17 Awesome Things to Do in Stuttgart in Winter
Are you headed to Germany and wondering if there are things to do in Stuttgart in winter? You wouldn’t be alone!
Stuttgart is an incredible city to visit at any time of the year, but during the snowy season, it really can be magical.
John and I have taken the kids to Stuttgart in the winter and had an absolute blast.
From the iconic Christmas Markets to a variety of interesting attractions, incredible museums, and awesome outdoor activities, there are plenty of things to keep you busy.
Want to learn more? Let’s jump right in!
Best Things to Do in Stuttgart Germany with Kids – Quick Guide
If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the best places to visit in Stuttgart with kids:
- Christmas Market – Largest and oldest market in Germany (A MUST!)
- Porsche Museum – An awesome museum with cars that would interest adults and kids alike
- Fernsehturm – Get the best views of Stuttgart from this iconic tower
- Schloßplatz & Königstraße – Shop, eat in awesome restaurants or just people-watch in the downtown area
- Höhenpark Killesberg – Amazing family-friendly park with petting zoo, walking trails, and playgrounds to keep the kids busy
Amazing Things to Do in Stuttgart in Winter
We have put together a list of some of the best things to do in Stuttgart in winter. And with the exception of a few, these activities can only be done during the snowy season!
1. Visit the Stuttgart Christmas Market
Stuttgart has one of the largest, oldest and most popular Christmas Markets in Germany. In fact, historians are actually able to trace its roots all the way back to 1692!
With over 300 incredible stalls, visiting Stuttgart’s Christmas market is something you definitely need to add to your German bucket list!
From early November until the end of December, Stuttgart’s downtown area is transformed into a traditional German Christmas Market.
With beautiful wooden stalls, Christmas lights and a giant tree, the market is actually divided over several city blocks of Stuttgart’s Stadtmitte.
Not only will you find amazing food and gifts at the market, but there are rides for the kids, including a HUGE Ferris wheel, a rollerskating rink, incredible light sculptures, and much more.
We spent a week in Stuttgart and came back to the market often. And every time we came back, we discovered something new.
2. Sip Some Glühwein
A great way to warm up on those chilly winter days, especially when strolling through the Christmas Markets, is to sip some Glühwein (mulled wine).
Made from a variety of mulling spices and red wine, this iconic drink is popular around the holidays. And it is delicious!
Glühwein also tastes different depending on the region where you try it. For example in some cities like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, you can actually find Glühwein made from white wine.
And if you have the kids in tow, or you do not drink alcohol, you can even find a non-alcoholic version which is just as nice.
Known as Kinderpunsch, it is made from apple cider, cherry juice, orange juice, and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Our kids loved it!
3. Admire the Light Sculptures at Glanzlichter Stuttgart
From the end of November until the end of December, the Stuttgart Glanzlichter can be found at Schlossplatz.
This festival of lights is absolutely incredible and worth coming to the Christmas Markets at night to see.
The light sculptures, which are several meters high, represent eight of the city’s main tourist attractions and landmarks.
You will find the ‘Stuttgarter Rössle’ horse from the city’s coat of arms, the Stuttgart Fernsehturm (TV Tower), the Wilhelma Zoo, the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the Porsche Museum, the Royal Burial Chapel, the ‘Wasen’ Beer Festival and the Stuttgart Wine Festival.
The sculptures are illuminated daily from 3 pm until 9 pm and are incredible to see.
Every evening during the last hour the Christmas Markets are open, the sculptures come to life with a light and sound show.
The show lasts for several minutes and runs twice during that hour.
4. Grab a Bite at the Stuttgarter Markthalle
Located in the heart of downtown, the Stuttgart Markthalle is a popular shopping location.
This Art Nouveau-styled building is home to approximately 33 vendor stalls and is the perfect place to do a little shopping and find some tasty treats.
With both sit-down restaurants and fast food spots, you are sure to find something that tempts your tastebuds.
From tapas to oyster bars, bakeries, cheese shops, delis, and pastry shops, we can guarantee you will not leave hungry!
5. Get Out of the Cold by Visiting a Museum
Stuttgart is home to many fun and interesting museums.
From their iconic Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Museums to the more whimsical Schweine (Pig) Museum or the Straßenbahnmuseum (streetcar museum), there are many options if you are looking to spend a day indoors.
Of course, we would definitely recommend visiting at least one of the car museums (our fave was the Porsche Museum), as Stuttgart is where these automobiles are built!
The car museums are family-friendly and fully accessible, and both have places to eat as well as large gift shops for souvenir hunting.
However, the Pig Museum was actually a lot of fun and would be great if you had younger kids with you. It was definitely one of the oddest museums we have ever been to!
6. Go Skating at Schlossplatz
Every year from early November until the beginning of January, you can go skating at Schlossplatz.
