Stuttgart Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)

Stuttgart is an ancient city, dating back 2,000 years, and as such has a fine choice of tourist attractions. Sightseeing opportunities range from its two superb city castles (Altes Schloss and Neues Schloss) through a plethora of museums, heritage buildings, palaces and several superb examples of post-modern architecture.

Sightseeing outside the centre of Stuttgart is just as rewarding, with lush green parks, vineyards, a famous zoological-cum-botanical garden (the Wilhelma Zoologisch Botanischer Garten), lakes and yet more heritage attractions and sights.

Neues Schloss (New Castle)

Address: Schlossplatz 4, Stuttgart, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0711 6673 4331
The construction of the baroque / classical Neues Schloss was completed in 1807, but suffered severe damage during WWII and has since been carefully restored for use as government offices. Its superb frontage is well worth a look, as is the collection of Roman stone fragments in its cellars, which are open to the public.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Bohnenviertel

Address: Stuttgart, Germany, DE
Bohnenviertel is the oldest part of the city, having developed in the 14th century as a home to winemakers, craftsmen and the local Jewish community. Later, it became infamous as the city's red light district and nowadays its cobbled streets are home to an eclectic selection of designer hotels, boutiques and wine bars.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Altes Schloss (Old Castle)

Address: Schillerplatz 1, Stuttgart, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0711 8953 5111
Situated in the very heart of the city, this massive and impressive castle was built as a defensive fortress late in the 10th century and later became the residence of the Wurttemberg Dukes, who enlarged it into a magnificent Renaissance palace. During the early 1930s, the castle was badly damaged by a fire, and then bombed in WWII. Following much renovation work in the late 1960s, the Altes Schloss is now fully restored to its former glory and the inner courtyard, with its terraced cloisters, is a true gem.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for families, children and groups

Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church)

Address: Stiftstrasse 12, Stuttgart, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0711 294 292
The Stiftskirche is Stuttgart's main Protestant place of worship, and was completed in 1531 on the site of several earlier churches. Its twin Gothic towers reach for the sky and measure in at some 60 metres / 200 feet. Inside it boasts its original golden pulpit and magnificent stained glass. The burial vaults of the former ruling family of Wurttemberg are here. Particularly interesting is the local building legislation which now ensures that no building in the city can ever been taller than the Stiftskirche.
Open hours: Monday - 09:00 to 17:30, Tuesday - 12:00 to 17:30, Friday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:30
Admission: free

Weissenhof Settlement

Address: Schenkendorfstrasse 6, Stuttgart, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0711 854 641
This fascinating Art Deco complex of structures was built in 1927 as a blueprint for future residential city living, and is considered one of the finest examples of 20th-century architecture in Europe. Sixteen famous architects, including Le Corbusier and Peter Behrens, were all involved in this ambitious project.
Open hours: tours can be arranged and take place Saturdays between 11:00 and 13:00
Admission: charge

Konigsbau / Stock Exchange

Address: Schlossplatz, Stuttgart, Germany, DE
The massive and magnificent late Classical-style Konigsbau was commissioned in the mid-19th century by King Wilhelm I for use as a ballroom, concert hall and business centre, and was formerly home to Stuttgart's Stock Exchange between the years of 1991 and 2002. Dominating the Schlossplatz, the Konigsbau forms the north-westerly side of this prominent public square and stands alongside the bustling Konigsbau Passages, where a multitude of shops await tourists.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Stuttgart tourist attraction admission:

Veitskapelle (St. Vitus Chapel)

Address: Meierberg 16, Stuttgart- Muhnlhausen, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0711 532 313
This charming and original 14th-century chapel is considered to be an important Gothic treasure in the region, and was built by Prague master masons. The beautiful frescos in the interior of the Veitskapelle depict the life of St. Vitus and Biblical scenes, while the graves of important local nobility may also be of interest. Of note, the original high altar now resides within the State Gallery.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Schlossgarten (Palace Garden)

Address: Royal Gardens, Stuttgart, Germany, DE
The Schlossgarten is a narrow stretch of landscaped gardens, measuring some 3 km / 2 miles in length, by little more than 200 metres / 650 feet in width, being edged by the New Palace and the Rosenstein Park at either end. Divided into three sections - Lower (Unterer), Middle (Mittlerer) and Upper (Oberer), the Schlossgarten is brimming with pathways, formal fountains and seating. During the summer months, the beer garden within the Unterer Schlossgarten draws the crowds.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Wilhelma Zoologisch Botanischer Garten (Wilhelma Zoo / Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Gardens)

Address: Rosensteinpark, Stuttgart, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0711 540 20
The Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Gardens is an extremely popular family attraction in Stuttgart and resides in the Rosenstein Park, within the grounds of the Schloss Rosenstein and close to the Palace Garden. Combining exotic animals, botanical specimens and historical buildings, the zoo is home to a huge variety of different animal species, with firm favourites including polar bears, birds of prey, elephants, hippos, howler monkeys, rhinos, sea lions and zebras.
Open hours: daily, May to August - 08:15 to 19:00; April and September - 08:15 to 18:30; October - 08:15 to 18:00; November to March - 08:15 to 16:30
Admission: charge

Carl Zeiss Planetarium

Address: Willy Brandt Strasse 25, Stuttgart, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0711 162 9215
Located on the south-eastern side of the Mittlerer Schlossgarten, the Carl Zeiss Planetarium ranks amongst the best in Germany and is known for its distinctive pyramid shape. Various shows are staged here, using innovative state-of-the-art technology, explaining aspects of astronomy and the solar system. Additional programmes are available for children, as well as frequent musical performances, public lectures and seminars.
Open hours: Tuesday and Thursday - 09:00 to 11:00, 14:00 to 16:30, Wednesday and Friday - 09:00 to 11:00, 14:00 to 16:30, 19:00 to 21:30, Saturday and Sunday - 13:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge