An immersive museum in Bremerhaven, roughly an hour from Bremen, built on the quay from which around 7.2 million Europeans emigrated to the Americas, recreating the emigrant journey through reconstructed ship and harbor scenes.
Built directly on the Bremerhaven quay from which an estimated 7.2 million Europeans departed for the Americas between 1830 and 1974, the Deutsches Auswandererhaus recreates the emigrant experience through a chronological, immersive route rather than a conventional case-by-case museum layout. Visitors follow reconstructed waiting halls, a full-scale steerage-class ship cabin, and simulated dockside and shipboard scenes, with the route periodically handing each visitor a card carrying the identity of a real historical emigrant whose personal fate is revealed at set points along the way. A second half of the museum turns the story around, addressing immigration into Germany itself, including displays on Ellis Island's counterpart processes and the postwar arrival of guest workers and refugees. Given its scale and the amount of reading and audio content built into the walk-through design, a full visit runs 2.5 to 3 hours; visitors with limited time can focus on the emigration wing alone in about 90 minutes. Weekday mornings shortly after the 10AM opening see the shortest queues, since the museum draws significant coach-tour traffic from cruise passengers using the nearby Bremerhaven cruise terminal later in the day. The museum sits an hour from central Bremen by regional train, making it a full half-day or day trip rather than a quick stop.
| Admission | Adult €20 (approx $21.60) · Child €10 (approx $10.80) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 10AM-6PM Mar-Oct; daily 10AM-5PM Nov-Feb; last admission 1 hour before closing; closed Dec 24 |
| Typical visit | 2.5-3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings shortly after opening |
| Getting there | Regional train from Bremen Hauptbahnhof to Bremerhaven Hauptbahnhof (approx 1 hour), then a short walk or tram to the harbor |
| Address | Columbusstrasse 65, 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany |
Location
Columbusstrasse 65, 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany
53.5396, 8.5809 View on map
Highlights
- Built on the actual Bremerhaven quay used by 7.2 million European emigrants
- Immersive reconstructed waiting halls and a full-scale steerage ship cabin
- Personal emigrant identity cards followed through the exhibit route
- Companion wing on immigration into Germany, including postwar guest workers
- Located directly on Bremerhaven's historic harbor
Tips for visiting
- Arrive shortly after the 10AM opening to beat cruise-passenger coach groups
- Allow at least 90 minutes for the emigration wing alone, or 2.5-3 hours for the full museum
- Factor in the roughly one-hour regional train ride from Bremen when planning the day
- Keep the personal emigrant card issued at the start, since it is used throughout the exhibit
- Combine the visit with the nearby Klimahaus, also in Bremerhaven's harbor district
When to visit
Weekday mornings shortly after opening avoid the cruise-passenger coach groups that arrive later in the day.
Accessibility
The museum is wheelchair accessible with elevators and ramped routes throughout the exhibit halls.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A full visit runs 2.5 to 3 hours, or about 90 minutes focused on the emigration wing alone.
Is it worth it for kids?
The museum suits older children and teenagers well given its reading-heavy, story-driven format, though younger children may find the pace slow.
Is photography allowed?
Photography without flash is generally permitted throughout the exhibit halls.