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Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is renowned for its exceptional range of landmarks, vibrant cultural scene and way of life that’s somehow all go yet relaxed.
In fact, the city is best known for its striking contrasts. Historical buildings stand alongside modern architecture as the past and present intermingle. The sights Berlin has to offer, from the Brandenburg Gate to the Chancellor’s Office, bear witness to the history of an entire nation. Germany’s capital is home to all the main government buildings, including the historical Reichstag building as the seat of the German parliament.
Berlin is the city of art, artists and museums. In fact, precious artefacts from all over the world are showcased at more than 170 museums here, some of which can be found on the internationally renowned Museum Island.
Berlin is a popular destination for classical music fans from every corner of the globe thanks to its leading orchestras, such as the globally popular Berlin Philharmonic, and the city’s three huge opera houses, where spectacular operas and ballets are performed. And there is no end of theatre venues specialising in variety performances, revue, cabaret and more to ensure that there is something to keep everyone entertained
Shopaholics are in their element on the renowned Kurfürstendamm, on the elegant Friedrichstraße and in the independent boutiques around the Hackesche Höfe. Berlin is a trendsetting city when it comes to music, art and life itself.
More and more artists are flocking to Berlin from all around the world to draw inspiration from the endless creative vibes, making it one of the most exciting destinations in the whole of Europe. The vibrant city is abuzz with change – Berlin simply cannot stay still for a moment.
And yet the city somehow remains chilled, with plenty of open spaces where people can go to breathe in some fresh air. With sprawling parks, wooded areas and lakes, Berlin is Germany’s greenest city
During the summer months, everyone moves outside. The sunshine and balmy evenings are best enjoyed in the beach bars, cafés and open-air cinemas and theatres, after all.
Discover Berlin’s hidden gems and fascinating stories! From iconic snacks like currywurst and Döner to the city’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there’s so much to discover in this amazing city. We’ll share some of our favourite fun facts about Berlin—some you might know and others that could surprise you.
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Located in Germany’s southwest region, Stuttgart is the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, the largest city in that state, and the sixth largest city in Germany (pop. 609,219; 2.7 million in the greater region). Although Stuttgart is an industrial and commercial powerhouse (Bosch, Daimler/Mercedes-Benz, Dinkelacker, Porsche), it is still a scenic, very livable city, spread out over rolling hillsides and the Neckar river valley. Many observers call it a big-time city with a small-town feel.
Some Stuttgart History
Human settlements are known to have been located in the region as early as 90 C.E. The Stuttgart we know now was founded in the 10th century by Duke Liudolf of Swabia (Herzog Liudolf von Schwaben). The duke’s stud farm (Stuotgarte/”horse garden” in Middle High German) gave the city its name. That and the local cultivation of grapes, which has been documented as far back as 1108, kept people in the area until the major expansion of the House of Württemberg from 1219 onwards. In that year the settlement near the stud farm came into the possession of the Margrave of Baden, and Hermann V of Baden gave it the status of “Stadt” (town, city). In 1495 Stuttgart became a ducal residence city.
Like most of Germany’s larger cities, Stuttgart suffered significant damage during World War II. As a commemoration of the city’s people who died during the war, the rubble was transported to the Birkenkopf (a hill in the city center) increasing the height by around 40 meters. A plaque atop the recognizable chunks of buildings reads: “Dieser Berg nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg aufgetürmt aus den Trümmern der Stadt steht den Opfern zum Gedächtnis den Lebenden zur Mahnung.” (English: This mountain, piled up after World War II from the rubble of the city, stands as a memorial to the victims and a warning to the living.) From the summit the view extends over the whole city, and on a clear day you can even spot the Schwarzwald (Black Forest).
Driving
As with most cities, it is best to avoid the roads during rush hours. The autobahns that serve Stuttgart, the A8 and A81, are frequently congested. Other routes out of the city include the B10 (for Esslingen) the B14 (for the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Böblingen) and the B27 (for Tübingen to the south and Ludwigsburg to the north). The almost continuous road construction in the city can mean that GPS (sat-nav) is sometimes less than useful.
Getting There
Stuttgart can be easily reached by air, rail, or car. If you’re driving, be prepared for traffic congestion as you approach the city, and stop-and-go traffic in the urban area. You may want to leave your car at your hotel and use the city’s excellent public transport system.
Air Travel
Stuttgart is served by Stuttgart Airport (Flughafen Stuttgart, IATA airport code STR), an international airport approximately 13 km (8 mi) south of the city center on land belonging mainly to neighboring towns. It takes about 30 minutes to travel between the airport and the city center using S-Bahn lines S2 or S3. Stuttgart airport is Germany’s only international airport with a single runway. Despite protests and local initiatives, surveys are currently underway to assess the impact of a second runway.
Rail Service
Stuttgart is now infamous for its “Stuttgart 21” railway station renovation and urban development project, which has run over budget and past its original deadline. Somewhat like Berlin’s notorious BER airport, the rail project that began in 2010 was originally scheduled to be completed in 2019, but the remodeled station is now projected to start operating in 2025 and run approximately 2 billion euros over the original budget. But travelers arriving at or departing from Stuttgart’s classic Hauptbahnhof (Central Rail Station) should experience little inconvenience. (See station photo above.)
Scenic Sights and Attractions (City Center)
Königstraße
Starting from north of the city center at the Hauptbahnhof (Central Train Station), the pedestrian/shopping boulevard known as Königstraße (King Street) extends southwestward for 1.2 kilometers (just under a mile). At about the halfway mark you’ll discover one of the city’s most popular landmarks, the Schlossplatz (Palace Square) with its lawns and fountains.
Walking down Königstraße into the heart of the city, it is hard to visit one of these central attractions and not trip over the others. The Altes Schloss (old palace) now houses the Landesmuseum and retains many of its original architectural features, including the galleried courtyard which hosts a huge tree and carol concerts at Christmas. The Neues Schloss (new palace) is predominantly used for governmental business, but tours can be made by special arrangement. The Schlossplatz is seen on almost every Stuttgart postcard. The expanse of green can rarely be seen in the summer under the weight of sunbathers and picnic blankets. Music events hosted at the Neues Schloss can also be heard from the Schlossplatz, so if you don’t have a ticket for the latest sold-out event, you could simply relax on the grass and listen free of charge. The Theater and Oper (opera) stand side-by-side and overlook the Eckensee (lake) and Oberer Schlossgarten (park). Guided tours of both buildings are available a few times a year.
Landesmuseum Württemberg
The Württemberg State Museum, located within the Altes Schloss, is devoted to the history, culture, folklore and architecture of the state, all recorded in the permanent collections, while other collections change frequently. The children’s museum is also housed here, and children under four get free entry. TIP: Should you find yourself in Stuttgart during a heat wave, you can access the museum for free, look out for the “Hitzefrei” (heatwave day) signs when temperatures exceed 25° Celsius (77°F).
