Standing on the Landungsbrücken piers, I couldn’t miss the three-masted sailing ship moored at Ponton 1a. The Rickmer Rickmers, built in 1896, sits in Hamburg harbour as a floating museum. Unlike modern cruise ships and container vessels passing on the Elbe, this steel-hulled cargo sailing ship represents a vanished era when wind powered global trade. Climbing aboard, I explored crew quarters, the engine room, and the captain’s cabin, all preserved to show life aboard a working cargo vessel.
Quick answer
Rickmer Rickmers costs €7 for adults, €6 for students (with valid ID), and €5 for children aged 4 to 12. Children under 4 enter free. A family ticket (two adults plus two children) costs €18. The ship opens daily from 10am to 6pm with last admission at 5:30pm. It closes on 24 December and 1 January. No advance booking is required, but you can book online. Otherwise, buy tickets at the ship’s entrance or in the small gift shop on board. The ship is moored at Landungsbrücken, Ponton 1a, a 5-minute walk from Landungsbrücken U-Bahn and S-Bahn station. Hamburg CARD holders receive discounts.
Rickmer Rickmers visitor information at a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €7 adults, €5 children (4-12) | Daily 10am–6pm (closed 24 Dec, 1 Jan) | Landungsbrücken, Ponton 1a, 20359 Hamburg | Children under 4 | 5:30pm |
How much does Rickmer Rickmers cost?
The ship operates as a foundation-run museum without government subsidies, relying on admission fees and donations.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | €7.00 | Ages 13 and over |
| Students | €6.00 | With valid student ID |
| Children | €5.00 | Ages 4 to 12 |
| Family ticket | €18.00 | Two adults plus two children |
| Children under 4 | Free | With paying adult |
| Hamburg CARD holders | Discount | Show valid card at entrance |
Tickets are purchased on board at the entrance or in the gift shop, although you can also book online. The ship doesn’t participate in most Hamburg museum passes, though Hamburg CARD holders receive discounts.
These Rickmer Rickmer entry prices and opening hours were checked and verified in January 2026.
Additional activities cost extra. Shroud climbing (ascending the rigging to 35 metres above the waterline) requires separate booking and payment. Escape room experiences by Hidden Hamburg operate on board with separate tickets. These activities are subject to availability and weather conditions.
Is Rickmer Rickmers free to enter?
No. There are no free entry periods. Children under 4 are the only visitors who enter without charge. The ship doesn’t participate in free museum nights or discount days that some Hamburg institutions offer.
What time does Rickmer Rickmers open?
Daily: 10am to 6pm
Last admission: 5:30pm
Closed: 24 December and 1 January
The ship opens every day throughout the year except Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. Hours remain consistent regardless of season. Budget 1.5 to 2 hours for a thorough visit exploring all accessible areas including crew quarters, engine room, captain’s cabin, and exhibition spaces.
Do I need to book Rickmer Rickmers tickets in advance?
No, but you may wish to book online to avoid queues. Otherwise, you purchase tickets when you arrive at the ship. During peak tourist season (May to September) and when cruise ships dock in Hamburg, queues can form at the entrance, but waits rarely exceed 15 minutes.
If you want to participate in shroud climbing or escape room experiences, contact the ship directly or check with staff upon arrival as these activities have limited capacity and specific times.
From cargo ship to floating museum
The Rickmer Rickmers was built in 1896 at the Rickmers shipyard in Bremerhaven for the Rickmers Reederei shipping company. This full-rigged steel-hulled cargo ship measured 97 metres long, 12.2 metres wide, with a draught of 6 metres and gross tonnage of 2,007. When launched in 1897, she carried three masts with 2,600 square metres of sail.
The ship initially transported cargo on global trade routes, carrying rice and bamboo from Asia, coal from Wales to Chile, and saltpetre back to Germany. In 1904, a hurricane in the Indian Ocean destroyed the cross mast. The ship was re-rigged as a barque (square sails on front two masts only) in Cape Town, the configuration she retains today.
