Maritime Museum, Hamburg

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Holger.Ellgaard

Housed in the historic Kaispeicher B, a red-brick warehouse from 1878-79, the International Maritime Museum Hamburg brings more than three millennia of maritime history to life. Its vast exhibitions make it one of the top attractions in Hamburg for anyone fascinated by ships, exploration, or naval history. The museum spans nine expansive decks, all woven from the extraordinary private collection of Peter Tamm, a man whose lifelong passion for the sea led to one of the most impressive maritime archives in Europe.

From rare handcrafted ship models to original navigation instruments and immersive multimedia exhibits, the museum blends scholarship with storytelling in a way that feels both educational and deeply personal. The navigation simulator and hands-on displays make it a great place to visit on a walking tour of Hamburg, especially for families or curious travelers keen to understand how maritime trade shaped the world.

History and Significance of International Maritime Museum

The museum owes its existence to the lifelong collecting efforts of Peter Tamm, a former media executive with deep familial ties to seafaring. What began as a private archive grew into an immense historical resource, eventually gaining a permanent home when the city of Hamburg provided the historic Kaispeicher B warehouse for public exhibition. Built in the late nineteenth century, the warehouse’s distinctive architecture forms an atmospheric backdrop that enhances both the museum’s maritime focus and Hamburg’s own port heritage.

When the museum opened in 2008, it filled a cultural gap by presenting seafaring not just as a technical discipline but as a global human story. The nine-deck structure allows visitors to trace maritime development from ancient civilizations to modern global shipping. It sheds light on exploration, naval conflict, civilian travel, and maritime art, showing how oceans have shaped cultures, economies, and technological progress across centuries.

Today, the museum plays a key role in Hamburg's identity as a port city. It highlights local history while connecting it to worldwide maritime traditions. For many visitors, its collection provides a sense of continuity between the city's maritime past and its role as a modern logistics hub, making the museum one of the must-see places in Hamburg for culture lovers.

Things to See and Do in International Maritime Museum

A visit through the museum’s nine decks reveals a remarkable diversity of exhibits. The early floors focus on maritime archaeology and the evolution of shipbuilding, displaying ancient vessels, tools, and some of the oldest maritime artifacts found across different regions. These spaces lay the foundation for understanding how humans first learned to navigate open waters.

Higher decks introduce visitors to the Age of Discovery, with models of historic exploration ships, navigational devices, and displays that explain how maritime routes shaped global trade and cultural exchange. Particularly memorable are the intricate bone ship models, crafted by prisoners of war, and the beautifully reconstructed cruise ship cabins that evoke the golden age of ocean liners.

Further highlights include the naval history decks, which explore warfare at sea through uniforms, ship plans, weapons, and large-scale models. Modern exhibits delve into container shipping, deep-sea exploration, and cutting-edge marine research, complemented by interactive stations. The ship navigation simulator is especially popular, offering a hands-on feel of guiding a vessel through real-world maritime conditions.

How to Get to International Maritime Museum

Reaching the museum is easy thanks to Hamburg's excellent transport network. The nearest major airport is Hamburg Airport, which offers widespread international connections. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Hamburg on Booking.com.

Travelers arriving by train can take regional or long-distance services into Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, from where regular buses and U-Bahn lines connect to the museum’s HafenCity district. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

If you are driving, HafenCity is accessible by major city roads, and several paid car parks are located within walking distance of the museum.

Practical Tips on Visiting International Maritime Museum

• Suggested tips: Plan to explore all nine decks at a relaxed pace, as the museum’s collection is extensive.
• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings are quieter and ideal for enjoying the exhibits without crowds.
• Entrance fee: Around €17 for adults.
• Opening hours: Generally 10:00-18:00 daily.
• Official website: https://www.imm-hamburg.de
• How long to spend: Two to four hours depending on interest level.
• Accessibility: Elevators connect all levels, and most exhibits are suitable for visitors with limited mobility.
• Facilities: A shop, restrooms, and an on-site café are available.
• Photography tip: The higher decks offer excellent views of HafenCity through large warehouse-style windows.
• Guided tours: English and German tours can be booked in advance for deeper insight.
• Nearby food options: HafenCity offers numerous cafés and restaurants within a short walk.

