You are visiting Stuttgart and want to know what’s worth seeing in the city? In this article, you will find an overview of the 20 most exciting sights in Stuttgart.
Welcome to Stuttgart, the vibrant capital of Baden-Württemberg and a melting pot of history, culture and innovation. Situated in the middle of the picturesque Neckar Valley, this multi-faceted city offers a wealth of fascinating sights that inspire visitors from all over the world. From magnificent palaces and historical monuments to renowned museums, idyllic parks and architectural masterpieces - Stuttgart impresses with a rich cultural heritage and a lively atmosphere that makes every visit unforgettable. Immerse yourself in the variety of sights that this unique city has to offer.
Top 20 sights in Stuttgart
Porsche Museum
The Porsche Museum in Stuttgart offers a journey through the history of the Porsche brand. Not only the legendary sports cars are presented here, but also the history behind the brand and its technological development. Car enthusiasts can look forward to an impressive collection of vehicles - from the earliest prototypes to the latest models. The exhibition is designed to be interactive and offers visitors the opportunity to view the vehicles up close and even get inside some of them.
Mercedes-Benz Museum
The architecture of the Mercedes-Benz Museum alone is worth a visit. A double helix structure around the central core, neither closed rooms nor straight walls, 33-meter-wide ceilings without supports and 1,800 different window panes make the building an architectural highlight. Most visitors, however, come for the impressive collection of over 160 vehicles of all kinds, the brand history and other exhibits on an area of over 16,500 square meters.
Wilhelma Stuttgart - zoo and botanical garden
With around one million visitors a year, Wilhelma is one of the most visited zoological gardens in Germany. Almost 1200 animal species from all over the world can be admired here on around 30 hectares, which means that Wilhelma is the zoo with the second-highest diversity of species in Germany. In addition, around 8500 plant species can be discovered in the botanical garden.
Television tower (Fernsehturm)
The oldest television tower in the world is located in Stuttgart. Since 1956, the tower has defied wind and weather at a height of 217 meters. Thanks to numerous architectural innovations, it marked the beginning of a new era in tower construction. For example, it was the first of its kind to be made of reinforced concrete. Nowadays, tourists can enjoy the view from the viewing platform or dine with a view in the restaurant. Those interested can also book a guided tour of the TV tower, which includes access to the tower's foundations.
Stuttgart City Library (Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart)
The Stuttgart City Library on Mailänder Platz is known for its modern architecture and innovative design, making it a striking landmark in the city. The city library building, designed by Korean architect Eun Young Yi, is known for its minimalist aesthetics and unusual cubic shape. The clear lines and geometric precision of the building are what make it so fascinating for many.
Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
Stuttgart is home to one of the most important art museums in Germany. Originally founded by King Wilhelm I of Württemberg as the “Museum of Fine Arts”, it now displays around 5,000 exhibits of old German, Italian and Dutch paintings as well as other works of art and sculptures from 1800 to 1980. There are also changing special exhibitions of modern art to marvel at.
Schlossplatz with the New Palace (Neues Schloss), Königstraße and Königsbau-Passagen
The Schlossplatz is located in the heart of Stuttgart and invites visitors to linger and stroll. It is bordered by the imposing New Palace (Neues Schloss), which was once the residence of the Württemberg dukes and kings. Today, the Ministry of Finance is based here, which is why the New Palace can only be visited as part of irregular guided tours. Opposite the New Palace is the Königsbau Passagen - Stuttgart's No. 1 shopping address. 60 stores and restaurants can be explored here. Königstraße also runs directly along Schlossplatz. At 1.2 kilometers long, it is one of the longest and most popular shopping streets in Germany.
Markthalle Stuttgart
The Markthalle has been located in the heart of Stuttgart since 1914. Today you can shop, sample and explore the culinary variety at over 30 stalls. Various traders such as bakeries, butchers and fishmongers offer their wares for sale. Spices, sweets, wines and international delicacies can also be sampled here. And you can also marvel at the impressive architecture of the market hall - from the glass roof to the Ceres fountain and the façade decorations.
Solitude Palace (Schloss Solitude)
The late Baroque Solitude Palace, which is located above Stuttgart on the Solitudeberg, is another historical sight worth seeing in the city. It is characterized by its symmetrical façade, delicate ornamentation and splendid interior. Solitude Palace also offers a beautiful view of Stuttgart and the Swabian Alb. The surrounding area is ideal for picnics, walks and hikes. Solitude Palace itself can be visited as part of a guided tour.
Stuttgart Art Museum (Cube)
The Museum of Fine Arts is located on Schlossplatz and Königstraße directly in Stuttgart's city center. It was given the nickname “Kubus” or “Cube” due to its striking shape. It was opened in 2005 and houses the most important collection of works by the artist Otto Dix, for example. Numerous works by other artists and ever-changing special exhibitions can also be viewed here.