In 1912, the ship was sold and renamed Max. She continued cargo operations until World War I. In 1916, Portugal confiscated the vessel and renamed her Sagres. The Portuguese Navy used her as a training ship until 1962. After decades of service under various names, the vessel fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned.
In 1978, Hamburg maritime enthusiasts rescued the ship. The Windjammer für Hamburg association brought her back to Hamburg in 1983. Between 1983 and 1987, extensive restoration returned the ship to her 1910 appearance. The Rickmer Rickmers Foundation now operates the ship as a self-sustaining museum, supported by admission fees, events, donations, and the on-board restaurant.
Exploring a working cargo vessel
The exhibition deck covers 800 square metres divided into four themes: ship construction, cargo shipping under sail, use as a training ship, and current museum operations. Information panels throughout explain maritime technology and daily life aboard.
The crew and officers’ quarters show the stark division between ranks. Crew members slept in cramped bunks with minimal personal space. Officers enjoyed private cabins with more comfort. The captain’s quarters, relatively luxurious by comparison, include period furniture and personal items.
The engine room displays the ship’s mechanical evolution. Originally sail-powered, engines were added in 1930 (two 350-horsepower engines each). The transition from pure sail to auxiliary power reflected changing maritime economics in the early 20th century.
Nautical instruments, navigation equipment, and ship’s tools demonstrate how crews operated the vessel. Sextants, compasses, charts, and logbooks show navigation methods before modern electronics. Rope work, sail repair equipment, and carpentry tools illustrate the self-sufficiency required on long voyages.
The deck provides perspective on the ship’s scale. Standing at the helm, you see the length of the vessel stretching forward. The three masts rise dramatically. Looking up at the rigging network that crews climbed daily to manage sails helps you appreciate the physical demands of sail-powered cargo shipping.
Changing art exhibitions occupy the Gallery under the Elbe (Galerie unter der Elbe), located in the forward cargo hold. Artists display maritime-themed works, with exhibitions typically lasting one month.
The on-board restaurant serves classic Hanseatic cuisine in the ship’s historic setting. Dining on a 19th-century cargo vessel provides atmospheric ambiance. The restaurant operates independently from museum admission.
What’s included with your ticket
Your admission includes access to all exhibition decks, crew and officers’ quarters, engine room, captain’s cabin, navigation equipment displays, maritime instrument collections, the Gallery under the Elbe art space, and deck access with views across Hamburg harbour.
Not included are the on-board restaurant (separate business), shroud climbing experience (separate booking and fee), escape room activities (separate tickets), and purchases from the gift shop.
5 great things to do in Hamburg
- 🚢 Glide through the Speicherstadt warehouses on a two hour harbour cruise.
- 🪞 Head to the Museum of Illusions for spectacular selfies.
- 🏰 Get a gruesome take on the city’s history at the Hamburg Dungeon.
- 🚶 Take a Reeperbahn walking tour to discover Hamburg’s wild side.
- 🍺 Hear the stories of St Pauli on a guided pub crawl.
Things to do near Rickmer Rickmers
St Pauli Landungsbrücken – The historic floating pier complex where Rickmer Rickmers is moored. The 205-metre terminal building from 1907-1909 features distinctive green-domed towers. This major transport hub connects S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and harbour ferries. Numerous restaurants and souvenir shops line the promenade. It’s also the gateway to the St Pauli nightlife district.
Old Elbe Tunnel – Art Deco pedestrian tunnel from 1911, running 426 metres beneath the Elbe at 24 metres depth. Free to walk through. Two large lifts transport pedestrians and cyclists (originally designed for vehicles). The tunnel connects Landungsbrücken with Steinwerder on the opposite bank.
St Michael’s Church – Hamburg’s largest baroque church with distinctive copper-domed tower. The Michel provides panoramic city views from 106 metres up. Climb 452 steps or take the lift. The tower offers the best harbour perspective in Hamburg.
