Stand on Schlossplatz on a warm afternoon and you will see how Stuttgart works: lawns and twin fountains in front of the Neues Schloss, the Königsbau's long colonnade closing one side, and locals, students and visitors treating the whole square as their living room. Beyond it the city rises and falls through vineyards, parks and valleys, which is why so many of its main sights sit within a short walk of one another.
This guide suits anyone planning a city break built around architecture, museums and green space rather than a checklist of long day trips. It covers the centre first, then the sights just outside it, and finishes with a single-day plan that strings them together.
Top things to do in Stuttgart
1. Schlossplatz (Palace Square)
The largest square in Stuttgart, laid out as parade grounds for the palace and now a public green area with lawns, flowerbeds, twin fountains and a decorative bandstand. It sits directly in front of the Neues Schloss and immediately adjoins the Königstraße, so several key buildings can be reached from it without planning a route.
In warmer months it fills with locals, students and tourists, and it also serves as an event location. Treat it as your starting point for a tour of the centre and return in the evening if something is on.
2. Neues Schloss (New Palace)
The most recognisable symbol of Stuttgart, built between 1746 and 1807 after Duke Carl Eugen found the Altes Schloss and the ducal residence in Ludwigsburg insufficiently stately. Inspired in part by Versailles, it gave the centre an airy, garden-park feel. It became a state museum in 1918, was almost completely destroyed in World War II, and was rebuilt in 1958–1964; it now houses ministries of the state of Baden-Württemberg.
Guided tours are offered infrequently and irregularly, so check the palace's official website well in advance for announced dates and mandatory registration. Tours cost €8 per adult.
3. Altes Schloss (Old Castle)
Built as a fortified castle at the turn of the 10th century, it grew alongside Stuttgart as the settlement rose to become the capital of the County and later Duchy of Württemberg. Its current form as a Renaissance palace with a cloistered courtyard dates to the 16th century, and the moat was filled in during the 18th century to become today's Schillerplatz.
It now houses the Landesmuseum Württemberg, which makes it an easy pairing with the square outside.
4. Hauptbahnhof (Main Railway Station)
Built in 1920 as a terminus station, its 56-metre tower with a rotating, illuminated Mercedes-Benz is one of the city's best-known landmarks. On top of the tower there is an exhibition on the S21 infrastructure project, which would turn the terminus into an underground through station by rotating the tracks 90 degrees.
Climbing up is free and gives you views over the Königstraße and the city. It is a quick stop that works well before or after a walk down the Königstraße.
5. Opernhaus (Opera House)
Pass the New Palace to the left and you reach the Schlossgarten, with the Opernhaus standing in front of an artificial lake as part of the Staatstheater Stuttgart. The parliament of the state of Baden-Württemberg is also there.
Combine it with a walk through the Schlossgarten rather than visiting it as a standalone stop.
6. Königsbau
Erected between 1856 and 1860 in front of the Neues Schloss on the orders of King Wilhelm I, it was designed as a multi-functional building for commerce and special events. Its Schlossplatz facade runs 34 columns over 135 metres, balancing the palace opposite. In the latter half of the 20th century the rebuilt Königsbau briefly housed Stuttgart's stock exchange and became part of the Königsbau Passagen shopping centre, which extends behind the main building.
It is worth looking at from the square before you walk through to the shops behind.
7. Markthalle (Market Hall)
A Jugendstil market hall built in 1910. It is a compact stop in the centre and pairs naturally with a wander through the surrounding streets.
8. Bohnenviertel
The only preserved part of Stuttgart's old town, having survived largely intact. Built mainly in the 14th century, it housed the poorer part of the population, who fed mainly on beans grown in gardens all around the quarter and even hanging from the houses' walls, which gives the quarter its name.
Today it thrives on artisanry, small old-style retail, gastronomy and a red light district. Go for the small shops and food rather than for monuments.
9. Stadtbibliothek am Mailänder Platz
Stuttgart's city library moved into this building in 2011 after 13 years of planning and an international architectural competition won by Eun Young Yi of South Korea. Outside it is a sombre nine-storey cube with a glass-brick facade; inside, whitewashed surfaces and bright lighting create an almost unreal atmosphere. You can borrow works of art as well as books, and work with music and sound clips in the sound lab.
It is open Monday to Saturday 09:00–21:00. There is a cafe on the top floor (10:00–18:00), and you can get a free map and audioguide from reception on the ground floor. Most facilities are free, but borrowing books or media requires at least a monthly pass for €4.
