I’m Nadine, 32 years old and I’ve been living in Stuttgart since 2008. I grew up near Osnabrück and originally moved to Stuttgart for work. The job is long gone, but the city – and love – drew me to stay. My boyfriend Tobi and I like it here so much that we bought an old house a few weeks ago and we’re planning to spend the next few years doing it up. So we’re going to be here for a while.On my channel @shoppinator I focus on my favourite things: interiors, beauty and fashion – and it’s packed with shopping tips. When I go on holiday, I also include a lot of travel stories and recommendations. I love travelling – exploring new worlds and getting to know new people.
I’ve lived in Stuttgart’s city centre for quite a few years now and have put together a selection of my absolute favourite spots. Enjoy exploring!

Motel One in Stuttgart

An absolute must-see in springtime, but well worth a visit at other times of year too. The garden is enchanting, with ornate buildings, waterfalls and stone figures. At its heart is the Hall of Friendship, stunningly embellished with delicate wood carvings. Thanks to its hillside location, the garden offers an impressive view of the Stuttgart valley basin. Admission is free all year round.

For around two years, the Claus Eismanufaktur ice cream van was a familiar sight on Stuttgart’s streets. Now the owners have finally found a permanent home – and have expanded their menu too. It’s a snack paradise for veggie and vegan fans! From salad bowls, sandwiches and poached egg dishes to waffles, there’s a light bite for every taste – including desserts. All dishes are also available to go, so the question is: take the weight off your feet or order and keep exploring the city? 

From the fairly plain exterior of the public library on Mailänder Platz, you wouldn’t guess how impressive it is inside. There’s plenty to enjoy both for fans of literature and of architecture. You’ll not only find books and magazines here but also music, scores, software packages and much more. Card holders can even borrow pictures and graphics to temporarily decorate blank walls at home. There’s a fantastic view here too: you can see the whole city (free of charge) from the roof terrace of the 40 metre tall building.

Enjoy your ice cream with a view – at the Pinguin ice cream parlour on Eugensplatz. Whether you’re Team Vanilla and love the classic varieties, or you prefer something a little more out of the ordinary (maybe blood orange?), you’ll find a cone of something you like at this iconic ice cream parlour. On the other side of the street there’s yet another wonderful view of Stuttgart. This is also where you’ll find the Galatea fountain: its bronze figures and rich ornamentation make it one of the most magnificent fountains in Stuttgart.

Stuttgart could be described as the city of a hundred views. Enjoy yet another of them here at the tea house in Weissenburg Park, where you can marvel at Stuttgart from above. Sample the traditional food and drink in the Art Nouveau pavilion or bring a picnic to enjoy outdoors. Top tip: when the skies are clear, the sunset views are spectacular.

An absolute top tip for fans of second-hand! If a friend hadn’t recommended it to me, I would probably never have discovered this shop.
At Frida West you will find a selection of one-off, luxury vintage and designer pieces just waiting to be discovered. Not just clothing but bags, shoes and other accessories too. And all in a unique loft atmosphere above the rooftops of Stuttgart.
Important: before visiting, book an appointment online. 

At the heart of Stuttgart’s western district lies Feuersee lake, which offers a wonderful view of the neo-Gothic Johanneskirche, a church that is one of Stuttgart’s architectural highlights. The observant onlooker will notice straight away that the church tower is missing a spire. The tower and church were heavily damaged by bombing during the Second World War. Initially, there wasn’t the money to restore the entire tower. Today the missing spire is what makes the Johanneskirche so special. With a little luck, you will get to see swans and even turtles on the shores of the Feuersee. It’s an idyllic spot if you want a few moments’ break from the bustle of the city. And once a month there’s a little flea market here near the lakeside.

Another second-hand tip: Stuttgart’s vintage market. The beautiful entrance area alone creates a special atmosphere. Here you will find lovingly selected one-off pieces from the 80s and 90s: particularly multicoloured shirts and dresses, bright anoraks, denim jackets and high-waisted jeans. Once you’ve had a browse, tried on a few pieces and found your favourites, why not head for the shop’s own green terrace for a coffee?

One for interior fans: if you’re on the lookout for unique home accessories, you can’t go wrong with Blossfeldt on Calwer Strasse. Surrounded by fresh cut flowers, dried flowers and coffee table books, there’s oodles of inspiration for your own home. The shop is named after the nature photographer Karl Blossfeldt, a kindred spirit who also never tired of the beauty of buds and tendrils.

The market hall is a Stuttgart classic. Retailers of all sizes come here to sell their fresh and richly varied regional and international specialities. The market hall is impressive in architectural terms too. It was designed by architect Professor Martin Elsässer and inaugurated on 1 January 1914. The Art Nouveau-style building, featuring reinforced concrete beams and a glass roof, now has listed status. What better place to sample Stuttgart’s specialities?

The soundtrack to your city break

More city tips from locals