Stuttgart
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Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓10 places on the map
Walking Tour
- 1
Palace garden with a lake, the opera house and the state theatre.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Picnic by the Eckensee lake
- Opera house is beautiful at night
- Free
📷 Photos
- 2
Baroque royal palace on Schlossplatz, now state ministries.
3 tips
- Interior mostly closed to visitors
- Gardens behind are free
- Best photo from the square
📷 Photos
- 3
Grand central square framed by palaces, lawns and the Jubilee Column.
3 tips
- Sit on the lawns in summer
- Hosts festivals and the Christmas market
- Free and central
📷 Photos
- 4
Classical colonnaded building on Schlossplatz with shops and cafes.
3 tips
- Shelter under the colonnade
- Shopping inside
- Great view of the square from the steps
📷 Photos
- 5
Glass cube museum of modern art with a strong Otto Dix collection.
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Rooftop cafe has square views
- Allow about 1.5 hours
📷 Photos
- 6
Medieval castle with an arcaded courtyard and the state history museum.
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Courtyard is free to enter
- See the Württemberg crown jewels
📷 Photos
- 7
Historic square with the Schiller statue and old Fruchtkasten.
3 tips
- Farmers' market Tue, Thu and Sat
- Ringed by the oldest buildings
- Free to enjoy
📷 Photos
- 8
Stuttgart's main Protestant church with twin towers and count statues.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Free entry
- See the row of Renaissance count figures
- Organ concerts some evenings
📷 Photos
- 9
Central market square in front of the Rathaus.
3 tips
- Christmas market heart in December
- Rathaus tower bells play tunes
- Free and central
📷 Photos
- 10
Art Nouveau market hall packed with delicatessen stalls.
3 tips
- Closed on Sundays
- Great for a snack lunch
- Upstairs gallery has homeware shops
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Stuttgart tips
Transportation
- Ride the VVS network: Stuttgart's U-Bahn Stadtbahn, S-Bahn and buses use one VVS ticket; a day ticket or the Deutschlandticket covers most trips.
- Take the Zacke: The rack railway from Marienplatz to Degerloch is part of the VVS network and offers a scenic climb out of the city basin.
- Use the S-Bahn to the airport: S-Bahn lines run from the Hauptbahnhof to Stuttgart Airport and the Messe, the easiest way without a car.
Security
- Buy tickets before riding: Ticket inspections on VVS trains are common and fines are steep; validate or buy your ticket before boarding.
- Watch bags at the Wasen: The Cannstatter Volksfest and Frühlingsfest draw huge crowds; keep valuables secure in beer tents and on packed trains.
- Cycle carefully: Stuttgart is hilly with steep streets and busy roads; use bike lanes and consider an e-bike for climbs.
Saving
- Get the StuttCard: The city card includes entry to many museums and discounts; choose the version with transport if you will ride a lot.
- Eat at a Besen: Besenwirtschaften are seasonal wine taverns run by local winemakers, offering affordable wine and Swabian food.
- Enjoy free viewpoints: Climb the city's Stäffele stairs to viewpoints like Karlshöhe for panoramic views without paying for the TV tower.
Weather/Clothing
- Prepare for hot summers: The city sits in a basin, so summer heat can feel intense; wear breathable clothes and drink plenty of water.
- Layer in spring and autumn: Mild days and chilly evenings are common; bring a light jacket for Weindorf evenings or vineyard walks.
- Dress warm for winter markets: Stuttgart's Christmas market is cold and damp; wear a warm coat, gloves and comfortable shoes.
Cultural
- Try Maultaschen: These Swabian stuffed pasta pockets are a local staple; order them in broth or pan-fried with onions.
- Respect Kehrwoche: Swabians are known for orderliness; keep shared spaces tidy and follow recycling rules in your accommodation.
- Taste Trollinger: This light red wine is Württemberg's signature; order a Viertele in a traditional glass with handle.
Local Hacks
- Visit the car museums: The Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum are both reachable by S-Bahn; go on a weekday to avoid crowds.
- Soak in mineral baths: Stuttgart has one of Europe's largest mineral water sources; relax at Mineralbad Leuze or Bad Cannstatt.
- Walk the vineyards: Vineyards cover hills inside the city; hike the trails above Bad Cannstatt or Uhlbach for views and tastings.
1-day itineraries in Stuttgart
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 2
Stiftskirche and around
🕘 9:30–17:00📍 5 stops
- 1Stiftskirche
- 2Markthalle Stuttgart
- 3Altes Schloss - Landesmuseum Württemberg
- 4Schlossplatz
- 5Kunstmuseum Stuttgart
Day 2 of 2
Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart and around
🕘 9:30–13:30📍 3 stops
- 1Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart
- 2Weissenhofmuseum im Haus Le Corbusier
- 3Killesbergpark