Unveiling Stuttgart, Ulm, Augsburg: From Castles To Modern Cars
Unveiling Stuttgart,Ulm,Augsburg:From Castles to Modern Cars
It has already been 11 years since we lived in Munich, Germany. So far we have already managed to visit a large part of this wonderful country – we have seen beautiful lakes and waterfalls, but also the cities with the main attractions. Apart from this general article about Germany, we also wrote about every city, lake and small town we visited and German restaurant ideas. If you want to know more about these beautiful places, we invite you to read the other articles about Germany.
Table of Contents
Germany Map
Informations
Stuttgart, the capital of southwest Germany’s Baden-Württemberg state, is known as a manufacturing hub. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have headquarters and museums here. The city is filled with greenspaces, which wrap around its center. Popular parks include the Schlossgarten, Rosensteinpark and Killesbergpark. Wilhelma, one of the largest zoos and botanical gardens in Europe, is just northeast of Rosenstein Castle.
Temperature: Summer is the perfect time to visit the country in terms of the weather. The sky is clear and everybody heads outdoors to enjoy the sun.
Language: The official language is German.
Currency: Euro
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=14 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=50 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Mercedes-Benz Museum
Translated from English-The Mercedes-Benz Museum is an automobile museum in Stuttgart, Germany. It covers the history of the Mercedes-Benz brand and the brands associated with it. Stuttgart is the home of the Mercedes-Benz brand and the international headquarters of the Mercedes-Benz Group.
Porsche Museum
The Porsche Museum is a car museum in Stuttgart. The factory museum of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is located at Porscheplatz in the Zuffenhausen district. The new museum building was opened to the public on January 31, 2009. The one millionth visitor arrived in June 2011.
Wilhelma
The Wilhelma is a zoological and botanical garden in the Bad Cannstatt district of Stuttgart. With over a million visitors every year, it is one of the most visited zoological gardens in Germany. Today, Wilhelma shows around 11,000 animals from all over the world on around 30 hectares.
Stuttgart TV Tower
The Stuttgart TV Tower is a 216.6 meter high television and observation tower on the summit of the Hoher Bopser in the Baden-Württemberg state capital Stuttgart.
Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
The Staatsgalerie Stuttgart is one of the most important art museums in Baden-Württemberg and one of the most important art collections in Germany. It was originally founded by King Wilhelm I of Württemberg as a museum of fine arts.
Killesberg Park
The Killesberg Tower in Stuttgart in the Killesberg Park is a 40.4 m high observation tower that was built in 2001. The park is located north of the city center as part of the “Green U”, an association of green and recreational areas that also includes the castle gardens and Rosenstein Park.
Schlossplatz Stuttgart
The Schloßplatz in Stuttgart is the largest square in the center of Stuttgart and the forecourt of the New Palace.
Castle Solitude
Solitude Castle was built between 1763 and 1769 by Johann Friedrich Weyhing and Philippe de La Guêpière as a hunting and representative palace under Duke Carl Eugen of Württemberg. It corresponds to the baroque type of maison de plaisance. In 1858 “Die Solitude” became part of the municipality of Gerlingen.
Sepulchral Chapel
The grave chapel on the Württemberg in the Rotenberg district of Stuttgart is a mausoleum on the summit of the Rotenberg, which was only renamed Württemberg in 1907. King Wilhelm I of Württemberg had it built after the death of his second wife, Katharina Pavlovna.
Ulmer Rathaus
The Ulm town hall is one of the outstanding architectural monuments of the city of Ulm, not least because of the facade murals and an astronomical clock. Its complex construction history – it consists of three different components – began in the 14th century.
Ulm city wall
There are still iron rings in the city wall on the Danube side. They are an indication that it was once located directly on the river. A walk on the city wall is a must for Ulm explorers. There is a lot to see in its middle section, pretty gardens on one side, the busy Danube meadow on sunny days on the other. The playground for meeting and relaxing is a stroke of luck for the city, centrally located and attracting young people and those young at heart.
