Stuttgart.
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Overview

Stuttgart is known as a centre of mechanical and automobile engineering with the headquarters of the world-famous Bosch, Mercedes and Porsche within its metropolitan area. It does not, however, resemble most other industry hubs, as it is a rather sparse city spread over many hills and valleys, with forests, parks, mineral springs and even vineyards within the city.

Understand

Stuttgart is the capital of the Bundesland of Baden-Württemberg in Germany. With a population of approximately 606,000 in the immediate city (2024) and more than 2.8 million people in the metropolitan area (2024), Stuttgart is the 6th largest city in Germany. Stuttgart forms the centre of Region Stuttgart, a densely populated and idustrialised area that is closely interwoven and shares the same public transport system consisting of 179 cities and municipalities with a rich history to discover.

Stuttgart consists of 23 districts (Stadtbezirke), which are further divided into 152 localities (Stadtteile). The five inner districts are named Mitte, Nord, Ost, Süd and West ("centre", "North", "East", "South" and "West", respectively). The outer districts are mostly former towns with their own names - of note are Zuffenhausen (Porsche headquarters and museum), Untertürkheim (headquarters of Daimler-Benz and Mercedes-Welt, as well as sports arenas sponsored by Porsche and Mercedes), and Bad Cannstatt (nice old centre, mineral water and lots of vineyards).

Despite being smaller and most densely populated among major German cities (when looking at the statistics), Stuttgart appears anything but that. This is because the population is not concentrated in the relatively small and hardly "metropolitan" centre, but is evenly spread over the hills contained within the city area, with multiple population centres stemming from the small towns that were incorporated into the present-day Stuttgart. Therefore, you will find many points of interest quite far away from each other, and the use of Stuttgart's very convenient public transport system quite necessary. Stuttgart is a big city with a small-town atmosphere.

A distinctive feature of Stuttgart is the significant difference in elevation within the city limits. Because of this, the city has an estimated 400 - 600 staircases sprinkled throughout. You can climb some of these stairs and get to the top of the Karlshöhe hill from where you will get a good view of the city center. Tourist information Stuttgart Tourism website

Talk

If you do speak German well, beware that some people still speak the local Schwäbisch dialect natively, which may somewhat affect their standard German.

They love to practise other languages (especially English) and will try to help you.

Get in

Moreover, most major European carriers have connections to Stuttgart from their main hubs, so there is a wide choice of direct flights to other German and European cities, and even if there is no direct flight from your origin, you will easily find a connection through any of the hubs.

Moreover, Stuttgart's main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) is just an hour away by high-speed train (ICE) from Frankfurt Airport, which is one of Europe's major aviation hubs. Many airlines offer flights to Frankfurt with a connecting train to Stuttgart instead of direct flights to Stuttgart, and as this is very quick and convenient (landing you in the very city centre), you should consider this option as well.

There is a significant charter/holiday traffic between Stuttgart and the popular holiday destinations in southern Europe and North Africa, mostly served by dedicated carriers such as TUIfly.

Ground transportation The best way to get from Stuttgart airport to the city centre is by using public transport which is clean, cheap and safe. Tickets can be purchased at vending machines at the level below the airport and above the platform (follow the symbol with a white S on a green background). Tickets should be validated at orange boxes on the platform before boarding the train. Alternatively, the VVS app can be used. The airport is not in Stuttgart, but in zone 2. You can use all public transport within the zones with this ticket. The Stadtbahn line U6 will bring you to the airport from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof in 32 min. Its yellow and black vehicles are especially designed to climb up and down the steep hills of Stuttgart. All axles of the vehicles are driven. It manages a steep slope of up to 8.5% which is the steepest regular-lane friction track in Europe that is used in local public transport. The airport U-Bahn stop is located outside of the airport building right next to the Mövenpick hotel (follow the symbol with a white U on a blue background). Several bus lines head for other destinations (e.g. Tübingen (828) and Reutlingen (X3)). For early flights during the week, the night bus N8 will bring you from Schlossplatz to the airport. The scheduled arrival at the airport is at 04:24. All buses will stop at the Stuttgart bus terminal (SAB) outside of the airport building just across the street. Taxis will be waiting at the airport. The airport's taxi service number is 0711/948 4409; Stuttgart's Taxi-Auto-Zentrale is 0711/55 10 000. In the basement there are several car rental companies and outside at car park P4 there are parking lots reserved and used by ShareNow (Car2Go). If you only want to visit the city centre it is probably not the best option to rent a car.

Terminals and orientation Stuttgart Airport has four terminals (numbered 1 to 4), but Terminals 1 to 3 share a common airside — the number of the terminal indicates in which concourse the check-in and luggage drop-off is in the main hall (1 is the westernmost concourse area, the 3 is the eastern one and the 2 is between the main concourse). Terminal 4 is separate, although connected by a walkway on the landside (not on the airside, so you have to make sure you go through security there if you are flying from Terminal 4). Terminal 1 serves mainly Lufthansa and most other Star Alliance carriers (Austrian, SAS, Swiss, Turkish) Terminal 2 serves Vueling and KLM. Terminal 3 serves intercontinental flights (Delta, United), Eurowings, Aegean Airlines and other non Star-Alliance airlines, including Condor and Tuifly Terminal 4 is used mainly for charter and holiday flights Departures are one level above arrivals and two levels above the S-Bahn station. See the airport's terminal guide for detailed floor plans.

Hotels There is a Moevenpick and a Wyndham Hotel at the airport. For nearby hotels, some with shuttle service (for a fee) see Leinfelden-Echterdingen and Filderstadt, Böblingen and Sindelfingen.

By bus The long-distance bus market has been exploding in Germany since 2013. There are dozens of daily services from most major cities, which are often significantly cheaper than trains. Most buses offer amenities like Wi-Fi and power outlets and some can even transport bicycles. The best resource for checking connections is this German website. As of 2018 there is no public central bus station and all of those listed below are well outside the city centre. For intercity bus stops in Germany, the Stuttgart area is actually better than the often quite disappointing average in terms of facilities and modernity.

By car Stuttgart is among Germany's cities with most traffic jams, so try to avoid the rush-hour as car traffic can easily break down. Also parking is definitely a problem in most inner city areas. Expect a lack of parking facilities and high parking fees. Stuttgart is connected by the two major autobahns, the west/east-highway A8 to the south and the north/south-highway A81 to the west as well as smaller autobahn-like highways B10, B14, B27. However, Stuttgart has no motorway connection in the north east forcing commuters in this area to pass the city centre. Generally, follow the sign "Stuttgart Zentrum" to get to the centre of Stuttgart. Use park and ride facilities if possible. The most accessible are the park and ride facilities in Degerloch Albstraße and Österfeld. Stuttgart is low emission zone. Be sure that your car has the green sticker, but you are allowed to access those park and ride facilities with cars that do not meet the standards.

