Our Favorite Stuttgart Hotels
• 5-Star Hotel: Waldhotel
• Boutique Hotel: Jaz in the City
• Cheap Hotel: Motel One Hauptbahnhof
• Family Hotel: List Five
• Best Pool: Le Méridien
• Near Train Station: ARCOTEL Camino
• Near Airport: Hayta
The Best Area to Stay in Stuttgart
The capital city of the state of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart is one of Germany’s richest cities and a major business hub, but for most international visitors its appeal comes down to two names: Mercedes and Porsche. Both car companies are based here, and both run stylish and enlightening museums that even non-auto enthusiasts will enjoy. There’s a lot more to the city, though, which is spread over a series of valleys and hills near the Neckar Valley, not least its famed urban vineyards and weinstuben (rustic wine bars).
Though the city was heavily bombed in World War II, parts of the old center have been rebuilt and there’s a lot of history here. Stuttgart was once at the heart of the region known as Swabia, and it’s still known for its distinctive Swabian wine and food (like spätzle), as well as a regional accent that sounds a bit odd to standard German speakers. Later, Stuttgart became the seat of the House of Württemberg – Ludwigsburg briefly replaced it in the 18th century before it again became the capital of the Kingdom of Württembergin 1805.
Evidence of this rich history can be found in Stuttgart-Mitte, the city center, though only parts of the medieval old town have been preserved and much of it has been rebuilt as a modern shopping precinct. The hip Bohnenviertel district (“bean quarter”), while part of the city center, features a cluster of cool restaurants, bars, and shops that are quite distinctive. Though it’s a good idea to be based in Stuttgart–Mitte, especially if short of time, the adjacent neighborhoods of Stuttgart Nord, Ost, West, and Süd have their own attractions and often cheaper hotels, within a relative short walk or train ride from the center. The old spa town of Bad Cannstatt, now fully absorbed into the city, makes an appealing alternative base (and is home to Mercedes), while Porsche lies on the other side of the Neckar in Zuffenhausen. With more time the attractive Neckar River towns of Esslingen and Marbach – medieval centers intact – are worth a look, and Ludwigsburg is home to the “Versailles of Swabia”.
While it’s relatively easy to explore central districts on foot, to reach the outer neighborhoods you’ll have to use the city’s excellent public transport system. Stuttgart’s light rail system is the Stuttgart Stadtbahn, which along with local buses, is operated by Stuttgarter Strassenbahnen AG (SSB). The light rail is the best way to get around quickly and cheaply, with lines signified by a “U” and then a number. In addition, the Stuttgart S-Bahn (“S” plus a number) is operated by a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, with fast links to the airport, Esslingen, Marbach, and Ludwigsburg. It’s not a good idea to rent (or use) a car while here; the roads can be congested (and complicated to navigate), and parking is expensive. However, if you are planning to explore the Baden-Württemberg countryside in more detail, a rental car will be a lot more convenient.
• Note that the controversial Stuttgart 21 project is an ongoing major redevelopment of the city’s rail network – until it is complete in 2025, expect some building work and diversions to be in place around Stuttgart main train station (Hauptbahnhof). Visit the project website for more information.
Stuttgart Travel Tips
- Stuttgart Airport lies 9 miles (15km) south of the city center. The S-Bahn runs from the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) in the center in around 30 minutes (Stuttgart Stadtbahn line U6 also runs to the center). The airport is well connected to cities all over Europe, but there are no direct flights from North America. Messe Stuttgart (Stuttgart Trade Fair) is based next to the airport and shares the same S-Bahn station.
- There are two tourist information offices in Stuttgart: at Königstrasse 1a opposite the main station and at Stuttgart Airport at Terminal 3, Level 2.
- Stuttgart’s festivals are worth attending – they tend to be big but local, with far fewer international tourists than in Berlin, Frankfurt, or Munich. The Spring Festival (“Frühlingsfest”), held at the Cannstatter Wasen fairgrounds in Bad Cannstatt, usually takes place from late April to mid-May; it’s great fun but reserve hotels many months ahead if visiting at this time. August brings the open-air concerts of Sommerfest in the Schlossplatz, as well as the wine village, the Stuttgarter Weindorf. Stuttgart’s autumn and beer festival, the Cannstatter Volksfest, is a less touristy version of Munich’s Oktoberfest. Stuttgart also claims Germany’s largest Christmas Market in December.
