Stuttgart was the second city we lived in here in Germany after we moved from Magdeburg. During our very first visit to “Stuggi”, we were there solely because of football. Ryan was on trial with a team located in Stuttgart, so I went along with him for the one week we were scheduled to be there. Since we had no idea if we would be moving there for good, we packed in all of our sightseeing and tourist activities in a matter of a few days, so we wouldn’t miss out on anything! Little did we know, we would end up living there for a year and get endless chances to “play tourist”. Funny thing is…after we moved there we felt like we had nothing left to tour and we rarely did many tourist-y things once we became residents! It’s funny how that happens, isn’t it?!
Stuttgart is such an interesting and unique city for so many reasons! It’s large, it’s the cradle of the automobile, the heart of many businesses, and known as the new heart of Europe. Also, the city is located in hills and valleys, making the geography of the city one-of-a-kind. Although we were obviously non-natives, surprisingly we fit right in! Stuttgart is a city filled with a high number of immigrants- every third inhabitant of Stuttgart is, in fact, a foreigner!
Moving onto the good stuff… If you ever get the opportunity to visit Stuttgart, here is a guide to all of my favorite things to do!
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Stadtbibliothek
As soon as I heard we were going to be visiting Stuttgart, I KNEW this is the place that I was most excited to see. Grey by day and iridescent blue by night, this is not your average library! Once you arrive, don’t be surprised if you’re thinking to yourself, “Seriously Kate, why are you recommending this to me?” Because if I’m being totally honest, it doesn’t look all that special from the outside. And I think this is part of what makes it so cool! Once you enter inside it’s like a whole new world. If you want to learn more about the genius of the design itself, you’ll have to ask my Architect-Dad for a lesson (haha) because I know diddly squat. Bear with me here…the library’s interior consists of two halves, one stacked on top of the other. The lower one is simply an open space with only a small fountain inside. It is said that this space was made to calm the hustle and bustle of the city. Once again, upon entering, it’s very clean and simple. However, once you ascend to the top half of the library, it’s a whole new dynamic! The upstairs is filled with books, staircases, balconies, and it beams with natural light. It’s honestly a heavenly place to be and a must-see in Stuttgart!
Mercedes-Benz Museum
This museum documents the history of the automobile from the very beginning. Two interlinked tours guide you through the architecture of the building and the history of Mercedes-Benz. The exhibits combine key moments in history with classic sports cars. The exhibition showcases 160 vehicles documenting the past as well as the innovations of the present. You can even get an insight into the latest topics from the worlds of research, design, development, and production!
Porsche Museum
Now onto Ryan’s “must-see” spot in Stuttgart! This museum is cooler than cool and should be #1 on your list of things to do in Stuttgart if you are a lover of cars. The exhibition floor showcases about 80 vehicles and other small exhibits which take you through the history of Porsche. You can examine everything from some of the very first Porsche classics, all the way up to the latest models. The exhibits are constantly changed out to showcase special topics or anniversaries making it a very dynamic and “living” museum. There are tons of interactive highlights, and you can even see how a classic Porsche is restored live in the workshop!
Wilhelma Zoo & Botanical Garden
Wilhelma was the child of King Wilhelma I who commissioned a 19th Century architect to create a bathhouse and pleasure garden. The park was not open to the public and was only open to visitors by royal decree. After the destruction during World War II, the building and gardens were restored to become a zoological and botanical garden. Currently, over 10,000 animals representing almost 1,000 species reside in Wilhelma. It is one of the most diverse zoos in Germany, showing a cross-section through each of Earth’s climatic zones. The Wilhelma also houses countless species of plants. Around 5,000 species are on display at Europe’s biggest zoological-botanical garden!
Killesberg Hill Park
If you’re on the hunt for a family-friendly attraction, this is the place for you. Killesberg Hill Park is a green oasis located in the middle of the city. The park has beautiful landscapes, fountains, a 130-foot high tower with panoramic views, children’s play areas, a petting zoo, a railway, and much more. It’s the perfect place leisure destination for the whole family.
Schlossplatz
The Palace Square acts as the heart of the city. It is the hub and place to linger as you walk through the center of town. Today, it contains ministries of the Baden-Württemberg state government and state reception rooms. If you would rather shop, Germany longest shopping precinct, Königstraβe, takes you right past the Palace Square!
Königstraβe
Probably where Ryan and I spent most of our time…Königstraβe is the place to be! This “street” is about 1 mile long, designed solely for pedestrians, and runs directly through the heart of the city. It’s lined with department stores, high-end designer shops, specialty stores, restaurants, and cafes. If you are looking for places to shop, do not go anywhere but here! You can find everything from Louis Vuitton to H&M, and everything else in between. This street is beautiful to walk, as it is filled with trees, kiosks, fountains, and “resting” spots. It’s also the perfect people-watching location if you’re into that sort of thing (which I am certainly not… *wink, wink).
Cannstatter Volkfest
The Cannstatter Volkfest is a three-week annual festival in September and October. For all us foreigners, this is basically the “Oktoberfest” of Stuttgart. It’s an autumn fair that takes places at the Cannstatter Wasen. Although it’s not strictly a beer festival, it is still considered to be the second largest beer celebration in the world (after Munich’s Oktoberfest, obviously)! There are amusement rides, countless food and beverage stands, a parade, fireworks, and of course…the beer tents! The festival can be a bit chaotic, as it is like one giant party, but it is an experience you do not want to miss!
Christmas Market
If you’re lucky enough to be in Germany during Christmas time, this is one market you don’t want to miss! Stuttgart’s Christmas Market is one of Germany’s oldest, largest, and most beautiful markets. With more than 300 years of tradition, the 290 wooden huts capture every Christmas detail perfectly. Lights, decorations, music, and delicious food and drinks will make you feel as if you are in a Christmas wonderland. Be sure to grab a bratwurst and the famous Christmas drink, glühwein!
Mercedes-Benz Arena
Home to the Bundesliga club, VfB Stuttgart, Mercedes-Benz Arena is easily recognizable from all over the city and one of the finest football stadiums in Europe!
If you get the chance to visit Stuttgart, Germany in the future, be sure to let me know what your favorite things were!
Are you visiting Germany for the first time? Be sure to check out my post, Visiting Germany: What You Need To Know. It’s informative and super helpful, while also giving you a good laugh on what to expect while staying in Germany!
Oh my goodness, Katrina and I would love the library. We would be in there for hours for at least a week to enjoy it all.
Yes! We spent a good amount of time in there also. We were in awe, so beautiful! Especially for a book lover like myself!