The Best Museums In Hamburg

The second largest city in Germany, Hamburg has an important spot in European history, and museums across the city offer visitors a chance to learn more about the events that have occurred throughout the centuries. From social change to chocolate, via war, emmigration and more, we pick the 5 best spots for finding out how Hamburg has developed.

Emigration Museum Ballinstadt

Head back in time at the Emigration Museum BallinStadt. It was originally the last homestead shelter for Europeans leaving to the New world, and a visit give you a good idea of what daily life was like for the intrepid immigrants who left from these shores. Three faithfully reconstructed buildings offer an insight into the living and sleeping arrangements, documenting the backgrounds and experiences of the immigrants through interactive and traditional displays. And if you’re up for a spot of genealogy, the museum keeps records of the over five million Europeans who left.

Opening hours: 10am – 5pm

Emigration Museum Ballinstadt, Veddeler Bogen 2, 20539 Hamburg, Germany, +49 40 31979160

Spicy's Museum

Museum

Got a taste for flavor? Spicy’s Museum is the only spice museum in the world. 800 exhibits tell the stories of spices from across the world, how they were used, transported and collected for over five centuries. it’s an absolute must for anyone interested in cooking, eating or ancient trade and with 50 different spices to smell and touch, you can really test your taste buds. N.B. Most of the exhibition notices are written in German.

Opening hours: Tues – Sun 10am – 5pm

Chocoversum Schokoladen-Museum

Museum, Theater

Calling all chocoholics… Visitors to Hamburg who have a sweet tooth must check out Chocoversum Schokoladen Museum. It’s a really ‘Willy Wonka’ experience, with a 90-minute tour explaining how cocoa beans are grown, collected, processed and eventually turned into chocolate. There are plenty of samples dotted throughout, but if that’s not enough to sate your cravings, you can also make your own bars.

Opening hours: 10am – 6pm

Deichertorhallen

Market, Bridge, Market, Museum, Theater

Deichtorhallen is one of Europe’s largest art enters for contemporary art and photography. However, it’s not just what’s inside that makes these buildings so special. Original built between 1911 and 1914, they are some of the last surviving examples of Industrial architecture, a style which represents the bridge between Art Nouveau and 20th-century. The original edifices were constructed as market halls in place of the former rail station. This steel-and-glass museum house and impressive collection and exhibitions have included popular contemporary artists, such as Herbert Tobias and Antony Gormley.

Opening hours: Tues – Sun 11am – 6 pm

International Maritime Museum

Museum

The International Maritime Museum began as a private collection in the 1930s, started by former chairman of the board of the Axel Spring AG, Peter Tamm, when he was six years old. The museum was officially opened in 2008 and houses a collection of over 40,000 nautical items and over one million photos. A nicely personal way to get an insight into Hamburg’s seafaring background.

Opening hours: 10am – 6pm

About the author

Mary Jane Dempsey

What do Frank Sinatra and I have in common? We are both from New Jersey. While the Garden State is beautiful, I love exploring and traveling to new places. During my undergraduate career, I studied in both Siena and Bologna. After completing my BA in History and International Relations at The College of New Jersey, I moved back to Bologna, where I worked as the Student Life Assistant for an American study abroad program. In 2014, I moved to London to pursue my MSc in History of International Relations at the London School of Economics. When I am not in lecture, I enjoy baking, exploring London's museums and watching old films.