The land of inventors

Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bosch! The Stuttgart region is the cradle of the German automobile industry and, with it, of mobility. Major technological advancements are strongly linked to formative Stuttgarters like Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach and Robert Bosch.

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Over 130 years ago, Karl Benz introduced the first production automobile with an internal combustion engine in what is considered to be the world’s first practical motorcar. Today, hundreds of thousands of modern automobiles leave the assembly lines in and around Stuttgart every year.

The highly specialised supplier industry that has developed in the region in turn supplies jobs to highly qualified employees. “From dishwasher to millionaire!”—this is the history of many family-owned business in the Stuttgart region. Large global players in the machine production, laser technology and tool production industries have their roots and headquarters in Stuttgart.

”Automobile capital Stuttgart“

The automobile capital Stuttgart is one of the oldest and most important industrial hubs in the world. To see the origins of the spirit of invention in the industry’s early days, you can visit the birthplaces and inventors’ workshops of the Swabian engineers. See where the first production automobile was developed and learn more about racing cars, the fascinating history of Porsche and Daimer as well as what the future of mobility looks like at the automakers’ respective museums, located near the companies’ factories. Both are compelling not only for their exhibitions but also for their unique architecture.

Foto: © Daimler AG

“An idea factory with great prospects for the future”

The vision of the future in the early days of industry has developed the original idea factory into a pulsing economic metropolis and a highly important technological development zone. Enterprises such as Bosch, Trumpf, Mahle and Stihl are market leaders in their sectors as well as highly-desirable employers. On guided tours of their premises you can see the machinery in action. Visitors’ days or internships offer a multifaceted and multilayered glimpse into the working world.

Foto: © Daimler AG

Nature and surroundings

A big, pulsing city in the middle of the lush, green countryside! From the viewing platform of the 150-metre-high Stuttgart Fernsehturm (telecommunications tower) located in the hills surrounding the city centre, you see it all at one glance: Stuttgart is a city nestled in amongst forests, fields and valleys. There are even vineyards in the middle of the city. Now that’s unique!

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“A city in the countryside”

Get out and discover nature! You don’t necessarily have to get out of Stuttgart. There are a vast number of green oases right in the middle of the city. The Rosensteinpark and Schlossgarten run straight through the city centre, inviting the city’s inhabitants to walk, bike and grill. In the zoological-botanical garden Wilhelma you can discover unusual plants and animals from all over the world. Only a few kilometers from the city limits lie the Black Forest, the Swabian Jura (aka Swabian Alps) and Lake Constance, all attractive destinations for adventurers and nature lovers.

“Attractive destinations right around the corner”

Those seeking peace and relaxation can head to the mineral baths: Berg, Leutze and Bad Cannstatt. Nature was good to Stuttgart, providing the city with the largest natural mineral water source in Europe after Budapest. Even the ancient Romans knew the value of Stuttgart’s healing waters. Today, the health-conscious and relaxation-seeking city dwellers spend their free time in local saunas, steam baths and pools.

Festivals and markets

Hardly a month goes by in the state capital without a festival taking place. Here an elegant one with a lovely glass of local wine, there a casual one with a Maß (one litre) of local beer! The Cannstatter Volksfest draws over four million visitors each year to the festival grounds at the gates of the city.

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“A city in a festive mood”

The Spring Festival at the Wasen kicks off the yearly series of folk festivals—it’s the start of a lively, sunny, bright summer for Stuttgarters. At the Summer Festival, visitors saunter along between elegant white tents offering culinary treats from around the world. The Lichterfest (Festival of Lights) at the Killesberg hilltop park glitters with Stuttgart’s largest musical firework display and a one-of-a-kind light show. In nearly every city district you’ll find a festival with locals and visitors mingling together. At summer’s end, our local wine festival, the Weindorf, celebrates over 1000 years of wine production with festival goers feasting on local food and enjoying local wine.

“Curious traditional festivals all year round”

Curious traditional festivals in the Stuttgart region bejewel the yearly festival calendar. At the Cabbage Festival in Filderstadt, near the Stuttgart airport, cabbage takes centre stage and the Medieval Market in Esslingen’s historical city centre is populated by craftsmen and actors in the weeks before Christmas. The Christmarket in Stuttgart is among the largest and oldest in Germany. Every year it welcomes more and more visitors from Switzerland, France and Italy to meander through its hut-filled alleys to discover the treasures there. The International Animated Film Festival is one of the most popular events in the industry with many free open-air shows. Stuttgart also welcomes the Bollywood festival to local cinemas every year.

