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Discover Stuttgart

Stuttgart is famous for being the home of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, but it has so much more to offer.
The name comes from “Stutengarten” which means a horse or stud garden. It was originally a place for breeding horses, hence the horse on the Stuttgart coat of arms. The same symbol is used in the Porsche logo.

The city is on the banks of the Neckar River and just north of the Swabian Jura (Swabian Alps) in Baden-Württemberg. The weather makes it ideal for cultivating grapes and there are over 4000 hectares of vineyards in Stuttgart. In Stuttgart, you will find castlestheatres, mineral spas, interesting museums, art galleries, concert and sports stadiums, a planetariumwine plantations, amusement parks, lakes, rivers, mountains, beautiful parks, and unique architecture.  In Köningstrasse there is a pedestrian zone that hosts all the major shops as well as some unique and specialty shops.
There are stunning lakes like the Bärensee, Pfaffensee, Max-Eyth-See, Katzenbachsee and the Riedsee

The official Tourism page has plenty of ideas to inspire your visit to this exciting city.

Why Stuttgart Is The Perfect destination?

01.

Most Relaxing City

The city is filled with greenspaces and In 2017 it ranked as the least stressful city in the world.

02.

Culture

Opera, ballet, drama, festivals, musicals, conceterts, musuems and art galleries - Stuttgart has more than enough to offer

03.

Location

Surround by rivers and mountains it is perfect for nature lovers.

Explore

  • The  Wilhelma Zoo is open the whole year. It is great for family outings
  • Go up the Fernsehturm for spectacular views of Stuttgart and beyond.  
  • The Killesbergbahn is in a beautiful park, you can also go up the tower for spectacular views
  • The Planetarium has interesting shows during the day and you can do stargazing at night.
 

Freizeitparks (Amusement parks)

 
Shopping
  • Outlet city Metzingen

Automotive Passion

Mercedes-Benz Museum

Classic Mercedes-Benz cars, trucks and busses.

Motorworld

Hub for car and motorcycle enthusiasts

Mercedes-Benz Factory Tours

Guided tours at the Sindelfingen Factory in English or German

Porsche Museum

Classic Porsche automobiles

Sinsheim Technik Museum

Classic cars, Concorde, trains, historic racing cars, motorbikes, tractors.

V8 Hotel Böblingen

Auto themed Hotel Rooms

Food and drinks to try

Typical Schwäbian food to  tantalise your taste buds

  • Maultaschen is a type of ravioli filled with meat, onions, and spinach. It can be served in a broth, in a salad, or fried with egg.
  • Käsespätzle is the ultimate comfort food. It is a type of noodle and served with Bergkäse (a strong cheese) and fried onions
  • Linsen & Spätzle are noodles served with lentils that were boiled with vinegar. You can also have it served with sausages  on top or with pork belly
  • Zweiberostbraten is roast beef served with a rich gravy topped with onions
  • Schupfnudeln is another type of pasta. It is made from half wheat flour and half potato flour. It is traditionally served with sauerkraut
  • Brezeln and other laugengebäck

Culture

State Opera

State opera house

Stuttgart Ballet

State Ballet

State Theater

State Theater

New English American Theatre

New English American Theatre e.V (NEAT) is a non-profit organisation that has been doing shows for over 29 years

Altes Schauspielhaus

The repertoire at the Altes Schauspielhaus includes everything from classical drama to contemporary productions and musical plays

Stuttgart Theaterschiff

We will spoil you with culinary delicacies and selected drinks in a wonderful ambience.

Geheimtips

Boat trips on the Neckar. You can take a boat trip to Marbach and include a wine-tasting tour, or do a theatre dinner cruise or Sunday Breakfast Cruise

Day trips

If you want to explore the regions around Stuttgart, head to the University town of Tübingen, go for hikes in the mountains around Bad Urach, visit the castle 