- You’ll find a lot more English speakers in cosmopolitan Stuttgart than in small-town Germany, but not everyone working in shops and restaurants will understand you. Try to learn a few words and numbers in German before you go.
- If you intend to do a lot of sightseeing in Stuttgart, it might be worth investing in the StuttCard, which includes free public transport and free entry to most museums and attractions: contact the tourist office for the latest prices.
- Bike rental is available through bikeshare company RegioRad Stuttgart. Stuttgart is a very bike-friendly city.
- Free wi-fi is available at throughout central Stuttgart: look for “free-wifi-stuttgart (official)”. All the major squares like Schillerplatz should have a strong connection.
The Best Places to Stay in Stuttgart
- Best Luxury Hotels in Stuttgart
Kronenhotel • Le Méridien • Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin • Waldhotel- Best Boutique Hotels in Stuttgart
Der Zauberlehrling • EmiLu Design Hotel • Jaz in the City- Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels in Stuttgart
Gästehaus Ziegler • Hotel BaWü • List Five – Your British Guesthouse • Motel One Bad Cannstatt • Motel One Hauptbahnhof • Premier Inn Europaviertel • Premier Inn Feuerbach- Best Hostels in Stuttgart
Jugendherberge Stuttgart • Jugendherberge Stuttgart Neckarpark • Alex 30 • IB JugendgästehausBest Places in Stuttgart for…
- Best Place to Stay for First Timers/Sightseeing: Stuttgart-Mitte or Bad Cannstatt
If you only have one or two days in Stuttgart it makes sense to stay in the city center (Stuttgart-Mitte) – especially if traveling by train. You’ll be within walking distance of what’s left of the old town, major museums like Landesmuseum Württemberg and the Staatsgalerie, the Königstrasse shopping strip and the best bars and restaurants. The swift and convenient S-Bahn and local light rail will transport you just about anywhere else you want to go from the main train station. You might also want to consider the old spa town of Bad Cannstatt, just 4 minutes by train from central Stuttgart – the old town here retains a little more charm than Stuttgart-Mitte, which was heavily bombed in World War II and was rebuilt in a comparatively dull modern style. Cannstatt is also more convenient for the Mercedes-Benz-Museum, which is for many Stuttgart’s top attraction, and offers the chance to relax in thermal baths at MineralBad Cannstatt. You’ll also want to stay here if attending the annual Cannstatter Volksfest, Stuttgart’s beer festival.- Most Romantic Destination: Marbach am Neckar
Around 16 miles (26km) north of central Stuttgart, overlooking the Neckar, this beautiful medieval town is just 30 minutes by S-Bahn from the city. For many, its greatest claim to fame is as the birthplace of Friedrich Schiller, the beloved German playwright. You can visit Schiller’s Geburtshaus, his 1759 birthplace and now a small museum, and the Schiller National Museum, home to the German Literature Archive and more exhibits related to the great man (the museum is set to reopen in autumn 2024 after renovation). It’s also worth checking out the stylish new Tobias Mayer Museum, dedicated to little-known astronomer Tobias Mayer, born here in 1723. Romantic restaurants to try include Bootshaus Marbach, Restaurant PatJuli, and Trattoria Toscana. The hotels in Marbach are excellent, making for an atmospheric alternative to Stuttgart itself; our favorite places include Parkhotel Schillerhöhe, Hotel Bären, and Gästehaus Glock.- Best Place for Nightlife: Stuttgart-Mitte/Bohnenviertel
The city center (Stuttgart-Mitte) is the best place for visitors to sample Stuttgart nightlife, with several clusters of bars, late-night cafés, and clubs to check out.The traditional nightlife zone is Theodor-Heuss-Strasse, aka “party mile”, where numerous clubs and bars can be found; Barbados Stuttgart (Rotebühlpl 37), Havana Cafe & Cocktail, and Jigger & Spoon are not bad, and of course there’s the obligatory Irish pub, Biddy Early’s, nearby. Don’t miss Palast der Republik (Friedrichstrasse 27), a cult favorite that’s a former public toilet transformed into a beer kiosk.You’ll find another cluster of hip cocktail bars close to the Hans-im-Glück-Brunnen (fountain) at the southern end of the old town. Our favorites here include Bergamo/Detroit Bar, Mata Hari, Yart, and Ruby Bar (Königstrasse 49). Weinstube Kachelofen is great for Swabian food, wine, and beer. Clubschocken and Proton The Club are the best places for late-night dancing. Over in the Bohnenviertel district there’s Paddy’s Irish Pub, top cocktails at Schwarz-Weiss-Bar, the traditional Gaststätte Brett (Katharinenpl. 1) and Bernstein, and the excellent Weinstube Fröhlich for local wines, but you’ll find numerous others, including live jazz bars such as Jazzclub Kiste and Bix Jazzclub. Further north, near the main train station, we like the rooftop Sky Beach Stuttgart in summer, and Café Faust the rest of the year.
