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Mercedes – Benz Museum: The award-winning museum of the legendary car industry does not simply present the history of the famous brand, but also the fascinating world history of automobiles from their birth to this day, since it is here that Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz manufactured the first car in the world, in 1886. The nine floors of this award-winning museum, an excellent example of modern architecture in the shape of a double propeller, host 160 classic and modern models and more than 1,500 exhibits. Address: Mercedesstrasse 100, 70372 Stuttgart, www.mercedes-benz-classic.com

Porche Museum: The Porche Museum narrates the history of the iconic car industry, from its creation to this day, through 80 legendary models of race and conventional cars of the brand, as well as unusual designs of originals. The museum building, an impressive white polygonal monolith, is a work of modern art in its own right. Address: Porscheplatz 1, 70435 Stuttgart, www.porsche.com

Grabkapelle auf dem Württemberg: On one of the vineyard-filled hills that surround Stuttgart there is one of the most romantic monuments in the city. The Grabkapelle auf dem Wurttembrg (1820 - 1824) is a beautiful burial chapel that King Wilhelm I ordered built in the memory of his young wife. This spot offers spectacular views to the entire city. Address: Württembergstraße 340, 70327 Stuttgart, www.grabkapelle-rotenberg.de

Staatsgalerie Stuttgart: The State Art Gallery of Stuttgart is housed in a beautiful neoclassical building and its modern expansion, designed by famous British architect James Stirling. Its impressive collection includes European art from the 14th to the 21st century as well as American representatives of post-war avant-garde. Address: Konrad-Adenauer-Strasse 30-32, 70173 Stuttgart, www.staatsgalerie.de

Kunstmuseum: The impressive Art Museum of Stuttgart, in the shape of a glass cube, was inaugurated in 2005 and ever since is a modern architectural landmark of the city. Its collection includes more than 15,000 works by Swabian painters, including the most important collection in the world with works by famous German painter Otto Dix. Address: Kleiner Schlossplatz 13, 70173 Stuttgart, www.kunstmuseum-stuttgart.de

Schlossplatz: A favourite meeting point for locals, especially in the summer, the majestic central Palace Square is where the heart of Stuttgart beats. Its one side is dominated by the baroque New Palace (1807), the former royal residence of Duke Karl Eugen of Württemberg which currently houses state agencies. Address: Schlossplatz, 70173 Stuttgart

Wilhelma: The largest zoo - botanical park in Europe was originally created in the 19th century for king Wilhelm I of Württemberg, as royal palace and entertainment park in Mauritian style. Today, the vast gardens are home to more than 9,000 animals of different species and 5,000 species of exotic plants. Address: Wilhelmaplatz 13, 70376 Stuttgart, www.wilhelma.de

Landesmuseum Württemberg: Housed in the imposing Old Castle (Altes Shcloss), the State Museum of Württemberg narrates in an impressive way the history of the state for the Stone Age to this day. Founded in 1862 as “state collection of national antiquities”, it has since incorporated many theme museums in its operation. Address: Schillerplatz 6, 70173 Stuttgart, www.landesmuseum-stuttgart.de

Linden Museum: One of the most important Ethnology museums in Europe for those that want to study everyday life, art and cultural history of non-European peoples. The permanent museum collection is developed in seven geographic cultural zones: North and South America, Oceania, Africa, East, South and East Asia. Address: Hegelplatz 1, 70174 Stuttgart, www.lindenmuseum.de

Schlossgarten: The largest urban park in Stuttgart is a narrow verdant oasis running along, like a strip, a 3 km distance from the Palace Square to the banks of river Neckar. It is the ideal place for a relaxed stroll in the city, stopping by its beautiful fountains or its open air brew pub. Address: Schlossgarten, 70173 Stuttgart.

Stuttgart can boast of having one of the largest and most beautiful commercial streets in Germany, Königstrasse. This beautiful pedestrianised avenue, starting from the Central Railway Station and reaching to the heart of the city, is full of department stores, specialised shops, cafés, restaurants and relaxation areas. It is the place to be for those looking for the great international brands and the famous fashion chain shops. At number 16, you will find the seat of the largest shopping centre of the city, Königsbau Passage,with more than 70 shops and restaurants. On the left and right of the avenue, at Eberhardstrasse, Stiftstrasse and stylish Calwer Strasse you will find the most elegant shops and boutiques of the city. The heaven for hopeless foodies is roofed Markthalle, housed in a splendid 1914 art nouveau building. Prepare for a culinary trip around the world, with excellent quality delicacies from the Mediterranean to the exotic East, as well as local organic products, all presented in a very arty way. For traditional open air markets, head for Marktplatz and Schillerplatz (Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings). If you are looking for second-hand goods, memorabilia and knick-knacks, the best option is the Saturday's flea market at Karlsplatz.

The culinary map of Stuttgart presents a great variety, from local and ethnic street food to high-end gourmet restaurants. However, the queen of the culinary scene is the local traditional cuisine of Swabia. You can try it anywhere, from the casual canteens to the famous wine bars of the city. The most typical dishes are Spätzle (Swabian noodles), the Maultaschen (local ravioli filled with mined meat, spinach, eggs, onions, parsley and spices) and the Gaisburger Marsch (traditional beef stew with noodles and vegetables). Do try sausages with lentils and noodles, Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) and Schlachtplatte (meat mix with vegetables). The sweetest Swabian delicacy is the Ofenschlupfer (hot bread pudding). Before leaving town, do not forget to try the favourite snack of locals, the Laugen brezel (a type of bread roll) with butter. You will find it in classic bakeries and in small wooden cabins at Köningstrasse. Stuttgart is a city that sleeps early on weekdays and parties hard in the weekend. The focus of night-life action is at Theodor-Heuss-Strasse, where you will find most bars, lounges, and clubs and where you can party till dawn. Along with Wilhelmsplatz and Geisstrasse they are part of the famous “Party Mile”.

• Cannstatter Volksfest: Stuttgart's answer to Oktoberfest is the local beer festival, a huge fair celebrating the craft of brewing with funfair, food, brass band music and, of course, lots of local beer. The festival is held in late September and lasts for 17 days. The opening is made with a large parade of elaborately decorated horse carriages and crew dressed in traditional costumes.
• Jazz Open Stuttgart: The top cultural event of the summer attracts every July and for a week some of the leading names of the international modern jazz scene for a program of open air and closed concerts in venues such as the Palace Square and the Mercedes Benz Museum.
• Stuttgart Summer Festival: Romantic atmosphere and elegance are the key elements of the four-day summer festival of the city, held in August with the Palace Square and the lake of the royal gardens as a background. In this beautiful scenery, visitors have the chance to try exceptional gourmet tastes and enjoy a wide range of music shows, from jazz and classic to Latin sounds.

Transportation from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands on Stuttgart Airport (STR) 13 km south from Stuttgart city centre. Here you will find many duty-free shops, restaurants, cafés, banks, ATMs, foreign exchange offices, a post office, medical centre, hair salon and prayer room. For people travelling with children, the airport features children's play areas at various points and game rooms with video games. Wi-Fi is available in all airport areas for a fee. The fastest way to get to the airport is to take one of the trains of S3 line (Backnang - Flughafen/Messe) and S2 line (Schorndorf - Filderstadt) of the suburban train (S-bahn) connecting the Central Railway Station of Stuttgart (Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof) to the Airport Railway Station (Flughafen/Messe). Trains depart every 10-20 minutes (from 4.55 to 0.25) and the journey takes about 27 minutes.