Stuttgart Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Esslingen which includes a river or creek and outdoor eating
Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart featuring a city and heritage architecture
Porsche Museum showing interior views

A holiday or city break in Stuttgart, the capital of Germany’s Swabian southwest, opens up a city renowned for its motoring heritage, high culture and impressive architecture. With a range of green parks and plazas, historic buildings and important museums in its city centre, and an array of sightseeing options in the surrounding countryside, Stuttgart promises an unforgettable holiday for the walker and the wine lover, the gastronaut and the garden fan, the history buff and the high-street bargain hunter.

A city break in central Stuttgart gives you the freedom to wander the spacious parks and plazas, all fringed with historic buildings that range from the late Medieval through the Renaissance period to the Baroque. The Old Castle stands at the junction of the Schlossplatz, Schillerplatz and Karlsplatz, a proud Renaissance fortress that now houses the Landesmuseum Württemberg with its fascinating array of ancient and medieval artefacts. The Neues Schloss, a magnificent Baroque palace built by the Dukes of Baden-Württemberg at the eastern end of Schlossplatz, is now open to the public for guided tours through rooms filled with beautiful art and furniture.

The New Palace is one of the grandest Baroque palaces in the whole of Germany, but it finds its equal just to the north of Stuttgart in the model town of Ludwigsburg. Ludwigsburg Palace, also built in a flurry of ducal one-upmanship, is an exquisite example of Baroque design – its grand chambers and spectacular frescoed ceilings, its unique theatre and its sweeping estates, punctuated by peaceful lakes and former hunting lodges that are palaces in themselves are a must see for any visitor to the city.

Stuttgart is the birthplace of the modern motor car and the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. It was in Stuttgart that Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler took the new-fangled internal combustion engine and placed it into a chassis, before Mrs Benz took off on the first ever roadtrip, a 66-mile journey from Mannheim to Pforzheim, which is a thirty-minute railway journey from Stuttgart. It was also in Stuttgart that Ferdinand Porsche designed the Volkswagen Beetle before the Porsche marque went on to design the 911 and many other iconic models. On your holiday in Stuttgart, be sure to visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum in NeckarPark and the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen for a walk though automotive history.

A city break to Stuttgart should also take in the rolling hills and river valleys within easy reach of the city. Ideal for walkers of every level, and punctuated by inviting vineyards and hostelries to rest your weary feet, the villages surrounding Stuttgart are great for trying some local specialities and enjoying a glass of the award-winning local wines. It’s a short journey from Stuttgart’s central Hauptbahnhof station to the fairytale-inspiring Black Forest and the delights of the Swabian Alps – plan on taking in Lichtenstein Castle, a perfect romantic vision in miniature, perched above a beautiful valley.

Where to stay in Stuttgart

Schlossplatz featuring street scenes

Stuttgart-Mitte

Museums, historical sites and gardens highlight some notable features of Stuttgart-Mitte. Make a stop by Schlossplatz or Konigstrasse while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Schlossplatz U-Bahn or Friedrichsbau U-Bahn to get around town.

Stuttgart-Mitte
Mercedes Benz Museum which includes street scenes, modern architecture and night scenes

Bad Cannstatt

You might enjoy the museums while in Bad Cannstatt. Mercedes Benz Museum is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Kursaal U-Bahn or Uff-Kirchhof U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Bad Cannstatt
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Hauptbahnhof

4.5/5(22 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Konigstrasse and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Hauptbahnhof. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Arnulf-Klett-Platz U-Bahn or Stuttgart Central Station S-Bahn (tief).

Hauptbahnhof
Porsche Museum which includes modern architecture

Zuffenhausen

Consider exploring the interesting museums in Zuffenhausen. If sightseeing is on the list, Porsche Museum is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Zuffenhausen Station or Kirchtalstrasse U-Bahn to see more of the area.

Zuffenhausen
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Stuttgart-Ost

You might enjoy the shopping while in Stuttgart-Ost. Leuze Mineral Baths is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Ostheim Leo-Vetter-Bad U-Bahn or Ostendplatz U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Stuttgart-Ost
Market Hall showing heritage elements, markets and street scenes

Rathaus

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Rathaus. Top attractions like Market Hall and Old Castle are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Osterreichischer Platz U-Bahn or Stadtmitte Station to see more of the city.

Rathaus
Maritim Hotel Stuttgart
Maritim Hotel Stuttgart
Seidenstr. 34, Stuttgart, BW
The price is £68 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
£68
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Stuttgart. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Very clean"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Maritim Hotel Stuttgart
Hotel Boulevard
Hotel Boulevard
Marienstraße 3b, Stuttgart, BW
The price is £62 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£62
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Stuttgart. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Cheap hotel in heart of town Somewhat dated but excellent free breakfast"

Reviewed on 31 May 2025

Hotel Boulevard
Parkhotel Stuttgart Messe - Airport
Parkhotel Stuttgart Messe - Airport
4.5 out of 5
Filderbahnstrasse 2, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, BW
The price is £51 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£51
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Leinfelden-Echterdingen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (995 reviews)
"Was looking for a good value for money hotel close to Stuttgart airport. Excellent room, great service. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Parkhotel Stuttgart Messe - Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rioca Stuttgart Posto 4
Rioca Stuttgart Posto 4
Salzwiesenstraße 7, Stuttgart, BW
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Stuttgart. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (357 reviews)
"The hotel really committed to their theme. They also just had a great hotel."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Rioca Stuttgart Posto 4
CLOUD No7 LOFTS
CLOUD No7 LOFTS
Strombergstr. 15, Stuttgart
Stay at this apartment in Stuttgart. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, dry cleaning or laundry services and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (284 reviews)
No AC
"The lofts were beautiful, the amenities perfect, and the location very good. There is no AC or fans in the lofts and we were there in temperatures above 30°C and the rooms were unbearably hot until the middle of the nights once the windows opened and sun went down."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

CLOUD No7 LOFTS
Adina Apartment Hotel Stuttgart
Adina Apartment Hotel Stuttgart
KOPENHAGENER STRASSE 3, Stuttgart
Stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Stuttgart. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (212 reviews)
"Very clean and loved the amenities nearby"

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

Adina Apartment Hotel Stuttgart
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Stuttgart

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
39
5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
25
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
6
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

City centre has good shops and indoor market but has no real attractions.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Good food and shopping posibilities

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Good Christmas market

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Went to Christmas market, Absolutely terrific. Stuttgart is a great place to shop,eat and have a nice time. People are friendly and all speak excellent English. I've been here for October fest at Kannestat 3 times also.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Get to the departure gate at the airport early. They are now checking passports on leaving and the queue was 45 mins long.

4/5 - Good

MrsN

We would recommend taking the Hop-On Hop-Off Citybus Tour as well as taking the S-Bahn to the Baroque Residenzschloss in Ludwigsburg.

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