Industrial but charming, Stuttgart is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. Located in southwest Germany, it is the capital of the State of Baden-Württemberg and is well known for its automotive industry (being home to renowned automobile manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz and Porsche, it is often referred to as the “cradle of the automobile”). However, there is more to Stuttgart than meets the eye. The city offers many museums and cultural experiences, as well as many green spaces, parks and hills with wonderful views of the city for outdoor activities.
We visited Stuttgart because we had bought tickets to see our favourite band in concert. However, we took advantage of the time we had there, in order to explore the city.
Getting to the city centre from the airport
Stuttgart offers efficient transportation, making it very easy to move around the city and its suburbs.
Getting the train to the city centre from the airport is a piece of cake; the train station is conveniently located within the airport complex and there are signs directing towards it. When landing at Stuttgart airport, you just need to follow the signs to the Arrivals area and then the signs indicating “Exit” or “Public Transportation”. There are also ticket counters and ticket machines on-site, with multiple language options.
We caught the S2 line of the S-Bahn (the suburban train) to Stadtmitte, as our hotel was located nearby. However, you can catch this line to numerous stations in the centre (such as the central station “Hauptbahnhof”).
There are other options for getting to the city centre too, such as a shuttle service, taxis, rental cars or rideshare services. However, we opted for public transportation, as it was efficient and not too costly (we paid 3.37 euros per person). It took about 30 minutes to arrive at our destination.
Useful tip: Although there are ticket counters and machines available at the train station in the airport, we opted for the VVS Mobil App instead of buying printed tickets throughout our trip.
Not only is it cheaper to buy the tickets online, it is more eco-friendly too, as you just have the ticket saved in your app.
Just make sure you know in which zone your destination is before buying your ticket because prices differ. There are also day tickets and group tickets available.
Useful tip: When going to the airport for our flight back, we checked apps such as Google Maps and the option of the direct S2 line was not mentioned. However, we used the S2 line and it took us directly to the airport.
We spent four days in Stuttgart. Here’s what we did:
Day 1
We decided to spend our first day strolling around the city. We stayed at Maritim Hotel, so it was easy to walk around the centre. First, we visited Schillerplatz, a charming square surrounded by historical buildings, the highlight being Stiftskirche, an ancient church with a tall tower. It was the weekend, so there was also a market with fresh produce and flowers. We then walked through Markthalle, a vibrant marketplace located near Schillerplatz with an array of stalls offering fresh produce, artisanal foods, regional delicacies and international treats. When in Stuttgart, it is a must to visit Markthalle and immerse yourselves in the numerous flavours offered.
Not far from Schillerplatz, you will find two magnificent castles, the Altes Schloss (Old Castle) and the Neues Schloss (New Castle). We took a stroll around their grounds enjoying the wonderful summer day. When walking around, you will see numerous people sitting on the grass enjoying the nice weather.
If you love history and art, don’t miss the chance to visit Landesmuseum Württemberg, a museum showcasing the region’s cultural treasures and past. It also has a lovely garden where you can enjoy a drink.
Later on we walked to Eugensplatz and Eugenstaffel. Eugenstaffel is a set of stairs leading up to a quaint neighbourhood with stunning views of the city. Walking up the stairs, you will find an impressive fountain with flowing water, which is a great place to take photos. Further up, you can enjoy the view of the city and relax at Eugensplatz, getting away from the hustle and bustle.
After spending some time enjoying the city views, we caught the tram to Killesbergplatz (the tram station was just behind Eugensplatz) and got off at Killesbergbanhof. We then walked a short distance to Killesbergplatz, a vast park full of greenery, charming little lakes with ducks and, of course, the Killesbergturm, which offers stunning views of the city.
Being our first day in Stuttgart, we decided to take it easy and have an early night, so we could recharge our batteries for the next day.
Day 2
We decided to make the most of our second day in Stuttgart and visit as many places as possible. We started our day by visiting the Mercedes Benz Museum, a state of the art museum taking you on a journey through automotive history. Housed within a modern building, the museum immerses its visitors in the evolution of automotive engineering, design and innovation. The displays feature an impressive collection of vintage and contemporary vehicles, ranging from luxurious cars to iconic racing models and is definitely the ideal destination for car lovers.
We were lucky enough to also witness a car enthusiast meeting outside the museum, with antique cars being displayed.
Our tip: Even if you are not a car enthusiast, take some time to visit the Mercedes Benz Museum; you will be amazed at how interesting and well-organised it is. Make sure to take at least 3 hours there, as there are many exhibits to see.
