A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Stuttgart vs. Mainz for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Stuttgart or Mainz?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Mainz? 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 commercial, diverse, and dynamic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a quaint, charming, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Stuttgart and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Mainz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Stuttgart than Mainz. Stuttgart is bigger than Mainz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Stuttgart is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mainz is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Stuttgart and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Stuttgart is well known for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Also, Stuttgart is famous for The Mercedes-Benz Museum.

How is Stuttgart different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Mainz 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.

Mainz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Stuttgart and Mainz can be difficult as they are each excellent 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, Mainz makes for a great culinary experience. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Stuttgart or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Stuttgart is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Stuttgart or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Mainz?

Stuttgart is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Stuttgart or Mainz Better for Families?

Stuttgart is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Stuttgart or Mainz Better for Couples?

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

Mainz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

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 Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Stuttgart and Mainz are both notable 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.

Mainz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Stuttgart or Mainz Better for Students?

Both Stuttgart and Mainz are excellent destinations for students.

Stuttgart is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Mainz is very popular with students. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Stuttgart and Mainz.

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 Mainz can move around easily with public transportation. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Stuttgart or Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Mainz. The town is easily 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 Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Stuttgart or Mainz. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Stuttgart or Mainz?

Each neighborhood in Stuttgart has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Mainz. 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 Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stuttgart. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and food around the charming destination of Mainz. 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 Mainz?

Stuttgart is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Stuttgart. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming town of Mainz. 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 Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the diverse big city of Stuttgart. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Mainz 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 Mainz, 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 Mainz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Mainz?

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

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 Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Stuttgart is a little warmer than Mainz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Stuttgart in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Mainz averages at about 19°C (66°F).

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

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Stuttgart during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mainz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Stuttgart is generally a little warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 13°C (56°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Mainz. The winter months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

It's quite cold in Mainz in the winter. The weather in Stuttgart can be very cold. Stuttgart is much warmer than Mainz in the winter. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

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

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Mainz. The activities around the city are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Mainz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Stuttgart in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Mainz and Stuttgart