Wiblingen Abbey
The Benedictine monastery of Wiblingen is about 5 kilometres from the centre of Ulm. The present monastery buildings were built in the period from 1714 to 1781 and completely replaced the premises built in the 11th century. The central point of the estate is the monastery church, ›a room which has its origins in the tradition of the late baroque style and in which the process of reinterpretation in the sense of early classicism is fascinatingly apparent.
Ulm Minster
The Ulm Minster is a city church in Ulm built in the Gothic architectural style. It is the parish church of the Evangelical Minster Community of Ulm. The Ulm Minster is the largest Protestant church building in Germany. The 161.53 meter high tower, completed in 1890, is the tallest church tower in the world.
Zoo Augsburg and Botanical garten
The Augsburg Zoo was opened on June 12, 1937 as a park for German wildlife. In the period after the Second World War, the former “Augsburg Zoo” was also stocked with exotic animals.
Fuggerei
The Fuggerei in Augsburg is one of the oldest existing social settlements in the world. The terraced house settlement was donated by Jakob Fugger “the Rich” in 1521. Today, 150 needy Catholic citizens of Augsburg live in the 140 apartments of the 67 houses for an annual rent of 0.88 euros.
Schaezlerpalais
The Augsburg Schaezlerpalais houses municipal and state art collections. It is located at the Hercules Fountain and was formerly the city palace of the banker Benedikt Adam Freiherr von Liebert, Edler von Liebenhofen.
Basilica of SS. Ulrich and Afra
St. Ulrich and Afra is a Catholic parish church and has been a papal basilica in Augsburg since 1937. It is one of the last large late Gothic church buildings in Swabia.
Augsburg Town Hall
The Augsburg town hall was built from 1615 to 1624 on the east side of Augsburg’s town hall square. The 57 meter high secular building is considered one of the most important pieces of Renaissance architecture north of the Alps and, together with the Perlach Tower, is the city’s landmark.
Augsburger Dom
Augsburg Cathedral is the cathedral of the Diocese of Augsburg and the parish church of the cathedral parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The cathedral is considered one of the most important church buildings in Swabia and one of the most visited attractions in the city of Augsburg. The origins of the cathedral are dated to the 8th century.
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Germany offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Germany’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
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Luxury hotels we recommend in Stuttgart: Aparthotel Wangener Landhaus, Zur Weinsteige, Kronenhotel.
Mid-range hotels we recommend in Ulm: ibis Ulm City, NYCE Hotel Ulm, LAGO hotel.
Budget hotels we recommend in Augsburg: Arthotel ANA Style Augsburg, Hotel Haunstetter Hof Augsburg,Hotel Maximilian’s.
Where to eat
Traditional Food and
Desserts to try in Germany
Wurst- There are an estimated 1,500 varieties of sausage in Germany. These are prepared in many different ways and include a range of ingredients and unique spice blends.
Rouladen – This typical German dish consists of bacon, onions, mustard, and pickles wrapped in thinly sliced beef or veal which is then cooked.
Spätzle is especially popular in the south of the country. These soft egg noodles are made from wheat flour and egg and are often topped with cheese (Käsespätzle) and roasted onions.
Eintopf – means ‘one pot’ and refers to the way of cooking rather than its contents. That said, most recipes contain the same basic ingredients: broth, vegetables, potatoes or pulses, and pork, beef, chicken, or fish.
Sauerbraten (meaning ‘sour’ or ‘pickled’ roast) is one of the country’s national dishes. You can make a pot roast by using many different types of meat, which you marinate in wine, vinegar, spices, herbs, and then season for up to ten days.
Kartoffelpuffer are shallow pan-fried pancakes made from grated or ground potatoes mixed with flour, egg, onion, and seasoning.
Kartofflelknödel is the German term for potato dumplings. Potatoes serve as the base for the dumplings, but you can add any spices and croutons you like.
Maultaschen are small sheets of dough filled with various ingredients. Some people like ground beef, while others add smoked meats, including sausages. You can also add onions and herbs to your dumplings.
Of course, all travel enthusiasts and everyone who loves to try new foods have heard about these foods, but these foods are specific to Germany and you must try them when you are here: pretzel, pork schnitzel, potato salad, fried potatoes, currywurst.
