Stuttgart is the official capital of the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany, and has a population of around 600,000 people. Even though it is an industrial city that’s home to major companies like Porsche, Mercedes Benz and Bosch, it also has many parks and open spaces to enjoy. Its warm, southern climate also means that, certainly during the summer, it’s a very pleasant city to explore on foot. Rent a car in Stuttgart and it also means that you will have the freedom to explore other sights in the area, including the impressive Baroque palace at Ludwigsburg, the Free Imperial City of Esslingen and the area’s many vineyards.
The heart of Stuttgart is the undeniably impressive Schlossplatz. At its centre is the König Wilhelm Jubilee Column, which is topped by a classical statue of Concordia and has fountains on either side that are said to represent the eight rivers of the Baden-Württemberg region. Another highlight when you hire a car in Stuttgart is the Wilhelma zoological and botanical gardens. Originally built as a royal palace in the Moorish Revival style, it is now home to more than 8,000 animals and 5,000 different plant species, as well as beautifully landscaped gardens. And no visit would be complete without a tour round the Mercedes Benz Museum, whose modernistic building is as impressive as the exhibits it contains.
