Miniatur Wunderland

Overview

Miniatur Wunderland is the world's largest model railway exhibition — a mind-boggling 1,545 m² landscape of miniature cities, airports, mountains, and harbors featuring over 16,000 meters of track, 280,000 tiny figures, and 1,040 trains. It is Hamburg's most visited attraction.

Highlights

• The Airport: A fully functioning miniature Knuffingen Airport where tiny planes taxi, take off, and land — one of the most complex model systems ever built.
• Day-Night Cycles: The entire exhibition cycles between day and night on a 15-minute schedule, dramatically changing the atmosphere.
• Italy Section: A stunningly detailed recreation of Italian landscapes including Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii.

History

Founded by twin brothers Frederik and Gerrit Braun, Miniatur Wunderland opened in 2001 in a Speicherstadt warehouse. It has expanded continuously from an initial Hamburg section to include Switzerland, Scandinavia, America, and most recently South America.

Visitor Tips

• Book Online: Timed-entry tickets are essential — walk-in visitors face multi-hour waits.
• Allow Time: Most visitors spend 2–3 hours, but enthusiasts can easily spend 4+.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.