One thing can be said about Stuttgart is that there are a lot of malls. Maybe you’ve even picked a favorite. I know I have. Researching this piece might have become an arduous and painful task had I not been a living and breathing female. Although I’m not a super shopper, I do absolutely love being with people and finding deals. Growing up in the 80’s in the states and being trained on those first super malls and outlets gave me the background and education I needed to put this piece together. 

I knew it would take a little while to gather the intel and report, so this piece has been a work in progress. With malls in Germany appearing to be in their heyday, they provide the opportunity for fun and even sometimes people watching.

Milaneo

This “brand spanking” new mall is located in the heart of Stuttgart. Very close to Robinson Barracks, this beautiful mall is a favorite for many. The Milaneo has over 200 stores and restaurants and is a delight to peruse through. Some of the stores are higher end though, so remember your VAT form.

With a little help from my friends, we made a game plan for investigating and exploring the Milaneo. On the first floor, we discovered a Schnapps store and a specialty sock store.

The Schnapps store was excellent. Although sampling at 10 a.m. is probably frowned upon by many, we had to being this is Germany.

At Schnapps you can also find homemade dips and seasonings, which are perfect for the holiday gift bag season.

At the terrific sock store my friend Maureen convinced me to buy a pair of the (what she called) most comfortable house socks she’s ever owned. She was right… they are awesome.

Milaneo is a futuristic mall with interactive maps at all the entrances, making you feel like you’ve stepped into the future. And getting to Milaneo is fairly easy. You can take the train right there (the U6, Stadt Bibliothek stop). You can also found parking at the mall itself if you drive.

Mall Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Location: Mailänder Pl. 7, 70173 Stuttgart
Telephone: +49 (0) 711 540 9300

Breunigerland

Breuningerland in Sindelfingen was one of the first malls we visited after landing in Germany. Right away we found out there is an ADAC office on the main floor, making it easy to apply for additional towing and travel insurance while in Europe. There is also a major Vodafone store here, which really helped when we were trying to set up our cellphone service. In addition, most stores at this mall have employees that speak very good English and are willing to assist with all your needs.

If you are a newcomer and temporarily stay in Sindelfingen, this is usually a first week visit for most arrivals. The food court is amazing as well as the two anchor stores (Breuninger and H&M) seem to really tie in all the other boutiques.

Of course, there are several ice cream (Eis) shops to try a Becher (sundae) or an afternoon Kuchen (cake). And just like most restaurants, you can just find a seat at the table in the courtyard and a server will be with you shortly.

Booking.com
A favorite for many reasons, Breuningerland is located near Patch and Panzer Kasernes. Many young moms are grateful for the mall’s family-care center which offers childcare for children 2 to 12.

Parking is free and fairly easy at Breuningerland. Even though this is a perk, the parking lot is always quite busy and the spaces are very small. I’m pretty sure you can take the transit here. But if you are shopping, carrying multiple bags may be a bit troublesome.

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday and Friday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Location: Tilsiter Straße 15, 71065 Sindelfingen
Telephone: +49 (0) 7031 793 7460

Mercaden

With three-levels, Mercaden is also a fairly new mall in Stuttgart. Located right in the heart of Böblingen, this mall is relatively close to Panzer Kaserne.

One of the perks I think is the restaurants. The Curry One restaurant serves excellent Thai fast food cuisine. I always enjoy a box lunch or smaller lunch for about 7 €.

Another food favorite is ImmerGrun, a new concept on healthy fast food. This food kiosk offers fresh wraps and paninis (grilled sandwiches) with smoothies, juices and other healthy food options.

It’s not just about the food at Mercaden. I also like The Depot. This “Pier One” type store has various decor items easy to pick up for the house at affordable prices. This summer I picked up outdoor cushions for about €4-5 each for my lawn chairs. Major score!

If you haven’t discovered a Xenos yet, this store is highly addictive and can be compared to our stateside Dollar store. And no, not everything is a Euro. Xenos just has inexpensive items that you find yourself needing such as little bottles, small kitchen items or towels, picture frames, etc.

Parking at Mercaden is easy but not inexpensive. I usually find parking on the second level near the elevators. A major bonus of Mercaden is its location across the street from the Böblingen S-Bahn stop. As a suggestion: bring your rolling cart for your purchases.

Hours of Operation:
Monday -Saturday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Location: Wolfgang-Brumme-Allee 27, 71034 Böblingen
Telephone: +49 (0) 7031 6848810

LeoCenter

The Leocenter is in the newer section of the town of Leonberg. Located in my neck of the woods, I find the prices to be lower than those closer to town. The Leocenter has several franchise stores including New Yorker and C&A. So if you know what you are looking for, taking a trip here will definitely be worth it.

The only downside I have found about the Leocenter is its very limited seating for the food court area. One time a friend and I had to grab a sandwich and eat outside on a very cold day. Brrr! Just plan accordingly or be prepared to eat at McDonald’s or Starbucks where they seem to have the most seating.

Parking is plentiful and opens right up to the mall. It’s only .60 € for 2 hours and then an Euro each hour after.

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Location: Leonberger Str. 98 -108, 71229 Leonberg
Telephone: +49 (0) 7152 94110

Additional Information

This was only a few of the malls near and around Stuttgart. There are also several “walkable”  (not enclosed) malls in the Stuttgart area, such as Königstraße in the heart of the city. This walking mall has several anchor stores within a short area as well as boutique and artisan stores.

Other tips
– Most malls in Stuttgart have free Wi-fi
– Most malls have seasonal events: check websites for special shows/sales
– Most malls have public restrooms, but there is a .50 -.70€ fee to use (Breuningerland is free)
– A % sign in a display window usually means “sale”
– Don’t forget your VAT, most stores will take them
– Watch for “Open Sundays” which happens occasionally in Baden-Württemberg

Author’s Profile: Wendy Payne is a military spouse and lives with her family in Stuttgart, Germany. She is a freelance writer, blogger and photographer. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, yoga and sharing Europe with people.

Featured Image Photo Credit: © Shutterstock- Syda Productions