STUTTGART: Where tradition runs fast!

Imagine a city that was founded over a thousand years ago in the hills as an ancient “Garden of Mares” (from the Old German *Stuotgarten*): this is where the name Stuttgart comes from, as well as the famous black prancing horse on a yellow background that you see on its coat of arms (very similar to that of Ferrari... but that's another story!).

Over time, those first real horses gave way to horsepower! Today, the city is known throughout the world by the nickname Benztown. It is the undisputed capital of the automobile, home to two legends, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, whose museums are true temples of futuristic design that are not to be missed.

Yet, between one racing car and another, Stuttgart knows how to be incredibly relaxed and green. Let yourself be enchanted by the elegance of Schlossplatz with its New Castle, enjoy the panoramic view from the world's first TV tower and enjoy a unique experience: strolling through the vineyards that grow luxuriantly right into the heart of the city.

Modern, surprising, and friendly: whether you call it by its formal name or, as the local youth affectionately do, simply “Stuggi,” this city is ready to make you fall in love.

IN THE CITY

Schlossplatz This is the beating heart of Stuttgart. A huge, elegant square where you can admire both the New Palace (reminiscent of Versailles) and the Old Palace (a medieval fortress). It's the perfect place to relax in the central gardens.

Mercedes-Benz Museum Even if you're not a car enthusiast, this museum is spectacular. It's a journey through world history via the evolution of engines, housed in an architecturally unique double-helix building.

Porsche Museum Located in the Zuffenhausen district. It's smaller than the Mercedes museum but very focused on design and sports racing cars. The exterior architecture seems to be suspended in mid-air.

Stadtbibliothek (City Library) A minimalist white cube that lights up blue at night. The interior is a photographer's paradise: an immaculate, geometric, and silent white space that will leave you speechless.

Fernsehturm The Stuttgart television tower was the first in the world to be built of reinforced concrete. From the viewing platform, you can see the whole city, the vineyards and, if the sky is clear, even the Black Forest.

Markthalle The Art Nouveau-style covered market. It is an architectural gem where you can find gastronomic specialties from all over the world. The atmosphere is lively and the aromas are incredible.

Grabkapelle on the Württemberg This is a mausoleum located on top of a hill covered with vineyards. It was built by a king for his beloved wife who died prematurely (a sort of Swabian Taj Mahal). The view from here at sunset is the most romantic in the city.

THE SURROUNDINGS

Ludwigsburg Castle About 15 minutes by train from Stuttgart, it is one of the largest Baroque residences in Europe. It is famous for its opulent interiors and its immense park called Baroque in Bloom.

Esslingen am Neckar A medieval town a few kilometers from the center, which remained almost intact during the war. It is famous for its old half-timbered houses, canals, and the castle that dominates the town from above.

Tübingen A historic university town on the Neckar River. The old town is steep and charming, and the classic activity here is to take a trip on the river in a Stocherkahn, the typical pole boats similar to gondolas.

Hohenzollern Castle Located about an hour's drive south of Stuttgart, near the town of Hechingen. It is the ancestral home of the German imperial family and stands spectacularly on the isolated top of a mountain. Its silhouette with towers and walls silhouetted against the sky makes it a classic fairytale castle. In addition to the incredible view from the ramparts, the interiors are rich in history and house precious treasures, including the crown of the kings of Prussia. Compared to Ludwigsburg, which is a lowland residence, this one has all the charm of a mountain fortress.

STUTTGART is a surprising city: famous for cars and industry, it is actually rich in greenery, scenic hills, and accessible culture. Even without spending a euro, you can visit some of its most iconic attractions.

ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURE

The Stadtbibliothek (Public Library)
This is perhaps the most “Instagrammable” building in the city. A perfect cube that lights up blue at night, but the real magic is inside: a minimalist, total white space on several levels that looks like something out of a science fiction movie. Climb up to the roof terrace (free) for a beautiful view of the city.

The Paternoster at the Rathaus (Town Hall)
At Stuttgart Town Hall, you can try a rare historical experience: the “Paternoster.” It is one of the few “continuous cycle” elevators (without doors or stops, you have to jump in and out on the fly) still in operation in the world.
Note: It is usually open to the public during office hours (Mon-Fri).