“Narri, Narro und Horrido”

Fasching, Carnival, Fasnacht, Fasnet, Mardi Gras—in the fifth season, the fools and jesters make their mischief in this region, too. “Narri, Narro and Horrido” are called from the festival wagons in the yearly parades through the districts of Stuttgart and the surrounding regions. Whoever returns the greetings can look forward to sweet treats! Visit the crazy “Kübelesrennen” in Bad Cannstatt, the colorful parade in Weil der Stadt or the tradition-rich “Rottweiler Narrensprung” parade. With their frightening masks and costumes, the jesters and fools drive the winter away.

City and nightlife

Stuttgart has an extensive, world-class cultural programme on offer. The multi-faceted cultural scene is characterised by both renowned houses such as the Staatstheater and a young, active art scene that brings inspiration to the city with creative, temporary use of off-spaces.

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„Casual—experimental—classical-chic"

The club and party scene in Stuttgart is spread all over the city centre, with all locations easily reachable by foot. At the Hans-im-Glück fountain it’s lively and loud. Lots of bars and clubs are to be found there, turning the small square into huge open-air party, and not only in the summer. The popular bar Palast der Republik is known not only for its strange stories as a former public toilet house, but also as a favorite meeting point for an after-work beer. On the Stuttgart party mile, the Theo, you’ll find club after club for a guaranteed lively evening.

“A shopping paradise”

Stuttgarters love life in their city! In the middle of the city lies the Königstraße, a long shopping mile with traditional shops, famous fashion houses and lovingly decorated cafes. Looking for everything under one roof? Then visit one of the shopping malls: Gerber, Milaneo and Breuninger. Vintage items, craft beer and unique gift ideas are to be found in the pop-up stores in Fluxus—an alternative, temporary mall that, like its name, is always in flux.

Time travel

Knights, dukes and kings of old have left their traces in the region—fortresses, castles and ruines tell fascinating stories. The Old Castle and New Palace frame the city centre. From within the grape vines on the hills surrounding the city, one glimpse over the Neckar Valley hearkens back to the love story of King Wilhelm I.

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“40 000 years of history”

Every epoch can be experienced in the region: the Staufer city of Swäbisch Gmünd; the medieval Maulbronn Monastery, today a world heritage site; the ostentatiously baroque Ludwigsburg Palace; the centuries-old half-timbered houses in the Free Imperial City of Esslingen—living testimony to a rich history can be found throughout the region.

A trip to the area around Stuttgart can be nearly as good as time travel. The Swabian Jura have seen over 40,000 years of human history. Lichtenstein Castle is straight out of a fairy tale and, only a few kilometers from there, the oldest art from the stone age was found in the caves of the Jura.

“History you can experience”

Plenty of royal buildings can be found within the city as well. They are part of the day-to-day life of Stuttgarters. A lot of lively activity can be found in Schillerplatz when the weekly market is underway. In days gone by, the rulers used it display their wealth and power. Today these buildings, scattered around the city, are used for other purposes, such as the Alte Kanzei restaurant and the Stiftskirche church, but they are still easily recognizable. During your quest for traces of yesteryear, you can make your way to Bad Cannstatt to the Klösterle, the oldest residence in Stuttgart, which operates as a wine tavern. The Veitskapelle, a church that exists in nearly the same construction as it did when it was built in 1385, is worth a visit in Mühlhausen.

Typical pleasures

Simple or refined! Swabian cuisine is, at first glance, simple and down-to-earth. The famous maultaschen, sometimes described as Swabian ravioli, are the best example. Whether in soup, pan-fried or sauteed with onions and butter, maultaschen are delicious in any form. In lovely contrast to the cuisine of the Swabians, many highly regarded international restaurants can be found in the city. In Stuttgart, a culinary journey around the world is easy.

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“Stars in the culinary heavens”

Simple home cooking or delicious gourmet creations? Both are at home in this region. The state of Baden-Württemberg has the most Michelin-Star restaurants and Gault Millau toques in all of Germany. In Stuttgart alone there are eight restaurants that have been recognized by the French testers. The many Besenwirtschafts (local seasonal restaurants operated by vintners) such as the Stallbesen Mühlhausen or the Besen of the family Schwarz invite you to enjoy a typical Swabian evening in their rustic, cozy atmosphere. With wine from their own vineyards, you can discover and savour local products.

“Hearty Snacks”

Vesperzeit (snack time)! The hearty snacks between meals have developed into an official meal. Homemade sausage, cheese, dill pickles and mustard are served on a “Vesperbrettle” along with substantial specialties like “Wurstsalat” (sausage salad). The origin of the word Vesper lies in the church. It describes the second to last evening prayer and signals the end of the working day—how fitting!