Get around

Stuttgart has a very compact city centre with most destinations within walking distance. Nearly all visitors arrive at the main train station (Hauptbahnhof). From there the remarkable 1.2-km-long pedestrian shopping street called “Königstraße” leads through the heart of the city, passing the Schlossplatz with the amazing New Palace, to the Rotebühlplatz (Stadtmitte). Other main sights (e.g. museums, opera) are just around the corner.

By public transport Stuttgart's public transportation system comprises two light rail system - the Stadtbahn (or U-Bahn) and Schnellbahn (S-Bahn), as well as a city bus system. The VVS's network called is divided in zones. The city of Stuttgart is only Zone 1. Most lines will lead via Hauptbahnhof, ending in a layout that is pretty centralised: If you want to go somewhere, chances are, you have to ride via Hauptbahnhof. The following Stadtbahn or S-Bahn stations are in the heart of the city: Hauptbahnhof, Schlossplatz, Charlottenplatz, Stadtmitte (Rotebühlplatz), Feuersee, Rathaus, Staatsgalerie and Berliner Platz (Liederhalle). For a complete description see the official map of VVS-network.

From Sunday to Wednesday public transportation stops around 01:00. On the weekend the S-Bahn is running hourly the whole night on all lines. So the inner city route from Hauptbahnhof to Schwabstraße is connected frequently. Additionally there are several night buses running, all starting from the Schlossplatz. On Thursdays there are night buses at 01:20, 02:30, 03:40. Be careful if you have a very early airplane since there are no S-Bahn connections weekdays to the airport in the early morning between 01:00 and 05:00. The only option is a night bus from Schlossplatz.

U-Bahn (Stadtbahn) Stuttgart's Stadtbahn is a combination of suburban light rail, tramway/streetcar system and underground metro (subway). In the very centre of the city, the tracks run underground, and the overground sections run along city streets, partially grade-separated and partially integrated into city streets like tramways. That way, the yellow carriages of the Stadtbahn can travel all the way from the suburban hillsides to the central hub by the Hauptbahnhof, allowing convenient commuting with minimal changeovers.

To distinguish the Stadtbahn from the suburban trains of the S-Bahn, it is referred to as U-Bahn. Its regular lines are numbered from U1 to U16, supplemented by lines like U21 and U25. U-Bahn stands for underground/metro/subway in most other cities in German-speaking countries, even though in Stuttgart it runs underground over only a portion of the network.

Most of the U-Bahn lines go through the underground section in the city centre, stopping at either the Hauptbahnhof, Charlottenplatz or both - with the exception of lines U3, U8 and U13 which go to their destinations without crossing the city centre. See map for details. The numbers U11 and U19 are reserved for special lines only operating during major events in the Neckarpark. The U10 moniker is reserved for the Zahnradbahn (see below).

The major reconstruction of the Staatsgalerie station has been completed. The station is now fully operational as a modern architectural landmark, and the temporary line diversions previously in effect have ended.

S-Bahn (Schnellbahn) The Schnellbahn (or S-Bahn), literally meaning "fast railway", is a system of regional trains operated by the Deutsche Bahn for VVS. They run over mainline and railway track sections separate from the Stadtbahn, with fewer stops/stations and reaching farther beyond the city that the Stadtbahn. As the S-Bahn is separate from the U-Bahn, not all stations are integrated - there are S-Bahn stations with no connections to the U-Bahn system.

You will most probably find the S-Bahn most convenient to use when covering larger distances or getting to locations not served by the U-Bahn, like the airport or Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen. The S-Bahn lines are numbered from S1 to S6, plus the extra line S60.

All of the lines travel through the so-called Stammstrecke (common track) in the city centre, between the Schwabstraße station and the Hauptbahnhof. From there, the lines extend in all directions towards the extremities of Stuttgart. Of particular interest are the S2 and S3, which extend to the Airport. Both go through the city centre to Bad Cannstatt and split in Waiblingen towards their separate termini. While the airport station (Flughafen) is the terminus for S3, the S2 continues to Filderstadt beyond the airport.

There are two fascinating transportations in Stuttgart, which are worth riding just because of the vehicle. The rack-railway (Zahnradbahn, commonly called Die Zacke) is the only urban rack-railway in Germany and comes with an amazing view over Stuttgart. It has 8 stations and runs between its termini:

Stuttgart-Marienplatz. There is an underground stop of U1 and U9 at the Marienplatz next to the Zahnradbahn's overground terminus.

Stuttgart-Degerloch. An U-Bahn stop is parallel to the Degerloch Zahnradbahn terminus, served by U5, U6, U8 and U12

The historic cable-car (Standseilbahn) line connects Stuttgart-Heslach with the Waldfriedhof cemetery on the hill. It only has two stations - one downhill and one uphill:

Standseilbahn Talstation. The lower station of the historic 1929 funicular, featuring a charming Art Nouveau design and direct access from U-Bahn lines U1 and U14.

Standseilbahn Bergstation. The upper station of the funicular, serving as a peaceful gateway to the forest cemetery and various woodland hiking trails.

Both rack-railway and cable-car do not require a special ticket, instead all normal tickets valid in Zone 10 (including day tickets) are valid.

3-Day-Ticket - if you are staying for more than a day, for added mobility buy a special "3-Tage-Ticket" for unlimited rides throughout Stuttgart. These are available in hotels, at the airport and the tourist information at the Marktplatz - but make sure you take proof that you're a tourist (e.g. hotel booking confirmation). There are two types of 3-day tickets available. They allow as many journeys as you like until 05:00 the following day. Single Ticket - A Single Ride Ticket entitles the rider to one ride in the same direction, but changing lines as well as ride interruptions are permitted. Note: Tickets purchased via smartphone app are slightly cheaper. StuttCard - provides free access to museums and a number of discounts on purchase, can be combined with a 1-, 2- or 3-day travel pass.

In the Stadtbahn and the buses stamping machines are available inside the cars, while on the S-Bahn they are at the entrances of the stations and there is no possibility to stamp once you are in the train. (If you do forget to stamp your ticket in the S-Bahn, either get out at the next station, stamp and wait for the following train, or write the current time and location on the stamping field with a non-erasable pen – this will also be accepted by the inspectors most of the time.)

If you intend to drive by car inside Stuttgart, be aware that parking is expensive and space is limited. On-street parking in the central "City-Ring" is also strictly regulated and often more expensive than garages. Some parking blocks are closed during late night, providing no way of getting your car out. The street layout, numerous tunnels, and frequent construction sites in Stuttgart can be very confusing for tourists. Additionally, the city center is a low-emission zone (Umweltzone), requiring a green sticker. Driving by car is not recommended; using the public transport system is much more efficient.

By e-hailing Uber and Free Now cover the city.

By taxi Taxi Taxis in Stuttgart are relatively expensive. 2-3 minutes or 1.5 km). With two or more people, sharing a taxi at night when regular public transportation has a gap can be a viable option.

