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

Should you visit Zurich or Stuttgart?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Stuttgart. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a diverse, dynamic, and modern city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zurich and Stuttgart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Stuttgart?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Zurich than Stuttgart. While Stuttgart is larger than Zurich, Zurich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zurich is more popular for its museums, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Stuttgart is known for its big city activities. Zurich is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also home to The Grossmünster. Stuttgart is popular for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.

How is Zurich different from Stuttgart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zurich 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.

Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

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 Zurich or Stuttgart? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Zurich and Stuttgart offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

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).

Is Zurich or Stuttgart Better for Nightlife?

Both Zurich and Stuttgart are superb when it comes to partying.

Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

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.

Is Zurich or Stuttgart Better for Music?

Zurich is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Zurich while you're in town. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Stuttgart Better for its Old Town?

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

Zurich offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Stuttgart?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Zurich specifically to go shopping. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Stuttgart is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Zurich or Stuttgart Better for Families?

Zurich 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 Zurich. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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 Zurich or Stuttgart Better for Couples?

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

Zurich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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 Zurich or Stuttgart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and Stuttgart are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

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.

Is Zurich or Stuttgart Better for Students?

Zurich 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 Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

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

Both Zurich and Stuttgart offer superb public transit options.

Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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.

Is Zurich or Stuttgart a more walkable city?

Zurich 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.

Zurich is a very walkable destination. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Stuttgart or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Stuttgart?

It's fun to spend time in either Zurich or Stuttgart. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Zurich due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 2-4 days is enough time in Stuttgart.

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

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

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

One day in Zurich or Stuttgart?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Zurich. 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.

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.

A weekend in Zurich or Stuttgart?

You'll find live music and food around the liberal destination of Zurich. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Zurich or Stuttgart?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic city of Zurich. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

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.

A week in Zurich or Stuttgart?

Zurich 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Stuttgart, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Stuttgart much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Stuttgart would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Stuttgart 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Stuttgart.

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Stuttgart?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Stuttgart, 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 Zurich or Stuttgart?

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 Zurich or Stuttgart in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Zurich is around the same temperature as Stuttgart. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Stuttgart, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zurich. In the summer, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 238 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Stuttgart. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Stuttgart in the Autumn?

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

In October, Zurich is generally around the same temperature as Stuttgart. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Stuttgart fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 122 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than Stuttgart. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zurich or Stuttgart in the Winter?

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

Stuttgart can be very cold during winter. Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. Zurich is around the same temperature as Stuttgart in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Stuttgart fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Stuttgart. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 60 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Stuttgart. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Stuttgart in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Zurich is around the same temperature as Stuttgart. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Stuttgart. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Stuttgart and Zurich