Best museums in Hamburg that are worth your time

Whether you want to learn more about Hamburg's fascinating history or are just looking for fun things to do with kids, the famous museums in Hamburg will deliver.

This port city is filled with nautical museum adventures that will inspire your imagination and appreciation for the past. The International Maritime Museum gives you an overview of 3000 years of ocean seafaring, while the floating museum ships of Cap San Diego and Rickmer Rickmers offer a more interactive experience.

From foodie treats, to landmarks and monuments, to art, there are plenty of ways to find your muse.

Read on for more of the best museums to visit in Hamburg.

Best history museums in Hamburg

1. Let the Cap San Diego carry you through history

Get an entry ticket to the Cap San Diego to hop aboard a retired, but fully functional trading vessel. Anchored at Hamburg's port, the Cap San Diego is the last of its kind and now houses multiple exhibitions. Check out the sleeping quarters of the original sailors to see what life was like on the open seas.

Highlights:

For an amazing view of Hamburg's waterfront, climb the masts. You can get as high as 30 meters, giving a true bird's eye view of the surrounding area.

Address and opening hours:

Überseebrücke, 20459 Hamburg. Open Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

2. Learn about the dark side of the city in its dungeon

Learn all about the darkest chapters of Hamburg's history with an entry ticket to the Hamburg Dungeon. Take a trip back in time to the great fire of Hamburg, the Black Plague, and the Inquisition.

Highlights:

Talk to the famous pirate Klaus Störtebeker – or at least his head – after bearing witness to his execution. Older kids will be delighted.

Address and opening hours:

Kehrwieder 2, 20457 Hamburg. Open Sunday-Friday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

3. Board the Rickmer Rickmers for a nautical experience

Explore the deck of this beautiful windjammer museum ship with a Rickmer Rickmers entry ticket. Now permanently docked at Hamburg port, it boasts a fascinating museum below decks and the chance to climb the rigging every Saturday. At 35 meters above sea level, you'll have a superb view of the harbor.

Highlights:

If you fancy a more immersive adventure, check out the onboard escape rooms. There are multiple options, all with their own puzzles to solve.

Address and opening hours:

Bei den St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken 1a, 20359 Hamburg. Open Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

4. Take a walk through Hamburg's past and learn about its future

In Hamburg, history extends beyond the museums and is written all over the city. Join a walking tour through the Speicherstadt and HafenCity to learn more about the historic warehouse district and the ambitious HafenCity project. Stop in at the Kesselhaus to see a 1:500 scale model of the area.

Highlights:

The concert hall, Elbphilharmonie, is one of the most iconic sights of Hamburg. Combining modern architecture with a historic foundation, it's where the past and the future collide.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Am Sandtorkai 74, 20457 Hamburg. Tour times vary.

5. Leave Hamburg behind at the Emigration Museum

The port is known for its historic role in trading goods, but it is also where the city got its nickname. Tor zur Welt (Gateway to the World) was the start of a new life for many, and you can discover what drove their journey with an Emigration Museum BallinStadt entry ticket. Find out why they wanted to leave and how one famous ship owner came to their aid.

Highlights:

At this museum, you can use the world's largest genealogical database to learn more about your own family's origins.

Address and opening hours:

Veddeler Bogen 2, 20539 Hamburg. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

6. Retreat to the countryside and a museum village

After all the excitement of sea adventuring, take a day to relax in the idyllic countryside. Still within the city limits, museum village Volksdorf offers reconstructed historical buildings to give an authentic experience of how people lived in the past. Only 30 minutes away from the city center by road, it makes for an excellent day trip.

Highlights:

This museum village includes a small farm with horses, sheep, and chickens. All are working animals, and if you're lucky, you might get to help at feeding time.

Address and opening hours:

Im Alten Dorfe 46 – 48, 22359 Hamburg. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM.

Best art museums in Hamburg

7. Look at art from a new perspective

For a more thought-provoking art museum, consider a Bucerius Kunst Forum entry ticket . With 4 different exhibitions staged throughout the year – always including paintings, prints, drawings, and photographs – there is always something new and exciting to see. Events traditionally focus on one of the current exhibition themes.

Highlights:

An on-site bookshop offers an excellent opportunity to pick up a special souvenir you won't find elsewhere.

Address and opening hours:

Alter Wall 12, 20457 Hamburg. Open Saturday-Wednesday 11:00 AM-7:00 PM, Thursday 11:00 AM-9:00 PM, Friday 12:00 PM-6:00 PM.

8. Have a sensual museum experience in the St. Pauli district

The St. Pauli district is mostly known for the Reeperbahn, Hamburg's famous red light district, but is also home to many museums. Join a  St. Pauli walking tour to visit L'apotheque, the only museum in Germany where you can find historical sex toys, and view NFT art at the Erotic Art Museum.

Highlights:

Taste the special gin at L'apotheque and visit a secret bunker exhibition in the EAM that showcases the artworks of Fiete Frahm.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at Wohlwillstraße 1, 20359 Hamburg. Starting time Saturdays 6:00 PM.

