---
type: "Article"
title: "City trip to Stuttgart – Culture, Lifestyle and Innovation"
description: "When I think of Stuttgart, what always comes to mind first are the festive Christmas market and the 215-meter high television tower. But Baden-Württemberg’s capital actually has much more to offer…"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/germany/city-trip-stuttgart-culture-lifestyle-innovation"
author: "Katja Birrer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 13
tags: ["City Trip", "Mercedes-Benz", "Stuttgart", "Germany"]
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culture"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary"
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T14:09:28+00:00 }
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sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: city-trip-stuttgart-culture-lifestyle-innovation.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Katja Birrer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:09:28+00:00
---

# City trip to Stuttgart – Culture, Lifestyle and Innovation

> Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, is a surprisingly versatile city blending culture, world-class automotive heritage, lively markets, and an easygoing Swabian lifestyle set among vineyards and parks.

## Destination
Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

## Getting there
Direct Intercity train (IC) from Zurich via Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), journey time approximately 3 hours 5 minutes, with several departures daily. Stuttgart's public transport network of S-Bahn, trams, and buses makes getting around the city easy.

## Why visit
Stuttgart offers a rich mix of automotive museums, grand palaces, a vibrant covered market, excellent shopping, fine dining, and a relaxed urban atmosphere — and is considered underappreciated as a city-break destination.

## What to see
- **Schlossplatz (Palace Square)** — The heart of the city, lined with grand buildings including the Old Palace, New Palace, State Theatre and Opera House.
- **Porsche Museum** — World-class exhibition dedicated to Porsche's automotive history and innovation.
- **Mercedes-Benz Museum** — Spectacular automobile exhibition where visitors can experience the history of the world's first automobile.
- **Stuttgart Art Museum (Kunstmuseum)** — Imposing glass cube on Schlossplatz housing art collections and the rooftop Cube Restaurant.
- **Markthalle** — Lively covered market offering regional produce, oriental spices, and exotic delicacies.
- **Television Tower** — 215-meter high tower, one of Stuttgart's iconic landmarks.
- **Central Train Station Tower** — 56-meter tower topped with a rotating Mercedes-Benz star, a city symbol.

## What to do
- **Shopping on Königsstrasse** — Main shopping boulevard leading through the Königsbau passage to the Breuninger department store.
- **Dining at the Cube Restaurant** — Glass-wrapped rooftop restaurant atop the Art Museum offering city views, lunch menus, and exclusive evening dining.
- **Spa at Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Hotel** — Five-star hotel with rooftop terrace, indoor pool, day spa, and a spa suite.
- **Guided city tour** — Stuttgart Marketing offers guided tours covering the city's typical highlights and hidden gems.

## Good to know
The central train station was undergoing major construction at the time of the article due to the controversial Stuttgart 21 project to convert the terminus into a through station, with ongoing weekly protests. The TV tower was temporarily closed for fire safety works.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Reiterstatue-altes-Schloss-Stuttgart-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Duke Christoph memorial in Stuttgart’s Old Palace"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Merz-Benzing-Blumen-Buecher-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Merz & Benzing Lifestyle Shop"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Stuttgarter-Markthalle-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Stuttgart’s market hall"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Metzger-Markthalle-Stuttgart-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Butcher’s counter in Stuttgart’s Markthalle"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Mercedes-Benz-F400-Carving1-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Mercedes-Benz F400 Carving"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Vasen-Reception-Steigenberger-Stuttgart-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Elaborate vases in the lobby of the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Hotel"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Smokers-Lounge-Steigenberger-Hotel-Stuttgart-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Opulent smoker's lounge"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Mango-Torte-Steigenberger-Stuttgart-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Delicious small mango pie"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Spa-Suite-Steigenberger-Stuttgart-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "The cozy romantic spa suite"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Katja-Birrer-Badeschlappen-Steigenberger-Stuttgart-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Yesss! Bathroom slippers in various sizes!"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Olivo-Restaurant-Steigenberger-Hotel-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "Table setting in the Olivo gourmet restaurant"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Cube-Restaurant-Kunstmuseum-Stuttgart-1024x682.jpg"
    caption: "View from Restaurant Cube"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Mercedes-Benz-Stern-Bahnhof-1024x582.jpg"
    caption: "Stuttgart’s train station tower with the Mercedes-Benz star"
```