8 Best Things to Do in Stuttgart

Schlossplatz is where you’ll find historical sites and museums set alongside Stuttgart’s trendy restaurants, bars, and shopping venues. Located in central Stuttgart, this 18th-century square offers plenty of sightseeing spots, including the New Palace, Koenig Wilhelm Jubilee Column, and the Württemberg State Museum. 

Schlossplatz is a popular meeting spot and venue for annual festivities, such as Stuttgart Wine Village, Stuttgart Summer Festival, and Christmas Market. The area is best explored on foot thanks to its pedestrian-friendly streets and green spaces, where you can rest your feet throughout the day.

Landesmuseum Württemberg houses an extensive collection of artefacts dating back to the Stone Age. This historical museum is set within the Old Castle in Schillerplatz, about a 10-minute walk from Schlossplatz in central Stuttgart. Among the many treasures found here are the Württemberg crown jewels, the glass collection of Ernesto Wolf, and early Celtic ceremonial tombs. There's a small fee to enter and there are audio guides in English and German if you want to learn more about the museum’s exhibits.

Wilhelma Zoo & Botanical Garden dates back to mid-19th century, when it was originally a Moorish garden for King Wilhelm I. Today, it’s one of Europe’s largest zoological and botanical gardens, where you can find over 1,000 species of animals from all over the world. Within the zoo are rare rhinoceroses, flamingos, tigers, and polar bears, all kept in realistic natural habitats. The botanical park spans 280,000 sq m, with tree-lined footpaths and Moorish Revival buildings and glasshouses.

The Mercedes Benz Museum is an impressive automobile museum in central Stuttgart. Here, you can learn about the brand’s 100-year history through interactive displays, stop-motion animation, and models. Among the many vehicles found in the museum are the world’s first automobile, built by Karl Benz in 1886, and the S-Class W 116. A guided automobile tour in English is available from Tuesday to Sunday at 11 am. Visit between 4.30 pm and 6 pm to enjoy a discount on admission fees.

Markthalle, built in 1914, is an Art Nouveau marketplace in Stuttgart city centre. Inside, you can find over 50 stalls selling a variety of fresh produce, wine, flowers, spices, and speciality food from all over the world. While you’re here, be sure to stock up on German pastries, delicatessen, cheese, ham, and sausages. There are several restaurants on the upper level, where you can enjoy a view of the market’s bustling atmosphere from above. Guided tours can be arranged if you want to learn more the history of the Markthalle.

Königsbau Passagen is a 5-storey shopping arcade that contains over 70 retail outlets, restaurants, and offices. Located in Schlossplatz, this 45,000 sq m complex dates back to the mid-19th century, with 34 Classicist-style columns decorating the main entrance and a large courtyard with a glass roof. You can find just about anything in this city mall, from cameras, clothing, and jewellery, to chocolate, fresh produce, and souvenirs.

There are about 19 natural springs within Stuttgart, making it one of the largest mineral water resources in Europe. Thermal baths are popular during the colder months, but you can visit one any time of the year. One of the city’s best spa centres is DAS LEUZE Mineral Spa, located 4 km northeast of Stuttgart city centre. This award-winning retreat has 14 saunas and 8 heated swimming pools, plus mineral indoor and outdoor pools with a total span of 1,700 sq m. Its most popular feature is Winzersauna, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Neckar River and surrounding vineyards.

Staatstheater Stuttgart is a multi-venue theatre dedicated to opera, ballet, and stage performances. Built between 1909 and 1912, the former Royal Court Theatre features impressive décor, including a picturesque ceiling fresco in the auditorium and several marble busts of famous poets and composers on the first floor. A variety of classical performances are held at Staatstheater Stuttgart throughout the year, making it a popular place to unwind in the evening.