Most people are probably familiar with Stuttgart as the capital of the south-west German state of Baden-Württemberg and the headquarters of the Mercedes Benz and Porsche car brands. Students and football fans are also likely to be familiar with the city’s name. But what many people don’t know is that Stuttgart has so much more to offer – from beautiful parks, castles and lakes to an impressive city centre. 

And: Stuttgart is sooo incredibly green!

Stuttgart really surprised me and I can only recommend that you come and see for yourself. In this post with my Stuttgart insider tips for a perfect weekend, you can find out about the best spots in advance. Of course, as usual, I’ve also included some insider tips. At the end of the post you will find a map on which I have marked them all for you.

The → EmiLu Design Hotel in Stuttgart is a very beautiful and unique hotel with the perfect location in Stuttgart’s city center – many places and restaurants are within walking distance, and the subway station is only a few minutes away. I also really liked the breakfast at the hotel!

My map with the best sights in Stuttgart:

My tips for a perfect weekend in Stuttgart

The ‘car city’ Stuttgart

Mercedes-Benz Museum

I would like to start my Stuttgart insider tips for a perfect weekend with a must on your Stuttgart bucket list – the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Bad Cannstatt. The modern interactive exhibition on the development of the automobile is absolutely fascinating, and not just for car fans. You embark on a journey through different eras of mobility history. Did you know that Carl Benz developed the first motorised car in Germany in 1885? A really exciting museum that I can only recommend…

Porsche Museum

If you’re interested in cars, the Porsche Museum might also be part of your must-see programme for a perfect weekend in Stuttgart. The focus here is clearly on the Porsche car brand. You will also be impressed by the modern design of the exhibition, which provides interesting insights into the history of sports cars. The Porsche Museum is only about 20 minutes by car from the Mercedes-Benz Museum, so you can easily combine your visits.

Discover the South of Stuttgart

Walk to the Karlshöhe

Off we go into Stuttgart’s greenery! An absolute highlight of my Stuttgart insider tips is the 344 metre high Karlshöhe. Originally used as a quarry in the Middle Ages, today it offers us a peaceful, green retreat with vineyards, gardens and parks. You can catch a picturesque view of Stuttgart from almost anywhere, as the city lies in a basin. The so-called basin feeling creates a very special atmosphere. Vines and city views combine to create a perfect mix. And of course you will also find a beer garden in this idyllic setting. At Tschechen & Söhne, you can enjoy beer or wine with tarte flambée, including a great view of the city.

Zacke ride & panoramic walk

Anyone visiting Stuttgart cannot avoid taking a ride on the popular ‘Zacke’ rack railway. We decided to take the train from Marienplatz to the Haigst stop, as our destination was a small park on Santiago-de-Chile-Square, from where you can also admire the city panorama.

TV Tower Stuttgart

The best view of the city is definitely from the Stuttgart TV tower – the oldest TV tower in the world, by the way! We reached it on foot from the park. As a well-known Stuttgart landmark, it is the symbol of the city and an icon for the locals. You can see the 217 metre high tower from almost anywhere in the city. When the weather is nice, the viewing platform, where there is also a small café, is open. I was overwhelmed by the breathtaking view that stretched out before me – you should definitely not miss out on this experience. On some days, you can see as far as the Swabian Alb and the Black Forest. Admission costs 12.50 euros per person.

Hop-on-Hop-off Bus

Hop-on hop-off tours are an excellent way to explore a city’s most popular sights in comfort, especially for weekend visitors. This option is also available in Stuttgart, which is why it should not be missing from my insider tips. 

They offer three routes:

• Green tour – city tour with television tower, viewpoints, Stäffele, funicular railway and rack railway
• Blue tour – via Stuttgart city centre towards the Neckar, with museums and a short detour into the vineyards
• Wine route – through Stuttgart’s wonderful wine landscape, highly recommended, but only runs at weekends and on public holidays

Tip: A hop-on hop-off tour is the perfect way to start the weekend ahead and is a good choice if the weather is unpleasant.

Grabkapelle (Burial Chapel) on the Württemberg

If you’re looking for a top sunset spot above the vineyards, this is the place for you. This place in Stuttgart is almost magical and should therefore not be missing from my Stuttgart insider tips.

We took a romantic walk through the green vines to the chapel. It sits so peacefully on the hill that you get the impression it is watching over the city.

You can easily reach the chapel by bus, and at weekends you can also take the hop-on hop-off wine tour.

Break stops:

• Rotenberger Weingärtle: Swabian wines await you with local cuisine and a picturesque view of the valley.
• 1819 Bistro: This small wine bar is located directly below the chapel.

