Hamburg is one of the majestic cities of Germany, offering guests extensive opportunities for educational and entertaining activities. The metropolis is famous for its attractions, among which cultural institutions stand out particularly. Hamburg’s museums amaze visitors with numerous exhibitions of exclusive collections of antiques, artifacts, works of art, and exhibits dedicated to various themes.
Museum of Hamburg History
This is one of the most famous cultural institutions in the world. The halls of the 19th-century building house unique collections of exhibits that allow visitors to learn about the rich history of Hamburg. The exhibitions fascinatingly reflect the stages of the city’s development, which transformed over several centuries from a small fortress into the largest European port, becoming Germany’s “main gateway to the world.”
Among the valuable relics, one can see many models of buildings, ships, and architectural elements of medieval structures. Reconstructions demonstrating the interiors of homes of residents from different social strata are of great interest. Here you can see the fittings of cabins of various seagoing vessels. The museum’s treasure is a miniature model of the German railway made to a scale of 1:32. The total length of the railway tracks is about 1200 meters. Besides trains, one can see infrastructure objects and human figures.
International Maritime Museum
In the building of a former port warehouse is an impressive collection of items dedicated to international maritime history. Numerous exhibits occupy all the halls of the ten-story building. On display are paintings by famous marine artists, ship models, geographic maps, officers’ uniforms, sailors’ uniforms, books, photographs, original navigation logs, tools, weapons, and other maritime-related items.
The exhibits cover a period of 3000 years. The exhibition is divided into thematic sections: the history of navigation, the development of shipbuilding, the era of geographic discoverers, world fleets, commercial and passenger shipping, sea voyages, and scientific expeditions, the service of officers, and the life of sailors. A special mention goes to the incredible number of miniature ship models made with astonishingly meticulous detail.
Pirate schooners, Viking drakkars, Greek galleys, sailing ships, frigates, canoes, brigs, and liners—all symbolize the historical memory of past civilizations. In one of the halls of the complex, visitors can examine the materials from which ships were built, as well as various rigging and equipment items. It is intriguing to see torpedoes, mines, cannons, ropes, sails, and other objects.
Museum of Erotic Art
On the bustling Reeperbahn street, known for its nightlife, is the Museum of Erotic Art. The four-story building houses artistic and sculptural compositions embodying a proper and healthy attitude towards the art of love. These include colorful woodcuts, silk paintings, statuettes, and other masterpieces with erotic themes.
The exhibition features samples of European and Eastern directions in painting—Parisian baroque, classical modernism, and expressive impressionism. On display are piquant works that once adorned the walls of the palaces of noble townspeople in the 16th century. Various ancient paintings and sexually themed items testify that people have always sought to understand the mysteries and secrets of natural human delight.
Miniature Wonderland
One of the popular attractions is Miniature Wonderland, a visit to which will leave neither children nor adults indifferent. This magnificent magical place is a giant model with an area of over 6000 m². In this fairy-tale world, there are miniature copies of cities, architectural ensembles, natural landscapes, functioning railways, and roadways.
Numerous meticulously detailed elements amaze the imagination. Wonderland consists of numerous buildings and structures, attractions and shopping centers, stadiums, and concert venues. Natural landscapes look equally realistic: rivers with rapids, lakes, seas, mountains, and forest areas. It is interesting to observe the everyday life of the figurines of city residents. They work, play sports, travel by car, train, sea, and airliners, rush to help in emergencies, stroll through park complexes, and attend sports competitions.
Guests of this amazing world are offered the opportunity to examine a model of an international airport where planes take off and land. Every 15 minutes, day and night change in Miniature Wonderland. Office and residential buildings, bridges, and quarters are illuminated with colorful lights.
Museum of Art and Crafts
In the old elegant mansion of the historic district is the Museum of Art and Crafts. This is one of the leading cultural institutions in Europe. On three spacious floors of the building, about 500,000 items are displayed. They embody the craftsmanship and ingenuity of artisans from around the world, from ancient times to the present day.