With over 700 vehicles, they are the largest provider in the city. Frauen-Nacht-Taxi: To enhance safety for women travelling alone or in female groups after 20:00, the city offers a subsidy.

Note: Most taxis now accept credit cards and contactless payment, but it is always wise to ask the driver before starting the trip.

See

Stuttgart, which once had a reputation as the conservative capital of the south-west, has turned into a bustling metropolis with world-class culture, great shopping and night-life. The capital’s architecture is an appealing mixture of historical and modern buildings with green parks and even vineyards throughout the city. The unique cauldron-shaped landscape offers plenty of scenic lookouts and formed a dense city centre where nowadays fortunately most of Stuttgart's main attractions are. In the heart of the city centre the Palace Square is a must for visitors and an ideal starting point for a tour.

Schlossplatz. The Schlossplatz is the largest square in Stuttgart, right in the middle of the Mitte in front of the Neues Schloss. It was created as parade grounds for the palace, and is now a public green area with lawns, flowerbeds, twin fountains and a decorative bandstand. It immediately adjoins the Koenigstraße, and a number of key buildings can be accessed immediately from it. In warmer months, the Schlossplatz is always full of locals, students and tourists enjoying its relaxing atmosphere. It is also an event location.

Neues Schloss. The arguably most recognizable symbol of Stuttgart was constructed between 1746 and 1807 when the Duke of Württemberg, Carl Eugen, found the Altes Schloss and the erstwhile ducal residence in Ludwigsburg to be insufficiently stately. The palace became a state museum in 1918 when the last King of Württemberg abdicated, and was almost completely destroyed in World War II. It was rebuilt in 1958-1964 to serve as a seat for the local government of Baden-Württemberg. It now houses the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of the Land.Guided tours are available, but they are offered infrequently and on an irregular basis. It is highly recommended to check the palace's official website well in advance for announced tour dates and mandatory registration. Several rooms and halls in the palace can also be rented for special events.

Altes Schloss. Built as a fully-functional fortified castle at the turn of the 10th century, it grew together with Stuttgart as it rose from a small settlement to the capital of County, and later Duchy of Württemberg. It was in the 16th century that the castle got its current form of a renaissance palace with a cloistered courtyard. The moat around the Altes Schloss was filled in in the 18th century, and became today's Schillerplatz. Today the Altes Schloss houses the Landemuseum Württemberg.

Alte Kanzlei. The construction of the mighty monument on the northeast side of the Schiller Square lasted three years from 1542 to 1544. Only 22 years later, in 1566, the construction of the building has been extended. Nowadays the Old Chancellery would be comparable to the function of a town hall. Today the building is used as a restaurant and a bar.

Königsbau. The Königsbau was erected 1856-1860 directly in front of the Neues Schloss as a multi-functional building to host commerce and special events, at the order of King Wilhem I (hence the name, which means "king's building"). Its Schlossplatz facade, with 34 columns over 135 metres, serves as a balance to the equally imposing palace opposite. In the latter half of the 20th century, the rebuilt Königsbau became shortly the seat of Stuttgart's stock exchange, and a part of a large shopping centre called Königsbau Passagen, which extends behind the main building.

Schillerplatz. Named after the great poet Friedrich Schiller, whose statue stands in the middle of the square.

Opernhaus. Pass the New Palace to the left and you find yourself in the beautiful Schlossgarten with the Opernhaus in front of an artificial lake, as part of the Staatstheater Stuttgart. Also the parliament of the state of Baden-Würrtemberg is there.

Hauptbahnhof. The Railway Station was built in 1920 as a terminus station. The 56-meter-high tower with its rotating and illuminated Mercedes-Benz is one of the most famous city landmarks. On top of the tower there is an exhibition of the most controversial infrastructure project in Germany called S21. The plan is to convert the main line terminus station into an underground through station by turning the tracks with a 90-degree angle to the present station. It's free to climb up and grants awesome views of Königstraße and the city.

Markthalle. A beautiful Jugendstil market hall built in 1910.

Calwer passage. Small gallery with little stores (somewhat similar to Milan's famous gallery but a lot smaller). Right next to it is a building whose exterior is covered with plants.

Johanneskirche. Although there is no Cologne Cathedral in Stuttgart, there are a few churches worth visiting. Most beautiful is the Johanneskirche, which is surrounded by the lake Feuersee and lighted at night. Other interesting churches are: Mätthauskirche (St. Matthew's Church), Domkirche St. Eberhard (St. Eberhard's Cathedral Church), Hospitalkirche (Hospital Church), Leonhardskirche (St. Leonard's Church), Veitskapelle (St. Vitus Chapel), St. Catherine's Church (English-speaking Anglican Church), St. Maria Kirche (St. Mary's Church).

Bohnenviertel. The Bohnenviertel is the only preserved part of Stuttgart's old town, having miraculously survived to the present day largely intact. Built mainly in the 14th century, it used to house the poorer part of the population, who fed mainly on beans which were grown all around the quarter in gardens and even hanging from the houses' walls, hence the name meaning "bean quarter". Today, the Bohnenviertel is thriving on artisanry and small, old-style retail, as well as gastronomy and red light district.

Stadtbibliothek am Mailänder Platz. Stuttgart's city library moved into this spectacular new building in 2011. On the outside, it is a sombre, nine-storey cube with a glass-brick facade. Inside, the whitewashed surfaces and bright lighting provide an almost unreal ambiance. There is quite a lot of innovative features and facilities inside, not only related to the rather simple layout and fit-outs, but rather to the way the library itself works - for example, you can borrow not only books, but also works of art, or work with music and sound clips in the sound lab. There is also a cafe on the top floor (open 10:00-18:00), and you can get a free map and audioguide from the reception on the ground floor.

Qingyin garden. A small Chinese garden, with a pond, ornamental walls and a mini-pagoda included, hidden on one of the hills close to the Hauptbahnhof.

Pragfriedhof-Krematorium. A beautiful Jugendstil crematorium with occasional exhibitions about transience.

Weissenhof Estate. A world heritage listed housing estate built for exhibition in 1927, features residential buildings by such famous architects like Le Corbusier, Peter Behrens, Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In two semi-detached houses designed by Le Corbusier, there is a museum dedicated to the area. The historical building is not suitable for people using wheelchairs.

Schloss Solitude. The Solitude palace was built as a hunting lodge and summer residence in in 1769 and looks from the outside like a classical rococo palace. It is on a high plain outside Stuttgart and offers views to the north. During the opening hours there are guidance every 45 minutes. Ask for English guidance.

