Unique narrow corner building on a hillside street in Stuttgart, southern Germany, showcasing the city’s characteristic architecture and charm.

Hip-hop to Maultaschen: 10 tips for your Swabian city break in Stuttgart

Did you know that Stuttgart is the German cradle of hip-hop and the birthplace of the car? If you thought Swabia was all work and no play, the Stuttgart Weindorf wine festival will change your mind. Get to know Swabian cuisine and culture – from Maultaschen and Spätzle, to sky-high sightseeing, and comedy in a converted barn. Discover the essence of Swabia with our ten insider tips.

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Towering above Stuttgart

Television tower rising above a lush green forest with a panoramic view of Stuttgart, Germany, under a clear blue sky.

The breathtaking views of the whole city from the top of the 144-metre telecommunications tower have been a magnet for visitors for nearly 70 years. From the modern glass cube of the art museum to the medieval Old Castle, you can see all the sights from one vantage point, high above the rooftops of the state capital of Swabia. Our insider tip is the special offer “SWR TV Tower for early risers”, which gives you access to the observation platform and panorama cafe one hour before sunrise.

The staples of Swabian cuisine: Maultaschen in Stuttgart’s indoor market

Every butcher has their own recipe for Maultaschen – meat- and spinach-filled pasta parcels. These Swabian dumplings are also called “Little God Cheaters” because legend has it that monks would stuff meat into the pasta pockets to hide it from God during fasting. Resourceful though they are, rather than make the tasty morsels themselves, many Swabians have their regular supplier. Konkel’s Maultaschen are a favourite of many Stuttgart residents, and you can find them right next to the Schwyzer Stand in the beautiful German Art Nouveau Market Hall. If nobody is behind the deli counter when you arrive, just ring the bell!

Traditional Swabian Maultaschen dumplings served with crispy fried onions and fresh parsley, a popular regional specialty from southern Germany.

Good food in grandma’s Swabian kitchen

Every family has their own recipe for the traditional meal of lentils, spätzle (egg noodles), and wiener sausage, but if you don’t know any locals, don’t despair: Kochenbas in the south of Stuttgart (Immenhofer Straße) serves up Swabian specialities that taste just like grandma’s. What’s more, the dining room in Kochenbas is small and cosy, so you end up chatting with the diners at the table next to you. What could be more authentic – good food and good company – just like at grandma’s.

Wine that comes from the railway station

Stuttgart has its own vineyard right in the heart of the city (yes, really, the slope behind the station is a vineyard). We recommend trying the Trollinger from Mönchhalde in the Weingut der Stadt Stuttgart’s pop-up store in Kronprinzstraße. The store is a treasure trove of Swabian products, ranging from local wooden crafts, fruit brandies, and rustic sausage specialities. Why not sample a slice of ham with your wine?

Panoramic view of Stuttgart, Germany, showing the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) and nearby vineyards on the green hills, with a mix of modern and historic architecture under a bright blue sky.

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Young winemakers and wine to be “devoured”

View of the Sepulchral Chapel on Württemberg Hill surrounded by vineyards near Stuttgart, southern Germany, in warm evening light.

You don’t “drink” a Trollinger, you “devour” it, as they say around here. The wines made by the 2010 European Young Winemakers of the Year “Junges Schwaben” are special, and the best time to try them is during the Weindorf wine festival in Autumn. But if you miss the festival, don’t worry, you can still “devour” your Trollinger any time of the year. Just head to Weinstube Klösterle in Bad Cannstatt, the oldest half-timbered house in Stuttgart.

Swabian fine foods

The Swabians have a reputation for being frugal but Enkel Schulz defies this stereotype. The shop sells gifts and fine foods, and its wares include everything from Swabian gin (winner of Best Gin in the World for Gin & Tonic) to Alb-Leisa (the traditional variety of lentils), Gsälz (jam), and Wibele (tiny figure-eight-shaped biscuits).

The cradle of German rap and a tribute in song

Typical Swabian and Stuttgart culture and history can be explored in the permanent exhibition “Stuttgart City Stories” as well as temporary exhibitions at StadtPalais – Museum for Stuttgart at Charlottenplatz (in Wilhelmspalais palace). The museum is open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Fridays. The permanent exhibition is free, but an admission fee is generally charged for temporary exhibitions. In addition to the model of the city and the exhibits that chart the development of Stuttgart over the centuries, the museum regularly holds events, tours, and workshops. Did you know that German rap culture has deep roots in Stuttgart? The museum has an exhibit on “Die Fantastischen Vier”, “Kolchose”, and “Freundeskreis”, all hip-hop groups that made Stuttgart the cradle of the German rap scene. Singer-songwriter Max Herre, who also has a family connection to the museum, paid tribute to Stuttgart in his song “1ste Liebe” (First Love).

Aerial view of Schlossplatz and the New Palace in Stuttgart, Germany, with the city’s Ferris wheel and surrounding hills in the background on a clear autumn day.

Legendary cars museum

The world’s first motorcycle, the 1885 Daimler Reitwagen, displayed in a museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

The fact that Swabians love their Daimlers is hardly surprising; after all, they invented them – not just Daimlers, but the car in general. The architecturally stunning Mercedes-Benz Museum chronicles the development of the automobile. To relate the history and tell the stories behind the Mercedes-Benz brand, the museum features more than 160 vehicles, two of which visitors can interact with. One is the bus used by the West German national football team in 1974.

Swabian folk comedy

If you would like to experience Swabian-style comedy and folk theatre, we recommend Mäulesmühle in Siebenmühlental in the town of Leinfelden-Echterdingen, directly south of Stuttgart. The publicly run converted barn is a venue that hosts folk theatre, cabaret, and other cultural formats. It was the setting for the very popular sketch series “Hannes und der Bürgermeister” (Hannes and the Mayor). Now it has a varied programme featuring local artists and regular events, and the restaurant serves organic dishes that foodies will love – no joke. We recommend the pork chop with potato salad, supper platter, pork shoulder, or sausage salad.