Here are collections of masterpieces of applied art, samples of decor, textiles, and clothing, items made of glass, metal, and ceramics, as well as numerous household items. The halls are divided into thematic exhibitions related to different eras and civilizations. The invaluable collection of porcelain and glassware is mesmerizing. Vases, plates, and cups are skillfully painted with amazing ornaments and colorful images.
Ancient samples of silk, embroidery, and lace show that people have always followed fashion trends. Precious jewelry, exquisite statuettes, medieval tapestries, and bronze sculptures are popular among visitors. In the interior history section, rooms with furniture, mirrors, and other household items are recreated.
Prototype Car Museum
Car racing enthusiasts should definitely visit the Prototype complex. In the three-story building of a former factory is a unique collection of cars created after the end of World War II. Some models were designed and assembled as a single piece. The exhibition consists of 50 exhibits. Here you can see rare sports cars from the 1940s-1960s and modern racing cars from famous German auto brands.
The recreated workshop, where visitors can see the car assembly process, is of great interest. In a special acoustic booth, anyone can listen to the sound of engines from different car brands. The fund’s treasure is the legendary Jordan racing car of the famous German driver Michael Schumacher.
He debuted in the 1991 competition with this sports car. The car simulator, converted from an authentic retro racing car, will leave a lot of positive impressions. The control of this vehicle imitates a car race as accurately as possible. This allows young and adult “racers” to feel all the nuances of piloting a high-speed car.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is one of the city’s outstanding cultural institutions. The exhibition halls house an impressive collection of artifacts from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, and early Middle Ages. Behind glass showcases are various items representing all aspects of human civilization’s development over 40,000 years.
Archaeological relics allow viewers to be immersed in the atmosphere of antiquity. Here you can see tools and hunting implements, household items, furniture and applied arts, jewelry, bones of ancient animals, traces of settlements, fragments of stone structures, cave paintings, and much more. Educational and entertaining tours are conducted for young visitors.
Kunsthalle Hamburg
A special place among the city’s cultural attractions is the art gallery—Kunsthalle Hamburg. One of Germany’s largest museum complexes occupies three buildings constructed in different historical periods. The facade of the main building is adorned with a high arched gallery and sculptural compositions. Next to it is an annex made of shell limestone, topped with a majestic dome. The Kunsthalle gallery is famous for its outstanding collection of European masters’ paintings.
The halls display paintings of various artistic movements, from early Romanticism to Impressionism. Masterpieces by M. Liebermann, A. Menzel, E. Warhol, P. Picasso, P. Gauguin, E. Manet, G. Courbet, C. Corot, and many other famous artists are on display. Especially interesting are the paintings depicting city panoramas. The pearl of the exhibition is the altarpiece painted by artist Bertram in 1337 for the Basilica of St. Peter. The masterpiece contains 24 biblical scenes narrating the history of humanity’s origin.
Johannes Brahms Museum
The famous 19th-century composer Johannes Brahms was born and spent three decades of his life in Hamburg. In a historic building in the city is an exhibition dedicated to the creator of brilliant musical works. The house is built of dark brick. The facade is rich with frequent window openings with white frames, indicating a classic example of German architecture. The main entrance is decorated with columns and stucco.
The interiors of the museum halls correspond to the time when the great German musician created. The interior is dominated by an atmosphere of luxury and beauty. The rooms are furnished with antique furniture that surrounded the composer during his residence in this house. The exhibition consists of documents, photographs, and personal belongings of Brahms. Visitors can see the author’s original manuscripts and compositions, musical certificates, concert programs, and several busts of the maestro.
Museum of Ethnography
Founded in 1879, this is one of the oldest and largest exhibition venues in Germany. Here, visitors can familiarize themselves with numerous items representing the traditions, religious concepts, customs, and cultural heritage of peoples from all corners of the globe.
The collection contains about 350,000 exhibits and 400,000 historical photographs. The gathered unique valuable artifacts reveal the history of the ethnic groups of Africa, America, Indonesia, Australia, and Europe. Popular are the halls dedicated to jewelry, household items, and fine arts. A special place in the collection is given to masks of Pacific tribes and recreated interiors of communal houses of the indigenous peoples of New Zealand.
