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Stuttgart - a brief overview
Stuttgart, capital of Baden-Württemberg state, is a prosperous place. This is where the modern motorcar was invented, and some of the main attractions here reflect its proud automotive heritage. But despite the apparent industrial edge, it is also a big city with the friendly heart of a small town. While it may lack the stunning historical architecture of some other central
European cities, what it offers instead is green spaces in abundance, which lend it a laid-back charm, and a vibrant cultural scene the locals are justly proud of. In summer, the whole place comes even more to life, when everyone moves outside and enjoys the café terrace lifestyle.
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Top 10 sights in Stuttgart

Mercedes-Benz Museum
70372 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: (0711) 173 0000
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Opening times:
Tues-Sun 0900-1800
This unmissable nine-floor museum traces the history of the car from its invention by Gottlieb Daimler to the present day. The collection includes more than 160 classic and vintage vehicles.
Porsche Museum
70435 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: (0711) 9112 0911
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Opening times:
Tues-Sun 0900-1800
Like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche also has a stunningly designed purpose-built museum tracing the development of the company from 1948 on. The museum houses 80 vehicles, as well as several thematic exhibits.
Landesmuseum Württemberg
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: (0711) 8953 5111
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Opening times:
Tues-Sun 1000-1700
Located in the Altes Schloss (Old Castle), the State Museum tells the history of Württemberg from prehistoric times on. On show are the crown jewels once worn by the regional royal family.
Wilhelma
70376 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: (0711) 54020
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Opening times:
Various
Europe’s largest combined zoological and botanical gardens is named after King Wilhelm I of Württemberg, who ordered them built for his personal entertainment in the 1850s. It now provides refuge to more than 10,000 animals and 5,000 exotic plant species.
Schlossplatz
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
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The large central square is a lively meeting point, the perfect place to watch the world go by. There’s an ice-skating rink here in winter, while outdoor concerts are staged in summer.
Gottleib Daimler Memorial
70372 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: (0711) 173 0000
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Opening times:
Tues-Fri 1400-1700
Sat-Sun 1100-1700
This memorial to the local engineer and inventor who – along with partner Wilhelm Maybach – developed the petrol combustion engine and the world’s first motorcar, is located in a greenhouse that was once their workshop.
Kunstmuseum
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: (0711) 2161 9600
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Opening times:
Tue-Thurs and Sat-Sun 1000-1800
Fri 1000-2100
The Stuttgart Art Museum is located in a striking modern building constructed in 2005. Much of the exhibition space is below ground, in two former traffic underpasses. The permanent collection includes works by local Swabian painters.
Schlossgarten
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
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This long-thin green corridor of parkland stretches northeast for more than 3km (1.8 miles) from the central Schlossplatz to the banks of the Neckar River.
Staatsgalerie
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: (0711) 470 400
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Opening times:
Tue-Wed and Fri-Sun 1000-1800
Thurs 1000-2000
Housed in three separate buildings, the State Gallery houses an important art collection that includes works from across the ages. The 20th-century wing features Picasso, Chagall and Klee, among others.
Grabkapelle auf dem Württemberg
70327 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: (0711) 337 149
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Opening times:
Various
On the eastern city outskirts, this hilltop sepulchral chapel was erected by King Wilhelm I in memory of his wife Katharina, who died at a young age. The setting among the vineyards provides great views over Stuttgart and the surrounding area.
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Country Information
Country overview
Once mockingly referred to as the “land of schnitzels and leather pants,” Germany has acquired a much more modern image in recent decades. International visitors are attracted to the big cities, especially the capital, Berlin. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, in particular, the city with its many cultural and entertainment attractions has become a major tourist destination. But other German cities also know how to celebrate and enjoy life.
Hamburg’s annual Hafengeburtstag port anniversary festival attracts around two million visitors every year, the Rhineland is famous for its carnivals, and Munich’s Oktoberfest is famous the world over.
Germany also has a variety of natural landscapes: for example, from the Wadden Sea and lowland plains of the northwest, the lakelands in the northeast of the country, numerous low mountain ranges and heathlands, to the central highlands and Alpine regions.
Geography
Germany borders Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The northwest has a coastline on the North Sea, while the Baltic coastline in the northeast stretches from the Danish to the Polish border.
The country is divided into 16 states (Bundesländer) and has an exceedingly varied landscape. In what was once known as West Germany, the Rhine, Bavaria and the Black Forest stand as the three most famous features, while in the east, the country is lake-studded with undulating lowlands.
