Visit ‘the cradle of the automobile’ in Germany’s wine-growing country

Stuttgart is a city in southern Germany in the heart of the country's best wine-growing territory. The capital of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Stuttgart is well-known for its association with the motor car, and it is sometimes known as 'the cradle of the automobile'. Porsche and Mercedes-Benz cars are built in Stuttgart and several other companies make automotive parts within the city. Stuttgart is also delightfully cultural, with areas such as the Bean District featuring quaint cobbled streets and outdoor cafés. Striking historical buildings are dotted throughout the city among modern pedestrianised shopping districts. A series of parks and gardens wind through the centre of the city forming what is known as the ‘Green U’, where visitors can spend some quiet time among the locals, taking stock of their time in stunning Stuttgart.

Why Go?
There are lots of reasons to visit Stuttgart; from beer festivals to opera houses, motorcar museums to mineral baths, you are sure to find something you enjoy. Anyone with a taste for good wine and beer will feel very much at home on holiday in Stuttgart, and car enthusiasts will be in heaven.

When to Go?
Summer in Stuttgart is not a hot as some places in Germany, but you can enjoy the city anytime between May and October, with July and August being the hottest months. From November it can start to feel a bit chilly and the shorter days and long cold evenings can start to take the fun out of it. Some very hot summer days can bring thunder storms to the city centre.

How to get there?
Heathrow and Manchester flights to Stuttgart are available with the German national airline Lufthansa. BMI operates on the same routes as Lufthansa, while BA uses Heathrow only. You can get Stuttgart flights with German low cost carrier germanwings, and Germany’s second largest airline Air Berlin, who both fly from London Stansted. Thomson’s German parent company TUI also offer TUIfly flights to Stuttgart from Stansted, while Flybe gives you another cheap flight option from Birmingham.

Must see
One of the best attractions in Stuttgart is the Mercedes-Benz Museum, a stunning, modern building displaying over 160 different vehicles that have borne the famous Mercedes-Benz badge. The Schlossplatz, or Palace Square, is a fantastic open-space in the heart of the city next to a beautiful baroque palace built in the 18thc. Stuttgart is blessed with having one of Europe's largest natural mineral water reserves and the Stuttgart Mineral Baths are a wonderful place to go for relaxation and revitalisation in the mineral baths, swimming pools, saunas and hot clubs.