Old Town and Market in Bad Cannstatt. Bad Cannstatt is older than Stuttgart, and has been a thriving town when today's centre of Stuttgart was still a horse pasture. Moreover, unlike the centre of Stuttgart, the old town of Bad Cannstatt survived the Second World War relatively unscathed. Therefore, you can still get an authenthic, medieval feel wandering around its winding narrow streets, which all lead to a peculiarly-shaped market square.On the market square, you will find the town church of Cannstatt (Stadtskirche) and the old town hall, still in use as the district's government seat (Bezirksrathaus), both from the late 15th century. It also owns the oldest dwelling in Stuttgart ("Klösterle" / 15th century) that is now used as a wine tavern.

Kurpark in Bad Cannstatt. Cannstatt owes the Bad (German for bath) in its name to numerous mineral water springs. To enable locals and visitors to enjoy them, a small but very peaceful Kurpark was arranged for in the 19th century, along with a large Kursaal (spa hall) building, which today is a restaurant and special event venue. Right next to it is the MineralBad-Cannstatt (Solebad Bad Cannstatt) spa-wellness-fitness complex with a large pool covered by an impressive glass dome. The Kurpark is divided into two parts Unterer (lower) Kurpark and Oberer (upper) Kurpark separated by Kursaal. The upper Kurpark provides a nice view of Bad Cannstatt.Close to Kurpark, around Uff-Kirchhoff, is the home of around 50 parrots (yellow headed amazons) that can be spotted throughout the year. They barely leave their trees (mainly platanus trees) but their distinctive cry can be heard from distance. It is the only population outside the Americas.

Gottlieb Daimler Memorial. Stuttgart in general claims to be the birthplace of the automobile, but if you want to see the actual place where it was born, head to the Kurpark in Bad Cannstatt, where the garden house that Gottlieb Daimler converted into his workshop still stands. There he and Wilhelm Maybach worked in the latter half of the 19th century on combustion engines and motorised vehicles they have eventually so successfully developed. Today, it houses an exhibition maintained by Mercedes-Benz Classic that tells the story of the early days of the Daimler motor car company.

Villa Reitzenstein. Seat of the state government. The historical building and the park are occasionally accessible for the public. Registration required way in advance.

Museums Stuttgart is home of a wide range of very good museums including 5 state museums and two automobile museums.

Staatsgalerie Stuttgart. There are two exhibitions in different buildings. "Alte Staatsgalerie" ("Old": Art from 1500 to 1900) and "Neue Staatgalerie" ("New": Modern art). You can walk inside from one exhibition to the other. The permanent exhibits are free on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Kunstmuseum Stuttgart. The simple glass cube of the Kunstmuseum contrasts with the lavish historic architecture of its surroundings, while not being intrusive thanks to its transparency. Its collection of modern art pieces is now over 15,000-strong, but obviously not all of them are displayed at the same time, but rather selected ones in temporary thematic exhibitions. Apart from exhibition spaces, the building hosts a large thematic bookstore, as well as a high-end restaurant Cube and o.T. bar, affording splendid views over the Schlossplatz.

Württembergisches Landesmuseum. The Landesmuseum is a direct descendant of a collection of local antiquities formed in 1862 by King Wilhelm I of Württemberg, and since 1948 has the Altes Schloss as its main seat. The museum's collections are a potpourri of archeological artifacts and works of art from different periods, mostly related in one way or another to the region. This includes a large collection of folk art.While the museum actually manages many locations across Stuttgart and the entirety of Baden-Württemberg, it is in the Altes Schloss where the main exhibitions take place. There are small permanent exhibitions of a cross-section of the museum's collections, and temporary themed exhibitions in the Schloss.

Linden-Museum. The Museum is named after Karl von Linden, the president of the Württembergischer Verein für Handelsgeographie, who started the collection of various artifacts acquired from all corners of the world. The museum is housed in a purpose-built property from 1911, together with which it became a public property in 1973. There are permanent exhibitions devoted to all regions of the world except for Europe, as well as temporary thematic exhibitions. The on-site restaurant offers an exquisite menu in the evenings and a very affordable lunch menu on weekdays until 14:00.

Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart. Two exhibitions: one features biology and evolution and the other features paleontology and archeology in two separate buildings (Schloss Rosenstein and Museum am Löwentor / about a 10-15min walk apart).

Haus der Musik in Fruchkasten. The collection of Landesmuseum of local, European and extra-European instruments spanning centuries from prehistoric to contemporary is displayed in the historic Fruchtkasten, the granary in Schillerplatz. More than just a display of historic artifacts, the museum tries to engage and educate its visitors through temporary, thematic exhibitions and an interactive audioguide.

Mercedes-Benz Museum. Built in 2006 in an astonishing architecture, the Mercedes-Benz museum houses a collection of automobiles built by the company over its long history. There is an on-site cafe and high-class restaurant in the Museum and a museum shop. There are special events throughout the year, so do browse the page to see what is on on the days of your visit to Stuttgart.

Porsche Museum. The building is an architectural marvel in itself, inside and out, but the highlights are obviously the exhibited examples of historic Porsche cars (and cars that Porsche designed for other companies, like the legendary Volkswagen "Beetle"), taken from Porsche's impressive collection of more than 500 historic and significant automobiles. A visit may be combined with a factory tour (you have to contact the museum to arrange for that).

World of Trams Stuttgart. The museum houses 36 historic tram vehicles in its 1929 depot, and offers tram rides on Sundays on metre-gauge, museum tram route 23 with a panoramic portion having an 8.5% maximum grade.

Lapidarium. Open air museum showcasing ancient sculptures (most of which originate from destructed buildings after WW2), terraces and fountains from Stuttgart's history.

Museum of illusions. Small museum for optical illusions.

Pig museum. A privately owned museum about the world of pigs.

Firefighter Museum. Museum about the history of firefighters including some old fire trucks.

Museum Hotel Silber. Exhibition about the German secret police during World War II.

Stuttgart is inside a valley picturesquely surrounded by green hills, which the locals call Kessel, or a cauldron. Therefore, one of the main attractions are the views from the hillsides and hilltops around the city. There are several options to enjoy an extraordinary view over the Swabian capital:

Fernsehturm Stuttgart. The world's first TV tower constructed from reinforced concrete was built from 1954-1956. It is the prototype for all modern TV towers, and affords visitors a beautiful view over Stuttgart. The Stadtbahn U15 to Ruhbank (Fernsehturm) gives you a wonderful view of the city. There's a nice cafe at the top which serves fresh food and drinks.

Bismarckturm. A small tower (20 m) northwest of the city centre, not far from Killesberg Tower.

Kriegsbergturm. A small tower (10 m) from the 19th century.

Grabkapelle Württemberg. The Württemberg Mausoleum stands in Rotenberg on the peak of the Württemberg Hill overlooking the Neckar river. The memorial was built for Catherine Pavlovna of Russia, the second wife of William I of Württemberg. The remains of William I and his daughter Maria Friederike Charlotte of Württemberg are also housed in the mausoleum. The mausoleum was constructed between 1820 and 1824 based on a design drafted by Giovanni Salucci.

