The International Maritime Museum, the Internationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg, fills the historic Kaispeicher B, a red-brick warehouse on the edge of the Speicherstadt and HafenCity. Its exhibits come from the private collection of Peter Tamm Senior, a publisher who spent his life gathering everything to do with the sea, and they are laid out on nine themed decks covering some three thousand years of maritime history. There are more than forty thousand miniature models, from tiny ships carved by prisoners of war to great ocean liners, alongside navigation instruments, paintings, uniforms, deep-sea exploration and naval history. Highlights for many visitors are the huge LEGO model of the Queen Mary 2 and a real ship simulator where you can try your hand at the helm. It is a museum to browse at your own pace, deck by deck, and a perfect companion to a harbour cruise.
How to book: Tiqets sells the museum through its venue page. At the time of writing the product there pairs museum entry with a hop-on hop-off harbour tour, a good-value way to combine the two, but check exactly what is included before you buy. The museum is at Koreastraße 1 and is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. The nearest U-Bahn stop is Überseequartier, a few minutes on foot, and it is a short walk from the Elbphilharmonie.
What to expect: the decks are big and the collection is vast, so pick your interests. Families tend to head for the models, the LEGO ship and the simulator; history buffs linger over navigation, the great age of liners and the naval decks. Some sections are dense with display cases and text, and not every label is in English, so a quick look at the floor plan at the start helps you plan your route. Allow two to three hours to see the highlights.
Making the most of it: combine the museum with the Speicherstadt warehouses next door, the Elbphilharmonie Plaza and a harbour cruise for a full maritime day. It is one of the best options in Hamburg for a wet afternoon, and a good place to escape the wind in winter.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided museum on nine themed decks of a historic warehouse, with models, artefacts and a ship simulator.
Best time
Any wet or windy day, ideally in the morning before groups arrive.
How long
Two to three hours for the highlights, longer for real enthusiasts.
Tips
Check the floor plan at the start and choose your decks, as trying to see everything is exhausting.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Ship lovers, model fans and anyone who has just been on a harbour cruise and wants more.
- Families
- The LEGO Queen Mary 2 and the ship simulator are the hits; younger children will tire on the denser decks.
- Couples
- A relaxed rainy-day museum, then a drink by the water in HafenCity.
- Pair with
- The Speicherstadt, the Elbphilharmonie Plaza and the harbour cruise.
- Time needed
- Half a day with a coffee break.
Good questions
What can you see at the International Maritime Museum?+
Nine themed decks of maritime history from the Peter Tamm Senior collection, with more than forty thousand miniature models. Highlights include a LEGO Queen Mary 2 and a ship simulator.
What does the Tiqets ticket include?+
At the time of writing, the product on the Tiqets venue page combines museum entry with a hop-on hop-off harbour tour. Check the inclusions on the page before booking.
What are the opening hours?+
The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Check before public holidays, when hours can change.
Where is the museum?+
It is in the Kaispeicher B warehouse at Koreastraße 1, between the Speicherstadt and HafenCity. The Überseequartier U-Bahn stop is a few minutes away.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, the models, the LEGO ship and the simulator are popular with children. Some decks are text-heavy, so plan a route around their interests.
