If like me you’re a museum lover, you’ll love what’s on offer in Hamburg. From medicine to maritime and chocolate to contemporary art, there are so many Hamburg museums to choose from!
- The best Hamburg museums: Where to go and what to see
- International Maritime Museum
- Emigration Museum
- Bucerius Kunst Forum
- Hamburger Kunsthalle
- Automuseum Prototyp
- Deichtorhallen Hamburg
- Chocoversum
- Museum of Hamburg history
- Rickmer Rickmers
- Museum of Medical History
- Miniatur Wunderland
- More museums
- Summary
- Related posts
In this blog post, I’ve compiled my top recommendations for must-visit museums in Hamburg. You’ll also find details on opening hours, admission prices, and guidance on how to reach each museum to help with your visit!
The best Hamburg museums: Where to go and what to see
What you need to know
- How many museums are in Hamburg? There are over 40 Hamburg museums to choose from!
- How expensive are museums in Hamburg? Most Hamburg museums are around €15 for an adult entry, this can be made a lot cheaper with the Hamburg CARD
The Hamburg CARD
The Hamburg CARD is a special tourist card for those visiting the city. It provides fantastic deals on transportation, sightseeing, and importantly, museum admissions. This card grants discounted access to over 30 museums throughout the city, many of which are highlighted in this post! If you’re planning to explore numerous Hamburg museums, the Hamburg CARD could be a great option for you!
The Long Night of Museums
If you’re a museum lover visiting Hamburg in the spring, the Long Night of Museums is a must-attend event. Once a year around 50 Hamburg museums extend their opening hours from 6 pm to 1 am. This extraordinary occasion provides a chance to explore unique exhibitions and discover a new side to beloved Hamburg museums. With added attractions like guided tours and demonstrations, the Long Night of Museums promises a memorable experience that’s well worth staying awake for!
International Maritime Museum
Set over 9 floors in Hamburg’s warehouse, the International Maritime Museum serves as a unique tribute to the city’s maritime history. Housing an impressive collection, the museum boasts over 100,000 books, more than 35,000 model ships, and an extensive array of maritime treasures. With so much to see, it’s recommended that you start from the top floor and work your way down. For enthusiasts of ships and the ocean, this museum is a standout choice of Hamburg museums!
Emigration Museum
Over the 19th and 20th centuries, Hamburg witnessed the passage of millions of emigrants, and the Emigration Museum is a tribute to their history, experiences, and voyages. It provides an immersive encounter with the emigrant life, offering insights into how migration has evolved through the years. Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to delve into the role of Albert Ballin, a prominent ship owner and patron saint of the Emigration Museum BallinStadt Hamburg.
Bucerius Kunst Forum
The Bucerius Kunst Forum is a renowned international exhibition centre in Hamburg, hosting four distinct exhibitions annually. These exhibits showcase pieces from Germany and across the globe, featuring work by artists such as Picasso and Warhol, spanning a diverse range of themes. In addition to the captivating displays, the venue offers readings, speeches, and guided tours, making it a top choice among Hamburg museums for art lovers.
Hamburger Kunsthalle
For art enthusiasts, a visit to the incredible Hamburger Kunsthalle, probably the most well-known art gallery in the city, is a must among the Hamburg museums. Spanning eight centuries of artistic work, the gallery offers a captivating journey through time, from the Middle Ages to modern art. With a diverse range of genres on display, there’s something to delight every art lover, no matter which area you favour the most!
Automuseum Prototyp
The Automuseum Prototyp showcases an impressive collection of rare cars, ranging from classic cars to those built for racing and everything in between. The exhibition includes iconic cars from well-known movies like Herbie in the show depot, while the Racing Drivers and Designers exhibition provides all you’d ever need to know in once place about the history of racing cars. This is one of the must-see Hamburg museums for car lovers!
Deichtorhallen Hamburg
The Deichtorhallen Hamburg is an impressive showcase of contemporary art and photography located in 3 former market halls across 2 buildings. Notably, the hall dedicated to contemporary art holds the distinction of being the largest of its kind in Europe. Meanwhile, the House of Photography showcases an extensive collection of over 15,000 pieces of work by F.C. Gundlach. For photography lovers, the Deichtorallen Hamburg is a stand-out amongst Hamburg museums and is well worth a visit!
Chocoversum
One of the most popular Hamburg museums is the Chocoversum, the chocolate museum! Embark on a delicious 90-minute journey through the chocolate’s rich history, and yes, there are free samples. The experience also involves live demonstrations as well as the chance to make your very own chocolate bar! This spot is a must-visit in Hamburg, especially for those with a sweet tooth.
Museum of Hamburg history
The Museum of Hamburg History explores Hamburg’s rich 1200-year history, guiding you through the medieval era to the present day. Of course, the history museum extensively explores the city’s maritime heritage, but it also delves into the impact of emigration and provides insights into the lives of Jewish residents. This is definitely one of the best Hamburg museums if you’re a history lover!
Rickmer Rickmers
As you’d expect with a port city there are plenty of maritime museums in Hamburg, head on board the Rickmer Rickmers, an old sailing ship, for one of the best! Explore the exhibition deck to delve into the ship’s history, from its construction to its days at sea. With a plethora of interactive exhibits on board, this museum is an excellent option for families among Hamburg museums!
Museum of Medical History
Highlighting displays from the 19th century, the Museum of Medical History narrates the tale of medical progress from the 1800s. Boasting an impressive array, the museum features exhibits including dermatology, dental prosthetics, neuropathology and many more disciplines. Among its standout collections is the Moulagen, a series of wax figures vividly depicting the manifestations of various diseases.
Miniatur Wunderland
The world’s largest model railway, the most popular of the Hamburg museums and a top-rated German tourist attraction, Miniatur Wunderland deserves a prime spot on your Hamburg itinerary! Encompassing over 1500 square meters and featuring approximately 290,000 miniature inhabitants, this little but large universe offers a captivating journey across the globe, with displays from Italy to the USA and everywhere in between. This is one of the best museums Hamburg has to offer and a visit to Miniatur Wunderland is a must. Securing advance bookings is crucial due to its high demand!
More museums
Still not got enough Hamburg museums to choose from? Here are a few more suggestions!
- The Hamburg Dungeon: Not one for the faint of heart, the Hamburg Dungeon brings to life the city’s dark history through 11 fully immersive shows, complete with impressive live actors and extraordinary special effects. If you’ve never been to the Dungeons it’s a unique experience not to be missed!
- Museum of Illusions: Packed with perplexing illusions and displays that will make you question the reality of what you see, the Museum of Illusions stands out as one of the most fun Hamburg museums!
- Spicy’s Spice Museum: Guided by your sense of smell, Spicy’s Spice Museum beckons you to explore the history of the spice trade in Hamburg, with over 900 exhibits for you to discover!
Summary
With such a diverse array of Hamburg museums to discover, there’s undoubtedly something for everyone. If museums are your thing, Hamburg has got you covered!
