Nestled in the heart of one of Germany’s largest wine-growing areas, Stuttgart is a vibrant destination that attracts visitors from around the world. As the capital of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart offers breathtaking panoramas, beautiful gardens and parks, historic squares, splendid palaces and diverse architecture.
Culture enthusiasts and car lovers alike are drawn to Stuttgart’s world-famous attractions: the spectacular Mercedes-Benz Museum and the stunning Porsche Museum. These institutions showcase the rich history and innovation behind Germany’s premium automobile brands.
Automotive History
Stuttgart’s identity is inextricably linked to automotive innovation, beginning with native son Gottlieb Daimler. Born on March 17, 1834, in Schorndorf (Stuttgart Region), Daimler became a pioneer of automotive history. His birthplace, a small half-timbered house, has been acquired and restored by Daimler-Benz AG and now serves as a museum and conference center.
Gottlieb Daimler Memorial Site (Photo Credit: Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH, Achim Mende)
In 1883, Daimler developed the first fast-running, lightweight engine for universal use, laying an important cornerstone for the evolution of the automobile. Not far from the Mercedes-Benz Museum stands the Gottlieb Daimler Memorial Site, a green house that Daimler converted into a workshop for himself and Wilhelm Maybach. In this workshop on Taubenheimstrasse, they developed the first fast-running engine in 1885 and fitted it to a motor carriage a few months later. Today, models of the engines and the tools they used bring to life the work and ideas of these two inventors.
A Tale of Two Museums
Stuttgart holds the distinction of being the only city in the world with two famous automobile museums, each celebrating a legendary German automotive brand.
The Mercedes-Benz Museum showcases over 135 years of automotive history. Its interior design is modeled after a double helix, with two circular tours leading from top to bottom through the extensive collections. One tour focuses on the history of the automobile, while the other highlights the diversity of the brand profile. The museum opened in 2006 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026.
Porsche Museum (Photo Credit: Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH, Werner Dietrich)
Located in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, home of the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer, the Porsche Museum takes visitors on a journey through the company’s rich history. The building’s architecture is as impressive as its contents, with its 140-meter-long structure resting on just three supports. Long steel girders create the impression that the massive monolith is floating above ground.
The museum exhibits highlight both iconic models and pioneering engineering achievements, including world-famous automobile icons such as the 356, 911 and 917, as well as technical innovations by Professor Ferdinand Porsche from the early 20th century.
Both automobile museums offer factory tours for those wanting to find out more and take a look behind the scenes at a production site.
Planning Your Visit
Visitors planning to spend two or three days in Stuttgart should consider purchasing the StuttCard Discovery Ticket, which offers free entry and attractive reductions on a host of visitor attractions, including the Porsche Museum and the Mercedes-Benz Museum. The StuttCard is available with and without a public transportation ticket.
Stuttgart’s automotive heritage makes it a unique destination where visitors can experience firsthand the birthplace of the automobile and the continuing legacy of German engineering excellence.
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