When I was looking for short weekend escape ideas from Bavaria, I got invited by Vane and Mert to their hometown ; Stuttgart, the capital city of Baden-Württemberg.
The city was just 2 1/4 hours away from Munich. And I had never been there. There was no reason to decline.
I left the Bavarian capital early Saturday morning, was greatly impressed by Swabian mountains and taken by surprise when I arrived at the principal railway station in Stuttgart.
For years, I believed that it was one of the largest and richest cities in Germany, i.e. it was densely populated, had high concentration of the latest technology industry, and was filled with towering skyscapers and high-rise buildings — just like Frankfurt.
To my astonishment, it was very different from Germany’s financial center. Despite its economic significance, noticeable immigrant population, and international reputation for being the cradle of the automobile, the Swabian metropolis was nothing but a cozy, medium-sized city with a small town feel.
The city center can be reachable on foot from Stuttgart central station. Many museums and popular tourist attractions are located around the palace square. And you can find virtually everything you need on the Königstraße. The only exception is famous automobile museums which are located in outer city districts.
During my weekend trip, I stayed downtown and visited the Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art, Old Castle / Regional History Museum and large state park. While those museums show how the city was founded, has been flourished and transformed, the park provides a green space for rest, play and photoshoot.
And I also enjoyed local specialities in the evening. Pan-fried tender steak with onions and local wine. They are known as “schwäbischer Zwiebelrostbraten” and “Fellbacher Lämmler” and available at a traditional Swabian restaurant or “Weinstube”, German wine tavern.
After a day of exploring the city, I went to lunch with my newly-met friends!
