A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Stuttgart vs. Frankfurt for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Stuttgart or Frankfurt?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Frankfurt? 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. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Stuttgart and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt. Although Stuttgart and Frankfurt are about the same size, Frankfurt has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Frankfurt is more touristy than Stuttgart and is known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center. Stuttgart is famous for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.

The Old Town Center

How is Stuttgart different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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 Stuttgart or Frankfurt? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Stuttgart and Frankfurt can be difficult as they are each great in their own way.

Stuttgart has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Stuttgart or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Stuttgart and Frankfurt.

Stuttgart has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Frankfurt is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Stuttgart or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt has an old town worth visiting. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Frankfurt?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Stuttgart and Frankfurt.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Stuttgart. 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.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Stuttgart or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Stuttgart and Frankfurt make for a nice place to visit.

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

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Stuttgart or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Stuttgart or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

Frankfurt is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Frankfurt is top-notch. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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 Stuttgart or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Stuttgart and Frankfurt. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Stuttgart than in Frankfurt. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Stuttgart, and 1-3 days is enough time in Frankfurt.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Stuttgart or Frankfurt?

People visit Stuttgart because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Frankfurt. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Stuttgart or Frankfurt?

People visit Stuttgart because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the dynamic big city of Frankfurt. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stuttgart or Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the modern city of Stuttgart. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic city of Frankfurt. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stuttgart or Frankfurt?

Stuttgart is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Frankfurt is a popular choice for travelers. 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 2-Week Tours from Berlin, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stuttgart and Frankfurt, we can see that Stuttgart is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Stuttgart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stuttgart than you might in Frankfurt.

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

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Stuttgart. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

Both Frankfurt and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Stuttgart is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Frankfurt. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Stuttgart. Stuttgart usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during summer. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stuttgart usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Stuttgart during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Stuttgart is a little warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stuttgart in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Stuttgart often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Frankfurt. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Frankfurt in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. Stuttgart can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Stuttgart is generally much warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 3°C (38°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Stuttgart usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Stuttgart usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Frankfurt. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city.

Stuttgart is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Stuttgart often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets more rain in April than Frankfurt. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Stuttgart