembergstrasse 340, U-Bahn U7 to Waldau then 20-minute walk uphill) is a neoclassical rotunda built in 1824 by King Wilhelm I as a mausoleum for his wife Queen Katharina. The hilltop location 410 metres above sea level gives sweeping views over Stuttgart’s valley and the Neckar vineyards. Admission is EUR 5. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 to 17:00 (summer until 18:00). The walk up through the vineyards passes several Straussenwirtschaften (seasonal wine taverns) where you can stop for a glass of local Trollinger or Riesling.
Things to Do in Stuttgart: Day Trips from the City
Esslingen am Neckar
Ten minutes by S-Bahn (S1) from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, Esslingen am Neckar is a remarkably preserved medieval town with over 200 half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes, and Germany’s oldest Sekt (sparkling wine) cellar at Kessler Sekt. The Christmas Market in December is one of Germany’s best medieval-themed markets. Walk the canal-side paths, climb the vineyard terraces above town, and visit the Stadtkirche St. Dionys with its twin towers visible from the train.
Ludwigsburg Palace
Ludwigsburg Residential Palace (Schlossstrasse 30, Ludwigsburg, S-Bahn S4/S5 to Ludwigsburg then 10-minute walk) is one of Germany’s largest Baroque palaces with 452 rooms across 18 buildings. The palace gardens span 30 hectares. Adult admission is EUR 9.50 for the palace tour, EUR 10 for the gardens. The Bluhendes Barock (Blooming Baroque) garden show runs April through October. The palace’s Kurbisausstellung (Pumpkin Exhibition) from September to November is the world’s largest, featuring over 450,000 pumpkins displayed in themed arrangements.
