Germany beyond the tourist sites

Old-world architecture in modern life

While having visited Berlin before, I saw Germany differently this time. My mother-in-law had lived there, and visiting her friends offered a glimpse of everyday life beyond the tourist sights.

A city with horsepower

Stuttgart’s story began around 950 AD, when a horse-breeding farm was established to support military needs. The settlement became known as Stuotgarten, meaning “stud garden,” eventually giving the city its name.

When an oversized white horse figure greeted us at the Mercedes-Benz Museum—and another stood outside our hotel—it felt like a nod to these beginnings. Centuries later, Stuttgart would become famous for a different kind of horsepower: the automobile.

Even if you are not particularly interested in cars, like me, the Mercedes-Benz Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into how transportation evolved alongside society. Karl Benz developed his Patent Motor Car in 1886, and successive generations of automobiles reflected changing lifestyles, technology, and world events. The Mercedes name came from Mercédès Jellinek, daughter of businessman Emil Jellinek—an early supporter of the company.

Looking at the cars is like looking at history on four wheels, with each design offering a snapshot of its time.

A taste of Swabia

Stuttgart is part of Swabia, a historic region in southwestern Germany with its own traditions, dialect, and cuisine. Local specialties include maultaschen, pasta pockets traditionally filled with meat and spinach; spätzle, soft egg noodles; and zwiebelrostbraten, roast beef topped with fried onions. Like the Philippines, Germany has distinct regional cuisines— each with its own character.

My introduction to German food began long before this trip, through my mother-in-law, Maria Teresa del Rosario Zeller, and her late husband, Dr. Klaus Zeller, who served as the German Ambassador to the Philippines. German dishes were part of meals in their home, giving me an early taste of the country’s culinary traditions.

My appreciation grew during my student days at the renowned International Butler Academy in the Netherlands. With the German border just 10 minutes away, my classmates and I would drive to Aachen on our rest days for schnitzel—a thin, breaded cutlet fried until golden and crisp, usually served with lemon. The menu offered different variations and sauces. Who knew one dish could have so many personalities?

Germany has plenty more to try. Currywurst, sausage topped with spiced ketchup and curry powder, is a popular casual meal, while schweinshaxe, a crispy roasted pork knuckle associated particularly with Bavaria, might remind Filipinos of crispy pata. Pretzels, or brezeln, are another familiar sight, and the variety of German breads and rolls makes breakfast worth looking forward to.

For dessert, there’s a Black Forest cake and apfelstrudel. A longtime friend of my mother-in-law welcomed us into her home with homemade Black Forest cake and coffee, a lovely reminder that food is one of the simplest ways to bring people together.

My personal favorite, however, is kaiserschmarrn, a fluffy, shredded pancake dusted with powdered sugar. I like mine with caramel syrup and vanilla ice cream. Though Austrian in origin, it is popular in southern Germany, too.

For edible souvenirs or pasalubong, Ritter Sport chocolate, Haribo Goldbears, and Cabanossi sausage make easy favorites. Stuttgart is also part of Württemberg, a historic wine-growing region known for Trollinger, a light-bodied red wine.

Thoughtful by design

Beyond the table, I noticed how practicality and personal style came together in everyday life. Adidas, one of Germany’s best-known brands, appeared frequently in the casual streetwear I saw around Stuttgart. What struck me was how a sense of cultural identity seemed woven into everyday life—expressed through regional traditions, familiar brands, and an appreciation for function over fuss.

At a museum, an accessible toilet caught my attention: its door blended seamlessly into the wall, while English translations beside German words made navigating the space easier. Small details like these show how thoughtful design anticipates people’s needs. This approach also has a place in Stuttgart’s Weissenhof Estate—developed in 1927—where architects explored simpler, more functional ways of living.

Another expression of design awaited us at Domkirche St. Eberhard, a Catholic church near Schlossplatz. Its soaring ceiling and monumental mosaic behind the altar bring architecture and religious art together, reminding me that design can engage not only the eye but also the spirit.

Then there’s the graffiti. In a city known for precision and engineering, Stuttgart’s walls offered a different kind of expression. Germany’s graffiti culture carries historical weight, most famously along the Berlin Wall, where it became a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and reunification. The contrast made me wonder how a city balances order with creativity—a reminder that travel invites us to ask questions, even when it doesn’t provide all the answers.

Beyond the landmarks

We also visited Reutlingen, the hometown of my mother-in-law’s late husband. With her fluent German and my husband Marc’s fondness for the language, the visit added a personal dimension to our time in Germany.

Stuttgart makes a convenient base for exploring beyond the city, with places like Heidelberg and Munich accessible by train. About 30 minutes away, Outletcity Metzingen offers premium and luxury brands at outlet prices, making it a worthwhile stop for shoppers.

Brauhaus culture: Good food, local beer, good company

Beer is also part of Stuttgart’s social culture. We experienced this at Carls Brauhaus, near Schlossplatz, where local beers accompany Swabian specialties in a lively setting. These traditional brewery restaurants are as much about gathering and conversation as they are about food and drink.

I came away thinking that the best way to experience a destination is not necessarily to see more but to notice more. A thoughtfully designed space, a regional dish, a church that invites reflection, or a lively Brauhaus can reveal as much about a place as its most famous landmarks.

The most memorable souvenirs are not always things we pack into a suitcase. Sometimes, they are the details that change how we see the world—and the everyday lives we return to.