Stuttgart or Munich?

[MinnieMountain]

I’m planning a week in Germany for early October. I’m travelling by train. Friday-Monday will be Baden-Baden, then I want to stay in a city Monday-Friday.

I can’t decide whether to stay in Munich, which I like and have been to a few times, or Stuttgart where I’ve never been but seems like there should be plenty to do.

Can anyone help me decide? I mainly like being in southern Germany, speaking German, eating sausages and pastries. And pre-20th Century history.

If you’re into cars, Stuttgart is fantastic. The Mercedes-Benz museum is a must do. They invented the car, so they show the entire history of the automobile. The first exhibit is the thing their invention replaced : a horse. The Porsche museum is also excellent.

If you’re not into cars, then Munich every time. If you have ‘been there, done that’ with Munich, how about Nuremberg? Beautiful city, fascinating 20th century history.

I know you said Germany but how about Innsbruck? We spent time in Germany and Austria this summer. Liked Munich but really enjoyed Innsbruck. Easy train links from Munich.

@CagneyNYPD1 Innsbruck is on my list, but I’ll be travelling by train and this is Baben-Baden, somewhere else, then home by train in one day on the second Friday.

Stuttgart art gallery is good.
There are some spectacular baroque palaces (Schloss Solitude, 2 in Ludwigsburg)
Tuebingen would make a nice day trip (v pretty uni town) - could possibly also get as far as the Black Forest
Mercedes Benz & Porsche museums
There are other things to do that are nice but not such main attractions (old palace, zoo, natural history museums, rack & cable railways).

It isn’t as stunning as Munich, but there is plenty to do. You should be able to look up the main attractions online to get a good idea if you would like them.

ps You’ve described my views fairly accurately if you swap sausages for Milchkaffee - it sounds like a lovely trip.

Stuttgart station is under construction and will not be finished until December 2026. It’s a lovely city but walking to and from the station is a bit of a hike currently.

The Porsche and Mercedes Benz museums are closed every Monday.

From Stuttgart, you can get a train/bus combo out to Waldenbuch and visit the Ritter- Sports factory. Not flash, but lots of great chocolate to choose from!

There's also a castle in Waldenbuch - and chance to improve your Schwab ish, as well as German!

I like the sound of Waldenbuch. It’s 24 years since I attempted Swabish.

I’m not the slightest bit into cars, but it’s sounding like Stuttgart is the one to go for. Accommodation looks cheaper too.

Sorry but I think most people are just helping you find reasons to go to Stuttgart because you want to go somewhere different to Munich. If you directly compare the two cities though Munich is by far better to visit. It’s just much, much more attractive and has much more to offer tourists.

I think on balance that you’re right @Sarover . I’ve never stayed in Munich by myself, I only went for day trips when I lived in Germany. Time to make the most of it.