River basins extend over a large percentage of the region, and some of Europe’s most prominent rivers flow through the country. These include the Elbe, the Danube and the Rhine.
The highest point in the country is the 2962m (9718ft) peak of Zugspitze Mountain in the Bavarian Alps. Cable cars run to the summit, which can also be climbed.
General Information
Key facts
Population: 81.9 million
Capital: Berlin.
Language
German is the official language. Regional dialects often differ markedly from standard German.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use.
Public holidays
The public holidays for the January 2018 – December 2019 period are listed below.
Note:
* In catholic regions only
** Sachsen only
*** only in the New Laender (Bundesländer)
2018
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2018
Epiphany: 6 January 2018*
Good Friday: 30 March 2018
Easter Sunday: 1 April 2018
Easter Monday: 2 April 2018
Labour Day: 1 May 2018
Ascension Day: 10 May 2018
Whit Sunday: 20 May 2018
Whit Monday: 21 May 2018
Corpus Christi: 31 May 2018*
Assumption: 15 August 2018*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2018
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2018***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2018*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2018**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2018
2019
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2019
Epiphany: 6 January 2019*
Good Friday: 19 April 2019
Easter Sunday: 21 April 2019
Easter Monday: 22 April 2019
Labour Day: 1 May 2019
Ascension Day: 30 May 2019
Whit Sunday: 9 June 2019
Whit Monday: 10 June 2019
Corpus Christi: 20 June 2019*
Assumption: 15 August 2019*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2019
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2019***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2019*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2019**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2019
All information subject to change.
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Getting around
Public Transport
Stuttgart’s public transport network includes buses and the U-Bahn metro system. There’s also a suburban S-Bahn rail network. Services are operated by the Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart (VVS; tel: (0711) 66060; www.vvs.de). Buy tickets from machines at stations, or from bus drivers where this is not possible. Single journey tickets are available, but day tickets and three-day tickets usually offer visitors better value. The tourist Stuttcard pass includes free public transport.
Taxis
Pick up taxis from designated ranks, or call the central line Taxi Auto Zentrale (tel: (0711) 551 0000). Tipping is not necessary.
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Nightlife in Stuttgart
Stuttgart has a thriving nightlife with a great selection of bars, clubs and music venues. The hub of the action is the city’s infamous ‘Party Mile’, comprised of Theodor-Heuss-Strasse,
Wilhelmsplatz and Geisstrasse. More traditional German pubs are found all over the city.
Sophie’s Brauhaus
70178 Stuttgart
Germany
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Popular brewpub and restaurant serving beer in volume and hearty local food.
Sonja’s Biergarten im Schlossgarten
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
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Large outdoor beer garden, perfect for warm evenings, and with free live music on summer Sundays.
Laboratorium
70186 Stuttgart
Germany
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Music venue hosting international performers from a range of musical backgrounds.
5
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
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Ultra-chic upmarket lounge bar below a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Muttermilch
70174 Stuttgart
Germany
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One of the largest clubs on the Party Mile, the place to head for house and electro.
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Restaurants in Stuttgart
Stuttgart is filled with great places to eat in every budget range. The international nature of the options reflects the multicultural nature of this industrial city, where the car manufacturers have long attracted immigrants from around the world.
Local hearty Swabian food is also well represented.
YoSH
70192 Stuttgart-Feuerbach
Germany
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Price: Expensive
Sophisticated restaurant serving classic seasonal cuisine created by a Michelin-starred chef.
OLIVO
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
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Price: Expensive
Elegant Michelin-starred restaurant located on the first floor of a grand hotel.
il quinto quarto
70180 Stuttgart
Germany
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Price: Moderate
Refined Italian dining in a southern suburb, with a local reputation for great seafood.
Speisekammer West
70193 Stuttgart
Germany
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Price: Moderate
Refined German food, prepared only from local seasonal organic ingredients.
SIDEWAYS
70372 Stuttgart
Germany
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Price: Cheap
Trendy living room-style bar selling traditional snacks in unusual ways – think currywurst in a glass.
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Calendar of events
Spring Festival
21 April – 13 May 2018
Website
Venue: Cannstatter Wasen
The Stuttgarter Fruehlingsfest (Stuttgart Spring Festival) is a long established event aimed at providing a fun day out for families. The event is characterised by a funfair rides, rollercoasters and entertainment in beer tents. In recent years an increasing number of visitors to the Spring Festival have worn the Tracht (traditional costumes) of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The festival tents sell beer and the festive evening atmosphere is comparable to the Oktoberfest.
