Museums and galleries in Stuttgart

Museums and galleries in Stuttgart

1. Buy

   Bungalow Gallery

   One of the best German clothes stores with designer labels (Acne, Bottega Veneta, Moncler, the White Briefs and many others) catering to women and men.

2. See

   Calwer passage

   Small gallery with little stores (somewhat similar to Milan's famous gallery but a lot smaller). Right next to it is a building whose exterior is covered with plants.

3. See

   Firefighter Museum

   Feuerwehrmuseum

   Museum about the history of firefighters including some old fire trucks.

   Each first Sat and each 3rd Sun (March to November) 10:00-16:00·€2

4. See

   Gottlieb Daimler Memorial

   Gottlieb-Daimler-Gedächtnisstätte

   Stuttgart in general claims to be the birthplace of the automobile, but if you want to see the actual place where it was born, head to the Kurpark in Bad Cannstatt, where the garden house that Gottlieb Daimler converted into his workshop still stands. There he and Wilhelm Maybach worked in the latter half of the 19th century on combustion engines and motorised vehicles they have eventually so successfully developed. Today, it houses an exhibition maintained by Mercedes-Benz Classic that tells the story of the early days of the Daimler motor car company.

   Tue-Fri 14:00-17:00, Sat Sun and holidays 11:00-17:00, closed on Mondays·Admission free

5. See

   Hauptbahnhof

   Main Railway Station

   The Railway Station was built in 1920 as a terminus station. The 56-meter-high tower with its rotating and illuminated Mercedes-Benz is one of the most famous city landmarks. On top of the tower there is an exhibition of the most controversial infrastructure project in Germany called S21. The plan is to convert the main line terminus station into an underground through station by turning the tracks with a 90-degree angle to the present station. It's free to climb up and grants awesome views of Königstraße and the city.

6. See

   Haus der Musik in Fruchkasten

   Musical Instruments Museum

   The collection of Landesmuseum of local, European and extra-European instruments spanning centuries from prehistoric to contemporary is displayed in the historic Fruchtkasten, the granary in Schillerplatz. More than just a display of historic artifacts, the museum tries to engage and educate its visitors through temporary, thematic exhibitions and an interactive audioguide.

   Best of all, however, is the fact the entry, including the audioguide, is free

7. See

   Kunstmuseum Stuttgart

   Modern Art Museum

   The simple glass cube of the Kunstmuseum contrasts with the lavish historic architecture of its surroundings, while not being intrusive thanks to its transparency. Its collection of modern art pieces is now over 15,000-strong, but obviously not all of them are displayed at the same time, but rather selected ones in temporary thematic exhibitions. Apart from exhibition spaces, the building hosts a large thematic bookstore, as well as a high-end restaurant Cube and o.T. bar, affording splendid views over the Schlossplatz.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, Fri till 21:00. Restaurant and bar open everyday until midnight·From €6, depending on exhibition. Small discounts for students. Guided tours €2.50 per person

8. See

   Lapidarium

   Städtisches Lapidarium

   Open air museum showcasing ancient sculptures (most of which originate from destructed buildings after WW2), terraces and fountains from Stuttgart's history.

   Wed Sat Sun 14:00-18:00·Admission free

9. See

   Linden-Museum

   ethnological museum

   The Museum is named after Karl von Linden, the president of the Württembergischer Verein für Handelsgeographie, who started the collection of various artifacts acquired from all corners of the world. The museum is housed in a purpose-built property from 1911, together with which it became a public property in 1973. There are permanent exhibitions devoted to all regions of the world except for Europe, as well as temporary thematic exhibitions. The on-site restaurant offers an exquisite menu in the evenings and a very affordable lunch menu on weekdays until 14:00.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00·€4 for the permanent exhibition, around €12 for the temporary ones. Entry free for children under 12

10. See

    Mercedes-Benz Museum

    Built in 2006 in an astonishing architecture, the Mercedes-Benz museum houses a collection of automobiles built by the company over its long history. Both pioneering vehicles, significant technological breakthroughs as well as those significant for their participation in history (record-breaking or winning sportscars, cars used by famous personalities) are exhibited brilliantly. The museum ticket includes the use of an electronic audioguide, but the visit may be enhanced by a guided tour (extra €4), of which there is a variety to choose from. You can also combine your museum visit with a tour of the factory in Unterturkheim (€4, 90 min, Tu F 11:45 in English). There is an on-site cafe and high-class restaurant in the Museum and a museum shop. There are special events throughout the year, so do browse the page to see what is on on the days of your visit to Stuttgart.

    Tue-Sun 09:00-18:00, closed Mondays, ticket office closes at 17:00 everyday. Closed on Christmas and New Year's Day and their eves. Open on almost all other holidays·€8 regular entry, €4 reduced (children, students, anybody over 60); 50% of that if entry is after 16:30

11. See

    Museum Hotel Silber

    Exhibition about the German secret police during World War II.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00·Free

12. See

    Neues Schloss

    New Palace

    The arguably most recognizable symbol of Stuttgart was constructed between 1746 and 1807 when the Duke of Württemberg, Carl Eugen, found the Altes Schloss and the erstwhile ducal residence in Ludwigsburg to be insufficiently stately. The new palace was a grandiose undertaking that took many decades, architects and four successive Dukes of Württemberg to complete, given the ever-changing tastes and plans, as well as constant scandalization within the Duchy regarding the costs of the lavish residence. The result is a palace inspired partially by Versailles and other grand royal residences, which gave the centre of Stuttgart an airy, garden park feel. The palace became a state museum in 1918 when the last King of Württemberg abdicated, and was almost completely destroyed in World War II. It was rebuilt in 1958-1964 to serve as a seat for the local government of Baden-Württemberg. It now houses the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of the Land. Guided tours are available, but they are offered infrequently and on an irregular basis. It is highly recommended to check the palace's official website well in advance for announced tour dates and mandatory registration. Several rooms and halls in the palace can also be rented for special events.

