Visiting Stuttgart in 2 days: my must-see attractions
When we think of Stuttgart, we inevitably think of automobiles. Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, German cars… Yet, after discovering the city, I can tell you that Stuttgart is not at all limited to its automobiles!
I discovered Stuttgart during a stay in Germany, after spending a few days in Mannheim. I arrived by train and spent two days exploring the city.
And I was very lucky: the weather was perfect and, besides, it was a public holiday. The locals were out and enjoying the parks, squares and terraces. An atmosphere that I particularly loved.
Stuttgart surprised me with its contrasts. You can very easily go from a historic building to contemporary architecture, from a museum to a large park, and then from a lively square to a vineyard in the hills above the city.
So, What to do in Stuttgart in 2 days? I’ll take you to discover the places I’ve loved and those I recommend you add to your itinerary.
Visiting Stuttgart in 2 days: the must-see attractions
If you only have a weekend to spend, here are the places I recommend you to discover:
- 📚 The Stadtbibliothek
- 🏰 Schlossplatz
- 🏛️ Schillerplatz and the Alte Schloss
- 🚗 The Mercedes-Benz Museum
- 🏎️ The Porsche Museum
- 🌳 The Killesberg Park
- 🌅 The most beautiful views of Stuttgart
- 🍺 The lively neighborhoods and terraces
- 🥨 The Swabian cuisine
Two days are enough to discover the main must-see attractions in Stuttgart, but also to take the time to enjoy the atmosphere of the city.
And if you’re traveling with children, Stuttgart can be a pleasant surprise: the automobile museums are very accessible for families, and the many parks allow for breaks between visits.
Day 1: Discovering the center of Stuttgart
For my first day, I recommend you focus on the city center.
Most of the must-see places are quite close to each other and can be easily explored on foot.
The Stadtbibliothek, a library like no other
I start with a place that is quite unusual for a tourist visit: the City Library, the municipal library of Stuttgart.
But believe me, she really deserves a little visit.
The building, designed by the Korean architect Eun Young Yi, has become one of the symbols of contemporary architecture in Stuttgart.
Inside, everything is white and very clean. The heart of the building is particularly impressive with its floors that are organized around a huge central space.
When I arrived early for my visit, I was able to take the time to explore the library in peace.
So, a little clarification: the books are in German… I didn’t choose German as the language in school, so I focused mainly on architecture!
Admission is free and it’s a fairly quick visit to add to the beginning of your day.
The Schlossplatz, the heart of Stuttgart
Then head towards Schlossplatz, the central square of Stuttgart.
This is probably the place where you will visit several times during your stay.
The square is surrounded by emblematic buildings and offers a beautiful mix of historical and contemporary architecture.
On the one hand, we discover the New Castle, the New Château, with its imposing facade. On the other hand, the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, easily recognizable by its large glass cube.
In the center of Schlossplatz, the gardens and green spaces invite you to take a few minutes to sit down.
During my stay, the place was particularly lively. The locals took advantage of the sunshine, the terraces were full and there were activities taking place in various parts of the city.
This is really the kind of place where I advise you not just to pass by: have a coffee, sit down for a few minutes and watch Stuttgart come to life.
The Kunstmuseum Stuttgart
If you like modern and contemporary art, you can usually complete your visit to Schlossplatz by going to the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart.
Its architecture is already interesting in itself.
However, please note that if you are traveling in 2026: the museum is currently closed for renovation and is scheduled to reopen in 2027. Check the official information before your visit.
Schillerplatz and Old Stuttgart
Just a few minutes from Schlossplatz, you arrive at the Schillerplatz.
I really liked this small square surrounded by historic buildings.
It houses, among others, the’High Castle, The former castle of Stuttgart, which now houses the Landesmuseum Württemberg.
Here we find an atmosphere completely different from that of Schlossplatz.
If you love old streets and historical buildings, take the time to wander through this area.
The market on Schillerplatz
If you are in Stuttgart on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday morning, you can also enjoy the market at Schillerplatz.
It’s a great opportunity to discover local products and see another side of the city.
And of course, this is also the perfect time to try some German specialties!
What to eat in Stuttgart?
It’s impossible to visit Stuttgart without trying some of the specialties of Baden-Württemberg.
You will find, among other things, the famous Maultaschen, the Spätzle or the must-see attractions Brezel.
During my stay, I had, among other things, tested Carls Brauhaus, near the Schlossplatz.
For a first-time experience of local cuisine, this is a good option.
Day 2: On to the Mercedes and Porsche museums
For this second day, we completely change our environment.
Stuttgart is one of the major automotive cities in Germany and is home to two museums that are well worth a visit: the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.
And contrary to what one might think, I don’t think it’s necessary to be passionate about cars to appreciate them.
The buildings, the scenery and the story told around the cars make the visits interesting for the whole family.
The Mercedes-Benz Museum
The Mercedes-Benz Museum is one of the great must-sees in Stuttgart.
The museum traces the history of the brand and the automobile through an impressive collection of vehicles.
The visit is organized in a rather original way: we start at a high altitude and then descend gradually through the different periods.
As you go up the floors, you discover historic cars, mythical models, racing vehicles and the technological developments of the brand.
I really liked the way the story was told.
And above all, the museum doesn’t just put cars on display in showcases. The building and the set design are truly part of the experience.
If you are traveling with your family, this is also an activity I recommend with great ease.
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The Porsche Museum
If you like contemporary architecture, you will also enjoy this one. Porsche Museum.
The building is spectacular with its immense white structure that almost seems to float above the ground.
Inside, the museum traces Porsche’s history through various models of both touring and racing cars.
The collection is truly impressive and the visit is punctuated by interactive elements.
For children, it is also a visit that is quite easy to make fun.
