Germans and machines are inseparable. The sheer number of car museums in Germany is clear evidence of this. In Fact, Germany has a rich history of automobiles than any other nation on the planet.
If vehicles captivate you, then making a trip to various car museums in Germany should be a priority. Museums in Germany are as famous for classy cars as they are for magnificent architecture.
Germany remains the epicenter of state-of-the-art car manufacturing.
For over 130 years, Germany has built high-quality machines with excellent functionality ranging from Mercedes-Benz, BMW to Porsche. Though the interior and exterior designs keep changing, most of these vehicles scream class, style and luxury from a distance.
German’s impressive fine art in vehicle building is displayed in different car museums around the country. Plan a German car vacation today and tour these amazing car museums located in different cities from Stuttgart to Munich.
If you have no idea which one to start with, take a look at this list. It provides some of the best car museums in Germany that you can pay a visit to:
Best Car Museums in Germany to Visit
1. BMW Museum, Munich, Germany
Located near Olympia Park in Munich, Germany, is the BMW Museum. This is an automobile museum showcasing BMW’s history.
The museum came into being in 1973, a little while after the summer Olympics opened. It was revamped in connection with the construction of the BMW Welt from 2004 – 2008. And on 21st June 2008, the museum was reopened.
The museum currently presents 120 exhibits in the space of 5,000 square meters creating the best car scene in Germany. The museum shows the technical development all through the company’s history.
It is composed of engines, motorcycles, aircraft, turbines, and vehicles in multiple variations. There are futuristic-looking conceptual models from as far back as twenty years ago, in addition to the actual models.
The BMW Museum ranks third in its attendance figures, after Deutsches Museum and the Pinakothek der Moderne. Over 250,000 people visit this German transportation museum on a yearly basis.
The exhibition owes its peaceful atmosphere to the use of headphones and lighting. In the BMW museum, technical development and the pros of modernity are hammered on. The building definitely reflects the exhibition concept.
The Viennese professor, Karl Schwanzer, who is the architect of the BMW headquarters, designed the futuristic tower known as the white cauldron or the salad bowl.
For the best tour of this museum, plus an overall view of the stunning Munich city, booking the hop-on hop-off bus tour on GetYourGuide is the ideal solution.
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2. Classic Remise Düsseldorf
The museum is located in a historic locomotives’ roundhouse. Typically, it’s home to garages, restaurants, spare parts shops, model cars, clothing and even accessories.
A unique automotive experience is guaranteed from a blend of the old quaint architecture and a display of historic/vintage vehicles. This center is the second of its kind globally, with the one in Berlin, taking first place.
This museum opened its doors in 2006. In 2010, Meilenwerk AG bought the former name from one of the previous owners. After this, the center’s name became Classic Remise Düsseldorf.
With its unique combination of the historical locomotive roundhouse and extensive showcase of vintage cars, the museum provides an event venue that is unavailable anywhere else. It can be used for parties, symposia, exhibitions, workshops, trade shows, etc.
With all these great features, it’s quite true to say that this is among the car museums in Germany that shouldn’t miss on your to-do list.
Things You Can Find at Classic Remise Düsseldorf
The following are some of the things you can find at the Classic Remise Düsseldorf:
- Car and Motorcycle Workshops: Refurbishing services such as motor and mechanical work, bodywork and repainting, custom upholstery and interior work are offered by skilled specialists.
- Related retail shops: Articles offered include model cars, spare parts, accessories, books, magazines, etc.
- Classic car sales and showrooms: Dealers can display classic cars that they have for sale in the spacious showroom of the Classic Remise Düsseldorf.
- Glass boxes for classic cars: These can be rented by owners of individual cars to help protect them from the weather. They can be seen and enjoyed by visitors.
- Bistro and beer garden: There is an indoor cafe for snacks and small meals, and a beer garden is open for outdoor relaxation in the summer.
In 2003, the Classic Remise Berlin, a hub for classic cars, was opened to the public in a historic tram depot, which was initially built in the imperial era. Its construction began in 1899.
