Cities & Culture
It's on: 48 hours in Stuttgart
Vineyards, an infinity of stairways and lovely places to eat characterise Stuttgart. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway, this city in Baden-Württemberg is just the place for you. Here are our tips for an enjoyable visit.
This city in Baden-Württemberg is situated in the Neckar Valley, which enjoys a pleasant climate, and its vineyards extend right into the city. This is possibly one of the reasons why the atmosphere in Stuttgart is so laid-back. Anyone who wants to discover the heart of Stuttgart should definitely take a guided wine tour through the city - on foot, or in a vintage bus. But first things first.
A look at Stuttgart's cultural heritage: City Centre
The first thing you could do on your first day in Stuttgart is to discover the city's cultural treasures. Let's visit Stuttgart-Mitte, the historic centre of the city. It wraps around the imposing Schlossplatz square, which is also a particularly beautiful sight in the evening. The most important historical sights are centred around the square: The Old Palace, for example, is Stuttgart's oldest surviving building, built in the year 941 AD. The National Museum is also located here. The New Palace with its three wings, and the glass cube that houses the Art Museum with works by artists such as Otto Dix, are also visible from here. And here you will also find the National Gallery that houses modern art. You can visit the museum you most prefer.
Having a chat and a meal together in Stuttgart
Lunch time can be spent in the area around the Town Hall. Here you will also find the Hans-in-Glück fountain with its small square, the only place where so many restaurants, cafés and bars crowd into such a small area. Try the delicious Spätzle or Maultaschen! Refreshed, we then head to Stuttgart's Marketplace. It is considered one of the most beautiful market places in Germany. This listed art nouveau building is also a great place to shop. If you'd like a bit of exercise, you can take a walk. Otherwise, buses and trains are the way to get to Hölderlinplatz. Concept stores, cafés and small shops await you here. Visitors can also spend the evening here.
The second day can be spent in the great outdoors: head to the extensive Killesberg. With its lake terraces, flower beds, large playgrounds and animal enclosures, it is one of the most popular destinations in Stuttgart. There is even a miniature railway on the Killesberg. Idea: Why not pack something for a picnic for lunchtime? Not far away is the famous, listed Weissenhof estate, which you can go on to visit. It was built in 1927 by the German Werkbund: a total of 63 flats and 21 houses were built by such famous architects as Le Corbusier, Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. This residential estate with its specific modern architectural style is unique in the world. The accompanying museum is located in Le Corbusier's semi-detached house and provides comprehensive information about the history of the estate.
Later in the afternoon. There are several options: 1. Visit an architectural highlight, the Stuttgart City Library. 2. Roam around the city a bit more, for example with one of the 200 staircases that connect the higher areas with the lower ones. The Oberer Reichelenbergweg staircase in Stuttgart-Mitte or the Emil-Molt-Staffel in the Kernerviertel are ideal examples. 3. Or you can head off to Karlshöhe. A particularly beautiful view awaits you here with vineyards, gardens and green spaces. 4. Visit the State Museum of Natural History with its zoological-botanical collection, known as the Wilhelma. 5. If you are a car fan you absolutely need to go to the Mercedes-Benz Museum or the Porsche Museum to look at their cars. Alternatively: you keep thinking about that wine tour and want to try out Stuttgart's wines.
Whatever you decide to do: We wish you lots of fun!