• Check out free listings magazine Moritz for the latest happenings in town; also Lift Stuttgart and Prinz.
• Stuttgart’s local wine is pretty good – the white Riesling and the Trollinger varieties are the best known locally. Visit a local weinstuben (wine pubs) for the best experience and wine tastings (most also serve Swabian food). You can also attend the Stuttgarter Weindorf wine festival held in August. Top weinstuben include Kachelofen, Weinhaus Stetter, and Klösterle in Bad Cannstatt.
- Best Place for Food and Restaurants: Stuttgart-Mitte
You’ll find gourmet restaurants scattered all over metro Stuttgart, but the highest concentration can be found in the city center. At the north end there’s Ritzi, 5, and Cube, while over in Bohnenviertel there’s Délice, Vetter, and the restaurant at Der Zauberlehrling. Bohnenviertel is your best bet if you want to find something more down-to-earth and local, including a smattering of international spots serving everything from Eritrean to Greek to Lebanese.• You’ll find traditional Swabian cuisine served all over Stuttgart, but especially in the weinstuben (traditional wine pubs). Typical is maultaschen (meat dumplings), spätzle (egg noodles, often served with lentils and sausages), onion tarts, zwiebelrostbraten (fried steak with onions), Gaisburger marsch (ox meat stew), and schwäbischer kartoffelsalat (Swabian potato salad), with ofenschlupfer (Swabian bread pudding) to finish. Happily, Swabian pretzels are eaten at any time.
- Best Place for Local Vibe: Stuttgart Ost
Stroll around the eastern side of the city (“Stuttgart-East”) and you’ll immediately be immersed in local life. One of the best stretches to soak up the scene is Gablenberger Hauptstrasse, lined with restaurants, bars and the highly rated Theater La Lune. Head to Ostendplatz station and walk south along Ostendstrasse. The only real attraction is the kitsch Schweinemuseum (Pig Museum), housing Erika Wilhelmer’s bizarre collection of pig-related artifacts, more than 50,000 displayed in 27 themed rooms. We like hanging out at Café Zuhause and Taraba; wandering the gardens and meadows of Park Villa Berg; the Swabian food and chicken specialties at Hendl&Gretel; the traditional Swabian dumplings at Klein’s 1 Maultaschenhäusle and the beer at Schlampazius. Apartment rentals are the best way to go here, but good hotels include Bavaria Hotel Münchner Hof, Hotel Berg, Stadthotel Am Wasen, and the Cloud No.7 serviced apartments, plus the budget Jugendherberge Stuttgart and IB Jugendgästehaus hostels at the southern end of the district.- Best Place for Shopping: Stuttgart-Mitte/Bohnenviertel
The city center is again the best place when it comes to shopping, beginning with Königstrasse, the pedestrianized boulevard leading into town from the Hauptbahnhof train station. Along here you’ll find the Königsbau Passagen mall, the GALERIA Kaufhof department store, the hip Abseits Germany fashion store, and Das Gerber mall at its southern end (where the street becomes Marienstrasse). The historic Markthalle (indoor market) is good for smoked ham, local spätzle, sausages, bread, and cheese. The whole southern half of the old town is effectively a giant open-air mall, with big name brands as well as local icons such as the Breuninger department store and the Globetrotter travel and outdoor gear shop. Bohnenviertel is the place for more alternative and independent stores, from antiques and vintage fashion to locally made jewelry and crafts. Our favorites include Tommes Schallplatten und Bücher (“Tommes records and books”), hannes roether fashion store, and the Jacques’ Wein-Depot wine market.• Stuttgart’s excellent flea market takes place on Karlsplatzin the city center (beside the Markthalle) every Saturday (usually from 8am–4pm).