Architectural modifications were made to the building in the 1920s. There were damages to the building during the war, and the places where firebombs hit can still be seen in the ceiling.
The depot was not in use and was in decay after the tram system was given up in West Berlin until the present owners acquired it in 2002. The new owner proceeded to renovate it into a vintage car center.
There are shops for spare parts, clothing, model cars, garages, services and dealers for vintage cars, accessories, and restaurants in this building. This is one of the best locations in Berlin for events you do not want to forget in a hurry. And to make your tour even exciting, check out the Classic Remise Berlin tours in Viator, such as a Berlin Photography tour and a Private Classic Remise tour.
See Related: Best Museums in Berlin, Germany
3. Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz
The Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz is another German car museum privately owned and located in Ladenburg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Its primary focus is on the career of the automotive trailblazer Carl Benz (He is also known as Karl Benz) and on the history of the automobile manufacturers affiliated with him.
The museum, which was established in 1984, has been in a former factory edifice used from 1908 to produce automobiles under the umbrella of the “C. Benz Sohne” brand. This museum documents the elementary stages of the motor car.
It was a factory of Carl Benz, and he designed/built the first practical car that had an internal combustion engine. His first three-wheel car was produced by him in 1883 and a four-wheel car in 1893. In 1926, the company metamorphosed into Mercedes Benz.
The museum boasts of a fantastic collection of vehicles made by Benz and its associates, ranging from the earliest cars of 1880 to racing cars and limousines of the 1960s. An accurate depiction of motoring history – from bicycles to motorbikes to cars – can be found here. It also houses a recreation of Carl Benz’s workshop.
Together with memorabilia from the life of the Benz family, over a hundred vehicles are displayed.
4. Merks Motor Museum
The Merk family affectionately revamped the hitherto production hall of a window factory spanning just about 2000 square meters in 2010. This museum boasts of a private Classic Car collection, and it was opened to the public in 2011.
All the vehicles the exhibition covers – 90 automobiles and around 100 motorcycles – are from past Nuremberg production lines. Other small exhibitions are also presented alongside the automobiles e.g.
Triumph typewriters, old radios, telephones, etc., and cause the spirit of the previous eras to live again. About 2000 model cars are showcased, plus a kitchen from the 1930s and an office from the 1950s. For a fee, you could purchase a second-hand classic magazine from different decades.
Merks Motor Museum has occupied the position of Nuremberg’s first car museum since 2011, and it is made up of the family’s private collection. It is situated in Nunberg, Bayern, Germany, and it falls under the museum, zoos, and parks industry. Across all its locations, it has three total employees, and it generates an annual sales figure of $137,306.
The museum possesses a shop and a cafe that can be leased for intimate/private events. Flea markets and auctions can also be done at the museum.
5. Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart
The 130 years of Germany automotive history goes back to the ‘Patentwagen’ of 188 and, Mercedes is one of the oldest of the world’s vehicle manufacturers.
Located in Stuttgart, right next to Mercedes-Benz main manufacturing plant in Untertürkheim, is the magnificent Mercedes-Benz museum. This museum is home to over 1500 car items and 600 vehicles. On display is Princess Diana’s red SL and the Grand Mercedes Type 770 that Emperor Wilhelm II and Emperor Hirohito once owned.
This museum documents over 125 years of resilience, which began in a tiny workshop and blossomed into a world-renowned brand. Over 7 million visitors have been here since it was opened in 2006. In fact, you can not talk of car museums in Germany, without mentioning Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz museum.
The museum is positioned around a double helix to help visitors follow the two different routes to view the amazing displays. One comprises seven rooms with charts of Mercedes-Benz history displayed in a chronological sequence.
The other route is broken into five areas with a collection of cars thematically grouped, and it finishes on an outstanding track that shows the brands’ ‘Silver Arrows race cars.’
Mercedes has a classic sales operation, namely ‘All Time Stars’ in the basement where you can buy a classic Benz for yourself. The machine may cost you a top dollar, but you’re guaranteed a car in exceptional condition.