Stadtpalais – Museum für Stuttgart
This museum tells the history of the city. The permanent exhibition (“Stuttgarter Stadtgeschichten”) is free. It is very interactive and interesting for understanding the evolution of the city.

THE GREEN AND ROYAL HEART

Schlossplatz (Castle Square)
The beating heart of the city. You can admire the Neues Schloss (New Castle), reminiscent of Versailles, from the outside and relax on the manicured lawns. It is the perfect place for a picnic or simply to observe local life.

Schlossgarten (Castle Gardens)
A huge park that starts at the square and stretches for miles to the Neckar River. It is divided into three parts (upper, middle, lower) and is full of sculptures, ponds, and swans.

BREATHTAKING VIEWS (THE “KESSEL-BLICK”)
Stuttgart is located in a basin (*Kessel*), so it is surrounded by hills that offer spectacular views.

Eugensplatz
Reachable by a short walk or tram, it offers one of the most classic views of the city. Here you will also find the statue of Loriot (famous German humorist).

Santiago-de-Chile-Platz
Located in the *Weinsteige* area, it offers an incredible panoramic view of the urban vineyards and the city center.

The Stäffele
Stuttgart is famous for its more than 400 stairways (called *Stäffele*) that connect the city center to the hills. Walking up them is tiring but free and very characteristic.

FOR MOTOR LOVERS

Motorworld Region Stuttgart (in Böblingen)
If you don't want to pay for tickets to the Porsche or Mercedes museums, go here (located just outside the city, accessible by S-Bahn). It is a huge complex located in an old airport where you can see vintage cars, luxury supercars, and workshops for free.

Although there is an admission fee for the Mercedes-Benz Museum, access to the main hall (spectacular) and the adjoining showroom is free.

UNIQUE ATMOSPHERES

Markthalle (Covered Market)
A beautiful Art Nouveau building. Admission is free. Even if you don't buy anything (prices are high), it's worth going in to smell the spices and admire the architecture from the first-floor gallery.

Hoppenlau Cemetery (Hoppenlau-Friedhof)
The oldest cemetery in the city. It is a quiet and charming park with ancient Jewish and Christian gravestones covered in moss.

Although Berlin is often considered Germany's queer capital, STUTTGART has a deep and complex LGBT history, marked by periods of severe repression (particularly harsh in southern Germany) and a vibrant resurgence of activism in the 1970s.

PARAGRAPH 175 AND NAZISM

As in the rest of Germany, Stuttgart's homosexual history was marked by Paragraph 175, the law that criminalized sexual relations between men. During the Third Reich, persecution in Baden-Württemberg was particularly fierce. The local police had detailed lists (the “Pink Lists”) of men suspected of homosexuality.

The Hotel Silber is the most important historical site to visit. During Nazism, it was the headquarters of the Gestapo in Stuttgart, a center for investigation and torture. Many gay men were interrogated here before being deported to concentration camps (often to the nearby camp in Welzheim or to Dachau).
Today, Hotel Silber is a museum and memorial that also dedicates space to the persecution of homosexuals.

THE POST-WAR PERIOD AND THE “WITCH HUNT” (1945-1969)

A sad feature of German history is that, while others persecuted by the Nazis were liberated and compensated, homosexuals continued to be treated as criminals because Paragraph 175 remained in force in its Nazi version until 1969.
In Stuttgart, in the 1950s and 1960s, the police continued to raid public toilets and parks, destroying careers and lives.

THE 1970s AND THE NEW ACTIVISM

After partial decriminalization in 1969, Stuttgart became one of the nerve centers of the liberation movement in southern Germany.
The Kings Club (opened in 1977) was a local legend. Founded by Laura Halding-Hoppenheit (an iconic figure in Stuttgart activism), in the 1970s and 1980s it was not only a nightclub, but also a safe haven and political center. Unfortunately, it closed after COVID.

Today, Stuttgart Pride (CSD Stuttgart) is one of the largest in southern Germany, second only to Munich in terms of participation in the region. It is usually held in July.
It is known for being a very “political” Pride: it starts with a “Reception” in the Town Hall (Rathaus), a sign of how institutions, once enemies, now embrace the community.

