As the birthplace of the automobile, Germany also is recognized for housing four of the world’s most prominent museums focusing on cars.  Luckily for tourists and interested visitors, all four museums are located in close proximity to each other in the southern region of Germany (within 250 kilometers) and can be visited in the span of two days’ time.

Opened in 2006, the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart holds collections from both the Mercedes-Benz and Daimler companies, showcasing a range of products such as early bicycles and engines to motorboats and cutting-edge large vehicles. Visitors first take an elevator to the top of the museum to view the earliest collections, then follow two spiraling walkways lead visitors to the lower level for more current exhibits.

Mercedes-Benz has a well-earned reputation as a leader in motorsport and racing vehicles; the museum accurately captures the breadth of the company’s advancements in this field. Likewise, exhibits also highlight the company’s leadership in producing road cars that offer speed and luxury.  For more details, visit www.museum-mercedes-benz.com.

Travel to Munich to visit the historic BMW Museum, a silver building shaped like a salad bowl that has stored collections since 1973.  Designated as a historic site, the bowl building is at the epicenter of a larger complex completed three years ago known as BMW Welt (BMW World). This complex offers expanded space for exhibits, as well as retail shopping.

In addition to exhibits that document the history of the company beginning 1916, the museum includes exhibits on motorcycles, cars, Art Cars, and more recent technology and design advancements. For more details, visit www.bmw-museum.com.

Stuttgart is home to the Porsche Museum, which opened in 2009 after many years of previously showcasing just 20 of hundreds of cars in a temporary space previously.  With an exterior cubist design, the museum is located next to the company’s factory complex in Zuffenhausen.  Inside, visitors can learn more about Ferdinand Porsche and his career and view an array of beautifully designed vehicles, such as racers and concept cars, all arranged chronologically.  For more details, visit www.porsche.com/museum.

Only 165 kilometers from Stuttgart is Ingolstadt, home of the Audi Museum Mobile. This fascinating car museum reflects Audi’s complex history as one of four car makers required to merge by German banks in 1932.  The resulting company was entitled Auto Union and its symbol became the four-ring design still used on Audi vehicles today.

Audi is the only surviving company from the merger. Even so, the museum pays homage to all of the companies. In addition, it features other care makers that impacted Audi’s designs over the years, such as Porsche.  Tourists will enjoy a wide range of exhibits, including two-wheelers and many concept cars.  For more details, visit www.audi.com/forums.