The Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg had been on our bucket list for a long time. We had read so many reports about Wunderland over the last few years and seen so many reports on television that we really wanted to see the miniature worlds for ourselves. On our trip to the Baltic Sea this year, we decided to spend two days in Hamburg on the way back and finally visit Miniatur Wunderland 🙂
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Interesting facts about the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg
The creation of Miniatur Wunderland began with a spontaneous idea that ultimately developed into one of Germany’s most successful leisure projects. In the summer of 2000, twin brothers Frederik and Gerrit Braun came up with the vision of creating a model railroad layout during a vacation in the Alps that could inspire not only technology enthusiasts, but also the general public. Despite initial skepticism and technical challenges, they pursued their project with passion – supported by financing from Hamburger Sparkasse and a vacant warehouse space in the Speicherstadt.
The go-ahead for construction was given in the same year. Months of painstaking work went into creating the first section of the facility, which was opened to the public in August 2001. This first construction phase – consisting of a fictitious place called “Knuffingen” as well as parts of Central Germany and the Alps – already impressed with its wealth of detail and technical sophistication. The enthusiasm of the first visitors encouraged the team to expand the facility step by step. This is how a fixed idea became a growing large-scale project that is still being developed today with imagination, craftsmanship and innovative spirit. Since then, the exhibition has grown steadily: themed areas such as America, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Italy, Rio de Janeiro, Patagonia and, since 2024, Monaco with its mini Formula 1 racetrack have been lovingly added. The model world now covers more than 1,690 square meters – and according to Guinness World Records, it is the largest model railway layout in the world.
The miniature landscape is impressive not only in its size, but also in its numbers: the miniature worlds contain over 16 kilometers of H0-scale track, more than 1,200 trains run through the layout, there are over 5,000 buildings, 290,000 figures and around 500,000 LED lights – controlled by 60 computers. The investment costs amount to around 45 million euros and over 1.2 million working hours went into the construction of the plant – and the work is still ongoing: Around 400 employees operate and expand the plant on an ongoing basis.
With over 1.5 million visitors a year, Miniatur Wunderland is the most popular tourist attraction in Germany, ahead of Europa-Park Rust, Heidelberg Old Town and Neuschwanstein Castle.
Opening hours, admission & parking
The core opening hours at Miniatur Wunderland are between 09:30 – 18:00, 365 days a year. However, Wunderland has much longer opening hours on many days and also during vacation periods, e.g. from 07:00 in the morning until sometimes 01:00 at night. It is definitely worth taking a look at the official website before visiting.
There are only 44 visitor parking spaces available directly at Wunderland (location in Google Maps), with a parking fee of €2 per hour (daily maximum €15). However, there are several parking garages in the immediate vicinity (e.g. Am Sandtorkai, Hafentor, Überseequartier). To get there by public transport, take the U-Bahn or S-Bahn (stations Baumwall, Messberg, Stadthausbrücke) or the bus (lines 6, 111).
Overview map of Miniatur Wunderland
The Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg covers an impressive 1,694 m² of model space on a 10,000 m² exhibition area in the historic Speicherstadt warehouse district. The exhibition extends over two floors in the historic Speicherstadt building – plus a connected second warehouse with further sections such as Patagonia and Rio de Janeiro – it’s easy to lose track 🙂
You can find all areas of Wunderland on the following map. You can download this plan and much more information free of charge as a .pdf version here.
A map (overview plan) of the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg
Theme Worlds
There are currently a total of seventeen completed themed worlds, each with its own fascinating scenery and technical features. We would like to introduce these to you in a few pictures.
Monaco & Provence
The Monaco & Provence theme world are one of the latest and most detailed additions to Miniatur Wunderland. A Mediterranean lifestyle unfolds here in a very small area, with pastel-colored old town streets, rugged coastlines and the legendary Formula 1 circuit of Monte Carlo. The miniature race is a technical highlight: dozens of model cars race fully automatically through the tight bends of the city, accompanied by sound effects and cheering mini spectators. In contrast to this is the quiet, rural flair of Provence: lavender fields, vineyards and small villages convey French serenity and invite you to linger.
Italy
The Italy theme world in Miniatur Wunderland brings together some of the country’s most culturally and historically significant places in an impressive miniature landscape. We particularly liked the intricately recreated Venice with its winding alleyways, countless bridges and romantic canals – including tiny gondolas and illuminated cafés on St. Mark’s Square. Even St. Mark’s Basilica and the famous Campanile were meticulously recreated by hand.
The most famous sights of Rome, where the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Spanish Steps have been faithfully reproduced, are of course a must in Italy. Mini figures gather in the squares, while street life, traffic and lighting effects bring the Eternal City to life.