If you wish to take a tour of this stunning museum, a hop-on hop-off bus tour will do the trick. And for a side trip you can join a Mercedes-Benz Arena VIP Stadium Tour.
6. Automuseum Melle
In the industrial palace of the historic furniture factory Malchersmann, The Melle car museum showcases “History on Wheels”. On three different floors, it has 200 to 300 vehicles from distinct periods of automobile construction.
While this is amazing, the unique thing about the Melle Automuseum is that all the exhibits are ready to be driven and used frequently.
In 1984 the museum was founded, and it moved to the former Melchersmann furniture factory on Meller Pellestrasse in 1997. About 2000 distinct historical vehicles have been presented on loan so far.
This auto museum is run the way a non–profit is, and it has 27 equal associates, the city of Melle being one of them. The museum has no employees, only volunteers.
The Automobile Museum Melle is in a class of its own. It has a special concept to showcase really first-class automobiles and motorcycles from the inception of motorization to exceptional exhibits of more recent times in constant change. It is always a fresh experience, no matter how many times you visit.
The automobile museum approaches owners of fascinating cars with the appeal to lend the museum their vehicles. The conditions for acceptance are that it must be ready to drive, and it is accepted into the museum for a maximum of six months. After this, the vehicles must be used again.
The museum hosts a number of events like club meetings, trips, tours, etc.
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7. Porsche Museum, Stuttgart
Porsche museum is yet another awe-inspiring car museum in Stuttgart. It is located just across town in a place called Zuffenhausen, which is easily accessible even by public transport.
This museum is housed in a splendid contemporary building right next to the factory. It is dedicated to Germany’s extreme sporting marque. Opened in 2009, the Porsche car museum has a moving walkaway that displays a spectacular collection of over 80 cars at any given time.
On display is the founders’ Professor Ferdinand Porsche’s very first beetle. Also included in the show are the racing cars, prototypes, and production models.
In this museum, you will also enjoy viewing lots of moving pictures of the collection. They display the journey of resilience since the first Porsche was first tested in 1948 by Ferdinand Porsche himself.
You may combine your museum tour with the Porsche factory tour to see the amazing work done there. Also, you can hire one of their newest models and enjoy riding it for the day. You’ll need to make a reservation, in advance, for both of these, though.
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8. Audi Museum Mobile, Ingolstadt
Audi is one of the top three car manufacturers in Germany. This marque manufacturer builds vehicles that mix lush and technical innovation.
The Audi museum is one of the incredible car museums in Munich. Other than the museum, the place hosts a lavish center, and the Audi Forum is also situated in Ingolstadt, which is around 80km or 50 miles north of Munich.
The museum showcases the history of Audi cars. Also on display are other models that joined together to form the Auto Union during the 1930s, Wanderer, DKW, Horch, as well as NSU.
The huge open elevator, also called ‘paternoster’, is one of the museum’s distinctive features. It offers a constantly changing view of various models manufactured from the 20th century to date.
9. Volkswagen in Autostadt, Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg is home to Germany’s biggest car inventor, the Volkswagen. Here, you can tour the Volkswagen automotive center and car museum, one of the most stunning car museums in Germany.
Housed in a former clothing factory near the Volkswagen Werke is the new VW car factory. This car museum is home to around 130 cars on permanent display, from the earliest Volkswagen Beetles to the latest concept models.
The museum has been run by a charitable foundation called Stiftung AutoMuseum Volkswagen since January 1992.
At Autostadt, you can also tour a nearby holiday park that attracts over 2 million visitors per year. In the park, there are different pavilions dedicated to each of the Volkswagen Groups’ brands ranging from Lamborghini & Bugatti, Seat & Škoda, to Volkswagen itself. You can take your admission ticket here.
The ‘Zeithaus’ has a wider variety with a permanent display from all those manufacturers whose vehicles marked significant milestones in the auto industry.
Also in the park, you can shop, eat and drink, or even enjoy watching the circus festival usually held between 23rd June and 3rd July.