Where to Stay close to International Maritime Museum Hamburg

Staying near the museum places you within easy reach of HafenCity’s waterfront and central Hamburg. A reliable nearby option is 25hours Hotel HafenCity, which mixes maritime-inspired interiors with modern comfort. For something upscale, The Westin Hamburg inside the Elbphilharmonie offers panoramic harbor views. Travelers seeking a quieter boutique stay may enjoy Ameron Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt, located right in the historic warehouse district.

Is International Maritime Museum Hamburg Worth Visiting?

Yes, the International Maritime Museum Hamburg is absolutely worth visiting, whether you love history, art, or simply want to understand Hamburg's deep relationship with the sea. Its enormous collection, immersive displays, and unique warehouse setting make it engaging for both casual visitors and maritime enthusiasts. The museum offers an experience that is both informative and visually rich, making it one of the things to do in Hamburg for travelers of all ages.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (8,836)

International Maritime Museum Hamburg, housed in Hamburg's oldest preserved warehouse at Kaispeicher B, offers an extensive, multi-level dive into maritime history with huge collections of ship models, artworks, uniforms, photographs and maritime equipment spread across many floors; visitors praise the vast, well-displayed exhibits (from ancient to modern topics), recommend allocating several hours to explore, note convenient lockers and lifts (though stairs provide good views), mention a ground-floor café and gift shop, and say the museum is an easy walk from the city centre with impressive views of the city.

Mark C

2 weeks ago

"This was an amazing few hours spent here. The museum boasts maritime and naval history for Germany, Europe and the world. There are so many displaysincluding the largest collection of ship models and miniatures I have ever seen. Spa ing 9 decks and some sub decks, there is something for everyone from the begi ing of maritime history to the modern day. Resonance priced entry and also an excellent gift shop and an easy walk from the City centre...."

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Gladys Sauerwein-Ho

3 weeks ago

"It is one of the biggest maritime museums I have been, 6 or 7 floors , each floor is huge with plenty of information and history. It is fascinatingand informative even I am not a fan of maritime history. From ancient history on lower floors and modern history on highest floor. Seriously it can take you 3-4 hrs to visit. Highly recommended! Perhaps you can start from the top floor first with modern stuff and slowly coming down to ancient history. It was a nice walk too from the cityhall to the museum, amazing views of Hamburg. Car Parking will be tricky in this area. Storage rooms and lockers are available in museum...."

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X K

a month ago

"What an amazing museum! This was not my first visit, but I discovered something new yet again! Pitty that the part on slave boats & trade is nolonger included. The floor with models is simply mind-blowing with the amount of details as well as the quantity. Fantastic job!..."

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FAQs for Visiting International Maritime Museum Hamburg

Nearby Attractions to International Maritime Museum

• Miniatur Wunderland: A world-famous miniature railway and model world in Speicherstadt.
• Elbphilharmonie Plaza: An architectural icon offering panoramic views of Hamburg.
• Speicherstadt Museum: A small museum detailing warehouse district history.
• HafenCity Cruise Terminal: A modern waterfront area ideal for strolls and harbor views.
• St. Michael’s Church: One of Hamburg’s most iconic baroque churches with a tower climb option.

The Maritime Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hamburg!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Nearby Attractions

• Speicherstadt (0.3) km
  Area
• St. Catherine’s Church (0.5) km
  Church
• Miniatur Wunderland (0.7) km
  
• St. Peter’s Church (0.8) km
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• City Hall (1.0) km
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• Rathausmarkt (1.0) km
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• Elbphilharmonie (1.0) km
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• Hamburger Kunsthalle (1.4) km
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• Old Elbe Tunnel (2.2) km
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• Hamburg Airport (9.8) km