Unusual Museums to Explore in Germany

Germany is a land of respectable museums. The Pergamonmuseum in Berlin, Zwinger Palace in Dresden, and Pinakotheken in Munich all showcase world-class art and history.

However, there’s another side to German museums. Discover Germany’s weirdest museums. From the country’s spiciest wurst to a museum dedicated to hygiene, these institutions are dedicated to some seriously strange topics.

Pig Museum

The world’s largest pig museum (Schweinemuseum) found its home in Germany, where the average citizen consumes approximately 61 kg (134 lb) of pork annually. The cuisine is inescapably connected with pork products.

Located in an old slaughterhouse, the museum boasts a remarkable collection of over 50,000 pig-related items arranged in 29 themed rooms across three floors. Visitors can explore a variety of piggy banks and learn about the fascinating aspects of pigs and sexuality.

Complete your visit by enjoying a meal in the biergarten, where you can savor traditional dishes such as schweinshaxe and krustenbraten.

Address: Schlachthofstrasse 2a, 70188 Stuttgart
Telephone: 0711 66419600
Hours: Monday – Sunday 11:00 – 19:30
Admission: € 5.90

Fragrance Museum

Not as famous as the chocolate museum, but equally aromatic is the Duftmuseum im Farina-Haus. This museum explores the origins of perfume, specifically Kölnisch Wasser or Eau de Cologne, which originated in this very location in 1709. Visitors can test their noses on unique scents and purchase a selection of favorites.

Keep in mind that a guided tour is required to visit the museum, and reservations are encouraged. Tours are available in multiple languages, including English and German.

Address: Obenmarspforten 21, 50667 Cologne
Telephone: 49 (0) 221-399 89 94
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 17:00; Sunday 11:00 – 17:00
Admission: € 5.90

German Currywurst Museum

Currywurst is ubiquitous in Berlin, but how much do you really know about this spicy sausage?

Did you know that over 800 million currywurst are sold annually in Germany? Or that a trümmerfrauen (rubble woman) is credited for its unique seasoning blend? Additionally, several songs celebrate Currywurst. Discover these fascinating facts and more at the Deutsches Currywurst Museum. Be sure to grab a sample before leaving!

Address: Schützenstraße 70, 10117 Berlin
Telephone: 030 88718647
Hours: Daily 10:00 – 18:00
Admission: € 11

Deutsches Hygiene Museum Dresden (DHMD)

The well-organized German Hygiene Museum explores the history and significance of personal care. Founded in 1912 by a businessman who manufactured hygiene products, this museum now ranks among the most popular in Dresden, attracting nearly 300,000 visitors each year.

Exhibits include antique grooming and ophthalmology equipment, showcasing surprisingly innovative designs. The museum acknowledges its historical ties to the Nazi regime, as their racial ideologies affected its narrative regarding cleanliness.

Address: Lingnerplatz 1, 01069 Dresden
Telephone: 0351 48460
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
Admission: € 7

DialogMuseum

Frankfurt’s Dialogue Museum invites visitors to explore their lesser-used senses by guiding them through dimly lit rooms led by employees known as “The Dark Team.” This family-friendly museum even hosts children’s parties.

Experience the “Casino for Communication” exhibit, where you engage in games without the ability to see. If exploring works up an appetite, visit the museum’s restaurant, where meals are served in darkness.

Address: Hanauer Landstraße 137-145, 60314 Frankfurt am Main
Telephone: 069 9043210
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9:00 – 17:00; Saturday – Sunday until 19:00
Admission: € 16

Easter Egg Museum

Germany’s enthusiasm for Easter is showcased in its unique Easter Egg Museum, located in an old schoolhouse that features 30 special exhibitions dedicated to the osterei.

This small museum boasts over 1,000 beautifully decorated eggs, including traditional hand-painted varieties, unique ostrich eggs, and displays representing eggs from various cultures worldwide.

Address: Steigstraße 8, 72820 Sonnenbühl (near Stuttgart)
Telephone: 07128 774
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 17:00; Sundays and holidays from 11:00
Admission: € 4.50; family cards for € 10

Museum of Unheard of Things

The small yet intriguing Museum der Unerhörten Dinge features a collection of quirky items, carefully curated by Roland Albrecht.

Situated between two buildings, this “cabinet of curiosities” houses exhibits ranging from rubble from the forbidden Chernobyl exclusion zone to Walter Benjamin’s typewriter to a limb from a lifelike plastic horse. Each item’s significance is meticulously documented, although visitors should be aware that the information is primarily in German, with an English explanation available online.

Address: Crellestr. 5-6 10827, Schöneberg, Berlin
Telephone: 030 7814932
Hours: Wednesday – Friday 15:00 – 17:00
Admission: Free