🏰 Castles & Palaces: Step into a Fairytale

  • Neuschwanstein Castle – The inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, set against the stunning Bavarian Alps. (~200 km, ~2h 30m)
  • Hohenzollern Castle – A majestic hilltop fortress, once home to Prussian royalty. (~70 km, ~1h)
  • Lichtenstein Castle – A dreamy, cliffside castle perfect for history lovers and hikers. (~60 km, ~1h)
  • Hohenneuffen Castle – A scenic ruin with falconry displays and a cosy restaurant. (~40 km, ~45 min)
  • Heidelberg Castle – A romantic hilltop ruin overlooking the Neckar River, rich in history and stunning views. (~120 km, ~1h 30m)
  • Schloss Solitude – A charming pleasure palace offering fantastic views of Stuttgart. (~10 km, ~20 min)
  • Ludwigsburg Palace – A grand Baroque palace with seasonal festivals, including the famous Pumpkin Festival and a fairy tale garden  (~15 km, ~20 min)
  • Rastatt Residential Palace – A stunning Baroque palace with lavish interiors. (~90 km, ~1h 15m)
  • Eltz Castle – A well-preserved medieval fortress hidden in the Eltz forest. (~300 km, ~3h 30m)

🏛️ Historic Towns & Villages: A Journey Through Time

  • Rothenburg ob der Tauber – A picture-perfect medieval town with cobbled streets and preserved city walls. (~150 km, ~2h)
  • Dinkelsbühl – A beautifully preserved medieval town known for its colourful architecture. (~150 km, ~2h)
  • Altensteig is a fairytale town that is especially magical during the Christmas season. (~60 km, ~1h)
  • Michelstadt – A charming Hesse village famous for its 1484 timber-framed town hall. (~200 km, ~2h 30m)
  • Cochem – A picturesque Mosel River town with a hilltop castle. (~300 km, ~3h 30m)
  • Tübingen – A picturesque university town with cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and scenic Neckar River punts. (~40 km, ~45 min)
  • Ulm – A historic town known for the stunning Ulm Minster, the tallest church in the world, and its charming old town. (~90 km, ~1h 15m)

🌿 Nature & Outdoor Adventures

  • The Treetop Walk at Bad Wildbad – A 1,250-meter-long canopy walk with a panoramic lookout tower. (~60 km, ~1h)
  • Nebelhorn (Allgäu Alps) – Enjoy breathtaking views of 400 peaks. (~220 km, ~2h 30m)
  • Eibsee – A crystal-clear mountain lake near Zugspitze, perfect for hiking. (~230 km, ~3h)
  • Lake Konstanz – A summer paradise with lakeside promenades, vineyards, and fresh strawberries. (~175 km, ~2h)
  • Blautopf – A striking blue karst spring surrounded by beautiful hiking trails. (~80 km, ~1h 15m)
  • Bad Urach – A spa town nestled in the Swabian Alps, famous for its beautiful waterfalls, historic town centre, and relaxing thermal baths. (~50 km, ~50 min)
  • Wimsener Höhle – Germany’s only water cave that can be explored by boat, and it’s a true highlight for day-trippers. (~90 min by car)
  •  

🕍 Monasteries & Churches: Architectural Wonders

  • Maulbronn Monastery – A UNESCO-listed medieval monastery with impressive Gothic architecture. (~50 km, ~50 min)
  • Bebenhausen Monastery & Palace – A well-preserved Cistercian monastery with beautiful gardens. (~40 km, ~45 min)
  • Birnau Basilica – A Baroque pilgrimage church with breathtaking views over Lake Constance. (~175 km, ~2h)
  • Kloster und Schloss Salem – A historic monastery with vast gardens and a renowned library. (~180 km, ~2h 15m)

🎢 Family-Friendly Attractions

  • Seewald Leisure Park – A fun-filled adventure park featuring Germany’s longest toboggan run. (~75 km, ~1h 15m)
  • Pfahlbauten Unteruhldingen – An open-air archaeological museum showcasing prehistoric lake dwellings. (~170 km, ~2h)
  • Sinsheim Auto & Technik Museum – A fascinating museum featuring a collection of vintage cars, aircraft, and military vehicles, perfect for tech and car enthusiasts. (~30 km, ~30 min)
  • Black Forest Open-Air Museum (Vogtsbauernhof) – A captivating museum that offers an immersive experience of traditional Black Forest life, with historic houses and interactive exhibits. (~130 km, ~1h 45m)