Max-Eyth-See
A popular excursion and recreation destination in Stuttgart is the Max-Eyth-See. Sunbathing, walking, pedal boating - there is something for everyone to relax at the lake. A restaurant and a beer garden provide refreshments. If you like, you can walk, cycle or inline skate around the lake. Bird lovers can observe many bird species in the bird conservation area. The lake is 575 meters long and 345 meters wide.
Stuttgart Opera House (Opernhaus Stuttgart)
The Württemberg State Theaters consist of the Stuttgart State Opera, the Stuttgart Ballet and the Stuttgart Theatre. The Stuttgart Opera House is considered one of the world's leading opera houses. The historic building with its characteristic classical columns can be visited on a guided tour. Lovers of classical music can attend performances of “Götterdämmerung” (Twilight of the Gods, Wagner), “Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny” (Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, Weill), “Il Trovatore” (Verdi) and many other events in summer 2024.
Chinese Garden Stuttgart
The Chinese Garden Stuttgart offers a relaxing viewing platform in a semi-elevated position with a panoramic view over the city center. It is open to residents and guests of the city free of charge every day. Officially it is called the “Qingyin Garden”, which means “Garden of Beautiful Melody”. The garden was a present to the city from the Chinese province of Jiangsu as part of the 1993 International Horticultural Exhibition.
Bärenschlössle and Parkseen
The Bärenschlössle is a historic hunting lodge that was built in Stuttgart's Botnang district in the 19th century. It served as a royal residence and is now a popular excursion destination as well as a museum offering insights into the history of hunting and royal life. The surrounding park lakes include the Bärensee, the Neue See and the Pfaffensee. They offer an idyllic setting for walks, picnics and relaxation.
Feuersee Stuttgart with Johanneskirche
The Feuersee is a small artificial lake in the center of Stuttgart-West, which is overlooked by the Johanneskirche. The Johanneskirche is a Protestant church in neo-Gothic style, which is located on the shore of the lake and is a striking landmark of the city of Stuttgart. The atmosphere around the lake is particularly charming, with cafés and restaurants inviting you to take a short break in the middle of the city.
Teehaus Stuttgart in Weißenburgpark
Located in the south of Stuttgart is the Teehaus Stuttgart in Weißenburgpark. A listed Art Nouveau pavilion, which was once part of the magnificent Villa Weißenburg, enchants visitors with its elegant architecture and historic ambience. Guests can relax on the terrace while gazing out over the pond and fountain. Inside, they will find a ceiling painting in rococo style that is well worth seeing. The semi-elevated position of the teahouse not only offers a picturesque backdrop, but also a magnificent view of the city of Stuttgart. The adjacent Weißenburgpark invites you to take long walks and, with its viewing terrace and the Marble Hall, offers further highlights for those keen to explore.
Karlshöhe
On the Karlshöhe in Stuttgart, visitors can expect a breathtaking view of the Stuttgart valley with its vineyards. Originally, Karlshöhe was a quarry. Today, Karlshöhe is an enchanting park with English-style gardens that invite you to linger and explore. The harmonious combination of nature and architecture makes this place a popular excursion destination for locals and tourists alike.
StadtPalais - Museum for Stuttgart
The StadtPalais is a museum about Stuttgart's city history. It was opened in 2018 and offers a permanent exhibition on the city's history as well as a city laboratory for children. Special exhibitions are also held here from time to time. The “EURO Legends Stuttgart” exhibition will take place from May 17 to July 14 for the 2024 European Championships. It will showcase the soccer history of Belgium, Denmark, Scotland, Slovenia, Ukraine, Hungary and Germany. Iconic games, history and anecdotes provide an interesting insight into the soccer nations that will be visiting Stuttgart for the European Championships.
Weißenhofsiedlung
The Weißenhofsiedlung in Stuttgart is an important architectural ensemble that was built in 1927 in response to the social and urban planning challenges of the interwar period. It was conceived under the direction of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as an international exhibition of modern residential architecture and was designed by leading architects and designers of the time, including Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Hans Scharoun, Bruno Taut and many others. The Weissenhof Estate was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. It remains an important attraction for architecture enthusiasts from all over the world to this day.
Stuttgart rack railroad
The “Zacke” has served as a connection between Marienplatz in the south and Degerloch on the Filder plain since 1884. It is one of only four remaining rack railroads in Germany and the only one that is not used exclusively for tourist purposes, but is part of the local public transport system. If you want a beautiful view over Stuttgart, you can travel to the “Haigst” stop, for example, and enjoy the view from Santiago de Chile Square.
Further highlights in Stuttgart:
- Burial chapel (Grabkapelle) on the Württemberg
- Collegiate Church Stuttgart (Stiftskirche)
- Killesberg Tower and Höhenpark Killesberg
- Stuttgart Old Palace (Altes Schloss)
- Villa Berg
- Eugensplatz Stuttgart
- Bad Cannstatt spa gardens (Kurpark)
- Burgholzhof