- Safety in Stuttgart
Stuttgart is generally very safe by global and even German standards, though the usual precautions should be taken at night. Petty theft – pickpocketing and bag-snatching – does occur, but you’ll rarely have any problems.The 6 Best Places in Stuttgart for Tourists
1. Stuttgart-Mitte (city center)
Central Stuttgart covers a large area at the heart of the city and is where you should aim to stay if this is a short (or first) visit. The main train station (Hauptbahnhof) is here and the district is also the best place for shopping and nightlife. There’s lots to see, though Stuttgart was heavily bombed in World War II and there’s not much left of the old town; much of Stuttgart-Mitte today features modern (and to some, unattractive) architecture.
The central hub of the district is Schlossplatz, a huge, grassy square anchored by the Jubiläumssäule (a column celebrating the 60th Birthday of King Wilhelm I of Württemberg) and surrounded by grand buildings; the 18th-century Neues Schloss (now government offices), the Königsbau, the old stock exchange and a now a shopping mall, and the Kunstgebäude, which houses temporary art exhibitions. To the northeast lies the Schlossgarten park, home to the Staatstheater, while the Königstrasse, the city’s primary and pedestrian-only shopping street, runs north towards the station and south through the main commercial section of the city center. Here you’ll find the striking Kunstmuseum, an art museum with a collection of Swabian impressionists and works by Otto Dix. What’s left of the city’s Altstadt (old town) lies south of Schlossplatz, where the cobbled Schillerplatz is a genuinely atmospheric remnant of medieval Stuttgart, usually sprinkled with market stalls. The main church here is the Stiftskirche, with some exceptional art work inside. The eastern side of the square is taken up by the Altes Schloss (old castle), where Stuttgart was founded in 950 AD. There’s not much left of the medieval castle, but the excellent Landesmuseum Württemberg inside is the best place to learn about the history of the city and the region. To the south lies the Markthalle, Stuttgart’s historic indoor market and a fun place to buy snacks and souvenirs. History buffs should check out the memorial on nearby Stauffenberg-Platz, dedicated to the failed plot to assassinate Hitler in 1944 and all the victims of “National Socialism” (Nazism). The former Gestapo headquarters in nearby Hotel Silber is also a small museum. The southern half of the city center, around Marktplatz square, was almost entirely rebuilt in a bland modern style after World War II and is now a major shopping district. You’ll find clusters of historic buildings around the iconic Hans im Glück Brunnen (a fountain depicting scenes from the “Hans in Luck” fairy tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm), and the Hegel-Haus, a small but enlightening museum dedicated to seminal philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, born here in 1770.
The revitalized Bohnenviertel (“bean quarter”) on the east side of Konrad-Adenauer-Strasse features cobbled streets, indie stores, galleries, and several cozy weinstuben (wine pubs). Further north, the more residential Kernerviertel neighborhood encompasses the middle section of the Schlossgarten as well as the Haus der Geschichte Baden-Württemberg, with contemporary exhibits on regional history, and the Staatsgalerie, designed by British architect James Stirling and housing an exceptional collection of 20th-century art. Nearby, the Carl Zeiss Planetarium will thrill budding astronauts.
• There’s plenty of accommodation in central Stuttgart, though it tends to be pricey and spread out across the neighborhood. There are surprisingly few options in the old center and shopping districts around Schlossplatz (EmiLu Design Hotel is the standout) – more hotels lie around the main station (Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof) and further north around the Milaneo shopping mall, which is very convenient for travelers by train. Motel One and Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin are here. The best choice in leafy Kernerviertel is Le Méridien.
• Note that one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, Althoff Hotel am Schlossgarten, is expected to reopen in 2025 after a major refurbishment.