Another highlight is Mount Vesuvius, which regularly erupts with realistic lighting effects and smoke animations – right next to the ruins of Pompeii, where visitors can discover ancient life in miniature. Further south, Rimini with its typical Italian beach flair and the picturesque town of Atrani on the Amalfi Coast fit seamlessly into the panorama. The latter impresses with its steep rock faces, terraced buildings and the authentic atmosphere of a small coastal village.
Switzerland
The Swiss theme world in Miniatur Wunderland shows the alpine beauty and precision of the country. Snow-covered mountain peaks, deep gorges and green valleys stretch across several levels. The centerpiece is the imposing Matterhorn, which grows to a height of several meters on a scale of 1:87 and fascinates with its glacier surfaces and mountain railroads. Underground, trains wind their way through countless tunnels and viaducts that reflect the finest Swiss engineering skills.
In addition to the spectacular mountain scenery, idyllic villages, alpine huts and lively cities such as Zurich and Lucerne can be seen in miniature – with lovingly designed market squares, lakeside promenades and historic buildings. Cows with bells, skiers on the slopes and miniature Swiss people with alphorns provide realistic everyday scenes. A particular technical highlight is the multi-level railroad track system: The trains run over several meters in height, partly automatically controlled by cogwheel systems – a prime example of the fusion of model making and engineering.
Austria
The Austria theme world is a lovingly designed miniature version of the Alpine republic, which impresses with its scenic diversity, cultural details and technical sophistication. The focus is on the majestic Alpine landscape with its green valleys, dense forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. Typical elements such as cable cars, hikers, ski huts and yodeling groups blend harmoniously into the scenery and convey an authentic picture of the Austrian way of life.
Bavaria, Knuffingen & Knuffingen Airport
The themed worlds of Bavaria, Knuffingen and Knuffingen Airport are among the most popular and detailed sections in Miniatur Wunderland – each one a masterpiece of technology, imagination and lovingly crafted models.
The Bavarian theme world brings the typical southern German flair to the park: green hills, baroque churches, beer gardens and traditional half-timbered houses characterize the picture. Tractors roll through hop fields on the streets, and small scenes such as a folk festival or a traditional costume wedding convey a lively picture of Bavarian culture. The Alps loom in the background, and Bavarian regional trains pass through tranquil countryside with an authentic atmosphere.
Directly adjacent is the themed world of the town of Knuffingen – a fictitious but fully thought-out model town that is the technical centerpiece of Wunderland. It is known for its dense urban traffic: hundreds of vehicles move autonomously through the road network, controlled by a specially developed car system. The fire department, police and refuse collectors even respond to simulated operations – including a spectacular house fire that breaks out regularly.
The absolute crowd-puller is Knuffingen Airport, an international miniature airport that simulates a complete air traffic on an area of over 150 m². Aircraft taxi, take off and land realistically with light, sound and moving engines. Over 40 jets, terminals, baggage carts, tankers and pushback tugs operate with the precision of a real airport – all computer-controlled and coordinated to the second. The airport is one of the most elaborate projects in Wunderland history and fascinates with its lifelike dynamics on a scale of 1:87.
Central Germany
The Central Germany theme world in Miniatur Wunderland brings the atmosphere of a typical German low mountain range region to life in an impressive way. Gentle hills, half-timbered villages, castle ruins and dense forests characterize the image of this central miniature landscape. The colorful funfair, which is set up in the middle of a small village, stands out in particular. Numerous rides such as a Ferris wheel, a bumper car, merry-go-rounds and a ghost train are fully functional and are controlled by finely tuned motor skills and light programs. Thousands of LEDs create an authentic fairground atmosphere, especially when darkness falls and the whole scene is transformed into a sea of color and movement. There are also countless mini figures eating, laughing, queuing or operating rides – all with great attention to detail. The funfair makes Central Germany one of the liveliest and most playful theme worlds in the whole of Wunderland.
Hamburg
The Hamburg theme world in Miniatur Wunderland is a loving homage to the exhibition’s home city – true to detail, lively and full of maritime atmosphere. At the center is the Port of Hamburg, including huge container ships, quays, warehouses and the famous Köhlbrand Bridge. Particularly impressive is the change of ebb and flow in the miniature harbor basin, which makes the water rise and fall realistically. The famous Michel (St. Michael’s Church), the town hall and the main railway station have also been faithfully reproduced on a scale of 1:87.
A special highlight is the Elbphilharmonie, a miniature version of which is not only architecturally fascinating, but is even equipped with a small light and music show. Typical Hamburg scenes bustle around the city center: Tourists at the Landungsbrücken, fish sellers at the market, subway trains that run above ground through the city and streets with Hanseatic flair.