After the Mercedes Benz Museum, we walked towards the Schweine Museum (pig museum), a quirky and unique attraction showcasing pig-themed artefacts, memorabilia and artwork. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind museum and there is also a restaurant with a lovely outdoor space. You will not need to spend more than an hour there.
We then continued our journey and headed for Wilhelma Zoo, a captivating zoo and botanical garden with a huge variety of plants and greenery as well as a diverse array of wildlife. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes before visiting Wilhelma Zoo, as you will have to spend at least 4 to 5 hours if you plan to see all the animals and plants.
Useful tip: You should definitely pick up a map when entering the zoo, as it is a huge place and you can easily miss some parts. The map will help you navigate around in the right order, so that you don’t miss anything.
After visiting Wilhelma Zoo, we headed back to the centre and visited Feuerseeplatz, a charming square with an impressive Neo-Gothic church located next to Feuersee lake. It is especially impressive at night, with the lights shining on the church causing its reflection to be visible on the lake.
We then decided to look for a place to eat, but unfortunately it was already 22:00 and all shops were closed, so we had to get McDonald’s. Coming from Greece, this seemed rather strange to us, as we are used to eating out late at night, but it’s important to keep in mind that when visiting a place, you need to follow the local pace.
Day 3
The next morning we decided to visit Ludwigsburg Residential Palace. We caught the train to the nearby town of Ludwigsburg, which took about 40 minutes. We didn’t have enough time to visit the actual palace inside, so we only visited the gardens, which were absolutely stunning. The gardens are meticulously designed with symmetrical patterns, elaborate fountains and precisely trimmed hedges, creating a picturesque setting. The blooming flowerbeds, serene lakes and tranquil pathways offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Within the gardens there is also a collection of fairytale buildings as focal points throughout the gardens. Each building is uniquely designed to resemble known fairytales and folklore, such as Rapunzel’s tower and the gingerbread house from the story Hansel and Gretel. While strolling around the gardens, you will also witness a diverse array of bird species, such as flamingos, ducks and sparrows.
The gardens of the Ludwigsburg Residential Palace are definitely worth the visit, especially if you are travelling with a child. The beauty and the fairytale-like atmosphere of the gardens will take you through a world of magic. If you choose to visit, you will spend a whole morning there, especially if you choose to visit the Palace too.
Important note: The Palace and the gardens are owned by two different companies, so you cannot buy a ticket for both. But there are ticket booths on-site for both and you can also make reservations online.
After visiting the charming town of Ludwigsburg, we headed back to our hotel to rest and get ready for the concert (the main event!).
The concert
We went to see our favourite band, Nothing but Thieves (Here’s their Spotify channel: ………., do yourselves a favour and listen to their amazing music!)
The concert took place at a small venue, LKA Longhorn, so we caught the train there and queued for a couple of hours to secure a good spot up front.
The concert was absolutely amazing; the opening was by the Vices, an indie rock band hailing from the Netherlands (Spotify: ……….). The Vices definitely set the tone, with their infectious melodies and dynamic performance. The main event was also amazing, with the band singing some of our all-time favourite songs and the fans connected through the music. The night ended in the most perfect way, too; we caught the drummer’s drumstick and got to meet the band!
Day 4
We didn’t have much time the last day, so we decided to just stroll around the centre and Königstraße, the vibrant street lined with shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. So, we went window shopping (and did some actual shopping) and headed back to our hotel to check out and go to the airport for our flight home.
Food
Our experience with the food in Stuttgart was somewhat disappointing. We wanted to try some local treats, so we mainly chose restaurants and pubs serving German food.
We visited the charming Carls Brauhaus, a small German restaurant right by Schlossgarten, in the heart of the city centre, and tried some amazing local beer and a platter of German sausages. I have to say, the food was not to our taste, but the beer was very nice.
We then had schnitzel at Onkel Otto, a small restaurant with a great variety of schnitzels of different sizes. The food was very nice and it was definitely value for money, as we were served a schnitzel with a side dish.
On our second day we chose to eat at Sophie’s Brauhaus, another charming German restaurant. This place felt like the most traditional, with a lovely ambiance and great local food. We tried some sausages and, of course, bretzels with butter, as well as their home-crafted beer which was absolutely amazing. We could definitely say this was our favourite place to eat.
All in all, we had a great time in Stuttgart (the concert being the highlight of our trip!). Although it is not a well-known tourist destination, we got to explore many beautiful places and indulge in the city’s culture. The city’s unique blend and modern architecture and historical landmarks create a captivating backdrop for one’s journey. So, although we wouldn’t suggest it as a holiday destination, we definitely suggest exploring the city if you ever find yourselves there; you will be amazed at how many things Stuttgart has to offer!