🌆 Cities Worth Exploring

  • Esslingen – A medieval town known for its half-timbered buildings, Kessler Sekt cellar tours, and a magical Christmas market. (~15 km, ~20 min). 
  • Frankfurt – A blend of medieval charm and modern skyscrapers. (~200 km, ~2h)
  • Karlsruhe – A vibrant city with a botanical garden and the Grand Ducal burial chapel. (~80 km, ~1h)
  • Weil der Stadt – The birthplace of astronomer Johannes Kepler, with a dedicated museum. (~30 km, ~40 min)
  • Schorndorf – The hometown of Gottlieb Daimler, featuring charming streets and historical sites. (~30 km, ~40 min)
  • Oberstdorf – A charming mountain town in the Allgäu Alps, known for skiing, hiking trails, and stunning alpine views. (~150 km, ~2h)

amazing things to know about Stuttgart

  1. The Fernsehturm (television tower) was the first of its kind and served as a model for others.
  2. In the Wilhelma Zoo , you can see some of the Californian Mammoth trees planted by King Wilhelm I. 
  3. There are 14 Mineralbäder or Mineral water spas in Stuttgart
  4. The Wasen (Stuttgart Beer Festival) held in September/October is the second-largest beer festival in Europe
  5. There is a pig museum
  6. The Stadtbibliothek received the Library of the Year award in 2013

Festivals

Some of the well-known festivals are:

Online resources and apps

South African Businesses in the Area

Yvonne Brockhaus – Career Coach

Trainerin HR Interim Karrierebegleiterin Your International HR and Career Support with 15 years experience in 5 countries After having worked for the German Southern African Chamber of Commerce in Jozi, I frequently prepare German Expats and their families for their move to South Africa. And once in a while South Africans  on how to come to Germany and find work for themselves and especially their spouses – since as a once accompanying spouse myself and HR Manager helping the WHOLE family put down roots here is my desire. Intercultural trainings and preparation for living abroad – Mastering the first 100 days in your new job, Intercultural Survival Job application workshops and individual career coaching – Job hunting the German way, mock interview and career change Moderation, communication and business etiquette seminars HR training and interim recruitment, personnel consulting LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/ Contact details and website in info below

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Lemon Pepper Kompanie

As long-time South Africa fans, we started with passion to import original South African spices in high quality directly from Durban. We now have a large fan base in Germany, Switzerland and Austria – including many South Africans. In addition, we have successfully offered South African braai courses for several years. Unique spice creations such as real lemon pepper from South Africa, supplemented by spice ideas from all over Southern Africa such as Zanzibar and Madagascar. New for outdoor camp kitchens and grill professionals: The Spice Bag – belt pouch with grill spices

