Germany is home to many world-renowned museums.
We estimate that there are over 6,000 museums in the country. These museums range from small local ones to large national institutions.
Germany is known for its rich cultural heritage and many of its museums showcase the country’s history, art, and science. Some of the museums are specialized in certain fields such as natural history, archaeology, and technology.
German museums are for everyone, regardless of age, background, or interests. They offer a wide range of exhibitions and programs that cater to different audiences.
Some museums, such as those dedicated to art and culture, may be of particular interest to art enthusiasts, historians, and students of culture.
Others, such as science and technology museums, may be more appealing to those with an interest in technology and the natural world.
In general German museums are a great way to learn, be inspired, and explore the history, art, and culture of Germany and the world.
So let’s have a look at the 15 most popular museums to see this year!
15. Chocolate Museum in Cologne
Germany is home to several chocolate museums, one of the most popular is the Choco-Story in Cologne. The Choco-Story Museum is dedicated to the history, production and cultural significance of chocolate. The museum traces the history of chocolate from its origins in Mesoamerica to its present-day production and consumption. Visitors can learn about the different types of cocoa beans, the chocolate-making process, and the history of chocolate as a commodity and luxury item.
The museum features interactive exhibits, a chocolate fountain, and a chocolate workshop where visitors can learn how to make their own chocolate creations. The museum also has a café and shop, where visitors can sample and purchase a variety of chocolate treats.
14. Städel Museum in Frankfurt
The Städel Museum is a renowned art museum in Frankfurt. It was founded in 1815 and is one of the oldest museums in Germany. The museum’s collection includes over 2,700 paintings and sculptures, as well as over 100,000 drawings, prints, and photographs. The collection spans seven centuries of art, from the 14th century to the present, and features works by many famous artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet, Cézanne, and many others.
The Städel Museum is a renowned art museum in Frankfurt, Germany. It was founded in 1815 and is one of the oldest museums in Germany. The museum’s collection includes over 2,700 paintings and sculptures, as well as over 100,000 drawings, prints, and photographs. The collection spans seven centuries of art, from the 14th century to the present, and features works by many famous artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet, Cézanne, and many others.
The Städel Museum is considered one of the most important art museums in Germany and is well worth a visit for art lovers.
13. Neues Museum, Berlin
The Neues Museum (New Museum) is a museum in Berlin, that is located on the Museum Island in the city center. The museum was built between 1843 and 1855 and was designed by the German architect Friedrich August Stüler. The Neues Museum is one of the five museums that make up the Museum Island complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The museum was severely damaged during World War II and was closed for many years for renovations. The museum was reopened in 2009 after a long and extensive restoration process. The museum’s interiors were reconstructed to reflect the original design, and many of the artifacts were also restored and returned to their original locations.
12. Alte Pinakothek in Munich
The Alte Pinakothek is an art museum located in Munich. It was founded in 1836 and is one of the oldest art museums in the world. The museum’s collection includes over 800 paintings and sculptures, with a focus on European art from the 14th to the 18th centuries. The museum’s collection is considered one of the most important collections of European art in the world.
The museum’s collection includes works by many famous artists such as Jan van Eyck, Albrecht Dürer, Raphael, Titian, and Rembrandt, as well as masterpieces from the German, Italian, Flemish, and Dutch schools of painting. The museum also has a large collection of sculptures, including works by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Giambologna.
11. BMW World in Munich
BMW Welt (BMW World) is a customer experience and exhibition center located in Munich. It is owned and operated by the BMW Group, and it serves as a showcase for the company’s latest cars, motorcycles, and technologies.
BMW Welt is a multi-purpose facility that includes a museum, exhibition space, a delivery center for new BMWs, a conference center, and a restaurant. The museum features a collection of historic BMW cars and motorcycles, as well as interactive exhibits that showcase the company’s technology and innovations. Visitors can learn about the history of the brand, the design process of the cars, and the company’s commitment to sustainability.
BMW Welt is open to the public, and it is a popular destination for car enthusiasts and anyone interested in the latest technology and design trends. It is located in the city center of Munich, and it’s easily accessible by public transport and by car.
10. Deutsches Museum, Munich
The Deutsches Museum (German Museum) is a science and technology museum located in Munich. It is one of the oldest and most visited museums of its kind in the world, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors annually. The museum was founded in 1903 and is dedicated to the history of science and technology and its impact on society and the economy.
The museum has exhibits on topics such as the history of aviation, the development of the steam engine, and the history of computers and electronics. The museum also has a planetarium, a library, and a research center.
9. The Dresden Zwinger
The Zwinger Palace is a Baroque palace in Dresden. It was built in the 18th century and is considered one of the most important examples of Baroque architecture in Germany. The palace was commissioned by Augustus the Strong, the Elector of Saxony, as a palace of pleasure and a setting for courtly festivals and events.
