You’ll find the city of Stuttgart in the southwestern corner of Germany. It’s capital of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg and stands amid a ring of smaller towns that create Germany’s fourth-largest urban area. If you arrive at Stuttgart Airport and hire a car you’ll be able to get into the city easily – it’s about seven miles south of the centre. The A8 motorway skirts the north edge of the runway, providing direct access to the local comprehensive road network. It also leads to Karlsruhe, 45 miles to the west, and Munich, 145 miles to the east. Stuttgart’s well known for its industry but there are plenty of galleries, museums and attractions to enjoy while you’re in the area.
If you collected a hire car at Stuttgart Airport you’ll be able to tour the sights of the city and the hills around it, which include many vineyards. The city has a reputation for industry, particularly car making, but the ‘Green U’ provides plenty of space for exercise and relaxation. Stuttgart is rather a hilly city so your car will be helpful to get around, but take time to explore some of more than 400 distinctive flights of steps dotted throughout Stuttgart. You’ll find the real atmosphere of the city can be sampled at Schlossplatz, the main square. Nearby are the main shopping streets, the riverside park, and historic landmarks, like the two old castles.