Hamburg grew rich on trade, and few goods are more tied to its story than spices. Spicy’s Spice Museum, at Am Sandtorkai 34 in the Speicherstadt, tells that story in a compact, hands-on way. The exhibition covers about three hundred and fifty square metres of exhibition with antique equipment and machines and well over a thousand exhibits from the last five centuries. The big difference from most museums is that you are encouraged to touch and smell: herbs and spices are on display to sniff, grind and compare. The entry ticket includes an audio guide, so you can follow the story at your own speed. It is a short, charming visit that suits families, food lovers and anyone walking through the warehouse district who wants to know what those warehouses once held.
What to expect
The museum sits in an old Speicherstadt warehouse, and the exhibition covers the story of spices from the plantations to the dockside, showing the tools, sacks, scales and machines used to process and trade them. You will learn how pepper, cinnamon, vanilla and many other spices were handled and why they were so valuable.
Smelling stations and displays make it more sensory than a typical museum, and you can usually buy spices in the shop on the way out. The ticket is an entry ticket with an audio guide; most visitors spend around an hour.
Rating and honesty
The museum has a modest number of reviews with an average just under four out of five, which fits its size. It is small, so it will not fill a whole afternoon, and it is best seen as part of a Speicherstadt day rather than a destination by itself. The audio guide is useful because the labels are short, and the smell stations are the highlight for children. Check the opening hours when you buy.
Making the most of it
Combine it with a walk through the warehouse district and a visit to Miniatur Wunderland, the Hamburg Dungeon or the International Maritime Museum, all of which are within a few minutes. If you prefer a guided approach, the Speicherstadt tour with coffee tasting covers the same story from the street, and the pairing gives a good picture of how the district worked.
Look at the warehouse itself as you go in, with its brick walls, loading hatches and cranes, because the building is part of the exhibit. It is also a good rainy-day stop that is easy to fit in between larger attractions. Take the U-Bahn to Baumwall or Messberg and walk, and bring a little cash for the spice shop if you want to take something home.
What to expect
The experience
A small hands-on museum in a warehouse, with audio guide, smelling stations and more than a thousand exhibits.
Best time
Any time, as a short stop on a Speicherstadt day; check hours when you buy.
How long
Around an hour for most visitors.
Tips
Use the audio guide, try the smelling stations and bring a little cash for the shop.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and curious families who want to smell and touch their history.
- Families
- Children enjoy the smelling stations and the old machines.
- Couples
- A charming short stop among the warehouses, followed by coffee nearby.
- Pair with
- Miniatur Wunderland, the Speicherstadt tour and the Maritime Museum.
- Time needed
- One hour, or longer if you browse the shop.
Good questions
Where is the spice museum?+
It is at Am Sandtorkai 34 in the Speicherstadt, a short walk from Baumwall station and the Elbphilharmonie.
What can I see there?+
More than a thousand exhibits from five centuries, including antique machines, and spices you can touch and smell.
Is an audio guide included?+
Yes, the entry ticket includes an audio guide.
How long does it take?+
Most visitors spend about an hour. It is small, so it suits a short stop rather than a full afternoon.
What is nearby?+
Miniatur Wunderland, the Hamburg Dungeon, the Maritime Museum and the Speicherstadt canals are all close.
