Discover a secret German gem on a weekend break to Stuttgart

This pretty city in the south-west of the country has so much going for it – and you can explore plenty on a short break
Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH
30 April 2024

When it comes to planning a city break in Germany, focus tends to drift away to the east (towards Berlin or Dresden), north (to Hamburg) or west (to Cologne and Frankfurt).

But perhaps you should look more closely at the south. Not just to Munich, but to Stuttgart. The capital of the south-westerly state of Baden-Württemberg might not be as celebrated as some of its colleagues. But it merits closer inspection.

How? In the first instance, via British Airways. The carrier flies to Stuttgart every day of the week from London Heathrow (usually offering two departures). This is a quick hop; a journey of little more than an hour and a half – and what's more, with British Airways Holidays, you can book your flights and hotel all in one place.

Fascinating cultural happenings old and new

The flight drops you into a city of culture and charm. At the heart of it is the old town (Altstadt), a kernel of cobbled streets and medieval magnificence, where the turrets and towers of the castle (Altes Schloss) have been the city’s centrepiece since the 10th century.

BA City Breaks: Stuttgart

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The story continues at the State Gallery, which splits itself into two distinct halves – the Alte (Old) gallery, which revels in German painting from as early as the 14th century, and its Neue (New) counterpart, where Dali and Picasso hold court.

Other museums in the city take a much faster approach. Stuttgart is a motorist’s paradise; one of the great epicentres of the German car industry. As such, it is home to a pair of institutions which salute the purr of the high-octane engine.

Benefits of booking with British Airways Holidays

  • Book now, pay later with deposits from £60 per person*, and pay off the balance in as many instalments as you like. Balance is due four weeks before travel for short-haul trips
  • A dedicated 24-hour, seven-days-a-week helpline for any issues while you’re away. And if your plans change or the unexpected happens, British Airways Holidays will prioritise getting you home as soon as possible
  • ATOL protection for all holidays – meaning your money is safe and you can rest assured you won’t be stranded abroad

Both the Porsche Museum and the Mercedes-Benz Museum serve up their respective brands with aplomb – spotlights shining on a wealth of classic vehicles.

Surrounded by parks, vineyards and natural beauty

The Wilhelma is a lush oasis of flora and greenery
SMG Stuttgart Marketing GmbH - Sarah Schmid

Chief among Stuttgart’s parks and gardens is the Wilhelma – a botanical wonderland where plant life from all across the world blooms and blossoms in a series of greenhouses.

This fertile spread extends beyond the city, onto the surrounding hillsides – a region which, traditionally, has been known as Swabia. Here, Riesling, Silvaner, Kerner and Trollinger grapes thrive in the soft sunshine.

You can taste the end results via producers like the Vintage Winery, on the city’s doorstep – or out at the wine museum on its eastern outskirts in Uhlbach.

More reasons to choose a holiday from British Airways Holidays

There are all kinds of advantages to booking

  • Frequent flights to key destinations throughout British Airways’ vast network of short-haul destinations from three London Airports: London Gatwick, Heathrow and London City. These are daily, and even multiple times a day, so you’ll be able to find a flight that suits your schedule
  • A generous baggage allowance of 23kg per person is included, free of charge – there are no extra costs to add on
  • Plenty of choice and peace of mind: British Airways has partnered with numerous hotels – rated 3* and upwards – and brands, all of which are required to pass an extensive health, fire and safety checklist

But then, Baden-Württemberg lends itself to explorations outside the capital. There are several major attractions within day-trip reach – the Baroque majesty of the 18th-century Ludwigsburg Palace, an eight-mile train ride north; Tübingen, a small city, 25 miles to the south, which sits prettily on both the Neckar and Ammer rivers; and the grand Gothic pile that is Hohenzollern Castle, 20 miles further on in the same direction, forever peacocking on its hilltop above Hechingen.

Beer festivals, market hall and fresh produce

The annual Weihnachtsmarkt is always a lively spot
SMG/Alwin Maigler

Still, for all this beauty, waiting for those who wish to wander, Stuttgart demands plenty of attention of its own. It would be remiss not to shop for local produce in its Market hall, or to neglect the Swabian dishes – such as maultaschen (pasta parcels filled with meat) and Schwäbischer Zwiebelrostbraten (Swabian roast beef with onions) – in its restaurants.

If you are in town in September and October, you are in time for the beer celebration that is Cannstatter Volksfest, and then during the festive period, the annual Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas market is a must.

Alternatively, Stuttgart will be one of the host cities for this summer’s UEFA Euro 2024 football bonanza, staging five matches (including the home nation’s clash with Hungary) in June and July.

To book your city break to Stuttgart, please visit ba.com/stuttgart

*T&Cs apply. Deposit balance due 28 days in advance for short-haul holidays. Travel restrictions may apply