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

Should you visit Stuttgart or Hamburg?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Hamburg? 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. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a cultural, vibrant, and historic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Stuttgart and Hamburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Hamburg?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Stuttgart than Hamburg. While Hamburg is larger than Stuttgart, Stuttgart has more sights and attractions for tourists. Stuttgart is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Hamburg attracts visitors for its museums, music, and impressive beauty. Hamburg is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Stuttgart is famous for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. It is also well known for The Mercedes-Benz Museum.

How is Stuttgart different from Hamburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hamburg 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.

Hamburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

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 Hamburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Stuttgart is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Stuttgart is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Stuttgart or Hamburg Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Hamburg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

Is Stuttgart or Hamburg Better for Music?

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

Hamburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Hamburg?

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

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.

Hamburg is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

Is Stuttgart or Hamburg Better for Families?

Hamburg 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 Hamburg. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

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 Hamburg Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Stuttgart and Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Stuttgart or Hamburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Stuttgart and Hamburg are both nice 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.

Hamburg is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Stuttgart or Hamburg Better for Students?

Stuttgart is well known for students. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

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

Visitors will find great public transit in both Stuttgart and Hamburg.

The public transit in Stuttgart can get you to most places easily. 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.

Visitors to Hamburg can move around easily with public transportation. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Is Stuttgart or Hamburg a more walkable city?

Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is a very walkable destination. Most tourist areas can easily be explored 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 Hamburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hamburg or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Hamburg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Stuttgart or Hamburg?

Because Stuttgart is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the port city of Hamburg. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hamburg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Stuttgart or Hamburg?

Because Stuttgart is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Stuttgart has to offer.

You'll find live music and food around the historic destination of Hamburg. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stuttgart or Hamburg?

Stuttgart is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic port city of Hamburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stuttgart or Hamburg?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stuttgart. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Stuttgart. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Hamburg 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 Hamburg, we can see that Stuttgart is more expensive. And not only is Hamburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hamburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hamburg 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 Hamburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Stuttgart. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Stuttgart or Hamburg in the Summer?

Both Hamburg and Stuttgart during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Stuttgart is a little warmer than Hamburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Hamburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Stuttgart. In the summer, Stuttgart often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in July than Hamburg. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Hamburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Hamburg. Many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Hamburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Stuttgart is a little warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stuttgart in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Hamburg averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Stuttgart usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during autumn. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Hamburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Hamburg. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hamburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hamburg can be very cold during winter. Stuttgart can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Stuttgart is generally much warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 3°C (38°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Stuttgart often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in January than Hamburg. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Hamburg in the Spring?

Both Hamburg and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the natural beauty.

Stuttgart is much warmer than Hamburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Stuttgart usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during spring. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stuttgart usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Stuttgart