Chocoversum Chocolate Museum
Chocolate lovers should include a visit to the Chocoversum Museum in their cultural program. The exhibits of this amazing gastronomic institution bring people a lot of positive impressions because chocolate products contribute to the production of the happiness hormone.
Here you can literally feel the wonderful spicy aromas and taste exquisite treats. Tourists are offered the opportunity to learn about the ingredients of chocolate products and the stages of their production. It will be interesting to hear information about the subtleties of the centuries-old history of cocoa bean cultivation and their use in the confectionery industry.
During the tour, visitors are shown the technological process, starting with the processing of cocoa beans and ending with the pouring of hot chocolate into various molds. The main concept of the museum exhibition is to provide tourists with the opportunity to take part directly in the making of the popular treat.
Falkenstein Doll Museum
A wonderful collection of rare toys is kept in “Falkenstein.” In this amazing place, guests are offered to dive into the world of beauty, childhood, and inspiration. The exhibition covers the period from the early 18th century to the present day. The exhibition halls feature numerous dolls and dollhouses with detailed elements of doll interiors. Most exhibits reflect the luxurious life of the ruling classes of past generations.
The elegant wardrobes, hairstyles, and accessories of the dolls allow us to trace how fashion trends and ideals of beauty have changed over the centuries. Special attention is given to dollhouses with fully equipped kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. They are furnished with miniature sets of furniture, dishes, and household items.
Each detail of the toy rooms’ interior is made with maximum accuracy. Such models of houses had educational purposes. During playtime, girls learned the basics of household management. The fund also has interesting models of toy shops from the 18th-20th centuries.
Deichtorhallen
Deichtorhallen is an exhibition pavilion where contemporary art exhibits are displayed. The complex’s building is a metal frame located on an area of 6000 m². Thematic exhibitions of 20th-21st century artists and photographers are held here. Visitors can enjoy works by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Franz Gudlach, Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton, and other outstanding contemporary creative personalities.
Photo collections are especially popular among the public. The pictures harmoniously combine natural beauties and architectural monuments with the graceful poses of model-like girls. Many works evoke admiration thanks to rather bold and sensual images of women, aesthetically captured with impeccable detail. Abstract paintings expressing the integrity of strict lines, bright colors, and original forms of various objects are also popular.
Hamburg Dungeon
A visit to the Hamburg Dungeon promises tourists a lot of unforgettable impressions. This interactive attraction represents a chamber of horrors and fear. The exhibition is intended for fans of extreme entertainment. The premises are designed in the style of a dungeon. Interiors are kept in the appropriate atmosphere: dim lighting, the clank of chains, and water trickling down the walls.
Professional actors playing sinister characters have prepared an exciting and chilling costume performance for guests. Those who dare to enter the domain of monsters, ghosts, skeletons, and executioners are in for terrifying stories and demonstrations of medieval Hamburg.
Visitors will experience the horrors of floods and fires, see the tortures of the Inquisition, witness the consequences of plague and cholera epidemics, find themselves on a ghost ship, meet an alchemist, butcher, pirate, and many other characters of the unusual performance. The dungeon’s labyrinths with excellent decorations, heart-wrenching screams, impeccable acting, and impressive special effects send chills down the spine, making the heart skip a beat.
Cap San Diego Ship Museum
In the harbor of the port, the majestic white passenger-cargo ship “Cap San Diego” is moored. It is an integral part of the city’s panorama and an expressive landmark. In the late 1980s, the elegant ship could not compete with fast container ships. Subsequently, the ship, left without a job, was turned into a complex.
Here, every visitor can freely explore the decks and holds, peek into the engine room, and take a walk through the service and passenger cabins. It is interesting to study the navigation equipment, visit the captain’s bridge, and marvel at the exquisite interiors of the dining room, bar, and lounge. The ship houses various exhibits offering guests fascinating information about the history of “Cap San Diego” and the famous port city.
What to See in Hamburg in One Day: 16 Interesting Places