Black Forest cherry torte – Alternating layers of rich chocolate cake, cherries, and whipped cream are topped off with more cream, maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings for a luxurious finish.
Stollen is an authentic German Christmas food. It dates back to the 16th century, and it is most popular in Dresden. It is a flatbread with dried and candied fruits. You can also add chopped or whole nuts and then top the bread off with powdered sugar.
Restaurants
Exciting cocktails on the ground floor, fantastic menu creations on the upper floor – the 5 is a bar and star restaurant in one. Chef Alexander Dinter combines international influences.
For as long as you can remember, the Weinsteige has been synonymous with enjoyment. With the departure from à la carte operations, there has now been another significant increase.
NEW JOSCH – The former star restaurant lay idle for around four years. The financially strong investor who is also behind the restaurant recently reopened it and now offers a restaurant
DÉLICE – Star chef Andreas Hettinger recently took over as owner of Délice. Nothing has changed in the concept of the two-men show: Hettinger, the sommelier, cooks all alone
SPEISEMEISTEREI The focus of Stefan Gschwendtner, head chef at the Genussmeisterei since 2016, is on reducing things to the absolute essentials. This results in a depth of flavor that is unparalleled.
WIELANDSHÖHE – Culinary cult site in an exposed vineyard location. Chef Jörg Neth focuses on regional, classic cuisine in the tradition of patron Vincent Klink, who has handed over the helm to his daughter Eva.
CHRISTOPHORUS-Gourmet restaurant on the top floor of the Porsche Museum. With a view of Porscheplatz, you can enjoy Mediterranean-international cuisine with a focus on steaks.
CUBE-Directly on Schlossplatz, on the upper floor of the art museum, this noble address offers one of the most spectacular views of the city. The cuisine is ambitious, with lunch and dinner menus on offer.
Saving Tips
- CHOOSE YOUR AIRPORT WISELY: If you’re flying from North America, you’re likely to find the best flight deals into Frankfurt, home to Germany’s largest international airport. However, Frankfurt is five hours away from Berlin and almost four hours away from Munich. Since train tickets can be pricey and gas is expensive, it may be worth paying a little extra to fly closer to your destination.
- TRY A LOW-COST AIRLINE: Consider low-cost airline options from the US to Germany, including Norwegian Airlines.
- Get city tourism cards – Most of the major cities in Germany offer city tourism cards. These include free admission to major museums and attractions, discounts on restaurants, and usually unlimited public transportation. If you plan on seeing a lot, these cards can save you money.
- Get transportation day passes – If you’re going to be using public transportation a lot in a city, get a day pass. Paying for single rides adds up quickly.
- SEASON” SAVINGS: If you can, try to visit Germany in June or September. You’ll find better deals during these months and the weather is still usually very pleasant.
- Book your train early – Trains in Germany are expensive but you can get a saver ticket that is around 40-50% off the standard fare if you book at least a week in advance.
- You can get online for free and make use of the free Wi-fi. Many cafes and renowned chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks offer free Wi-Fi in Germany, as do the various municipal buildings, libraries, parks, and some museums.
- Look out for free museum days – Most museums in Germany offer free admission on certain days or evenings.
- KEEP AN EYE ON SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: Public school in Germany has five main school holidays: winter holidays, spring break, summer holidays, autumn holidays and Christmas holidays.
- Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours or Big Bus tours
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Shopping
Metzingen Outlet City – In Stuttgart and the region, shopping lovers can “shop until they drop”; high-quality products at affordable prices are available, for example, in Metzingen, Hugo Boss’s hometown. Here in Metzingen, a simple factory outlet has developed into a real shopping city over the years; now you can shop for international brands with designer fashion and accessories at reduced prices all year round in many outlets. Today, Metzingen is one of Europe’s top shopping destinations and attracts price-conscious label shoppers from all over the world. Every year more than three and a half million customers from more than 185 countries visit Outletcity. There is even a shopping bus that takes shoppers directly from Stuttgart to Metzingen several times a day.