- The Best Hotels in Stuttgart-Mitte
Adina Apartment Hotel • Hotel phone: +49 711 490 9290
Aloft • Hotel phone: +49 711 8787 5000
ARCOTEL Camino • Hotel phone: +49 711 258580
Der Zauberlehrling • Hotel phone:+49 711 237 7770
EmiLu Design Hotel • Hotel phone: +49 711 342 0620
Jaz in the City • Hotel phone: +49 711 969840
Kronenhotel • Hotel phone: +49 711 22510
Le Méridien • Hotel phone: +49 497 112 2210
Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin • Hotel phone: +49711 20480- Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
Gästehaus Ziegler • Hotel phone: +49 711 233 3330
Hotel BaWü • Hotel phone: +49 711 5661 6288
Motel One – Hauptbahnhof • Hotel phone:+49 711 286 9680
Pension Am Heusteig • Hotel phone: +49 711 239300
Premier Inn Europaviertel • Hotel phone: +49 711 4906 7192- Best Hostel
Alex 30 • Hotel phone: +49 711 838 89502. Bad Cannstatt
Though it’s somewhat faded from its 19th-century heyday, the old spa town of Bad Cannstatt, 3km northeast of central Stuttgart (and now part of the city), retains enough charm and interest – plus some decent accommodation – to offer a genuine alternative base to Stuttgart-Mitte. Its most attractive section is the old town on the east bank of the Neckar River, where the Marktplatz (central square), and the main street Marktstrasse anchor a district of half-timbered houses, cafés, and restaurants. A little further north you can still experience the town’s famed thermal springs at SoleBad Cannstatt, and next to it see the original 19th-century Kursaal (spa hall), now partly a restaurant. Behind the Kursaal lies theleafy Kurpark, where you’ll find the Gottlieb-Daimler-Gedächtnisstätte (free entry), the greenhouse-like workshop where Gottlieb Daimler and apprentice Wilhelm Maybach pioneered the use of the internal-combustion engine and the automobile in the 1880s.This is a good introduction to what is for many the prime attraction in Stuttgart; the futuristic Mercedes-Benz-Museum. As well as providing a comprehensive history of the company, beginning with Daimler’s pioneering motorbike, you’ll see just about every landmark Mercedes vehicle ever made, including the Silver Arrows of the 1920s and 1930s. Nearby, you can catch a soccer game at Mercedes-Benz Arena, home of top German soccer club VfB Stuttgart, or a concert at Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle. Kids will enjoy the Wilhelma Zoo on the other side of the Neckar, and the Strassenbahnmuseum, aka “World of Trams”, which displays every tram that’s served the city from the first horse-drawn system of 1868 to the modern day.
• Bad Cannstatt is the location of Stuttgart’s biggest festival: the annual Cannstatter Volksfest, a traditional autumn carnival better known as Stuttgart’s beer festival, a far less touristy Oktoberfest.
• S-Bahn lines S1, S2 and S3 run to Bad Cannstatt station from Stuttgart main station in just 4 minutes, every 10 min or so; U-Bahn line U2 stops at the “Kursaal” station.
- The Best Hotels in Bad Cannstatt
Hilton Garden Inn NeckarPark • Hotel phone:+ 49 711 900550
Hotel Spahr • Hotel phone: +49 711 553930
Krehl’s Linde • Hotel phone: +49 711 520 4900
Motel One – Bad Cannstatt • Hotel phone: +49 711 2184 0200- Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
B&B Hotel – Bad Cannstatt • Hotel phone: +49 711 6335 7990
Vier Jahreszeiten • Hotel phone: +49 711 561581- Best Hostel
Jugendherberge Stuttgart Neckarpark • Hotel phone: +49 711 664 74703. Stuttgart-Nord
Of all central Stuttgart’s surrounding neighborhoods, “Stuttgart-North” offers the most interest to visitors. The beautiful gardens of Rosensteinpark harbor the Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart, a mildly interesting natural history museum inside the grand Schloss Rosenstein (the gardens once belonged to the castle). The sister museum – Naturkundemuseum am Löwenstein on the other side of the park – is more interesting, housing a decent collection of dinosaur skeletons and fossils.
Further west lies another pleasant green space, the Killesbergpark, topped by the 141-foot (43-meter) Killesbergturm, a modern observation tower with double-helix stairs and fabulous views. Kids will enjoy the nearby Killesbergbahn, a mini steam railway. Just south of the park lies the Weissenhofsiedlung, a landmark housing estate built in 1927 featuring the latest in “Modernist” architecture. The main focus here is the two dwellings designed by celebrated architect Le Corbusier. From here it’s a 20-minute walk to the Bismarckturm, a ceremonial tower built on Gähkopf hill in 1904 to honor German Chancellor Bismarck–it’s one of the best (of admittedly many) views of Stuttgart, via a climb of 92 steps. Also in Stuttgart-Nord, noted performing arts centers Theaterhaus Stuttgart and Friedrichsbau.
• You’ll find a smattering of generally cheap hotels up here, compared to the city center, and good transport links make it a good value alternative to Stuttgart-Mitte. We’ve also included hotels in the adjacent district of Feuerbach.
