Antiquarian Book Fair Stuttgart 2027
January 29-31, 2027
Württembergischer Kunstverein
Schlossplatz 2 - 70173 Stuttgart
New Location!
Arrive, enter, discover
The Württemberg Art Association
Photo: Florian Selig
A Building of Old and New That Creates Space
The Württembergischer Kunstverein Stuttgart and the Stuttgart Antiquarian Book Fair share a long and vibrant history. For many years, the Kunstverein at Schlossplatz was the fair’s traditional venue—a meeting place for book lovers, collectors, antiquarian booksellers, and all those who value the written word in its most beautiful and rare forms. This connection has shaped the fair and given it a distinctive character. In 2027, the Stuttgart Antiquarian Book Fair returns to its traditional home. A key reason for this return is the fair’s increased need for space. The generous exhibition areas of the Württembergischer Kunstverein make it possible to accommodate significantly more exhibitors, offer more spacious booth designs, and welcome more participants than in recent years. Renowned antiquarian bookshops, specialized booksellers, dealers in prints and autographs from across the German-speaking world and beyond Europe will find ample space here to present their collections appropriately. For visitors, this means an even wider range of offerings and more opportunities to browse, discover, and be inspired.
The Württembergischer Kunstverein is one of the oldest art associations in Germany—it was founded in 1827. Since 1913, it has been housed in the Kunstgebäude at Schlossplatz, designed by the renowned architect Theodor Fischer. The building was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in 1961, combined with a modern extension that gave the complex its present form. The reconstruction was carried out by architects Paul Bonatz and Günther Wilhelm, who gave the new extension a clear, modern architectural language. What emerged is not a rupture, but a dialogue: historic substance and postwar modernism meet in a building that bears the traces of its history while remaining open to the present—a fitting setting for a fair that itself exists at the intersection of past and present.
The Square Hall – A Space of Possibilities
The centerpiece of the modern extension is the so-called Square Hall: an impressive, entirely column-free exhibition space measuring 36 by 36 meters. This exceptional “white cube” offers a level of design freedom that few venues in Stuttgart can match. No columns, no fixtures, no architectural obstacles—just space. For the Antiquarian Book Fair, this means maximum flexibility: booth presentations can be generously designed, thematic sections clearly structured, and special display areas created for rare individual pieces or graphic works. Modern architecture and the world of the antiquarian book form an engaging and surprisingly harmonious combination here.
How to get to the Antiquarian Book Fair
New location: Württembergischer Kunstverein, Stuttgart
Public transport: Schlossplatz stop.
From Stuttgart Central Station, the Württembergischer Kunstverein is easily reachable on foot—the walk through the city center takes just 5 to 10 minutes. From the Königstraße exit, simply follow the pedestrian zone toward Schlossplatz: either via Marstallstraße and then right into Stauffenbergstraße, or directly via Bolzstraße to Stauffenbergstraße. If you prefer to take the underground, use lines U5, U6, U7, U12, or U15 for one stop to Schlossplatz—then it is only about a 2-minute walk.
From Stuttgart Airport, the Kunstverein can be reached conveniently by suburban train (S-Bahn), lines S2 or S3, which run every 15 minutes. The journey to Stuttgart Central Station takes about 25 to 30 minutes. From there, it is just a few minutes on foot to Schlossplatz as described above. Total travel time from the airport is approximately one hour.
Parking: The most convenient option is the APCOA underground garage at Schlossplatz; the exit is located directly next to the fair entrance on Stauffenbergstraße—hardly any closer. Alternative nearby options include the Staatsgalerie parking garage at Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 32 and the Haus der Geschichte parking garage at Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 16. All three are within walking distance of the Kunstgebäude at Schlossplatz and are ideal for fair visitors.
Accessible travel: The Württembergischer Kunstverein is fully accessible. The Kunstgebäude at Schlossplatz has a step-free entrance on Stauffenbergstraße and an elevator providing access to all exhibition levels. Wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility can therefore explore the fair comfortably and without restrictions. The adjacent APCOA Schlossplatz parking garage also offers designated accessible parking spaces close to the entrance. If you have any questions regarding accessibility, please feel free to contact us in advance of the fair.
Arrive, relax, browse: Hotels at Schlossplatz and nearby
For exhibitors and visitors traveling from further afield, the immediate surroundings of Schlossplatz offer an excellent selection of hotels. The Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin, located directly at the main station, is one of the city’s most renowned addresses and is only a few minutes’ walk away. Also centrally located and within walking distance are Motel One Stuttgart-Mitte and the charming Emilu Design Hotel—both popular choices for a comfortable and stylish stay in the heart of the city. Those seeking a modern city hotel with good value for money will find another recommended option at the Premier Inn Stuttgart City Centre near the Schlossgarten. Slightly farther away, but still easily reachable on foot or by underground, Le Méridien Stuttgart and the Maritim Hotel Stuttgart offer upscale accommodations with full comfort for a pleasant fair stay. All of these hotels allow you to experience the Antiquarian Book Fair in a relaxed and convenient way.
Thanks to its location in the heart of the city, Stuttgart's cultural highlights – theatres, opera, museums and restaurants – are also within easy reach of the Maritim, making a visit to the trade fair an ideal opportunity to combine it with a stay in the cultural metropolis of Stuttgart.