Hamburg Fish Market
12 – 22 July 2018
Website
Venue: Karlsplatz
The famous jaunty atmosphere of the Hamburg Fish Market makes an annual appearance in Stuttgart every summer. The market takes the form of a fish and food festival, accompanied by live music. For gastronomes who enjoy fish dishes and people watching, Stuttgart’s Hamburg Fish Market is definitely worth a look.
Jazz Open
12 – 22 July 2018
Website
Venue: Schlossplatz
The city enjoys a major summer music festival that attracts names such as BB King and Chicago. Open air performances are given on Schlossplatz and at the Mercedes-Benz Museum and indoor, at the BIX Jazzclub and Lounge. The atmosphere is buoyant and the top performers are world class.
Summer Festival
2 – 5 August 2018
Website
Venue: Schlossplatz
The Stuttgarter Sommerfest (Stuttgart Summerfestival) is held in the heart of the city over four nights, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy good food, drinks and live entertainment. Tents are erected and a party atmosphere reigns. In total more than 120 hours of live music, ranging from jazz to Latin American to light classical, are performed for free.
Stuttgart Wine Village
29 August – 9 September 2018
Website
Venue: Schillerplatz, Kirchstraße, Marktplatz
More than 600 regional wines are on offer here, served by the glass to a backdrop of live music. The relaxed, festive atmosphere is best enjoyed on the market places around the Old Castle. Swabian foods such as Maultaschen (filled pasta) and Käsespätzle (pasta in cheese) are sold to accompany the wines.
Stuttgart Beer Festival
28 September – 14 October 2018
Website
Venue: Cannstatter Wasen
The Cannstatter Volksfest (Stuttgart Beer Festival) is the world’s second biggest beer festival (after the Munich Oktoberfest) and takes place around a 26m-high (85ft) Fruchtsaeule (fruit column) which is a reference to the origins of the event, as a harvest festival. Some visitors come for the rides of the funfair, but many more come to enjoy a beer and to sing, dance and make merry within the 5000-seat festival tents.
Christmas Market
November – December 2018
Website
Venue: City centre
Stuttgart’s popular city centre Advent markets attract more than three million visitors a year. Over 270 traders operate seasonally decorated wooden stalls selling a wide range of wares, from Christmas decorations to handcrafted gifts. The busy markets around the Old and New Castles draw locals and visitors from overseas. They provide a great opportunity to sample spiced seasonal foodstuffs and warming drinks and to shop for presents and souvenirs.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
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Hotels in Stuttgart
Stuttgart’s accommodation covers all bases from guesthouses to luxury retreats, but places at the lower end of the budget spectrum are thin on the ground in the centre.
Book well ahead during popular periods, such as in December during the Christmas market.
Le Méridien Stuttgart
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
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Category: Expensive
Central modern luxury chain accommodation overlooking Schlossgarten Park.
Althoff am Schlossgarten
70173 Stuttgart
Germany
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Category: Expensive
Luxurious spacious rooms in the perfect central location.
Kronenhotel
70174 Stuttgart
Germany
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Category: Moderate
Friendly design hotel with modern comforts, close to the city centre.
Waldhotel
70597 Stuttgart
Germany
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Category: Moderate
Quietly situated design hotel by a forest on the outskirts of Stuttgart, close to transport links.
Riedsee Gasthof
70567 Stuttgart
Germany
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Category: Cheap
Rustic family-run guesthouse in a quiet southern suburb, with good transport links.
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Best time to visit
Today: Sunday, 22.04.2018 05:00 UTC

sunny
temperature
13°C
wind direction
northwind speed
7.5 mphhumidity
80%7 days forecast
Monday
23.04.2018
22°C / 13°C
Tuesday
24.04.2018
22°C / 9°C
Wednesday
25.04.2018
21°C / 13°C
Thursday
26.04.2018
18°C / 11°C
Friday
27.04.2018
18°C / 10°C
Saturday
28.04.2018
15°C / 7°C
Sunday
29.04.2018
21°C / 8°C
Climate and best time to visit Stuttgart
As a major business hub, Stuttgart is busy at all times of year. Being situated in southern Germany, winters are milder than many other parts of the country, and the summers are agreeably warm and pleasant. Locals will tell you the city is at really its best in June and July, as rainfall is often higher in August and September. Nevertheless, there are still several big events worth considering in late summer. A wine festival is held from the end of August into early September, and the annual Oktoberfest beer festival takes place later in September. The city’s Christmas markets in December are also very popular.