    Tours cost €8 per adult

13. See

    Porsche Museum

    The building is an architectural marvel in itself, inside and out, but the highlights are obviously the exhibited examples of historic Porsche cars (and cars that Porsche designed for other companies, like the legendary Volkswagen "Beetle"), taken from Porsche's impressive collection of more than 500 historic and significant automobiles. A visit may be combined with a factory tour (you have to contact the museum to arrange for that).

    €8 regular entry, €4 reduced (children, students, anybody over 60); 50% of that if entry is after 17:00

14. See

    Rosensteinpark

    with the natural history museum and a rear entrance to Wilhelma (the zoo), and ending in. Walking at a reasonable pace, you can walk the entire circuit in about 2 hours. There are beer gardens (look for Biergarten signs) and restaurants along the way, and the Killesberg Park is a real treat. It was designed for a huge botanical expo several years ago (IGA 1993) and remains a truly stunning park, especially in spring when in full bloom. If you're interested in architecture, be sure not to miss the structural engineering wonder Killesberg Tower, a minimalistic steel construction composed of one central support and a cable outer support system. Not officially part of the Green U but connected is the tiny and the including its villa from the mid-19th century.

15. See

    Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart

    Natural History Museum

    Two exhibitions: one features biology and evolution and the other features paleontology and archeology in two separate buildings (Schloss Rosenstein and Museum am Löwentor / about a 10-15min walk apart).

16. See

    Staatsgalerie Stuttgart

    State Gallery

    There are two exhibitions in different buildings. "Alte Staatsgalerie" ("Old": Art from 1500 to 1900) and "Neue Staatgalerie" ("New": Modern art). You can walk inside from one exhibition to the other. The permanent exhibits are free on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

17. Do

    Visit the Ritter Sport Chocolate Museum

    Learn the history of Ritter Sport and visit the factory store. Can be combined with a hike in the nearby Schönbuch park or Siebenmühlen Tal

    Tue-Sun 11am to 6pm

18. Do

    Walk the wine trail

    The Stuttgart wine trail. The Obertürkheim - Uhlbach - Rotenberg - Untertürkheim trail includes a viniculture museum, the Grabkapelle Württemberg (Burial chapel Württemberg) and restaurants where you can try the local wine. There are signs explaning the different types of wine that are grown. Along the (partly steep) path, you will find (sub)mediterranean plants such as pine trees, almonds, kiwis and dwarf palms.

19. See

    Weissenhof Estate

    Weißenhofsiedlung

    A world heritage listed housing estate built for exhibition in 1927, features residential buildings by such famous architects like 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. The historical building is not suitable for people using wheelchairs.

    Tue-Fri 11:00-18:00; Sat Sun 10:00-18:00·normal ticket €5, reduced €2

20. See

    World of Trams Stuttgart

    Straßenbahnmuseum Stuttgart

    The museum houses 36 historic tram vehicles in its 1929 depot, and offers tram rides on Sundays on metre-gauge, museum tram route 23 with a panoramic portion having an 8.5% maximum grade.

    Wed Thu 10:00-16:00 museum only, Sun 10:00-18:00 museum & rides

21. See

    Württembergisches Landesmuseum

    Historical Art Museum

    The Landesmuseum is a direct descendant of a collection of local antiquities formed in 1862 by King Wilhelm I of Württemberg, and since 1948 has the Altes Schloss as its main seat. The museum's collections are a potpourri of archeological artifacts and works of art from different periods, mostly related in one way or another to the region. This includes a large collection of folk art. While the museum actually manages many locations across Stuttgart and the entirety of Baden-Württemberg, it is in the Altes Schloss where the main exhibitions take place. There are small permanent exhibitions of a cross-section of the museum's collections, and temporary themed exhibitions in the Schloss.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00·Permanent exhibition €5.50, temporary varies (around €12). The small permanent exhibition in the museum's foyer is free

22. Do

    Zoo Wilhelma

    zoological and botanical gardens

    Definitely a must for families. But watching monkeys and weird flowers in this old place can be fun for young adults, too. (Unless you feel pity for the locked up creatures.) Wilhelma is also worth visiting for its architecture and landscaping features - the core of Wilhelma is housed in a 19th-century palace and park landscape in the Moorish style, created for and named after the former king Wilhelm of Württemberg. In winter there is a special exhibition called Christmas Garden with beautifully illuminated sculptures.

23. See

    Museum of Viticulture

    Weinbaumuseum

    Uhlbacherplatz 4

    Thu-Sun and holidays 11:00-18:00

24. See

    Museum of illusions

    Museum der Illusionen

    Small museum for optical illusions.

    Daily 10:00-20:00·Adults €12, children €8

25. See

    Pig museum

    Schweinemuseum

    A privately owned museum about the world of pigs.

    Tue-Sun 11:00-17:00, Mon if public holiday·Adults €6.9 (€7.9 during special exhibitions)

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Stuttgart (CC BY-SA 4.0).