10. Schillerplatz
Named after Friedrich Schiller, whose statue stands in the middle of the square. It is the space created when the Altes Schloss moat was filled in, and it puts you directly between the Altes Schloss and the Alte Kanzlei.
11. Alte Kanzlei (Old Chancellery)
Construction of this monument on the northeast side of Schillerplatz lasted three years, from 1542 to 1544, and was extended in 1566. Its function was comparable to that of a town hall.
Today the building is used as a restaurant and a bar, which makes it a sensible place to pause while exploring Schillerplatz and the Altes Schloss.
12. Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church)
Built in 1175, it stands among the historic buildings around Schillerplatz and is easily folded into the same walk.
13. Wilhelmspalais (King William's Palace)
Built between 1834 and 1840, it is another of the historic buildings in the centre worth noting as you move between the squares.
14. Calwer passage
A small gallery with little stores, somewhat similar to Milan's famous gallery but a lot smaller. Take the S-Bahn to Stadtmitte. Right next to it is a building whose exterior is covered with plants.
15. Johanneskirche (St. John's Church)
Surrounded by the lake Feuersee and lit at night, this is described as the most beautiful of Stuttgart's churches. Other churches worth visiting include Mätthauskirche (St. Matthew's Church), Domkirche St. Eberhard (St. Eberhard's Cathedral Church), Hospitalkirche (Hospital Church), Leonhardskirche (St. Leonard's Church), Veitskapelle (St. Vitus Chapel), St. Catherine's Church (English-speaking Anglican Church) and St. Maria Kirche (St. Mary's Church).
Come in the evening if you want to see the Johanneskirche illuminated over the water.
16. Weissenhof Estate (Weißenhofsiedlung)
A world heritage listed housing estate built for exhibition in 1927, with residential buildings by architects including Le Corbusier, Peter Behrens, Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In two semi-detached houses designed by Le Corbusier there is a museum dedicated to the area.
It is at Rathenaustraße 1–3 and open Tuesday to Friday 11:00–18:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00. Normal tickets are €5, reduced €2. The historical building is not suitable for people using wheelchairs.
17. Schloss Solitude (Solitude Palace)
Built in 1769 as a hunting lodge and summer residence, it looks from the outside like a classical rococo palace. It stands on a high plain outside Stuttgart and offers views over the surrounding area.
18. Qingyin garden (Garten der schönen Melodie)
A small Chinese garden with a pond, ornamental walls and a mini-pagoda, on one of the hills close to the Hauptbahnhof. Take bus 44 to the Im Kaisemer stop.
It is open from 09:00 until dusk or 20:00, whichever comes sooner.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Schlossplatz, where the lawns, fountains and bandstand make an easy introduction, and look across at the Neues Schloss and the Königsbau colonnade. Walk the short distance to Schillerplatz for the statue, the Stiftskirche and the Altes Schloss, which houses the Landesmuseum Württemberg. If you want a palace tour, you will have needed to check the Neues Schloss website in advance and register.
Afternoon. Head to the Hauptbahnhof and climb the tower for the free view over the Königstraße and the city, then walk down the Königstraße and stop at the Markthalle. Continue to the Bohnenviertel for its small shops and food, and if time allows, take the S-Bahn to Stadtmitte for the Calwer passage and the plant-covered building beside it.
Evening. Pass the New Palace to the left into the Schlossgarten, with the Opernhaus in front of the artificial lake. Finish at the Johanneskirche, surrounded by the Feuersee and lit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start a tour of central Stuttgart?
Schlossplatz is the natural starting point. It is in the middle of the Mitte in front of the Neues Schloss, adjoins the Königstraße, and a number of key buildings can be accessed immediately from it.
Can I tour the Neues Schloss?
Guided tours are available, but they are offered infrequently and on an irregular basis. Check the palace's official website well in advance for announced tour dates and mandatory registration. Tours cost €8 per adult.
Is the view from the Hauptbahnhof tower free?
Yes. It is free to climb up, and it grants views of the Königstraße and the city. The tower also holds an exhibition on the S21 infrastructure project.
When is the Stadtbibliothek am Mailänder Platz open?
Monday to Saturday 09:00–21:00. The cafe on the top floor is open 10:00–18:00, and you can get a free map and audioguide from reception on the ground floor.
Pick your dates, check the Neues Schloss tour schedule early, and the rest of Stuttgart's centre will fall into place on foot.