- The Best Hotels in Stuttgart-Nord
Hotel Azenberg • Hotel phone:+49 711 225 5040
Motel One – Feuerbach • Hotel phone: +49 711 3277 9230
Moxy Feuerbach • Hotel phone: +49 711 9688 9900- Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
a&o Stuttgart City • Hotel phone: +49 711 2527 7400
ibis Stuttgart City • Hotel phone: +49 711 255510
the niu Form • Hotel phone: +49 711 1842 0940
Premier Inn Feuerbach • Hotel phone: +49 711 2070 19874. Zuffenhausen
The northern district of Zuffenhausen is best known for being the headquarters of Porsche and the Porsche Museum. Like the Mercedes museum, the high-tech Porsche complex offers a fascinating look at the sports car manufacturer, beginning with thestory of founder Ferdinand Porsche, who had been Daimler’s technical director until striking out on his own in 1938. Audioguides and touchscreens enhance the experience. Though there are plenty of hotels here, there’s not much point in staying in Zuffenhausen unless your primary aim is to visit Porsche (there’s nothing much else to see).
• Stuttgart Neuwirtshaus (Porscheplatz) station isserved by lines S6 and S60 – it’s just 11 minutes from Stuttgart main station.
- The Best Hotels in Zuffenhausen
Alpha & Omega Hotel • Hotel phone: +49 711 993 1350
Landschloss Korntal • Hotel phone: +49 711 838 8800
LOGINN Zuffenhausen • Hotel phone: +49 711 340 3270
Mercure Zuffenhausen • Hotel phone: +49 711 820 0100
Best Western Loftstyle • Hotel phone: +49 711 993 7450- Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
B&B Hotel Zuffenhausen • Hotel phone: +49 711 6997 22905. Ludwigsburg
Some 9 miles (15km) north of central Stuttgart, the small town of Ludwigsburg was the seat of the Württemberg dukes in the 18th century and has ended up with Germany’s largest Baroque palace – aka the “Swabian Versailles”. The palace is worth a visit alone, but Ludwigsburg is a pleasant place to explore for a day or two, with plenty of hotels to make an overnight stay worthwhile. The hub of the old town is the enchanting Marktplatz, surrounded by historic buildings, churches, and cafés. The main event, Schloss Ludwigsburg lies in landscaped gardens (Blühendes Barok) a short walk away, built for Duke Eberhard Ludwig in the early 1700s. You can tour around 60 opulent rooms inside, plus visit the on-site ceramics, fashion, and art museums (all included). A little further north lies Schloss Favorite, an equally lavish summer palace built around the same time. Complete the royal trio by visiting the Monrepos Lakeside Palace, another extravagant hunting lodge built for the Duke some 3 miles (5km) north, and still owned by the royal family of Württemberg.
Ludwigsburg is also known for its annual Christmas Market, one of the most beautiful in Germany; the Pferdemarkt (horse festival) in mid-May; and the arts-oriented Schlossfestspiele (June to mid-September).
• Frequent S-Bahn trains (S4 and S5) take just 16 minutes to zip between Stuttgart and Ludwigsburg main station, a short walk from the Marktplatz and Schloss.
• From mid-May to mid-October, Neckar Käpt’n runs cruises down the Neckar River between Ludwigsburg-Hoheneck (2 miles/3km from central Ludwigsburg) and Besigheim via Marbach, and also up river to central Stuttgart.
- The Best Hotels in Ludwigsburg
Best Western Favorit • Hotel phone: +49 714 976770
Boutique-Hotel Kronenstuben • Hotel phone: +49 714 1643 0000
Hotel Bergamo • Hotel phone: +49 714 1689 2399
Cocco-Bello in der Villa Foret • Hotel phone:+49 151 2408 8824
Goldener Pflug • Hotel phone: +49 714 144110
Nestor Hotel • Hotel phone: +49 714 19670- Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
Campuszwei • Hotel phone:+49 714 1299 9960
Hotel NH • Hotel phone: +49 714 115090
ibis budget • Hotel phone: +49 714 129 97006. Esslingen
Another worthwhile trip along the Neckar River is to the pretty medieval town of Esslingen, about 9 miles (14km) southeast of Stuttgart city center. The old town here has been wonderfully preserved, sprinkled with more than 200 half-timbered (fachwerk) gingerbread houses straight out of the Brothers Grimm fairy stories. (Esslingen lies on the Deutsche Fachwerkstrasse, a tourist route that takes in the best of Germany’s old towns.) Highlights include a visit to Kessler, Germany ́s oldest sparkling-wine producer; the tiny Baroque houses and shops perched on the Inner Bridge; the 15th-century Town Hall; the Esslingen “Burg” (Castle); and the city museum in the medieval “Yellow House”.