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Tourist accommodation types

Types of Tourist accommodation in Germany Germany, known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cities, offers a diverse range of accommodation options to suit every traveler’s needs. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular hotel types you can find in Germany, each offering a unique experience. It is important to note that these descriptions are not protected by law, and you can call your hotel a park hotel even if the park is really small. Some do have a minimum requirement, you will for instance not find a Berghotel in the valley. Finding a romantic hotel might also be a challenge. Most German hotels have two single beds, each with their own duvet. The interior is very basic and for cheaper hotels, there are no “little things” like chocolate on your pillow or flowers in the room that make your stay special. Coffee-making facilities in your room are also not very popular.   Berghotel These hotels are typically located in or near mountainous regions. These hotels are designed to cater to tourists seeking outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountaineering. The offer a rustic and cosy atmosphere Location This type of hotel is located in the mountains and is mostly traditional or rustic. You typically find such a hotel in the Black Forest, in the Alps, in the Swabian Jura or in the Harz Mountains. Seasons These hotels attract a diverse range of visitors year-round. In winter, they are favoured by skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. During the summer, these hotels become a hub for hikers, bikers, and other active sports enthusiasts. Reasons to go Cosy Rustic Breathtaking views Things to consider Crowded in peak season Remote Familienhotel Designed with families in mind, these hotels provide family-friendly amenities such as play areas, children’s menus, and family suites. Many are located near popular attractions like amusement parks and zoos, making them an ideal choice for a family vacation. Location Conveniently located across Germany Seasons All Reasons to go While not all facilities are available at every family hotel, you can often find options such as children’s entertainment, family-friendly rooms, child-friendly catering options, playrooms, playgrounds, childcare services, and leisure activities tailored for families. These hotels aim to create a welcoming environment for families, with some even offering spa or wellness facilities. Things to consider Family hotels are specifically designed to cater to guests travelling with children, and they typically do not accept bookings from those travelling without children. This ensures a family-oriented atmosphere and allows the hotel to focus on providing the best possible experience for families. Gasthaus or Gasthof (Inn) A traditional, family-run inn that combines cosy accommodations with a welcoming, often rustic, on-site restaurant or beer garden. These charming establishments are found in villages and smaller city neighbourhoods. When in the countryside it is called a Landgasthaus. Location Conveniently located across Germany Seasons All Reasons to go Known for their homely feel, Gasthäuser and Gasthöfe often feature wooden furnishings, local decor, and a warm, friendly atmosphere. Guests can enjoy authentic German dishes made with regional ingredients, like schnitzel, bratwurst, and seasonal specialties, often served with local beers or wines. Ideal for travelers looking to immerse themselves in local culture, these inns provide a uniquely personal, laid-back experience with a focus on German hospitality.. Things to consider Generally simpler than larger hotels, with basic amenities and often no room service, fitness centres, or other facilities associated with modern hotels. Confirm that essentials like Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms, and parking are available if needed. Payment options may be limited to cash or certain cards, so it’s wise to confirm these details in advance. Hotel Garni A Hotel Garni in Germany is a type of accommodation that focuses on providing comfortable lodging with a limited range of services. Unlike full-service hotels, a Hotel Garni typically offers just breakfast, without an on-site restaurant for lunch or dinner. These hotels are usually smaller, often family-run, and provide a cosy, personalized atmosphere. Rooms are well-equipped with modern amenities, and breakfast is typically a highlight, featuring a buffet of fresh, local options like bread, cheeses, cold cuts, fruits, and coffee. Location Conveniently located across Germany Seasons All Reasons to go Found in cities, towns, and holiday regions, Hotel Garni is ideal for travelers who plan to explore local restaurants and attractions throughout the day, and simply need a clean, comfortable place to rest and start their day with a hearty breakfast. The focus on simplicity and convenience makes it a budget-friendly and hassle-free option. Things to consider Hotels Garni usually only serve breakfast and do not have in-house restaurants for lunch or dinner. If you prefer dining on-site, consider whether nearby dining options suit your needs and schedule, especially if you’re in a remote area. Smaller Hotels Garni may have limited staffing hours and stricter check-in and check-out times, so be sure to confirm these details if you’re arriving late or leaving early. Hütte A Hütte in Germany refers to a rustic mountain hut or cabin, often located in scenic alpine areas, forests, or national parks. Traditionally used by hikers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts, these huts provide simple, communal-style accommodations for those seeking an immersive outdoor experience. A Hütte is typically managed by organizations like the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein) and is designed to offer shelter, a warm meal, and basic amenities to travellers on their journey. Location Mountains, forest or national parks Seasons All, but check in Winter Reasons to go Most Hütten are accessible only by hiking trails, offering stunning views and a close connection to nature. Perfect for adventurous travelers, a stay at a Hütte offers a unique experience in the German wilderness, though it comes with rustic accommodations that prioritize simplicity and sustainability. Hüttenvermietung Müller Tips for sleeping in a Hütte (German) Packing list for sleeping over (German) Rules for staying in a Hütte Things to consider Hütten are rustic by nature and usually provide only the basics—bunk beds, shared bathrooms, and a communal dining area. Facilities like

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Travel ideas within Germany

Germany is a beautiful country with diverse landscapes and many regional specialties.To add your suggestions please submit it via this form Below are some travel inspiration for each German state, and some regions and town Businesses listed on our site Travel Agents Accommodation National parks in Germany There are 16 national parks in Germany. See this list for more details. Article from lonely planet about 10 National parks in Germany. Travel inspiration Deutschlands schönste Reiseziele Discovery Germany Entdecke Deutchland (also in English) Related content