Climate & best time to visit Germany
As with most European countries, Germany is a year-round destination but not especially dependable weather-wise. In general terms though, it’s temperate throughout the country with warm summers and cold winters – prolonged periods of frost or snow are rare. Rain falls throughout the year, with much of Germany experiencing its maximum rainfall over the summer months. So unpredictability is a major factor. The average daytime temperature in January is 3°C (38°F) and in July, 22°C (72°F). Extremes commonly reach -10°C (5°F) in winter and 35°C (95°F) in the summer months.
While Munich might be considerably further south than Berlin, the fact that the Bavarian capital is at a much higher altitude means the two cities have broadly comparable summers. The highest annual temperatures tend to be in the southwest, where there’s almost a Mediterranean feel to the landscape at times. Unsurprisingly, this is where much of Germany’s wine is grown.
May through to September are the most popular months in terms of tourist numbers, and they certainly hold the most appeal for visitors aiming to spend much of their time outdoors. However, the spring and fall shoulder seasons also hold real attractions for those who want the promise of decent weather without the tourist levels. The winter holidays are also a big draw in their way, due in no small part to their attendant Christmas markets. Peak season for ski areas is from December through to the end of March.
Away from the mountains, January through to April will appeal to those who enjoy the benefits of uncrowded attractions, although be aware that cities like Berlin rarely witness “slow” periods at any time of year. Prices tend to be slightly higher over the summer months. One other thing to bear in mind is that hotel rates can increase when big trade shows are in town (potentially a problem in Frankfurt, for example).
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Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code:+49
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
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Shopping in Stuttgart
Key Areas
Stuttgart’s city centre is filled with shops covering all bases in terms of styles and budgets. All the big international brands can be found on or around Königstrasse. This bustling central shopping street is pedestrianised for over one kilometre, starting near from the main station, and has department stores and chic boutiques.
Markets
Stuttgart’s indoor market, the Markthalle, is an attractive Jugenstil building packed with stalls selling quality delicatessen items. You’ll find traditional outdoor markets on both Marktplatz and Schillerplatz every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – come in the morning as they close early. For second-hand goods and bric-a-brac, try the Saturday morning flea market on Karlsplatz. Several Christmas markets appear in the city during December. The largest is on Schlossplatz.
Shopping Centres
Stuttgart’s biggest central shopping mall is the Königsbau Passage (Königsstrasse 26), which has more than 70 shops and eateries spread over five floors.
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Traveller etiquette
Handshaking is customary in Germany, and it is considered rude to address people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be observed. Before eating, it is normal to say “guten Appetit” to the other people at the table to which the correct reply is “danke, gleichfalls” (“Thank you, the same to you”). If you’ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover’s gift).
In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a greeting, such as “guten Tag” (or “grüß Gott” in Bavaria) before saying what it is that they want; to leave without saying “auf Wiedersehen” or “tschüss” can also cause offence.
Similarly, when making a telephone call, asking for the person you want to speak to without stating first who you are is impolite. Casual wear is widely acceptable, but more formal dress is required for some restaurants, the opera, theater, casinos and important social functions. Smoking is prohibited where notified, on public transportation and in most public buildings.
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Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
There’s nothing to mark out German products as particularly risky to general health (although it has a partly founded reputation for being high in fat). Tap water is safe to drink.
Other Risks
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern Germany; vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for ‘Tollwut’ signs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered.
During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally has the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: Use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.
If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry – plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are being worn over a long distance. Ideally, footwear should be worn in before the trip.
As a counterpoint to the balminess of the summer, German winters can be fairly severe. This is generally truer the further east you travel. If you’re arriving during the coldest months of the year, make sure you have adequate clothing. At any time of year, in fact, temperatures can be unpredictable – even in July and August it makes sense to have a sweater (and maybe an umbrella, too) to hand.
Other health problems that inexperienced travelers might reasonably encounter are the various knock-on effects of consuming too much alcohol. The risk, unsurprisingly, is particularly prevalent among those attending Munich’s Oktoberfest. Be aware that some beers have ABV levels of as much as 6 or 7% and should therefore be treated with respect.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Künzel, JensAirport Medical Center
Terminal 1 West
D-70629 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel. +49-71193315872
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.