Wintertraum (Winter Dream) is a family-friendly attraction that has become popular with both locals and those visiting for the Christmas Markets.
Although in past years, Wintertraum was operated as an ice rink, the city of Stuttgart has decided to change things up a little for the past couple of years.
Nowadays, you can expect to find a roller rink. Open daily from 11:00 am to 10:30 pm, you will even find a rental shop if you don’t have your own skates.
Our kids loved it! They would ask to be dropped off at the rink while we went shopping in the Markets! Teens!
7. Enjoy a Winter Stroll
As we mentioned earlier, Stuttgart has many green spaces located throughout the city.
If you are looking to go for a winter stroll, you won’t have a problem finding a park, or forested trail to walk along.
One great option is to take a leisurely walk from Degerloch down to Marienplatz.
At just over 2 km, this trail will take you through the Scharrenberg, one of the smallest and steepest vineyards in Württemberg.
This trail will take about 45 minutes, but both the start and end points are conveniently located right by public transportation stops.
Of course, if you are interested in taking a guided walking tour given by a local, you have many options available.
From culture and art to history, architecture, or a general tour of the city, Stuttgart really has a lot to offer.
8. Go Shopping on Königstraße
Königstrasse is the main street you see as you exit the Hauptbahnhof.
Known as the Shopping Mile, it is the longest pedestrianized shopping street in Germany.
As the main shopping hub, you can expect to find many of the popular chain stores (Zara, H&M, Pandora, Starbucks), as well as plenty of Biergarten, restaurants, and cafés to curb your hunger while you shop.
In fact, we have found some pretty unique souvenirs (like our amazing Stuttgart Beer Stein) in some of the smaller mom-and-pop shops along this famous strip.
9. Warm Up with Some Comfort Food at Carls Brauhaus
What better way is there to warm up than to find a cute little restaurant and tuck into some local cuisine?
And since many of the attractions that we have mentioned in this post are centrally located in downtown Stuttgart, we thought it only fitting to choose an eatery in the same area.
Carls Brauhaus is located adjacent to Schlossplatz and Palace Square.
There, you will not only find a fabulous breakfast menu but also an awesome local beer menu and all the popular Swabian dishes you might want to sample.
We chose to have a family dinner at Carl’s Brauhaus during our last visit to Stuttgart and the food was delicious!
From housemade Kässpätzle (German cheese noodles), Wiener Schnitzel, Maultaschen (German ravioli), and Flammkuchen (German pizza) to vegetarian dishes, and incredible desserts like Black Forest cake, you will not leave hungry!
10. Dance Your Heart Out at an Ice Skating Disco Party
If you are looking for a little indoor winter fun, look no further than Eiswalt Waldau.
This indoor ice rink is home to some pretty fantastic family fun.
From October to March, you will not only find public ice skating and ice hockey but also weekly ice skating dance parties.
Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening, Eiswalt Waldau comes to life with both a DJ and coloured lights.
And depending on what night you choose, you can expect disco, 80s and 90s hits, or current chart-topping music.
The party runs from 8 pm – 10 pm on Wednesday and Friday and from 5 pm – 9.30 pm on Sunday.
Kids must be 10 or over to participate, and there are skate rentals available onsite.
11. Go Tobogganing in Tübingen
If you are visiting Stuttgart in winter with kids, then you may want to consider spending the day tobogganing.
And, ironically enough, while Stuttgart is very hilly, it is difficult to find many toboggan runs in the city.
Instead, head just outside of the city to the Tübingen Wintersport Arena.
Not only will you find some awesome toboggan runs, as well as sled rentals, but they also have 4 ski lifts, 3 km of ski slopes, a cross-country ski trail and a ski hut.
Tübingen is easily reached by public transportation from Stuttgart or is only a 40-minute drive away.
The toboggan hills in the park are free to use, but there is a small fee for rentals.
12. Admire the City From Above at the Fernsehturm
Constructed in 1956, the Stuttgart Fernsehturm was the first TV tower to be built in the world.
At 217 meters high, it can be seen from downtown Stuttgart, as well as from many of the suburbs.
While the antenna is no longer active, the Fernsehturm Stuttgart has an impressive observation deck 150 meters above the ground.
With the incredible 360-degree views, you can see across the city and Neckar Valley, into the Swabian countryside.
You can even see as far as the Black Forest and the Odenwald on a clear day.
During our winter visit, the snow-covered hills and countryside were nice to see.
And I’m sure that seeing the lights from the Christmas Markets at night would be quite magical.
Just remember to dress warm. It was quite breezy up there!
You will need to purchase an admission ticket to access the elevator that will take you up to the observation deck. But trust me when I tell you, it is well worth it!
On the upper levels, you will also find a café and a restaurant, both with amazing views.
The tower stays open until 9 pm in the winter and is easily reached by both car and public transportation.