Karlshöhe. A hill that separates the western and southern city. Walk uphill 10 minutes southern from S-Bahn-Station "Feuersee" through a park (via Senefelder Str, right to Reinsburgstr, left to Jean-Améry-Weg). Have an outlook and enjoy the beer garden.

Weißenburgpark. A hill opposite to the Karlshöhe. Easy approach: it is a short hop from Station "Bopser" (U5, U6, U7). Outlook and nice Jugendstil-restaurant and beer garden (closes at 23:00)

Birkenkopf. A debris mountain made of 15 million m³ of rubble from World War II as a memorial to everyone who died in the war. It is the highest point in Stuttgart.

Killesbergturm. A tower in the "Killesberg Park" (see also "green U" under Parks & Gardens), north of the city centre.

Santiago-De-Chile-Platz. A scenic lookout with a Moai sculpture and stones donated by Chile

Eugensplatz. Beautiful view and fountain.

Uhlandshöhe. Small ruin close to the observatory. Nice view.

Burgholzturm. Observation tower (27 m). Accessible in summer on the weekends. View of Bad Cannstatt and the Neckar Valley. Admission free.

Grüner Heiner. A small hill with a wind power station on top in an outskirt of Stuttgart.

Burgruine Hofen. Remains of a castle from the 13th century.

Schellenturm. One of the few remains of the city wall from the mid-16th century.

Kernenturm. Oberservation tower from 1896 with a barbecue area and a small kiosk.

Tagblatt-Turm. Skyscraper from the 1920s. It served as the office for the local newspaper and was the city's tallest building when completed. Not publicly accessible.

Parks and gardens "Das Grüne U": Most of Stuttgart's many parks and gardens are usually referred to by locals as "das Grüne U" (the green "U") because of the U-shaped form in which they are located around the city centre. They form a long and beautiful path around the city, starting at the Schlossgarten at the northern façade of the new palace (Neues Schloss), continuing through Rosensteinpark. with the natural history museum and a rear entrance to Wilhelma (the zoo), Wartbergpark. and ending in Killesberg Park. . Walking at a reasonable pace, you can walk the entire circuit in about 2 hours. There are beer gardens (look for Biergarten signs) and restaurants along the way, and the Killesberg Park is a real treat. It was designed for a huge botanical expo several years ago (IGA 1993) and remains a truly stunning park, especially in spring when in full bloom. If you're interested in architecture, be sure not to miss the structural engineering wonder Killesberg Tower, a minimalistic steel construction composed of one central support and a cable outer support system. Not officially part of the Green U but connected is the tiny Japan garden. and the Parkanlage Villa Berg. including its villa from the mid-19th century.

Rotwildpark. Protected nature reserve in a forest that includes a few lakes (the best known being Bärensee) that had artificially been created in the 19th century to serve as a backup water reservoir. Popular weekend destination with a small palace (Bärenschlössle) that now serves as a beer garden.

Wernhaldenpark. Small park with many sequoia trees from the 19th century.

Max-Eyth See. Small lake next to the Neckar river. Popular for jogging, sailing, fishing and BBQs at the weekend. Also small boats can be rent. Swimming is not permitted.

Heslach waterfalls. Set of small waterfalls that can be followed in a trail. Not far from Birkenkopf / Rotwildpark.

Botanical and exotic garden Hohenheim. Botanical and exotic garden of the University of Hohenheim one of the leading universities in agriculture. The university itself is a palace and quite picturesque.

Egelseer Heide. Barbecue area, playground and scenic lookouts.

Sculpture Park. A small park showcasing sculptures from quasi-local artist Otto Hajek that spent big parts of his life in Stuttgart. At the end of the park is the ruin of the Hasenberg tower that was intentionally destroyed by the Germans in WW2.

Killesberg Railway, a small railway in Killesberg park, on weekends using steam-powered engines!

Stuttgart Cable Car. an old cable car running to the forest cemetery

Rack Railway. Germany's only urban rack-railway. It uses modern cars like the light railway and offers a nice view. Connecting Marienplatz with Degerloch

Do

Zoo Wilhelma. Definitely a must for families. But watching monkeys and weird flowers in this old place can be fun for young adults, too. (Unless you feel pity for the locked up creatures.) Wilhelma is also worth visiting for its architecture and landscaping features - the core of Wilhelma is housed in a 19th-century palace and park landscape in the Moorish style, created for and named after the former king Wilhelm of Württemberg. In winter there is a special exhibition called Christmas Garden with beautifully illuminated sculptures.

Planetarium. A fascinating astronomical journey, projected by optical hightech equipment: Carl Zeiss Planetarium. Almost all the shows conducted here are in German. You may have to check with the office for English show timings.

The Stuttgart Ballet. Watch and listen to the ballet company of the state theater Stuttgart. It is one of the world's best ensembles founded by legacy of John Cranko. Definitely a top place to go to in the evening. You'll need to reserve tickets in advance.

SI-Centrum. There are two musical theatres (Apollo-Theater and Stage Palladium Theater) in the hotel/conference/entertainment complex called the SI-Centrum (Stuttgart Musical Centre) in Möhringen close to the A8. This complex includes also the Millennium hotel and a spacious underground complex that houses many conference rooms, bars, restaurants, a casino and a huge wellness pool area.

Wagenhallen. Around 80 creative artists, architects, designers and musicians present their work in an old train depot and discarded train wagon.

Corso Cinema International. Most cinemas will run movies with synchronised German voice-over/dubbing and you will be unable to enjoy the movie unless you understand German. CORSO Cinema International in Vaihingen shows movies with original audio track (and possibly German text captions).

Theater Stuttgart shows when what is played where in the state capital. With depictions of the venues (such as the beautiful Altes Schauspielhaus. ), illustrated play descriptions, location and arrival maps and general information about the theaters.

Miniature world Stuttgart. Scale model of Stuttgart (1:160) of the 1980s. Including complete model railway layout and landscape parts. Biggest city model in Europe.

Black Light Stuttgart. Indoor mini golfing at black light.

Leuze Mineralbad. Stuttgart is fond of its mineral springs, the biggest in Western Europe.

Solebad Bad Cannstatt. Mineralbath with sauna

Climb one of the many stairs. Being surrounded by many hills, Stuttgart is famous for its stairs ("Stäffele" or "Staffeln"). There are tours offered but they can also be explored individually on one's own pace.

Walk the wine trail. The Stuttgart wine trail. The Obertürkheim - Uhlbach - Rotenberg - Untertürkheim trail includes a viniculture museum, the Grabkapelle Württemberg (Burial chapel Württemberg) and restaurants where you can try the local wine. There are signs explaning the different types of wine that are grown. Along the (partly steep) path, you will find (sub)mediterranean plants such as pine trees, almonds, kiwis and dwarf palms.

