Things to Do in Porsche Museum, Deutschland

Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany, is renowned as the cradle of the automobile and home to some of the world's most prestigious car manufacturers. This vibrant city seamlessly blends industrial heritage with cultural sophistication, featuring world-class museums, beautiful parks, and a thriving arts scene. The Porsche Museum stands as one of Stuttgart's crown jewels, showcasing over 80 vehicles and telling the fascinating story of one of the world's most iconic sports car brands. Beyond its automotive legacy, Stuttgart offers visitors a rich tapestry of experiences, from exploring its historic city center and magnificent opera house to enjoying the surrounding vineyards and the scenic beauty of the Swabian Alps. The city's compact size makes it easily walkable, while its excellent public transportation system connects all major attractions efficiently.

Top Things to Do in Porsche Museum

Explore the Porsche Museum

This architectural marvel houses over 80 historic and contemporary Porsche vehicles across six floors, chronicling the brand's evolution from Ferdinand Porsche's early designs to modern supercars. Interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations provide deep insights into automotive engineering and design innovation. The museum's futuristic building itself is a work of art, appearing to float above the ground on just three concrete pillars.

Booking Tip: Book tickets online in advance for €10 adults to avoid queues, especially on weekends. Consider the audio guide for €3 extra for detailed technical information. Visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and better photo opportunities.

Visit Mercedes-Benz Museum

Journey through 130 years of automotive history in this stunning double-helix building that houses over 160 vehicles. The museum traces the complete story of the automobile from its invention to future concepts, featuring legendary racing cars, luxury vehicles, and innovative prototypes. Each floor represents a different era, creating an immersive timeline experience.

Booking Tip: Purchase tickets online for €10 adults to guarantee entry, as daily capacity is limited. The multimedia guide is included and highly recommended. Allow 3-4 hours for a complete visit, and consider combining with a factory tour for €18 total.

Stroll Through Stuttgart's Historic Center

Discover the charming Altstadt with its mix of medieval architecture and modern reconstruction, centered around the beautiful Schlossplatz and Marktplatz. The area features the Old Castle (Altes Schloss), New Palace (Neues Schloss), and the historic Stiftskirche with its distinctive mismatched towers. Pedestrian-friendly streets are lined with shops, cafes, and traditional Swabian restaurants.

Booking Tip: Free to explore on your own, but consider joining a guided walking tour for €12-15 to learn about the city's history and hidden gems. Tours typically run daily at 2 PM from the tourist information center. Comfortable walking shoes recommended for cobblestone streets.

Experience Stuttgart's Wine Culture

Stuttgart is unique among German cities for having vineyards within its boundaries, producing excellent local wines. Visit traditional wine taverns called 'Besenwirtschaften' or take a vineyard tour to sample Trollinger and Riesling wines while enjoying panoramic city views. The annual Wine Festival in late August transforms the city center into a massive celebration of local viticulture.

Booking Tip: Wine tours cost €25-35 per person and include tastings and transportation to hillside vineyards. Book through local tour operators or the tourist office. Besenwirtschaften are seasonal (marked by a broom outside) and don't require reservations, but call ahead for larger groups.

Relax at Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden

This unique combination of zoo and botanical garden is housed in a stunning 19th-century Moorish palace complex with beautiful gardens and historic architecture. Home to over 11,000 animals and 6,000 plant species, Wilhelma is particularly famous for its great ape house, aquarium, and magnificent greenhouse complexes. The setting in historic palace buildings makes it one of Europe's most beautiful zoos.

Booking Tip: Entry costs €20 for adults, €10 for children. Purchase tickets online to skip queues during peak times. Plan for a full day visit, and bring comfortable shoes as the grounds are extensive. The on-site restaurants offer good value, or pack a picnic for the designated areas.

Getting There

Stuttgart is easily accessible by air through Stuttgart Airport (STR), located 13 km south of the city center with direct S-Bahn connections taking 30 minutes. The city is a major railway hub with excellent high-speed train connections to major German cities and international destinations - ICE trains reach Frankfurt in 1.5 hours and Munich in 2.5 hours. By car, Stuttgart sits at the intersection of several major autobahns (A8, A81) making it easily reachable from anywhere in Germany or neighboring countries.

Getting Around

Stuttgart's efficient public transportation system includes S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams operated by VVS, with day passes costing €7.20 covering all zones. The city center is compact and walkable, with most attractions within easy reach on foot. For visiting automotive museums and outer districts, the rack railway (Zahnradbahn) and funicular (Standseilbahn) provide scenic transportation up the surrounding hills, while bike-sharing systems and e-scooters offer flexible alternatives for shorter distances.

Where to Stay

Stuttgart Mitte (City Center)

Bad Cannstatt

Stuttgart West

Degerloch

Stuttgart Airport Area

Vaihingen

Food & Dining

Stuttgart's culinary scene celebrates traditional Swabian cuisine alongside international flavors, with local specialties including Maultaschen (Swabian ravioli), Spätzle (egg noodles), and hearty meat dishes. The city boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants, numerous traditional Gasthäuser serving regional fare, and vibrant food markets like the Markthalle. Don't miss trying local wines from Stuttgart's own vineyards, and experience the unique Besenwirtschaft wine taverns that operate seasonally throughout the city's wine-growing districts.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Stuttgart is from May to September when temperatures are mild and outdoor activities are most enjoyable, with average highs of 20-25°C. Summer months offer the most festivals and events, including the famous Stuttgart Wine Festival in late August and various outdoor concerts. Spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) provide pleasant weather with fewer crowds and beautiful foliage in the surrounding hills, making them ideal for combining museum visits with outdoor exploration of the city's parks and vineyards.

Insider Tips

Purchase the StuttCard for €20 (3 days) which includes free public transport and discounts at major attractions including both automotive museums

Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner (2:30-5:30 PM), so plan your meals accordingly or seek out cafes and international eateries that stay open

Stuttgart's hills can be steep - use the historic funiculars and rack railways not just for transportation but as scenic attractions themselves, offering panoramic city views

Things to Do in Porsche Museum