13. Have a Snowball Fight at Killesberg Park
Killesberg Park is an awesome oasis in the middle of Stuttgart.
The park is home to beautiful fountains, a 40 metre-high tower with incredible 360-degree views, several great children’s play areas, a petting zoo, a small railway to ride, an outdoor swimming pool in the summer, a children’s theatre and so much more.
You could absolutely spend a day here with the family, and the winter season in no exception.
Have a snowball fight in the park, take a stroll around the grounds on the paved walking trails, admire the views from the tower, or feed the ducks on the pond.
While the Flamingos were tucked into their indoor enclosure for the winter, most of the other animals were outside greeting their guests!
Located just a 9-minute drive from downtown Stuttgart, or about 21 minutes by public transportation, Killesberg is a great place to take the kids for an afternoon of fun, no matter what the season.
14. Eat All the Pretzels
You absolutely cannot visit Stuttgart in the winter, or any other time for that matter, without indulging in one of their iconic Bretzels.
These delicious soft pretzels taste amazing when they are warm and fresh, especially when slathered with butter and chives.
Bretzel can be found in many restaurants, bakeries, and even in convenience shops inside the Bahnhof (our favourite was from Yorma’s).
But if you are walking along Königstraße, be on the lookout for the Bretzel vendor carts if you are craving this very German treat!
15. Pretend to be Royalty While Touring a Castle
The Ludwigsburg Residential Palace, located just north of Stuttgart, is the largest Baroque palace in Germany.
Inside, there’s a big courtyard, gardens, two churches, over 450 rooms, and Europe’s oldest preserved palace theatre.
The Marble Hall is especially stunning with its fancy chandeliers and a ceiling fresco that looks like the sky. It’s gorgeous!
The palace offers one of the longest guided tours, lasting 90 minutes. The tour is offered in both German and English.
Check their website for tour dates and times.
Of course, Ludwigsburg also offers a number of things to see and do near the Palace.
In December, the Baroque Marktplatz is where you can find an awesome Christmas Market.
16. Curl Up with a Good Book
Another way to stay warm during a visit to Stuttgart in winter is to curl up with a good book at the Stuttgart public library (Stadtbibliothek).
This incredible building is architecturally unique and has not only received many awards but has also become quite a tourist attraction.
The Stuttgart Stadtbibliothek is a photographer’s paradise and definitely Instagram-worthy.
Of course, aside from finding a good book, they also have weekly programming for kids.
Both of our daughters are bookworms, so there was no twisting of any arms to get them to this attraction!
17. Day Trip to the Black Forest for Winter Hiking or Skiing
If you are looking to do a little skiing or winter hiking, you will need to take a day trip from Stuttgart out to the Schwarzwald (Black Forest).
There, you will find some awesome little resorts that are perfect for a day of outdoor fun in the snow.
In fact, there are several incredible ski areas not just in the Schwarzwald, but even on the Schwäbische Alb.
And the best part is, many of the resorts are located less than an hour’s drive from Stuttgart.
Another plus with several of these resorts is that their ski lift cards are usually quite inexpensive.
Many will offer ski or snowboard lessons for beginners and children, as well as nighttime skiing, winter hiking, tobogganing, and places to rent any needed equipment.
John was pretty disappointed that we did not have time to hit the slopes during our last winter visit to Stuttgart. But, as always, we will be back!
Best Guided Tours in Stuttgart
So if we haven’t given you enough reasons to visit Stuttgart in the winter, maybe a guided tour will be able to entice you.
With several to choose from, you can tailor your itinerary to what your family loves to do:
Where to Stay in Stuttgart in Winter
Although there are many amazing places to stay all over Stuttgart, we would definitely recommend staying centrally near the downtown area, especially if you do not have a car.
Depending on your budget and whether you are travelling with family, there are several great hotel options:
Luxury
Le Méridien Stuttgart
Located across from the beautiful Schlossgarten Park, this hotel features stylish rooms, a luxurious spa, and proximity to the central train station.
Waldhotel Stuttgart
Nestled in a peaceful forest setting, this gorgeous hotel combines luxury with tranquillity. It offers a peaceful retreat with top-notch facilities like a spa and an onsite restaurant, yet it’s still close to the city center.
This was one of our favourite stays in Stuttgart. The rooms were heavenly!
Moderate
Park Inn by Radisson Stuttgart
Near Marienplatz, this hotel has modern rooms with great city views and excellent public transport connections.
We loved our stay here as it was right by the U-Bahn, the Zacke, and a grocery store with an awesome bakery inside.
Mövenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport
Located right across the street from the airport, this hotel offers convenience and comfort, ideal for those looking for easy access to public transit for city excursions.
We have stayed at this hotel and eaten in the restaurant many times and would totally recommend it!