Blaustrümpfler Trail. 7.5km trail within the city limits including a few panoramic lookouts

Football: VfB Stuttgart. Die Roten (The Reds) play soccer in Bundesliga, Germany's top tier. The stadium (capacity 54,800) is 3 km northeast of city centre, with S-bahn and U-bahn nearby. In 2024 it hosted games in the UEFA Euro Finals.

Watch Tennis. International ladies' tennis (WTA's Porsche Grand Prix) can be seen in the Porsche Arena in September/October each year. This prestigious event attracts top players, with large prize-money and a new Porsche car on offer to the winner.

Biking. The city lies in a basin of a hilly region the Stuttgarters call "Kessel", literally "cauldron", and between the lowest part of the city and the highest part of the city are 250 m of altitude. There is a lot of car traffic, and routes for bikes are not well developed. Biking in the outlying areas of Stuttgart, e.g. in the Neckar Valley or the Schönbuch (just south of the city) is very nice. Stuttgart is one of the greenest urban areas in Europe. There are many paths through the surrounding forests which are in very good shape. There is an official downhill track called the Woodpecker's trail from Degerloch.

Watch Baseball. Go watch a baseball (or softball) match. The Stuttgart Reds play in Germany's first division. Season from spring to early summer.

Watch American Football. Founded in 2021, the Stuttgart Surge play in the European League of Football (EFL).

Volksfest. Huge fun fair on the Cannstatter Wasen, beer tents and rollercoasters, late September-early October. (Families should go there during daytime: after 20:00 beware of drunken people.) Canstatter Wasen is the second largest fun fair in the world. Visiting it is more pleasant and less crowded than the Oktoberfest in Munich.

Weindorf. Huge wine festival over 10 days in early September. More than one million visitors can try around 5000 different sorts of wine.

Weihnachtsmarkt. Huge Christmas market during December.

Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest. a fun fair like Cannstatter Wasen in April/May, but smaller.

Festival of Animated Film. Every year, April or May

Long Night of the Museums. All museums open up to Sunday 02:00 in the morning. There is also a Long Night of Sciences (Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften)

Stuttgart Jazz Open. Festival in mid-July lasting about one week featuring American, European and other international performers at two downtown venues, one outdoor near the main train station and one indoor at a jazz club.

Hamburg Fish Market. 10-day festival featuring seafood, beer, and vendors from the northern port city of Hamburg. The market fills Karlsplatz near the Schlossplatz in mid-July.

Stuttgart Summer Festival. Early August, city centre - music, food and drinks.

Bohnenviertelfest. Downtown street music festival in mid-July - music, food, drinks.

International Festival of Science Fiction, Horror and Thriller. Late July or early August: Festival for strange films, one week of Horror, Splatter, Asia, Suspense, Action and Animation.

Around Stuttgart From Stuttgart you can arrange many nice day trips:

Ship roundtrips on river Neckar. Enjoy liner trips on the Neckar, roundtrips or event trips. Or charter a complete ship just for you. Season is from Easter till end of October. For the conditions see the website. Beverage and food is offered on the ships.

Mercedes-Benz factory. The heart of Mercedes-Benz manufacture, and well worth the visit. There are some 40,000 employees on site, including 9,000 in research & development alone! There are also guided tour in English.

Motorworld Region Stuttgart in Böblingen. This is a location where people can store their valuable cars safely and allow the public to see them at the same time in a safe environment. Customers can rent glass boxes to keep their classic car in pristine condition. Workshops with qualified mechanics that are specialised in maintenance, repair and restoration of vintage and classic cars, car dealerships: Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Bentley, Harley-Davidson, restaurant, cigar lounge, hotel, event location, outside location, playground nearby.

Visit the Ritter Sport Chocolate Museum. Learn the history of Ritter Sport and visit the factory store. Can be combined with a hike in the nearby Schönbuch park or Siebenmühlen Tal

Ludwigsburg Palace. Germany's biggest baroque style palace. The palace can be visited as well as the huge garden "Blühendes Barock" where the world's largest pumpkin festival takes place every September. Also part of the garden is the fairy tale garden (Märchengarden) where some of the Grimms brothers' fairy tales are showcased in animated installations. Nice for children.Close to Ludwigsburg Palace are Favorite Palace and Monrepos Palace. The two are connected by Favoritepark which is an enclosed park where deer can be spotted on a regular basis (free)

Schwaben-Park. Amusement park and zoo mainly for younger kids. Close-by are a few lakes (Ebnisee, Aichstrutsee) that allow swimming and camping

Schelmenklinge. Forest water playground for kids.

Buy

Shopping around the Königstraße The main shopping street in Stuttgart is the Königstraße which starts at the main railway station. Left and right of Königstraße are interesting shops, too, but Königstraße is a good startpoint for navigation in the inner city. Stores and shops usually open their doors M-Sa 10:00 to 20:00.

Big department stores and shopping malls

Das Gerber. In September 2014, this shopping mall with 86 international brands opened extending the Königstraße. There are clothing shops, a food court and two supermarkets inside the building.

Milaneo. Opened in Ocotober 2014 this new shopping mall north of the main station is the largest of its kind in Baden-Württemberg. In the three connected buildings there are more than 200 shops and plenty of eating options.

Königsbaupassagen. A modern shopping centre inside the historical Königsbau in the middle of the city at the Schlossplatz with a number of apparel chain stores and a food court.

Breuninger. Breuninger is Stuttgart's homegrown department store, which now has outlets in many other German cities and became one of only three surviving major department store chains, alongside Kaufhof and Karstad. The secret of their success is focusing on high-end fashion and other branded premium/luxury goods.In Breuninger's Stuttgart flagship store, you will find a selection of local German and global brands in both apparel, accessories, sportsgear, cosmetics and home decoration spread over six levels. There are multiple restaurants/cafes, hairdressers' and a cosmetic treatment salon on site. Parking is provided across the Hauptstatter Straße with an underground passage from the garage to the store.

Galeria Kaufhof. Kaufhof is one of the two traditional department store chains in Germany, offering a broad range of consumer goods (apparel, sports gear, household goods, media and some foodstuffs) at midmarket prices. They have three locations throughout Stuttgart.

SchwabenGalerie. Shopping mall in Vaihingen

Abseits. Mostly casual, trendy designer clothes, shoes and accessories for both women and men.

Dorotheenquartier. New quarter with shops like Tiger of Sweden, Louis Vuitton, Gap, and Diesel. Quite expensive.

Bungalow Gallery. One of the best German clothes stores with designer labels (Acne, Bottega Veneta, Moncler, the White Briefs and many others) catering to women and men.

Geschwisterliebe. A boutique carrying streetwear by young designers from all over Europe.

SportScheck Stuttgart. A part of a chain of stores carrying sport shoes, clothing and equipment. A large selection displayed over four stories.

