Your guide to Stuttgart / Things to do if you only have 24/48 hours in Stuttgart
Only 24-48 hours in Stuttgart
Stuttgart is a modern and vibrant German city where past and present coexist harmoniously. It's one destination that's worth a stop whether you're into fine dining, luxury cars or stunning architecture. Do you want to know what you can do in Stuttgart in one or two days? Here are a variety of activities to indulge in during your next quick trip to Stuttgart.
Climb Fernsehturm Stuttgart
Fernsehturm Stuttgart, Jahnstraße 120 70597 Stuttgart
Start your first 24 hours in Stuttgart at the Fernsehturm Stuttgart. Climb the former TV tower to the viewing platform before you do anything else. You'll be treated to glorious panoramic views of the city and beyond. On a clear day, you just may spot the Swabian Alps in the distance.
Take in Some Shopping
After taking in the views, you can get a major shopping experience along Marktstraße. Dorotheen Quartier is a rebuilt public space around the Karlsplatz arcade. Inside the gleaming buildings, you can find swanky shops for brands like BoConcept, Louis Vuitton, Tiger of Sweden and Tesla. This is also where the major European department store Breuninger has its sprawling flagship store, which houses fine international fashion and lifestyle brands like Armani, Miu Miu, and Prada.
Just around the corner on Dorotheenstraße is the Markthalle Stuttgart, where visitors can find all sorts of retailers inside the market hall. You can find ethnic grocery items, spices and teas, produce, game meat, coffees, confectioneries and so much more. The Markthalle also has three sit-down gastronomy outlets, including Tapasbar Desirée for Spanish delicacies.
Linger in the Heart of the City
If you have only one day in Stuttgart you must check out the city's historic district. It's the heart of the town and a delightful place to linger. The Schlossplatz is an excellent starting point for a tour. This large plaza is dominated by the Jubilee Column and is within walking distance of the city's most popular attractions. Less than a block away is Waranga, a great cafe and bar for you to grab a refreshing drink while people-watching. If you're there on the weekend, you might catch a DJ spinning some electronic music.
Have a Bite to Eat
Weinstube Fröhlich, Leonhardstraße 5, 70182
Have lunch at the centrally located Weinstube Fröhlich restaurant. The classic Swabian food and excellent regional wines are sure to delight your palate, especially the highly recommended Zwiebelrostbraten with Spatzle, a beef dish featuring slices of sirloin served with fried onions. You'll enjoy excellent service in an intimate atmosphere.
Check Out Some Cars
Porsche Museum, Porscheplatz 1, 70435
Mercedes-Benz Museum, Mercedesstraße 100, 70372
If cars are your thing, Stuttgart is the ideal destination for you. The city is the home of both world-renowned automakers Mercedes and Porsche. They're located on opposite sides of the city, so you may have to save one location for tomorrow: Why not start with the Porsche Museum?
The dynamic architecture of this facility is designed to portray the innovative nature of the brand itself. Follow the progression of Porsche vehicles through exhibits and the cars on display. The most popular exhibition in the museum is the 12-meter interactive touch wall. Browse an estimated 3,000 drawings, photos and posters from Porsche's vast historical archive.
The Mercedes-Benz Museum is an unparalleled attraction in Stuttgart. It covers the rise of this world-famous automotive brand since it began in 1886 and showcases a variety of spectacular vehicles with more than 1,500 different exhibits.
The museum's bold architecture is a sight to behold all on its own, covering a total of 16,500 square meters. It offers guests 12 rooms filled with displays that feature some of the oldest automobiles ever built, plus futuristic prototype vehicles. Exploring either of the museums will take a couple of hours, and by the time you're back in the city, you're bound to be hungry.
Get Breakfast at Grand Café Planie
If you plan to spend 48 hours in Stuttgart, of course, you want to make the most of every minute. Start your second day of excursions with a hot breakfast from Grand Café Planie. It offers divine breakfast treats such as schinken croissants with coffee, as well as heartier fare like the Omelette Andalus, a seafood omelet.
Indulge in Arts and Culture
Kunstmuseum, KleinerSchloßplatz 1, 70173
Contemporary art lovers will want to swing by the Kunstmuseum when visiting Stuttgart. Its stunning architecture contributes to the museum's success. Shaped like a glass cube, the building catches the eye by day and lights up the sky at night.
The museum houses three floors, featuring a total of 5,000 square meters of exhibition space. Part of this space is reserved for special exhibitions, while some areas highlight the public art collection. Kunstmuseum touts an impressive array of the work of Otto Dix, while the "Frischzelle" series is dedicated to young contemporary artists. Much of the museum is situated underground in a former traffic tunnel system where you'll find smaller thematic and monographic exhibitions.
Why not indulge in a leisurely lunch at the museum's rooftop Cube Restaurant? This moderately priced cafe features a refreshing summer leaf salad or a savoury Tajine of Eggplant. You'll be surrounded by glass with fantastic views of the cityscape right from your table.
Explore the Library
Stuttgart City Library, Mailänder Platz 1, 70173
Before you leave Stuttgart, take some time to visit the City Library. Located just around the corner from Stuttgart's main station, the building's beautiful minimalist interior is a stark white in order to minimize distractions. Comfortable sofas are scattered across each floor for those who want to relax and stretch out while they read. Browse through thousands of books of all kinds.
The library was featured in National Geographic Traveler and is one of the world's most photogenic public libraries. It takes the act of reading a book to a whole new level. Bookmark this location for any future trip to the city, as just one visit won't do it justice. Before you head out, climb up to the roof terrace for a last glance over the city of Stuttgart before you head home.
Stuttgart is the ideal destination for history buffs, car enthusiasts, and foodies. Even if you only have 24 or 48 hours to spend in this charming part of Germany, there's plenty of interesting and exciting things to see and do. Which one will become your new favourite?