Budget
ibis Hotel Stuttgart City
Provides basic but comfortable accommodations in a quieter part of the city, with easy access via car or public transport.
Hotel Astoria am Urachplatz
Offers simple rooms a short distance from the city center, with good public transport links.
How to Get to Stuttgart
As the 6th largest city in Germany, Stuttgart is easy to get to by a variety of means:
By Air
Fly into Stuttgart Airport (STR), which serves many international and domestic flights. The airport is about 10 kilometres south of the city center.
However, if you are coming from overseas, you will need to fly into either Frankfurt International Airport or Munich International Airport.
From either airport, you can then take a connecting flight, or rent a car and drive to Stuttgart.
By Train
Stuttgart is well-connected by train with major German cities and other European capitals. The main train station, Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, is in the heart of the city.
By Car
Stuttgart is easily accessible by car, as it’s connected by several major highways.
From Munich, it takes about 2.5 hours via the A8. From Frankfurt, it’s about a 2-hour drive via the A5 and A8.
By Bus
Long-distance buses also run to Stuttgart from various cities across Germany and Europe. The main bus station is near the train station.
Getting Around Stuttgart Germany
Germany is home to an awesome public transportation system, and Stuttgart is no exception.
Public Transportation
As we mentioned above, Stuttgart has a comprehensive public transportation system, including buses, trams (Stadtbahn), and suburban trains (S-Bahn).
You can get a day ticket or a group ticket for unlimited travel in the area.
We purchased weekly passes right inside the Stuttgart Airport, and hopped on the train from there!
We definitely found the trains/busses extremely easy to navigate, as well as being very clean!
The S-Bahn system is easy to use and connects the city center to the airport and other attractions.
The U-Bahn is the train system used for travelling within the city. Not only are there many stops around the city, but they connect to a large bus network as well.
We have travelled to Stuttgart many times as a family, and have not needed to rent a car. Between the S-Bahn and U-Bahn systems, you can easily get anywhere in the city quickly.
Walking
Many parts of Stuttgart, especially the city center, are pedestrian-friendly. Walking can be a pleasant way to see the sights.
Cycling
Stuttgart offers bike rentals through several services. Cycling is a great way to explore more of the city at your own pace.
Car Rental
Renting a car can be useful if you plan to visit areas outside the city or prefer private transport.
Taxis and Ride-Sharing
Taxis are readily available, and ride-sharing services like Uber operate in Stuttgart, offering convenient options for quick trips around town.
Why Visit Stuttgart in Winter?
Although most tourists prefer to travel to Germany in the summer, visiting Stuttgart while the snow is falling can be really nice as well.
From the iconic Christmas Markets to the many opportunities for outdoor adventure, there are so many things to do in Stuttgart in winter!
Another reason to visit Stuttgart in winter is that the off-season means fewer crowds.
Of course, the exception is during December. This is when the Christmas Markets are in full swing, and people from all over the world have flocked to the city.
But come January, you will find a very relaxed atmosphere.
Stuttgart Weather in Winter
Stuttgart is said to be one of the warmest areas in Germany during the winter.
With an average daily high of 5 °C between December and February, and lows averaging about -2 °C, the temperatures are definitely not frigid.
As far as snowfall is concerned, Stuttgart gets the majority of its snow from the end of November until the end of January.
The most amount of snow falls in December, with an average sitting at about 42 mm.
So between the warmer temperatures and the relatively small amount of snow that falls, you can see that from a weather perspective, Stuttgart would be a very pleasant place to visit during the winter.
Stuttgart in Winter FAQs
Yes, Stuttgart is definitely worth visiting. It offers unique museums, beautiful parks, an awesome Christmas Market, and is famous for its car culture with the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums.
You could easily spend a week visiting Stuttgart in winter, especially if the Christmas Markets are open. But if you are pressed for time, three days are ideal to explore Stuttgart’s main attractions, enjoy local food, and experience the city’s culture.
Yes, many people in Stuttgart speak English, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants.
Winters in Stuttgart are relatively mild compared to other parts of Germany. With highs of 5 °C between December and February, and lows averaging about -2 °C, it really doesn’t get too cold.
Yes, it does snow in Stuttgart, but the snowfall is usually light and not very frequent.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Stuttgart in Winter
There are so many awesome things to do in Stuttgart in winter.
Depending on how much time you have, and whether you are travelling with kids, the possibilities are endless.
Spend some time enjoying the outdoors, or head inside to one of the awesome museums, you really can’t go wrong when visiting this incredible city.
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Related Posts:
- Is Stuttgart Worth Visiting?
- 25+ Fun and Interesting Facts About Stuttgart Germany That You May Not Know
- 15 Best Things to Do in Stuttgart with Kids (From an Expert)
- Things to Do in Stuttgart in Winter
- Ultimate Guide to the Stuttgart Christmas Market
