Stuttgart's pride and joy is this central square, dominated by the exuberant three-winged Neues Schloss, an impressive, Versailles-inspired baroque palace that now houses government ministries. In summer, the square plays host to open-air concerts and festivals, such as the Sommerfest; in winter it twinkles festively with its enormous Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas...

　　A terrific park for a wander right in the heart of the city, Stuttgart's sprawling Schlossgarten threads together the Mittlerer Schlossgarten, with its fine beer garden for summer imbibing, the sculpture-dotted Unterer Schlossgarten, and the Oberer Schlossgarten, home to stately landmarks such as the Staatstheater and the glass-fronted Landtag. ...

　　The neoclassical-meets-contemporary Staatsgalerie bears British architect James Stirling’s curvy, colourful imprint. Alongside big-name exhibitions, the gallery harbours a stellar collection of European art from the 14th to the 21st centuries, and American post-WWII avant-gardists. Highlights include works by Miró, Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky and Klee. Special billing goes to masterpieces such...