Stuttgart city center offers a large selection of products. Here you will not only find fashion for every taste, but also everything your heart desires in terms of exquisite, elegant and tasteful products. With a length of 1.2 kilometers, Königsstrasse is the longest pedestrian zone in Europe. But the entire city center of Stuttgart with the most popular shopping boulevard has specialty shops, department stores, international chains, cafés and restaurants. To the right and left of Königsstrasse there are other attractive shopping streets such as Eberhandstrasse, Stiftstrasse or the noble Carlwerstrasse with its elegant shops and boutiques.
If you want to avoid the shopping centers but still want to spend a day shopping, the longest pedestrian street in Europe, Königstrasse, is the right place for you. The Swabian shopping mile is popular with Stuttgart residents and visitors alike. It starts at the main train station and ends at Rotebuhlplatz, and leads past Schlossplatz and the new castle, and has a variety of shops, boutiques and shopping centers. On Königstrasse and the streets in the immediate vicinity you will find everything your heart desires.
Getting Around
There are a wealth of options when it comes to avoiding driving in Germany. With an effectively nationalized railway network, crossing the country by train means buying a ticket from Deutsche Bahn. At the local level, Germany’s states manage buses, trams, metro networks, suburban trains, and ferries. Public transportation systems in Germany are safe, efficient, and fairly easy to use. As a result, some German cities are starting to shake off the stereotype of being a car-loving nation. Across the country, 30 million passengers use public transportation in Germany on an average day.
There are a wealth of options when it comes to avoiding driving in Germany. With an effectively nationalized railway network, crossing the country by train means buying a ticket from Deutsche Bahn. At the local level, Germany’s states manage buses, trams, metro networks, suburban trains, and ferries.
Modes of public transport in Germany:
S-bahn (city rapid rail), and, as the name suggests, is the fastest form of public transportation.
U-Bahn is the German version of the metro.
Tram – They travel on rails alongside regular roads and have multiple stops within city center areas.
Buses are the mainstay of many German towns and cities, linking further-afield places and operating into the night when the other forms of transport stop running (although S-Bahn and U-bahn trains typically run all night over the weekend in larger cities).
Regional trains are either RB (Regionalbahn), with multiple stops, or RE (Regionalexpress), which are faster and have fewer stops.
Week ticket (Wochenkarte) are valid within specified zones for a week.You can also purchase tickets that are valid for longer (e.g. a month pass) but these usually have to be purchased from an official at the ticketing office.
Group day ticket (Gruppentageskarte) While tickets in Germany generally don’t come cheap, the group day ticket actually offers great value for money if you are travelling in a group of three or more. Usually valid for groups of up to five people, they give unlimited travel for a day or 24 hours within specified zones.
If you are required to validate your ticket it will be printed with something along the lines of “Bitte entwerten” (please validate). To validate it, push your ticket into the slot of one of the validator machines (Entwerter), which you can usually find next to the ticket machines or on the station platform.
In general, there are three types of train services in Germany connecting major urban areas: Intercity-Express (ICE): high-speed trains that reach speeds up to 320km/h. ICE trains have first-class seating and a dining car. Intercity (IC): express trains. IC trains have first-class carriages and usually also have catering services of some kind. EuroCity (EC): Intercity trains with scheduled stops outside of Germany. Not all Intercity-type trains that travel outside of Germany are EC trains, however.
International trains
Germany lies right in the middle of Europe, counting nine different countries as neighbors. As a result, there are plenty of direct international trains running from German train stations. Deutsche Bahn’s high-speed service, the ICE, runs a number of international routes from countries like: Austria, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Poland.
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Getting here
There are a total of 36 international airports in Germany, ranging from smaller airfields only operating a few routes and airlines, to mega complexes such as Frankfurt and Munich that transport tens of millions of passengers per year.
In total, there are 16 international airports, 12 of which are considered major airports with over 50,000 passengers. With more than 500,000 aircraft movements and 70 million passengers per year, Frankfurt Airport is the largest in the country.
Airlines are mainly divided into the areas of passenger transport, freight transport, charter flights and ambulance services. By far the largest German airline is the formerly state-owned Lufthansa, which has been fully privatized since 1997.
Frankfurt Airport is the busiest in Germany. Munich Airport, which transported 46,3 million passengers in 2018, is the second busiest, and 24,28 million passengers puts Düsseldorf Airport into position three.
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