Best science museums in Hamburg

9. Journey across the seven seas

Get an entry ticket to the International Maritime Museum to learn more about 3000 years of global sea travel. An entire floor is dedicated to the latest marine biology research, curated in collaboration with leading scientific institutions. From Viking dragon boats and historical sea charts to footage of the deep sea captured by robots – this museum has it all.

Highlights:

There's a model of Queen Mary II on display, made completely out of LEGOs. Using more than 1 million individual bricks, it's a must-see for kids.

Address and opening hours:

Koreastraße 1, 20457 Hamburg. Open daily, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

10. Take a closer look at the building blocks of the universe

Visit one of the world-leading particle physics research institutions at DESY. No prior knowledge of physics is needed; the experts will show you around the particle accelerators and experiments. Part of Germany's largest scientific community, this is where you'll learn how small things make big bangs.

Highlights:

The Petra III storage ring is one of the brightest X-ray light sources in the world. Take a closer look at one of the now-inactive particle detectors used for groundbreaking research.

Address and opening hours:

Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg. Opening times vary.

11. Embark on a scientific excursion to the Museum of Nature

The  Museum of Nature is actually 3 different museums in one. The fields of zoology, mineralogy, and geology are each explored in separate buildings, all only a few minutes walk away from each other. Take a deep dive into science with more than 10 million items on display.

Highlights:

Check out the giant whale skeleton and narwhal skull, then seek out the iron meteorite. With an impressive mass of 424 kg, it's roughly the weight of a horse.

Address and opening hours:

Bundesstraße 52, 20146 Hamburg. Opening times vary for the different exhibitions.

Alternative museums in Hamburg

12. Sharpen your senses while exploring a world of total darkness

Want to step out of your comfort zone? With a guided tour at the Dialogue in the Dark® Exhibition, you'll find out how to navigate the world without your sight. With a visually impaired guide to lead you, this truly is a perspective-altering experience.

Highlights:

You'll be given a cane to use as part of the tour and stop off at the Dark Bar for a drink without light. How well will you adapt to the environment?

Address and opening hours:

Alter Wandrahm 5, 20457 Hamburg. Tour times vary.

13. Treat yourself to a museum tour full of delicious chocolate

If you have a sweet tooth, then this museum will be an utter treat. Go on a guided tour through the Chocoversum to watch the entire production chain from raw beans to the final bar. The on-site shop only offers products that contain cocoa, including beauty care and – believe it or not – mustard.

Highlights:

You taste the chocolate at every step of the production process, then use what you've learned to make a personalized bar to take home.

Address and opening hours:

Meßberg 1, 20095 Hamburg. Class times vary.

14. Have a conversation in complete silence

It is easy to take the spoken word for granted. On a guided tour of the Dialogue in Silence® Exhibition, you learn about the limits and potential of non-verbal communication. While wearing noise-canceling headphones, you will have to 'speak' using your hands and 'hear' by using your eyes.

Highlights:

With the help of an interpreter, the exhibition includes an opportunity to ask hearing-impaired guides questions about their experiences.

Address and opening hours:

Alter Wandrahm 4, 20457 Hamburg. Tour times vary.

15. Rock’n’Roll with Udo Lindenberg in the Panik City

Rock your heart out with famous German singer Udo Lindenberg in the Panik City Udo Lindenberg Multimedia Experience. Augmented and virtual reality technology gives you an interactive, immersive tour through the superstar's life. Learn about his influence on German rock and his political engagement through song lyrics.

Highlights:

Step onto a virtual reality stage to experience Udo Lindenberg up close. You can also record and take home a video of you singing with the musical icon.

Address and opening hours:

Spielbudenplatz 21-22 im Klubhaus, 20359 Hamburg. Tour times vary.

FAQs

What are the must-visit museums in Hamburg?

The must-visit museums in Hamburg tend to focus on the city's historical connection with the sea. Top picks are the International Maritime Museum and the museum ships of Cap San Diego and Rickmer Rickmers.

Are there any free museums in Hamburg?

Free museums in Hamburg include the Museum of Nature, covering zoology as well as mineralogy and geology, and the museum village of Volksdorf.

Are there any museums in Hamburg that are suitable for children and families?

Many of the museums in Hamburg are suitable for children and families. The permanently anchored museum ships are always a delight for swashbuckling youngsters, while the Chocoversum is a delicious treat for the whole family.

For which museums in Hamburg are guided tours recommended?

A guided tour is recommended for the exhibitions of Dialogue and Dark. The Dark tour, in particular, requires a guide to safely lead you as it's undertaken in the complete absence of light.

Are there any museum passes or discount cards available for visiting multiple museums in Hamburg?

The Hamburg City Card is perfect if you want a discount card for visiting multiple museums. As well as up to 50% discounts on all eligible attractions, it offers free public transport for 1-5 days.