Stuttgart

With a grand square and imposing buildings, olde worlde lanes and pedestrianised main shopping street, the heart of Stuttgart is delightful. Add in the parks, gardens and zoo, world-class interactive museums and easy access to attractions around the city via the excellent public transport network, and the capital of Baden-Württemberg is a great short break family destination at any time.

GET ACTIVE: 
Minutes from the centre on the U-5 light rail route is Killesberg Hill with its vast park, adventure playground, petting zoo and 2-km/ 1.5-mile miniature railway, with open yellow carriages. Or go swimming at one of Stuttgart’s spring-fed natural spas, such as the Leuze Mineral Spa with 8 pools (indoor and out) and a special children’s area.

ADVENTURES GALORE: 
Do you have a head for heights? In 1956, Stuttgart erected the world’s first concrete TV Tower, standing 217 m / 710 ft high. Enjoy breath-taking panoramas, as well as a meal or a coffee, from the viewing platform at 150 m / 500 ft.

EXCURSIONS AND OUTINGS: 
In nearby Ludwigsburg, visit the Märchengarten, the Fairytale Garden. The 40 scenes from fairy tales include the Sleeping Beauty and the Frog Prince, the Wolf and a scary witch straight out of Hansel and Gretel. Ludwigsburg Palace, one of Germany’s grandest, is the epitome of Baroque grandeur. But children are catered for in the Kinderreich children's museum, where youngsters four years and older can dress up and experience life at court 300 years ago.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW: 
Stuttgart is the home of two world-famous car companies. At the fascinating Mercedes-Benz Museum, learn all about motoring history, from Carl Benz’s first-ever automobile (invented in nearby Mannheim in 1886) through the development of transport. The futuristic Porsche Museum is all about sleek sporty cars. Not forgetting the Carl-Zeiss Planetarium with free English audio for all shows.

THEME PARKS: 
In the suburb of Sindelfingen, Sensapolis is Germany’s largest indoor family adventure park, a combination of leisure park, science centre and action zone.
 

NATURAL WONDERS: 
A marriage of zoo and botanical gardens, the Wilhelma is a both a Stuttgart family landmark and an international conservation leader. Think 1,200 animal species, plus 8,500 species and varieties of plants.
 

LOCAL FOOD: 
In Waldenbuch, just south of Stuttgart, is a Willy Wonka experience: Ritter Sport, the makers of the familiar square chocolate bars. Tour the ChocoExhibition; create your own favourite chocolate in the ChocoWorkshop; find great deals in the ChocoShop!
 

BEST TIME TO VISIT? 
Stuttgart is a capital city, so there is always something going on: perfect for a weekend break, short break or half term break. Highlights range from the 3-week Canstatter Volksfest, with Europe’s biggest funfair (big wheels, roller coasters, old-fashioned carousel) to the October Pumpkin Festival at the Ludwigsburg Palace. And, of course, there is one of Europe’s biggest and best Christmas markets! The 300-year-old tradition is as popular as ever, with 300 stalls across five squares and streets in the old city. For this month-long event, stall holders decorate the wooden huts with twinkling lights, pine branches, Christmas balls and angels. And most of the crafts on sale are made in the region!

TIP 1:
Save on attractions, museums and more with the StuttCard and the StuttCard PLUS for periods of 24 to 72 hrs.
 

TIP 2:
Book your stay with a Stuttgart Tourism partner hotel and get a special FREE travel ticket for the local public transport network throughout the Stuttgart Region (valid up to 8 days).
 

FUN PLACES TO STAY:
Among a range of hotels, the V8 in Böblingen is truly unique: its 28 bedrooms are themed on cars. Sleep in a bed shaped like a Cadillac; on Route 66; in a drive-in cinema.