Food markets There are weekly food markets in almost every district, days and opening times vary. To get an overview on the website of Stuttgarter Wochenmärkte

Marktplatz am Rathaus. Public market on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings

Wilhelmsplatz. Somewhat smaller public food market on Friday.

Markthalle. Exotic wares, exotic prices, crowded.

Eat

There are restaurants all over Stuttgart. The traditional Swabian cuisine with onion-topped roast pork, think noodles called "Spätzle" or Maultaschen (stuffed noodles) is very tasty. Of course there are also restaurants serving styles from many other parts of the world.

Stuttgart publishes a book annually entitled Stuttgart geht aus (Stuttgart goes out). This is available at most book stores on Königstraße (e.g. Wittwer). This book, published in German, is a great guide to restaurants in the city.

Food courts with various types of (fast) food can be found in the malls Milaneo, Gerber and Königsbaupassagen.

Budget All these are in the city center:

Udo Snack. Of course McDonald's, Burger King and Subway are in town, too. If you want to try their locally renowned single shop competitor, go to Udo Snack in Calwer Straße.

Vegi. the best falafel in Stuttgart. Perfect for vegetarians and vegans. Numerous sauces and options to choose from. Always fast and very friendly service. Seating is available in the snack bar and outside. Very friendly and young staff.

Rudolfs Küche und Café. Half of the food is vegetarian/vegan. Various daily meals. By doing self-service you get your food faster. The concept at Rudolfs is very worthy of support.

Brunnenwirt. Very tasty food. Especially the schnitzel (very high quality meat and preparation). The ambiance simply iconic. Great for eating a currywurst in the cold at 11PM. Legendary snack bar in Stuttgart's red light district. Great curry special and shashlik skewers.

Al Zain. Best shawarma. It is a decent Syrian restaurant and the food is very tasty.

Carls Brauhaus. Opened in April 2014, the Carls Brauhaus serves decent Swabian cuisine.

Biergarten im Schlossgarten. Beautiful setting and reasonable prices. Order cafeteria style or sit down to be waited on. Free live music on Sundays from May - September.

Sophies Brauhaus. Brewpub serving regional specialties and its own beer. A lovely bar with impressive decorations.

Stäffele Restaurant. Real regional Swabian specialities like Rostbraten, Käsespätzle, Kutteln, Bubenspitzle, Linsen mit Spätzle und Saiten, Maultaschen and wine from Stuttgart. In the summertime also outside in the beergarden.

Restaurant Cafe Markthalle. Restaurant attached to Stuttgart's international marketplace for produce, meat, and cheese (which is a nice shopping experience by itself). Serves regional and seasonal dishes.

Ochs'n Willi. Old-fashioned traditional cuisine. It is very famous for tourists.

Il Pomodoro. The pizzeria at the Wilhelmsplatz stands for great and reasonable Italian food. Delicious wood oven pizzas and special pasta offers at lunch time gets it crowded all day long. If you can't get a table, there are other good options at the Wilhelmsplatz. The concept of the owner works out fine. There are two more Il Pomodoro restaurants in the districts West (Silberburgstraße 72) and now also in Süd (Filderstraße 25).

Ristorante Italiani. Good Italian food, friendly efficient service.

King's Palace. Good Chinese restaurant

Vaihinger Marktstüble. Small friendly Italian restaurant.

India House. Good friendly Indian, although you should ask them to spice the food up otherwise you get German strength.

Schlachthof. Rustic, suitable restaurant for pork eaters. Salmon from the grill was very good. Large selection and great ambience in the "Slaughterhouse". Lovely service.

Wielandshöhe. Star-rated restaurant with traditional "schwäbische Küche"

Speisemeisterei. Another Michelin-starred restaurant in the Hohenheim palace.

Gasthaus zur Linde. Renowned chef Jörg Mink cooks up a storm with schwäbischer recipes like your German grandmother used to make.

Breakfast In the morning, locals definitely want to get some fresh bread (and brezels and broetchen [bread rolls/buns]) from the baker's shop and serve them with butter, cheese, ham, honey, jam and eggs from the fridge. Many locals and visitors will enjoy breakfast at the bakery itself, in the "Stehcafe" - literally, "standing cafe". These are usually a corner of the shop with tall tables which you stand at rather than sit at. Orange juice together with coffee or tea or hot chocolate will fit nicely. The breakfast in hotels will also look more or less that way.

You can also order this breakfast setup in some or the other cafe or pub, but you'd have to know the good places at first, if you don't want to end up with a poor dish. There are 3 Starbucks coffee shops along Königstraße (a 4th in the high-end district on Calwer Straße). But don't look for low-fat muffin or cream cheese options.

Drink

Stuttgart has developed a vibrant nightlife with many clubs and pubs in the heart of the city. The most popular street for clubbing is the Theodor-Heuss-Straße ("Theo"). Several bars, clubs and lounges have opened here. During the summer, there are also many opportunities to have a drink outside. In the "Theo" you can listen to good house, drum'n'bass, hip-hop and other kinds of electronic music. However it is not always easy to get into most clubs because of the restrictive door policy!

For a more laid-back atmosphere try the area surrounding the "Hans-im-Glück" ("Lucky Hans") fountain just a stone's throw from Königsstraße. In this charming quarter in Stuttgart's old town centre, many pubs and bars are crammed next to each other. Especially in the summer months a unique southern flair mixed with a great party scene with open-minded people make this area special.

Concerts, nightclubs and events are covered by local magazines (generally not in English). Try Lift and Prinz.

Because street drinking is still legal in Germany budget-travellers can save some money if they buy their drinks at a supermarket. A beer is there, e.g. There are two of the REWE supermarkets at the beginning and the end of the Königstraße. There you can buy cheap snacks, softdrinks and alcoholic drinks from Monday to Saturday up till 22:00. Lots of young people do so and hang around the beautiful Schlossplatz.

Palast der Republik. In a former public toilet house, the "palace" is the place to hang out in hot summer nights. Get your beer at the fastest barkeeper you've ever seen and find your place outside (maybe on the ground).

Mata Hari. At the Mata Hari you can get exotic beer in an old-fashioned tea-house style. At long tables and benches young folks sit together and drink their beer. Contact to others comes therefore almost automatically.

Biddy Earlys. A good place to go where everyone speaks English is Biddy Earlys, an Irish pub just west of the city centre/Königstraße, a 5-minute walk from the major public transport station "Stadtmitte" (S-Bahn, Stadtbahn). Keep a sharp eye because the entry is a mere doorway wide which leads down the stairs to the basement. Good bands on the weekends. Everybody always welcome and you don't have to apologise for your poor German here! They show Premier League Championship and other British football here, you can celebrate or commiserate with only a handful of other drinkers.

The Sky Beach. On top of the Kaufhof department store close to the main railway station. All sandy roof top bar. Opened only in summer time.

