Spicy’s Gewürzmuseum
Explore the world of spices through over 900 exhibits spanning five centuries in Hamburg’s historic Speicherstadt.
Planning your visit
Hamburg's Speicherstadt was built in the 1880s as a free port warehouse district, and spices were among the goods stored there in quantity — the city was Europe's principal spice trading hub, and the trade shaped its wealth.
Spicy's occupies one of those brick warehouses, and its 900 exhibits cover five centuries of the spice trade: the sacks, tools, sampling equipment and machinery of the business, alongside the botany and the history of individual spices.
The distinguishing feature is that visitors touch and smell everything — the raw spices are set out in open containers to be handled and sniffed, which is the correct way to learn them and impossible in a conventional display.
The Speicherstadt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the warehouse interiors with their timber floors and iron columns are part of the appeal.
Allow an hour. Bookable options include entry with audio guide. Current availability is listed below.
Before you book
Where is Spicy’s Gewürzmuseum?
Spicy’s Gewürzmuseum is in Hamburg, Germany. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for Spicy’s Gewürzmuseum?
Allow an hour. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Spicy’s Gewürzmuseum in advance?
The audio-guide option can normally be added on arrival, though booking ahead secures the date.