Cap San Diego – Historic cargo ship from 1961, now a museum ship. This general cargo vessel represents post-war maritime shipping. Larger and more modern than Rickmer Rickmers, showing maritime technology evolution.
Miniatur Wunderland – The world’s largest model railway exhibition, spread over 1,500 square metres with over 15 kilometres of track. Tiny trains run through miniature versions of Hamburg, Switzerland, Italy, and even Las Vegas. Planes take off from a working model airport. Obsessively detailed and genuinely impressive even if you’re not into model railways. Advance booking essential.
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg’s wave-shaped concert hall completed in 2017, built on top of a 1960s brick warehouse. The free Plaza viewing platform at 37 metres offers harbour and city views (advance booking required online). Multiple restaurants and a hotel occupy the building. The architectural contrast between old brick base and modern glass structure is striking.
Speicherstadt (immediate area, museum is located within) – The world’s largest warehouse complex, built between 1883 and 1927 on timber piles. Red-brick Neo-Gothic warehouses line narrow canals. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Free to walk the streets and bridges. The area houses multiple museums including the International Maritime Museum Hamburg, Spice Museum, Hamburg Dungeon, and Speicherstadt Museum, plus coffee roasters and carpet merchants.
St Nikolai Memorial (450 metres, 6-minute walk) – The bombed-out shell of Hamburg’s former tallest church, left as a war memorial after the 1943 air raids. Glass lift to a viewing platform 76 metres up, with photos showing what Hamburg looked like when it was burning. Museum in the crypt covers Operation Gomorrah. Deliberately confronting rather than uplifting. These days, Hamburg’s tallest church is St Michael’s, which is also worth visiting.
Practical tips
Getting there: Landungsbrücken U-Bahn (U3) and S-Bahn (S1, S2, S3) station is 5 minutes’ walk. Exit toward the Elbe, walk to the pier area, and look for the three-masted ship at Ponton 1a. Multiple bus routes serve Landungsbrücken. Harbour ferries also stop here (lines 61, 62, 72, 73).
Time needed: One and a half to two hours covers everything thoroughly. You could rush through in 60 minutes, but the ship deserves proper exploration.
Photography: Personal photography allowed throughout. The deck provides good harbour views. Low light in interior spaces may challenge cameras.
Accessibility: Limited wheelchair access due to the ship’s historic structure. Steep stairs, narrow passages, and high thresholds make many areas difficult for people with mobility limitations. Some exterior deck areas are accessible. Contact the ship in advance to discuss specific accessibility needs.
Crowds: Busiest when cruise ships dock in Hamburg (check port schedules online). Weekday mornings are quietest. Summer weekends see more visitors. The ship’s size means it can feel crowded with 50+ people aboard simultaneously.
Combining visits: Easily combined with Cap San Diego (another museum ship nearby), the Old Elbe Tunnel, and St Michael’s Church. You could also take a harbour ferry from Landungsbrücken to explore the Elbe.
FAQs
How long does it take to see the ship? One and a half to two hours for thorough exploration. Keen maritime enthusiasts could spend longer examining details.
Can you climb the rigging? Yes, shroud climbing is offered as a separate activity. Trained instructors supervise climbs to 35 metres above the waterline. Weather-dependent and requires separate booking.
Is there a cafe on board? The on-board restaurant serves Hanseatic cuisine. This operates separately from museum admission. Numerous cafes and restaurants line the Landungsbrücken promenade.
Are dogs allowed? Yes, dogs are permitted on board.
Is it wheelchair accessible? Partially. Some exterior deck areas are accessible, but many interior spaces involve steep stairs and narrow passages unsuitable for wheelchairs. Contact the ship in advance to discuss specific needs.
More Hamburg travel
Other Hamburg travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- 9 reasons to take a Hamburg city break.
- Why Hamburg’s vibe comes from St Pauli, musicals and the port.
- Where to eat, drink, shop and stay in Hamburg.
- How to get cheap Hamburg to Berlin train tickets.
- Why it’s worth booking ahead to see the Miniatur Wunderland model railway.