The palace’s most notable features are its ornate and decorative facades, its courtyards, and its extensive gardens. The palace also houses several museums, including the Old Masters Picture Gallery, which features works by famous artists such as Raphael, Titian, and Vermeer, and the Porcelain Collection, which has a large collection of European porcelain from the 18th and 19th centuries.
8. Porsche Museum Stuttgart
The Porsche Museum is a car museum located in Stuttgart, that is dedicated to the history and development of the Porsche brand. The museum was opened in 2009 and it is operated by Porsche AG, the German automaker.
The museum’s collection covers all the major production models and concept cars of Porsche, and visitors can see the evolution of the brand through the years. The museum also has a library and an archive that contains Porsche’s historical documents, photographs, and other materials.
The Porsche Museum is a must-see destination for car enthusiasts and anyone interested in the history and technology of the Porsche brand.
7. Residenz in Munich
The Residenz Museum is a palace museum located in Munich. It is a complex of buildings that served as the residence of the rulers of Bavaria from the 16th century to the 20th century. The palace is one of the most important examples of German Baroque architecture and contains an extensive collection of art and artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, tapestries, furniture, and decorative arts.
The palace’s most notable features include the magnificent state rooms, such as the Antiquarium, the Grotto Hall, and the Treasuries, which contain some of the most important works of art in the palace’s collection. The palace also has a collection of court robes and costumes, as well as a collection of weapons and armor.
6. BMW Museum in Munich
The BMW Museum is dedicated to the history and development of the BMW brand. The museum was opened in 1972 and it is operated by BMW AG, the German automaker.
The museum features a collection of cars, motorcycles, engines, and other artifacts that showcase the company’s history and innovations. The museum’s collection covers all the major production models and concept cars of BMW, as well as significant models of BMW motorcycles and engines. The museum also has interactive exhibits, film screenings, and other multimedia displays that highlight the company’s design, technology, and motorsport achievements.
5. Museum Island, Berlin
Museum Island is a complex of five museums located on an island in the River Spree in Berlin. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important cultural and historical sites in the city. The museums that make up Museum Island include:
- The Alte Museum, which houses ancient art and artifacts from Greece, Rome, and the ancient Near East
- The Neues Museum, which has an extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts, including the famous bust of the queen Nefertiti
- The Alte Nationalgalerie, which features 19th-century art and sculptures
- The Bode Museum, has a large collection of sculptures and decorative art from the Middle Ages to the present day
- The Pergamon Museum, which houses ancient artifacts from the Middle East, including the famous Pergamon Altar
Each of the museums has its own distinct collection and focus, but together they form a comprehensive overview of human history and culture.
4. Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart
The Mercedes-Benz Museum is a car museum located in Stuttgart, that is dedicated to the history and development of the Mercedes-Benz brand.
The museum features a collection of over 160 vehicles, including some of the most iconic and significant models of Mercedes-Benz cars, as well as engines, prototypes, and racing cars. The museum’s collection covers the history of the brand from its origins in the late 19th century to the present day. The museum also has interactive exhibits, film screenings, and other multimedia displays that showcase the company’s history, design, technology, and motorsport achievements.
The museum is designed in a double-helix shape and visitors can follow a chronological order of the brand’s history from the top level to the bottom level.
3. Pergamonmuseum, Berlin
The Pergamon Museum is a museum located in Berlin, that is part of the Museum Island complex and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum is dedicated to the ancient civilizations of the Near East, with a focus on the cultures of Greece, Rome, and the ancient Near East.
The museum’s most famous exhibit is the reconstructed Pergamon Altar, a massive ancient Greek temple from the 2nd century BCE. The altar is considered one of the most important examples of ancient Greek architecture and is one of the most visited attractions in the museum.
2. The Topography of Terror in Berlin
The Topography of Terror is a museum and documentation center located in Berlin. It is dedicated to the history of the Nazi regime and the Holocaust. The museum is located on the site of the former headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS during the Nazi era, and it is designed to commemorate the victims of Nazi terror and to promote understanding of the Holocaust.
The museum’s exhibits include photographs, documents, and artifacts that provide a detailed and comprehensive history of the Nazi regime and its crimes. The museum also has a research library and an archive that contains historical documents and photographs related to the Nazi era.
The museum also includes an outdoor exhibition that is built on the remains of the Berlin Wall, which showcases a section of the original wall and provides information about its history and the events that led to its fall.
1. Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg
In Hamburg, we find the most popular museum to visit in Germany
Miniatur Wunderland is a model railway exhibit located in Hamburg. It is one of the largest and most detailed model railways exhibits in the world, featuring a variety of landscapes and scenes, including cities, countryside, airports, and ports.
The exhibit features over 15,000 meters of train tracks, over 200,000 lights, and over 200,000 figures and cars. It is divided into several sections, each representing different regions of the world, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the United States, and Scandinavia.
The exhibit is also known for its high level of detail and automation, with many of the scenes and landscapes featuring moving trains, cars, and people, as well as lighting and sound effects.
