Miniature World in Hamburg

Assuming you mean Miniatur Wunderland, yes it is well worth a visit. It can also be worth prebooking a ticket.

I haven't been yet, although the one in the Black Forest is quite amazing the Hamburg one will leave it standing from what I've seen.

Last time I looked they had gone to timed arrival tickets because it had become so crowded, so if you know a date you can look on their website and see if it is possible.

If I could get there and get in I have no doubt that I would be blown away - but I am a modeller (retired from modelling to be a carer, but always a modeller at heart).

Miniatur Wunderland is one of the highest voted attractions since years and well visited with pre-booking recommended.

What are your concerns about "crowded"?

Thank you! Pre-booking is available so we would definitely do that. Our concern regarding over-crowding is two-fold. 1) This is the statement on the ticket page: Since it is almost always packed in Wunderland, there is a lot of crowding, there are no longer any distances and there is really a real "closeness" like before, we expressly RECOMMEND wearing a medical mask, but leave the decision to you.* This made us wonder how packed is it? Can you see the miniatures with so many people? Sounds like masks are a good idea. 2) This will be the first thing we do in our 2 week vacation encompassing Germany, Sweden and Edinburgh. Hamburg is the first stop and we want to avoid catching a bug of any kind.

Miniatur Wunderland sounds amazing so we will mask up and try for an early morning or later in the day reservation.

Thank you for the help.

Miniatur Wonderland is the reason I went to Hamburg. I went a few years ago and prior to the pandemic.

It was amazing.

Yes, it can be packed like sardines. A tip I got was to book your admission two hours before closing. As an example, closing time when I went was 7 PM. I booked for 5 PM. It was packed. By 5:30 it had lessened. By 6 pm, there were about 1/3 the amount of people from my arrival time. By 6:30, there was only a handful of people and I could really enjoy it.

Most people would want to leave between 5 and 6 to prepare for dinner and evening activities. Of course, things might have changed since then.

I second what Frank said. It's always pretty full, but getting later in the day tickets is a good call, and it is well worth seeing! I didn't think I would be so impressed by miniatures, but it is SO cool! So many little gems and Easter Eggs. So much detail. And so dynamic and innovative!

I think the following factors co-decide on crowd density:

• Weather at day of visit: summer sun is always a winner in Northern Germany
• Avoid local school vacations and national holidays
• Avoid weekends
• As emntioned: prefer morning / evening times

We did the combinied evening arrangements harbor/wunderland. This was great. Not so overcrowded. I loved it.
https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/visiting/events/big-tubs-small-trains/?_gl=1*1tamxgl*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjE4NzgzMjUuMTczMzY2Mjc5MA..*_ga_QD4ZHC411D*MTczMzY2Mjc5MC4xLjAuMTczMzY2Mjc5MC4wLjAuMA..*_ga_JGD7L3SF5T*MTczMzY2Mjc5MC4xLjAuMTczMzY2Mjc5MC4wLjAuMA..

I have visited several times - miniature rail enthusiasts in the family! It is an incredible place - last trip, 2023, we stayed for over 4 hours. Lots of fun.

I wold definitely pre-book. Every time I have been has been non-high tourist season, but tickets have been sold out on some occasions and the facility was definitely crowded every time I was there. The trips other than last year were pre-Covid, so maybe some of that has changed. In 2023, we stopped by one day when we didn't hold tickets hoping for an additional visit, but were told the first openings were late evening and we were there in the AM.

The medical mask bit is probably a hold-over from Covid directly post-days. I don't remember masks last year. There are some interactive displays - volcano eruption, fire with firefighters, airplanes landing, etc. Those displays - timed - can get crowded but I have never not been able to see. The facility is large, so if the opening rooms seem too full, move through and return later. There is a flow to the displays, but you can move easily between rooms. There are some Youtube videos if you want a preview.

You didn't ask, but if you have any interest in ships and models, the Maritime Museum is also incredible. I had never visited until last year, thinking it wasn't my interest and having been to other maritime museums elsewhere. Hamburg's is unique - floors and floors of exhibits. I spent about two hours and was kicking myself for not having allowed more time.

Miniatur Wunderland is amazing. I went first thing in the morning, travelling alone, and felt I managed to see it well. It got more and more crowded as time went on, but not horribly so.

Thank you so much everyone for all the information. Miniatur Wunderland sounds like a must -see destination! Your insights are most helpful!

A few years ago I was in Hamburg often enough that I got an All year pass for Minitiatur Wunderland. I would just go there in the evening after I had finished my business, spend an hour or so, and have something to eat.

One tip: Go on one of the guided backstage tours. Gets you away from the crowds, and is absolutely fascinating. Take the Northern one, that shows you the behind the scenes of how the airport works.

Youtuber TRAVELLING WITH BRUCE has made 3-4 good videos on it frm his trips in each of the past 3 years. Looks very interesting