The museum is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday. However, please check the opening hours before your departure, especially if you are traveling during a holiday period or a public holiday.
Can we visit both museums in one day?
Yes, it is possible, but I advise you not to plan too many other visits that day.
Both museums are quite large, and it would be a shame to have to close them down.
If you are traveling with children, I also prefer to plan a break between the two.
The Killesbergpark: a break in the greenery
After the museums, I recommend you take a little air Killesberg Park.
This large park is perfect for taking a break and completely changing the atmosphere.
There are beautiful gardens, large green spaces, playgrounds for children, and several places to settle down.
You can also climb up to the Killesberg Tower to enjoy a beautiful view of Stuttgart.
And if you’re traveling with children, don’t miss the historic little train that runs through the park during the season.
It’s a very simple activity, but children usually love this kind of little walk.
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Stuttgart with the family: what to do with the children?
Stuttgart is a city that I find quite interesting for a family stay.
It is easy to alternate between cultural visits and more playful activities.
The Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums allow visitors to discover the history of automobiles in a very visual way, while the parks offer real breaks between visits.
The Killesbergpark is particularly interesting with children.
And if you want to add another activity, consider looking at the tours and experiences offered in Stuttgart.
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The most beautiful views of Stuttgart
One thing I didn’t know before arriving in Stuttgart was that the city is surrounded by hills.
Stuttgart is located in a valley, and the heights allow you to enjoy very beautiful panoramic views.
Among the places to note:
Karlshöhe : a lovely viewpoint easily accessible from the center.
Weissenburg Park : a nice park to get a little height.
Eugensplatz : another option to admire the city.
Fernsehturm Stuttgart : the famous television tower, which offers a panoramic view of Stuttgart and its surroundings.
And then there are the vineyards!
Yes, Stuttgart also has vineyards located very close to the city. This is quite surprising when you consider a large industrial city.
Discovering Stuttgart by tourist bus
If you prefer to avoid walking too much, especially with children, the tourist bus may be a good solution.
The Stuttgart Citytour It allows you to discover several neighborhoods of the city and to get on and off at different stops.
It’s convenient to have a first look at Stuttgart or simply to take a break after several hours of walking.
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What to do in Stuttgart in the evening?
Stuttgart is particularly pleasant at the end of the day.
During my stay, I really enjoyed the atmosphere around Marienplatz.
When temperatures are mild, the locals take to the terraces and public spaces.
A very relaxed atmosphere can be felt: some come to have a drink, others chat with friends or simply take advantage of the space.
You can then continue towards Geißstraße, where you will find several bars and restaurants.
For a musical evening, Stuttgart also has several clubs and venues offering concerts, notably the BIX Jazzclub.
Where to sleep in Stuttgart?
For just two days, I recommend that you choose a hotel located in or near the city center.
The sectors around Schlossplatz, Königstraße and the central train station They are particularly practical.
This will allow you to easily reach the main sites and avoid wasting too much time on transport.
Should I rent a car in Stuttgart?
To visit Stuttgart alone, I don't think a car is necessary.
The city center is easily explored on foot and public transportation makes it possible to reach the main museums.
However, if you wish to extend your stay and explore Baden-Württemberg, a car may be an interesting option.
You will then be able to easily reach the villages, vineyards and towns in the surrounding area.
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My itinerary for visiting Stuttgart in 2 days
Day 1 – City Center
📚 City Library
→ Schlossplatz
→ New Castle
→ Art Museum
→ Königstraße
→ Lunch
→ Schillerplatz
→ High Castle
→ Karlshöhe
→ Marienplatz in the evening
Day 2 – Automobile and nature
🚗 Mercedes-Benz Museum
→ Lunch
→ Porsche Museum
→ Killesberg Park
→ Killesberg Tower
→ Return to the center
If you are traveling with children, simply adjust the pace and plan for some breaks.
My opinion about Stuttgart
I must admit that Stuttgart pleasantly surprised me.
Before I went there, I thought mainly of Mercedes and Porsche.
In the end, I discovered a city that was much more diverse than I had imagined.
I loved walking around the city center, discovering the different squares, enjoying the parks and getting a bird’s-eye view of the city.
And above all, I loved the atmosphere.
When the sun is out, the locals really take advantage of their city: the terraces fill up, so do the parks and the squares become real meeting places.
If you are looking for a destination for a Weekend in Germany, Therefore, Stuttgart deserves to be considered highly.
And if you’re traveling with your family, you’ll easily be able to create a program that appeals to both adults and children.
Useful links to prepare your stay
🎟️ Activities and visits: GetYourGuide – -5 % with my code TRAVELMEHAPPY5
🏨 Accommodations: Booking.com – hotels in Stuttgart
🚗 Car rental: BSP Auto – compare the rentals -5% with my TRAVELMEXP code
🌐 Tourist information: Stuttgart Tourismus
🚗 Mercedes-Benz Museum: Official Mercedes-Benz website
🏎️ Porsche Museum: Official Porsche Museum website
Also read on Travel Me Happy
If you are planning a trip to Germany, check out my other articles as well:
👉 Visiting Mannheim in 2 days: my must-see places
👉 Germany: 5 days exploring Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden and Freiburg
Practical information
📍 Destination: Stuttgart, Germany
⏱️ Ideal duration: 2 days
👨👩👧👦 Family trip: Yes
🚆 Transport: train and public transport
🚗 Car: Not essential for visiting the city
🚘 Absolutely worth seeing: Mercedes-Benz Museum, Porsche Museum, Schlossplatz
🌳 With the children: Killesberg Park
🌅 For the panoramas: Karlshöhe, Fernsehturm and the heights of Stuttgart
Originally published in 2019 and completely rewritten and updated. Schedules, prices and visiting conditions may change. Please check the official information before your departure.
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