A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Stuttgart vs. Heidelberg for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Stuttgart or Heidelberg?

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

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

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a lively, charming, and scenic town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Stuttgart and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Heidelberg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Stuttgart than Heidelberg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Stuttgart is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Stuttgart and is known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. 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 Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Stuttgart is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Stuttgart and Heidelberg can be difficult as they are each superb 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, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Is Stuttgart or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Stuttgart and Heidelberg.

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.

Heidelberg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Stuttgart or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

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

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Heidelberg?

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

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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Stuttgart or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Stuttgart or Heidelberg.

Stuttgart is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Heidelberg. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Stuttgart or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is a very popular place for couples. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Heidelberg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

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 Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg Better for Students?

Stuttgart is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

Many students visit Stuttgart. 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.

Heidelberg is a good city to visit for students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Stuttgart and Heidelberg.

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 Heidelberg can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is Stuttgart or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Stuttgart or Heidelberg?

When visiting Stuttgart, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint town of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heidelberg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Stuttgart or Heidelberg?

When visiting Stuttgart, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the charming destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stuttgart or Heidelberg?

Stuttgart, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic town of Heidelberg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stuttgart or Heidelberg?

Stuttgart is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Heidelberg 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 2-Week Tours from Berlin, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Stuttgart and Heidelberg, 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 Stuttgart Expensive? and Is Heidelberg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Heidelberg?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Heidelberg. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences.

Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. In Stuttgart, it's very sunny this time of the year. Stuttgart usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during summer. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Heidelberg. The autumn months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In the autumn, Stuttgart is a little warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stuttgart in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Stuttgart often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in October than Heidelberg. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. It's quite cold in Stuttgart in the winter. In January, Stuttgart is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 3°C (38°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Stuttgart usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Stuttgart during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty.

Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Stuttgart often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Heidelberg. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Stuttgart