America
The America theme world in Miniatur Wunderland shows an imaginative and detailed interpretation of the USA. Visitors can expect the colorful nightlife of Las Vegas with its typical neon signs, a vast desert landscape, rural regions with highways and farms and an impressive replica of Cape Canaveral including a rocket launch. Many small scenes tell stories – sometimes humorous, sometimes surprising – and invite you to take a closer look. The section deliberately uses familiar images and clichés without claiming to be geographically accurate.
Scandinavia
The Scandinavian theme world in Miniatur Wunderland is one of the most extensive areas of the exhibition. It impresses above all with its natural landscapes: Fjords, forests, snow-covered villages and small coastal towns characterize the picture. The real water part is particularly noteworthy – a customized shipping service with computer-controlled mini ships that sail over a real water basin. The atmosphere changes with the changing times of day, from Nordic twilight to icy winter lights.
Rio de Janeiro
The Rio de Janeiro theme world in Miniatur Wunderland is part of the South America area and impressively brings the lively flair of the Brazilian metropolis to model format. The focal point is the world-famous statue of Christ on the Corcovado, which watches over a colorful, hilly cityscape with narrow alleyways, small houses and busy streets. Typical scenes such as the carnival with its colorful parades, Copacabana beach and the Sugar Loaf Mountain have been realized with great attention to detail.
Patagonia & Antarctica
The Patagonia and Antarctica sections in Miniatur Wunderland are among the younger and more unusual theme worlds. Patagonia impresses with its barren mountain landscapes, rugged cliffs, glaciers and remote settlements – a wild, almost deserted backdrop that deliberately plays with tranquillity and vastness. In the neighboring Antarctic, icy silence reigns: snowstorms, research stations, penguin colonies and icy seas dominate the scene. Both areas largely dispense with action and large cities and instead focus on a realistic, atmospherically dense depiction of remote regions. The lighting moods, icy colors and small, loving details in particular make these worlds a quiet contrast to the livelier sections of the exhibition.
Interaction – the various button pushers
The different button pushers on the miniature worlds were definitely a highlight for our kids. There are over 200 of them in Miniatur Wunderland! At the touch of a button, a specific animation always starts in the theme world, such as
Fire in Scandinavia – fire engines move out, flashing blue lights and smoke.
Light and thunderstorm show in Switzerland – A thunderstorm in the Alps is simulated with thunder, lightning and moving light.
Elbphilharmonie Orchestra – If you press the button, the Elbphilharmonie opens and a moving mini orchestra plays.
Tree cutter Joe – A mini lumberjack realistically cuts down a tree with his chainsaw, which then falls over.
Space shuttle launch – A miniature spaceship takes off from Cape Canaveral in a spectacular light and fog show.
Chocolate factory – Chocolate is “produced” in the mini factory at the touch of a button – including a real piece of chocolate that comes out at the end.
Funfair – the Ferris wheel, the wild water ride, the Freefall Tower and many other rides are in motion.
Concert – Press the button to start the DJ Bobo concert in the Swiss theme world.
Press the button, search for the triggered action and be amazed 🙂
Day & night simulation
We also found the constant day & night simulation in the miniature worlds very funny. This means that every 15 minutes or so, the light slowly gets dimmer, dusk sets in and it is suddenly night. This means you can view the miniature worlds during the day and – when night falls and the many lights in the houses, trains etc. come on – you suddenly get a completely new impression of the scenery. After 15 minutes, it slowly gets lighter again and a new day begins in Wonderland.
Is a visit to Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg worthwhile?
Is a visit to Miniatur Wunderland worthwhile? Absolutely yes🙂
Anyone who enjoys loving details, technical finesse and little stories will get their money’s worth. The model railroad is only part of the experience – it’s much more about the miniature worlds themselves: From Scandinavian fjords and American desert cities to a detailed Hamburg or the airport with real air traffic in miniature form. Something is constantly moving, little scenes are flashing, glowing or alive everywhere. The change from day to night and the interaction with many elements at the touch of a button is particularly impressive.
In total, we spent over 6 hours in Wonderland, from 8am until shortly after 2pm. Even though it can get very crowded at times, we always found a free space and sometimes stood for minutes at individual attractions. We were definitely impressed and will certainly come back again – because you don’t discover everything on your first visit. We really took a lot of photos – and yet in the end, when we compared them on the homepage, we realized that we had simply overlooked a lot of little things, places or scenery. There is so much detail in the whole complex, we will definitely have to explore it again on our next visit 🙂