Tour elegant rooms lined with stucco marble, stand under a magnificent rococo dome and admire the manicured lawns of the Solitude Palace. The impressive 18th-century complex was built as a hunting lodge and retreat for Duke Carl Eugen of Württemberg, and took just five years to build. Today, the palace is open to the public and home to an academy for gifted students.

Step inside luxurious rooms decorated with wood paneling, gold leaf and ornate carvings. Marvel at the opulent décor of the White Hall with stucco marble walls separated by Corinthian columns. Grand receptions and balls were once held here. During the year a number of concerts are still performed in its elegant space. Look up at the oval celling painting by Nicolas Guibal. Admire the lavish decorations of the Palm Room.

Go down to the basement and explore the large guest apartments. Visit the chapel in the eastern wing of the building. Appreciate the baroque cherubs and ceiling painting that depicts the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then enjoy a stroll along the tree-lined boulevards of the garden. For a different perspective of the lawns and shrubs, climb up the stairs to the dome’s outdoor viewing platform.

The palace can only be viewed as part of a guided tour for a fee. There are discounts for students. Adult prices apply to those who are aged 15 years and over. The frequency of tours, which last about 45 minutes, varies according to the season. Tours are conducted in German, although you will receive printed information in English. 

Group tours in English can be arranged in advance via the palace’s official website. Check online for concerts, poetry readings or other events at the palace during your stay in Stuttgart. 

To get to the Solitude Palace by public transportation, take any light rail line from Stuttgart central station to Feuersee. From there, it’s a short bus journey to Solitude. Drivers can use the free on-site parking facilities that are a 10-minute walk from the palace entrance.