A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salzburg vs. Stuttgart for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Salzburg or Stuttgart?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Stuttgart, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a musical, cultural, and recognizable city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a authentic, commercial, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Salzburg and Stuttgart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Stuttgart?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Salzburg than Stuttgart. While Stuttgart is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is very popular for its museums, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Stuttgart attracts visitors for its nightlife and big city activities. Salzburg is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Stuttgart is famous for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Stuttgart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Stuttgart and Salzburg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salzburg or Stuttgart?

Salzburg is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Salzburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Stuttgart is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

Is the Food Better in Salzburg or Stuttgart? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Salzburg and Stuttgart.

Dining out in Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Stuttgart. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

Is Salzburg or Stuttgart Better for Nightlife?

Stuttgart is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Stuttgart offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Stuttgart Better for Music?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Stuttgart Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Salzburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Stuttgart?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Salzburg specifically to go shopping. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Stuttgart is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

Is Salzburg or Stuttgart Better for Families?

Salzburg is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Salzburg. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Stuttgart. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

Is Salzburg or Stuttgart Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Salzburg makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Stuttgart is a nice destination for couples. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Salzburg or Stuttgart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Salzburg. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Stuttgart is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Is Salzburg or Stuttgart Better for Students?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Salzburg. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Stuttgart is very popular with students. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

Is Salzburg or Stuttgart Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Salzburg and Stuttgart offer very good public transit options.

The public transit in Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Visitors to Stuttgart can move around easily with public transportation. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

Is Salzburg or Stuttgart a more walkable city?

Salzburg is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Stuttgart Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Stuttgart or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Stuttgart?

It's fun to spend time in either Salzburg or Stuttgart. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Salzburg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 2-4 days is enough time in Stuttgart.

Families should spend more time in Salzburg than Stuttgart. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Salzburg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Salzburg than Stuttgart. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Salzburg that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Stuttgart if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Stuttgart?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the quaint city of Salzburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Stuttgart is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Stuttgart?

You'll find live music and food around the recognizable destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Stuttgart is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Stuttgart, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Stuttgart?

You'll find food and shopping around the musical city of Salzburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Stuttgart is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Stuttgart?

Salzburg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Stuttgart is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Salzburg and Stuttgart, we can see that Stuttgart is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salzburg Expensive? and Is Stuttgart Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Stuttgart?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg and Stuttgart, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Salzburg or Stuttgart?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Salzburg or Stuttgart in the Summer?

Both Stuttgart and Salzburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Stuttgart for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Salzburg is around the same temperature as Stuttgart in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Stuttgart fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Stuttgart, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salzburg. In the summer, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 238 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Stuttgart. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Stuttgart in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Stuttgart. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Salzburg is cooler than Stuttgart. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Stuttgart during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 122 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Stuttgart. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Stuttgart in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Stuttgart. The winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year.

It's quite cold in Stuttgart in the winter. The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Stuttgart. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Stuttgart fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Stuttgart. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 60 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in January than Stuttgart. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Stuttgart in the Spring?

Both Stuttgart and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city.

Salzburg is around the same temperature as Stuttgart in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Stuttgart fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Stuttgart. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Stuttgart and Salzburg