Alternatively: Bring a picnic blanket and your own snacks – this is not only permitted, but also very popular.

Experience the Stuttgart city center

Stuttgart’s city centre is surprising, varied and colourful. From historic to modern – from the impressive Schlossplatz with the New Palace to Königstraße (the longest, continuous pedestrian shopping zone in Europe) – Stuttgart definitely has charm.

Stuttgart market hall

The huge Markthalle Stuttgart is located in the heart of the city. It is THE hub for fresh food and delicacies. Regional and international delicacies make the market hall a culinary hotspot for foodies. It is definitely worth a visit, especially as you will pass it at least once during your stroll through the city.

Markets

Stuttgart is known for its markets and flea markets. One of the oldest flea markets in Germany can be found on Karlsplatz at the weekend.

It’s great fun to stroll between the cute stalls, try something delicious here and there and, of course, look for souvenirs.

Neues Schloss

Stuttgart’s New Palace is located on Schlossplatz, right in the city centre. The former baroque residence is another of the city’s landmarks and is definitely one of my Stuttgart insider tips. Take a stroll across the square, past the Victory Column and pretty fountains, and let yourself be inspired by the great photo spots. Incidentally, its imposing architecture was modelled on the Palace of Versailles in France.

City Library Stuttgart

Another architectural highlight is Stuttgart’s city library. It is already known as an Instagram hotspot and you should definitely see its impressive interior design for yourself. Minimalist in design, with staircases connecting the individual levels, the entire library is located in a single, huge light room. You could practically see every book from a corresponding point in the room. Visually, the interior design of the city library reminds me of the popular series ‘Severance’. From the top level, you can access a viewing platform from which you have a wonderful view of the city. Entry is free of charge.

Summer Highlight: Max Eyth Lake

If you plan your visit to Stuttgart during the summer months, I can give you a real insider tip for a relaxing day trip: Max Eyth Lake is located a little outside the city, but is easy to reach by train. Here you can swim, relax and have a picnic. You can also enjoy a picturesque view of the surrounding vineyards. The network of paths around the lake is ideal for walking, cycling or inline skating. You can even hire a pedalo, rowing boat or electric boat to take a trip on the lake from 12.00 noon. We opted for a leisurely pedalo tour in glorious sunshine.

Stäffele Tour – Stuttgarts charming stairways

‘Stäffele’ is Swabian for stairs. There are more than 400 idyllic stairways in Stuttgart, which connect the Kessel and Halbhöhe districts and are known as the city’s trademark. Although they are sometimes somewhat hidden, they are peppered with top views. In the past, the steps were used by winegrowers, but today they make perfect walking paths. They are simply ideal for getting to know Stuttgart away from the tourist spots, which is why I have added them to my Stuttgart insider tips. Incidentally, Stuttgart locals also like to use the stairs to reach destinations within the city more quickly.

Highlight Route:

easy with great views:

Marienplatz → Eugensplatz (Pause mit Eis) → Uhlandshöhe → Stadtbibliothek
Alternatively: Feuersee → Karlshöhe – with a great wine atmosphere & snack with a view

Tips:

• Make sure you wear comfortable shoes!
• We recommend taking enough water with you – especially in summer!
• Guided tours are also possible (some with wine tasting).

Restaurant tips in Stuttgart

Rotenberger Weingärtle

This restaurant is perfect after a visit to the burial chapel. Enjoy some local food and wine while you wait for the sun to set. If the sky is overcast, you can still enjoy the marvellous view of the vines.

1819 Bistro

The small wine bar is located below the burial chapel and is ideal for a glass of wine after a walk, right next to the vines.

The Nosh

The Nosh is located in the heart of Stuttgart. The restaurant offers international dishes in an all-day brunch concept. My recommendation: French toast & chicken bao bun – unusual and delicious.

Sitt Wein

The modern wine bar really surprised me, because here you can get more than 100 types of wine at the touch of a button. Chic ambience and really good wines. It’s best to try several varieties in small quantities.

Das Lehen

A rustic restaurant with classic Swabian dishes awaits you. Enjoy Maultaschen, Spätzle & Co. in a cosy atmosphere.

Stuttgart insider tips for a perfect weekend – My résumé

I’ll be blunt: my first visit to Stuttgart was fabulous! Crowned by perfect weather with blue skies, I experienced a weekend full of variety and surprises. I was most impressed by the multitude of parks, gardens and vineyards that bathe the city in a fabulous green colour. But even if the weather isn’t so nice, you can still spend an entertaining weekend in Stuttgart.

I hope my Stuttgart insider tips have given you a little impression of this great city, and maybe they’ve even spurred you on to visit Stuttgart yourself. I would be delighted.

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