STUTTGART is the heart of Swabia, a region known for its hearty, homemade, and delicious cuisine. It's not about particularly sophisticated dishes, but rather hearty flavors that go perfectly with wine and beer.

THE THREE GREAT CLASSICS (Must try)

Maultaschen: The signature dish. These are large square “ravioli” filled with minced meat, spinach, breadcrumbs, and onions.
Traditionally, they are served in broth (in der Brühe) or, even better, fried in a pan (geröstet) with egg and onions. Legend has it that they were invented by monks to hide meat from God during Lent (which is why they are jokingly called “Herrgottsbscheißerle,” meaning “God's little cheaters”).

Spätzle (especially Kässpätzle): These are irregularly shaped dumplings made from flour and eggs (lots of eggs!).
Try the Kässpätzle, the baked version with lots of mountain cheese and crispy fried onions on top. It's the ultimate comfort food.

Zwiebelrostbraten: A roast beef (usually roast beef), served with a mountain of fried onions and wine sauce. It is almost always served with Spätzle or fried potatoes. This is the quintessential Sunday dish.

FOR THE BRAVE (Authentic flavors)

Gaisburger Marsch: A hearty stew that combines all the best ingredients: beef broth, pieces of meat, potatoes, and spaetzle, all in one bowl. It is named after a district of Stuttgart (Gaisburg).

Linsen mit Spätzle und Saitenwürstle: Braised lentils served with spaetzle and two sausages (similar to Vienna sausages). The combination of pasta, legumes, and vinegar (often a dash of vinegar is added to the lentils) is unique and very popular with locals.

DESSERTS AND SOUVENIRS

Ofenschlupfer: A dessert made from stale bread, apples, raisins, and almonds, similar to bread pudding, served warm with vanilla sauce.

Wibele: Tiny cookies shaped like an “8” (or a shoe sole) made from egg whites and sugar. They are typical of the town of Langenburg, but can be found everywhere in Stuttgart. Perfect to take home as a souvenir.

DRINKS

Stuttgart is the only major German city with vineyards in the city center!
Wine: Be sure to try Trollinger (a light red wine that tastes almost like juice) or the local Riesling.

Beer: Order a local beer such as Dinkelacker, Stuttgarter Hofbräu, or Schwaben Bräu.

💡 EXTRA TIP

For an authentic experience, avoid the typical tourist restaurants and look for a “Weinstube” instead. These are historic pubs with wooden interiors and a cozy atmosphere.
Some historic names: Zur Kiste, Weinstube Fröhlich, or Weinstube Kachelofen.

Yes, Stuttgart is generally considered a safe and welcoming city for LGBT people, especially when compared to global standards. It is a cosmopolitan city where institutions actively collaborate with the community.
Incidents of physical violence are very rare. Walking hand in hand in the city center (Mitte, West, South) is generally fine. Germany has strict laws against hate crimes, and Stuttgart is no exception.

Despite the general safety, there are nuances to be aware of:
The city recently launched the campaign “Stuttgart nights are for everyone” (or Nachtsam) because a safety survey revealed that queer people (along with young women) feel statistically more exposed to unpleasant comments or verbal harassment on weekends, especially in the nightlife area around Theodor-Heuss-Straße (known for its more commercial clubs and sometimes more aggressive/drunk crowd).
Stuttgart is a liberal island in a region (Baden-Württemberg) that can still be traditionalist in the surrounding rural areas. You're safe in the city, but the atmosphere can change slightly if you travel to the more remote villages of Swabia.

If you're looking for a relaxed and queer-friendly environment during the day, head to Stuttgart-Süd (Marienplatz) and Stuttgart-West. These areas are full of cafés, students, and rainbow flags in the windows.
During CSD (Pride) in July, the city is literally locked down in a positive sense: it's a huge party that also involves institutions and large companies (Mercedes, Porsche), making the atmosphere extremely safe.

As in any large European city, use common sense on Friday and Saturday nights in areas crowded with drunk people, but there is no specific danger to the LGBT community.