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Weather in Germany

German Climate Germany’s climate is temperate and marine, with cold, cloudy winters and warm summers and in the south occasional warm föhn wind. The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate. In the northwest and the north, the climate is oceanic and rain falls all year round. Winters here are relatively mild and summers comparatively cool.In the east, the climate shows clear continental features; winters can be very cold for long periods, and summers can become very warm. Dry periods are often recorded. In the centre and the south, there is a transitional climate that may be predominantly oceanic or continental, according to the general weather situation. Winters are cool and summers warm, though maximum temperatures can exceed 30 °C for several days in a row during heat waves. The warmest regions of Germany can be found in the southwest.Here summers can be hot with many days exceeding 30 °C. Weather atlas gives a good overview of the climate per month Another good source of information by Region/Town is the Climatemps website. Here is an example of the weather data they have for Stuttgart Current weather conditions BERLIN WEATHER STUTTGART WEATHER FELDBERG WEATHER Towns with the most sunshine Freiburg and Chemnitz are known as the towns with the most sunshine hours in Germany.Looking for other sunny cities in Germany? You can see a comparison here. When you don’t feel yourself during the darker months, you might suffer from Seasonal affective disorder Warmest cities in Germany Frankfurt is the warmest city in the summer.The city with the highest average temperature for 2019 was Köln-Stammheim. Offenbach am Main is also on the list.Rostock is the coldest on average. Most Rainfall per city Halle / Saale has the least rainfall. It also seldom rains in Erfurt, Berlin and Magdeburg – they still have little sunshine (3.8 to 4.4 hours/day).According to Bild, A lot of rain falls in Oldenburg (1072 milliliters), Remscheid (942), Essen (931), Solingen (896) and Wuppertal (866).This means that North Rhine-Westphalia is not only one of the regions with the poorest sunshine but also one of the rainiest regions. Where to find the most Snow The snowiest location in Germany is the Zugspitze, standing at an elevation of 3,000 meters. While snow is most common in mountainous regions, lower-lying areas also experience snowfall, though less frequently. The heaviest snowfall typically occurs in January and February. Types of weather conditions Precipitation refers to any form of atmospheric moisture that falls to the Earth’s surface. There are various types of precipitation that can occur depending on the temperature and atmospheric conditions in a particular region. The most common types of precipitation include rain, snow, sleet, and hail. To read more about the difference between Graupel, Freezing rain, Sleet and snow, have a look on this page from NJ.  der Regen Rain Rain occurs when liquid water droplets in the air combine and become heavy enough to fall to the ground der Hagel Hail Hail is formed when strong updrafts carry water droplets high into the atmosphere where they freeze and are repeatedly cycled through rising and falling air currents, forming layers of ice. der Dauerregen Constant or persistent rain The US National Weather Service has a good explanation of the different types of rainIn Central Europe one speaks of continuous rain when it continues with uninterrupted rainfall and a severity of more than 0.5 millimeters of precipitation per hour for a period of at least six hours. der Sprühregen or der Nieselregen Drizzle Fairly uniform precipitation composed exclusively of fine drops very close together. Drizzle appears to float while following air currents, but unlike fog droplets, it falls to the ground. Quite often fog and drizzle occur together. der Graupel / Graupel Also known as snow pellets.Graupel forms when snowflakes are coated with a layer of ice. Graupel is typically white and opaque. der Eisregen Freezing rain Raindrops becomes supercooled and freeze upon impact with any surface. This results in ice that can accumulate.Freezing rain occurs when the layer of freezing air is so thin that the raindrops do not have enough time to freeze before reaching the ground.  Instead, the water freezes on contact with the surface, creating a coating of ice on whatever the raindrops contact.  der Schneeregen Sleet Sleet is simply frozen raindrops and occurs when the layer of freezing air along the surface is thicker.  This causes the raindrops to freeze before reaching the ground.Sleet occurs mainly just before snowfall and looks like hoarfrost droplets. In contrast to snow, sleet grains are easily breakable. Often these break when they hit the ground. der Schnee Snow Snow occurs when the temperature is cold enough for water vapor to freeze into ice crystals in the air. Snow is solid precipitation that falls from the sky in the form of ice crystals. The ice crystals look like six-pointed stars, needles, columns or plates.  der Nebel Fog In the meteorological glossary fog is defined as ‘obscurity in the surface layers of the atmosphere, which is caused by a suspension of water droplets. By international agreement (particularly for aviation purposes) fog is the name given to resulting visibility less than 1 km. However, in forecasts for the public, this generally refers to visibility less than 180 m. Some also say that Fog is a cloud that reaches ground level (rolls in) Der Dunst Mist Mist is defined as ‘when there is such obscurity and the associated visibility is equal to or exceeds 1000 m.’ Like fog, mist is still the result of the suspension of water droplets, but simply at a lower density. Mist typically is quicker to dissipate and can rapidly disappear with even slight winds, it’s also what you see when you can see your breath on a cold day. Some also say that mist forms on the ground (rises) der Eisnebel Freezing fog The fog forms when the temps at the surface are below freezing.The accumulation will usually be horizontal due to the wind. This type of fog can occur when cold air

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