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

Should you visit Stuttgart or Annecy?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Annecy? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a modern, authentic, and commercial city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Annecy

Annecy is a quaint, storybook, and charming alpine town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Stuttgart and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Annecy?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Stuttgart. Although Stuttgart and Annecy are both popular with visitors, Stuttgart has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Stuttgart is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Annecy is known for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Annecy is more touristy than Stuttgart and is known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Stuttgart is popular for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. It is also home to The Mercedes-Benz Museum.

How is Stuttgart different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Annecy and Stuttgart.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Stuttgart. 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.

Annecy is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

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

Annecy is an amazing alpine town to visit for its restaurants. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Annecy is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Stuttgart makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Stuttgart or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Stuttgart is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Stuttgart has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Stuttgart or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

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

Annecy offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is Stuttgart or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Stuttgart is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Stuttgart is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Annecy?

Stuttgart is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Stuttgart is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Stuttgart or Annecy Better for Families?

Annecy 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 Annecy. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

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 Stuttgart or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is an amazing alpine town to visit for couples. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Annecy makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

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 Stuttgart or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Stuttgart and Annecy are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Stuttgart. 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.

Annecy is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Stuttgart or Annecy Better for Students?

Stuttgart is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

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.

Annecy is not popular with students.

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

Stuttgart is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its public transit.

Stuttgart has some very good public transit options. 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.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Stuttgart or Annecy a more walkable city?

Annecy 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.

Annecy is a very walkable destination. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Stuttgart or Annecy. In our opinion, Annecy has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Annecy than Stuttgart. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Stuttgart or Annecy?

Stuttgart is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

A weekend in Stuttgart or Annecy?

Stuttgart is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this alpine town has to offer. This alpine town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stuttgart or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stuttgart. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Annecy is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stuttgart or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse big city of Stuttgart. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy 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.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Stuttgart and Annecy, we can see that Annecy 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 Stuttgart Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Annecy?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart and Annecy, 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 Stuttgart or Annecy?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Annecy in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Annecy. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Stuttgart is generally around the same temperature as Annecy. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 22°C (71°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Annecy this time of the year. In Stuttgart, it's very sunny this time of the year. Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during summer. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stuttgart usually receives around the same amount of rain as Annecy. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Annecy in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Annecy. Many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Annecy in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Annecy in the autumn. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Stuttgart often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in October than Annecy. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Annecy in the Winter?

Both Annecy and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Annecy can be very cold during winter. Stuttgart can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Stuttgart is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the winter temperatures in Stuttgart in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Annecy averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Stuttgart usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy during winter. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Annecy. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Annecy in the Spring?

Both Annecy and Stuttgart during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Annecy because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Stuttgart is generally around the same temperature as Annecy. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 11°C (53°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in April than Annecy. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Stuttgart