Schocken. Ever changing music program with guests dancing in addition, superior live concerts of Indie to Black Metal and the unconstrained atmosphere on all floors of the multi-storied cult store - all this makes the Schocken to a well-earned an inalienable institution in the Stuttgart night life.

Kap Tormentoso. Noble café atmosphere in the first floor. In the basement mostly alternatives and hipsters sit on benches and drinks itself straight through the great drinking menu. Gets very crowded on weekends with a laid back outside area. No entrance fee but with DJs.

Hotzenplotz. Rustic atmosphere, little offside in Stuttgart-West.

Kiste. Two great Jazzclubs are in the Hauptstätterstr (Stadtbahn-station "Rathaus").

Suite 212. A posh bar/lounge with minimalist, urbane and undercool interior. People in the smart casual look sip their cocktails or wines around the large dance floor. On weekends the bar changes into a big party club exemplary for the night-life on the "Theo" party street.

Fou Fou. A stylish champagner bar in a conglomerate of brothels and hotels letting rooms by the hour called the "Bohnenviertel" (Bean Quarter) between Hauptstätter Str. and Olgastr.

Delayla. The renovated basement rooms get crowded in the night. Don't try to go there before 02:00.

Schräglage. The best independent HipHop club in town.

Classic Rock Cafe. Another great bar is the Classic Rock Cafe which is a few blocks away from Biddy Early's. No cover charge here even on weekends and the music is great. Interesting decor too. And everyone is welcome.

Kowalski. A stylishly designed electric club for an older audience. Here local DJs play fine electronic dance music, and sometimes an international bookings. Check the website for latest information.

Universum. This rock club is inside the underground stop "Charlottenplatz". It's on the right way out at the exit signed with "Landtag". Playing a lot of concerts in rock or independent music.

Boa Disco. Established in 1977 and still famous for the after-work-party that starts at 18:00 with a free buffet. Especially on Thursdays it gets very crowded so try to get on the guest list a few days before.

Perkins Park. Also a posh club outside the city centre.

Gay & lesbian Eagle (men-only leather bar) Boots (men-only country style bar) Kings Club (mixed dance club) Jenseitz (mixed gay bar) Zap

Sleep

To stay in the city centre (Mitte) around the Königstraße is probably the nicest, but also most expensive option. Still in walking distance are the beautiful districts of West and Süd. Other accommodations further out in the districts Nord, Cannstatt, Feuerbach or Vaihingen are perfectly reachable by public transport. If you intend to arrive by car check at the hotel for parking possibilities. If you have an early morning flight, it is possible to spend the night in the airport, as check-in areas stay open at night.

Campingplatz Cannstatter Wasen. The only camping ground in Stuttgart is between the Neckar River, the Cannstatter Wasen and the stadium.

Alex30 Hostel. Central hostel with breakfast buffet. Youth Hostel card is not required to stay.

ibis Budget Stuttgart City Nord. An older-style Etap hotel (blue fittings) that was not updated to the newer "green room" standard when rebranded as ibis Budget. Free WiFi in the rooms and foyer however the login webpage is very bad and sometimes the "Gratis WLAN" link doesn't display.

Dormero Hotel Stuttgart. The Dormero is a huge (over 450 rooms) 1980s-style tower hotel within the SI entertainment complex (cinema, musical theatre, casino, spa) in Moehringen, an outer district of Stuttgart close to the airport. Due to its particular location, arrival by public transit is not really simple.

Hilton Garden Inn Stuttgart NeckarPark. The Garden Inn is right between the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz arenas and mostly caters to the visitors of those venues. Prices tend to skyrocket during major events. The hotel is quite a bit away from the city centre and public transportation options are limited. The entire hotel is appointed in a very modern, elegant and consistent theme.

Holiday Inn Stuttgart. Good quality rooms. One of the best breakfast buffets in town. Friendly, helpful and efficient staff. On the edge of town but with S-Bahn station next to hotel.

ibis Styles Stuttgart. The former Mercure Bad Canstatt was downgraded to ibis Styles, but it does not mean it is a bad hotel, but rather that you get your breakfast and WiFi included in the room prices. Rooms are basic but appropriate. The hotel is in a quiet suburb of Bad Canstatt, but you can easily get to the city with the Stadtbahn U2 which runs right in front of the hotel.

ibis Stuttgart Centrum. A typical old-style (green washbasins) ibis hotel right on the Marienplatz in southern Stuttgart.

ibis Stuttgart City. As with other Accor hotels in Stuttgart, this hotel's name can be deceiving, as it is decisively out of the city, in the Nordbahnhof area. Otherwise, it is a typical old-style ibis hotel.

Kronen Hotel. The independently operated Kronen Hotel may have some very questionable interior fittings, responding to the German idea of Gemuetlichkeit, but wins over guests by great service and location just 800 east of the Hauptbahnhof, in a quiet area.

Mercure Stuttgart City Center. Despite the name, the hotel is not in the city centre but rather some 1.5 km uphill north from the Hauptbahnhof. The decor and appointments are nondescript and a little dated and overall there is nothing really outstanding about this Mercure.

Motel One Stuttgart-Hauptbahnhof. This hotel is in the centre of Stuttgart, one block from both the Hauptbahnhof and the Koenigstraße. Appointed in a modern and sleek but basic way like all other Motel Ones.

Motel One Stuttgart. The other Motel One in Stuttgart is in Feuerbach-Ost, an industry and office district north of the city. It is in front of a Stadtbahn stop and offers the usual Motel One standard.

Pullman Stuttgart Fontana. The Pullman is in the outer district of Vaihingen, directly opposite a major S-Bahn and U-Bahn stop, roughly equidistant to the airport and Hauptbahnhof. Good quality rooms. Good breakfast buffet. Staff not always to the standard you would expect.

Dorint Airport-Hotel Stuttgart. The hotel offers 155 rooms.

Althoff Hotel Am Schlossgarten. The Althoff enjoys a prime location next to the Hauptbahnhof, facing the Schlossgarten. There are various room categories, some large and facing the Schlossgarten, some rather small and with less fascinating views towards the backside, but overall the hotel ranks among the top ones in Stuttgart for its comfort and service quality, and charges accordingly.

Arcotel Camino. The Arcotel is an art- and design-themed hotel in a historic building on Heilbronner Straße, north of the Hauptbahnhof. There are many various rooms in the hotel, including a special Stuttgart 21 room with a view of the construction site and a telescope for you to zoom in on details.

Le Méridien Stuttgart. Park-side hotel of 291 rooms and suites, wellness area with pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and fitness centre, a French restaurant, Le Cassoulet, and 13 meeting rooms

Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin. Has more traditional luxury rooms.

Moevenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport & Messe. The Moevenpick is right next to the Stuttgart Airport's terminal building and thus also next to the fairgrounds. It is an upscale-ish modern hotel mostly catering to business travellers, with colorful design and high level of comfort.