Panoptikum

The basics

Panoptikum is family-owned, five generations strong. What started as a gallery of kings, emperors, giants, and famous criminals has morphed to include superstars like The Beatles, Adele, and Angelina Jolie. There is an air toward the political, though—displays cover the dictators of the 20th century, from Guevara to Hitler; politicians of international renown, like Barack Obama and Angela Merkel, also appear. Each, of course, is there to be photographed.

Notably, the original museum was heavily bombed in World War II, and most earlier wax figures were lost. The vast majority of today’s replicas, which take roughly two years to make, are far more modern.

Things to know before you go

• Panoptikum is open daily, year-round, and a typical visit lasts roughly an hour.

• Admission is free with the Hamburg Card.

• A free audio guide in German and English provides visitors with detailed information on the figures.

• Photography is not only accepted but encouraged.

How to get there

Take the U-Bahn Line 3 (the yellow line) to the St. Pauli Station. From there, walk briefly west on the Reeperbahn until you hit Spielbudenplatz. Apart from the U-Bahn, you could also bike, take a taxi, or opt for a rideshare. The museum is also an easy walk from the Alter Elbpark.

When to get there

The museum is open daily, year-round. There are typically no overcrowded times, though you’ll have the most space to take that selfie series with the Queen of England in the morning or closer to closing time. Make sure to come early enough for roughly an hour with the exhibits.

A human history

At the back of the museum, you’ll find a particularly gruesome medical exhibit made of wax that may or may not be your cup of tea. If you’re of a delicate disposition (or with small kids), you may want to skip out on this bit and concentrate on getting your picture with the Pope, Greta Thunberg, or the other 120 impressive figurines.