Stuttgart City Guide

Local dishes include Maultaschen, Spätzle, Zwiebelrostbraten, and Linsen mit Spätzle. International options cover Italian, Turkish, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Vegetarian and vegan choices are growing. Late-night food is limited outside nightlife spots.

Decent nightlife with bars, clubs, and pubs mainly around Theodor-Heuss-Straße.

Growing specialty coffee with third-wave cafes and local roasters. Coffee tours are uncommon. Scene is improving in quality.

Tipping is customary but not required. Round up or add 5-10% in restaurants and taxis. For example, a €28 bill might be paid as €30. Optional in other services.

SIM cards can be bought at Telekom, Vodafone, O2 stores, electronics shops like MediaMarkt and Saturn, or the airport. Telekom offers the best coverage. eSIMs are available but usually need online or in-store activation. ID or passport is required to register.

Stuttgart is generally very clean with efficient waste and recycling services and few sanitation problems.

Limited 24/7 services; some gas station shops and train station stores open late. Emergency rooms operate round the clock, pharmacy emergency services rotate.

Supermarkets stock international items, especially in larger stores. Major chains include Edeka, Rewe, Lidl, Aldi, and Kaufland. Markthalle Stuttgart offers fresh markets. Shops open 8 AM to 8 or 9 PM weekdays and Saturdays, closed Sundays and holidays.

Cards are accepted in most big stores, restaurants, and hotels. Smaller shops and bakeries often prefer cash, so carry some just in case.

ATMs from major banks like Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and Volksbank are common. Using ATMs tied to major banks helps avoid extra fees when withdrawing with foreign cards.

International School of Stuttgart offers English curriculum; local schools teach in German following Baden-Württemberg standards. Admission to international schools can be competitive, so apply early.

Small but growing remote work community. Co-working spaces and cafes serve as hubs. Networking mainly through expat and work groups.

Extensive parks and green areas including the 'Green U' parks and Neckar riverside. Plenty of shaded spots and good for running.

Extensive parks and riverside paths for safe and scenic running. Popular spots include Schlossgarten and Killesberg Park. Running clubs and events are active.

Numerous gyms and sports clubs available.

Many tennis clubs and public courts with clay and hard surfaces. Padel is growing. Equipment rentals and coaching are common.

Padel is less common but gaining popularity with some clubs offering courts.

Numerous yoga studios with various styles, meditation centers, and thermal baths. Drop-in and memberships available, some English-speaking instructors.

Various dojos offer BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, and more. Competitions and drop-in classes available; some English-speaking instructors.

Nearby ski areas in Swabian Jura and Black Forest with beginner to intermediate slopes. Resorts within 1 to 2.5 hours drive, open December to March.

Neckar River offers kayaking and paddleboarding with rentals and guided tours in warmer months. Larger lakes farther away offer sailing and windsurfing.

No ocean surfing nearby; river surfing available only in Munich.

No local dive sites; freshwater diving available further away in Bavaria or Austria.

High-quality public and private healthcare. English-speaking staff are found in major hospitals like Marienhospital Stuttgart. Pharmacies are clearly marked with a red 'A' and provide most medications. Emergency numbers are 112 (ambulance/fire) and 110 (police).

Tap water is safe and high quality.

Many playgrounds and family-friendly cafés with facilities like high chairs. Baby supplies are easy to find. Family attractions include Wilhelma zoo and botanical garden, Carl Zeiss Planetarium, and Mercedes-Benz Museum.

High acceptance and legal protections. Several LGBTQ+ venues and annual pride events. Community groups are active with low discrimination risk.

Generally pet-friendly with many parks, dog areas, and vet clinics. Hotels and some restaurants welcome pets. Strict pet import rules apply.