• S-Bahn line S1 runs between Stuttgart and Esslingen in around 15 minutes
• Esslingen also hosts an annual Medieval Market and Christmas Market.
- The Best Hotels in Esslingen
Hotel am Berg • Hotel phone: +49 711 3105 9960
Hotel Berkheimer Hof • Hotel phone: +49 711 345 1607
Hotel am Schillerpark • Hotel phone: +49 711 931330
Hotel Jägerhaus • Hotel phone: +49 711 370330
Hotel Zeller Zehnt • Hotel phone: +49 711 930 8100- Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
the niu Timber • Hotel phone: +49 711 5285 2290Other Stuttgart Neighborhoods
We’ve covered our favorite neighborhoods to visit and stay in more detail above, but with more time the following districts are also worth checking out:
- Stuttgart-Süd: The sprawling “Stuttgart South” district is primarily residential but there a few attractions worth checking out here. The main square, Marienplatz, is where the 19th-century Zahnradbahn (cog railway, aka “Zacke”) begins its run up to Degerloch (see below) – it’s only 1.4 miles (2.2km) long but the views are stellar. The Lehenviertel neighborhood (just south of the city center) largely avoided World War II destruction and its streets are lined with grand Art Nouveau buildings, making for a pleasant stroll. Adjacent Heusteigviertel features a similar stock of Wilhelminian (or “Gründerzeit”) and Art Nouveau architecture, laced with cafés, restaurants, and indie shops. A popular street festival takes place here every June. Our favorite hotels in Stuttgart-Süd are the Park Inn, the friendly List Five – Your British Guesthouse, and the budget ibis Centrum.
- Degerloch: The Zahnradbahn cog railway ends up in leafy Degerloch, one of the more rustic of Stuttgart’s suburbs. You’ll need to take a taxi from the station to Das Haus des Waldes (House of the Forest). Run by the largest forestry company in Germany, this beautifully designed center is a great place to learn about and to experience temperate forests – it’s a big hit with kids. From Nägelestrasse station it’s a short walk to the Fernsehturm TV tower, built in 1956 and offering sensational views across the whole city. (Restaurant Leonhardts at the top is open weekends.) Top hotels in Degerloch include the posh Waldhotel and the cheaper Hotel Waldhorn.
- Stuttgart-West: Another sprawling neighborhood, Stuttgart-West is enlivened by a large student population thanks to the Universität Stuttgart – there are lots of cheap cafes and bars around the Schwabstrasse station, and along parallel Breitscheidstrasse and Schlossstrasse. Not far from the city center is the Feuersee, a small lake dominated by the picturesque Johanneskirche, a neo-Gothic church (you can ice-skate on the lake in winter). On the university campus itself is the Linden Museum, with an extensive ethnographic collection. Further west is the vast Rotwildpark, ideal for hiking and biking, and littered with historic monuments and old mansions. You can also climb the Birkenkopf, Stuttgart’s highest point, or admire the small but beautiful Heslacher Wasserfälle (waterfall). The district’s biggest attraction lies at its far western edge (its takes two buses to get here from the city center, much easier by taxi or car): Schloss Solitude is a grand Rococo palace built in the 1760s to serve as the main summer residence of the Württemberg court – the interior rooms are spectacular. The best hotels in Stuttgart-West actually lie close to the city center, within walking distance of the main attractions of Stuttgart-Mitte: Central-Classic, Maritim, and Novum Rega Stuttgart.
- There’s not much point in staying near Stuttgart Airport in the southern part of the city unless you have an early flight or want to attend a trade show at the Messe (it’s an easy S-Bahn or train ride from the city center). If you do need to stay here, the best hotels are the convenient Mövenpick, plus Hayta Airport Messe, Hotel Filderland, Moxy, and good value B&B Hotel Airport/Messe.
About Santorini Dave
I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece, offering recommendations for top hotels, neighborhoods, and family-friendly hotels worldwide. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.