Museum in Bad Waldsee on the cultural and technical history of caravanning, with more than 80 historic caravans, motorhomes and cars.
Special exhibition
For Casanova's 300th birthday, the show illustrates how arduous and adventurous carriage travel through 18th-century Europe was. On view since April 2025; no end date is given, but it will end at the latest with the closure from November 2026.
Motorhome entrepreneur Erwin Hymer spent decades collecting historic caravans, motorhomes and camping vehicles from all over the world. To put them on permanent public display, he established the non-profit Erwin Hymer Stiftung in 2001, which still runs the museum today. After several years of planning, Hymer himself opened the museum on October 29, 2011; the museum has friendly ties with today's Hymer company but is not organizationally linked to it.
The striking building on the B 30 at the northern edge of Bad Waldsee consists of two structures modeled on an upright and a horizontal caravan window. Large glass surfaces allow views into the exhibition from outside, and from inside the view extends to the Alps in clear weather. In addition to the permanent exhibition of around 6,000 square meters, there are spaces for special exhibitions and events.
The exhibition tells the story of travel from the travelers' point of view: along color-coded dream routes, it leads from the Alpine passes of the 1930s through Italy, the hippie trail to India and camping on the GDR's Baltic coast to North America and Scandinavia; a future route added in 2016 presents visions of future mobility. The foundation's collection comprises around 250 vehicles, from a shepherd's cart from the mid-19th century through numerous home-built vehicles to current design studies. To mark its 15th anniversary, the permanent exhibition will be completely redesigned from November 2026; reopening is planned for spring 2027.
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7.50School pupils, students and trainees/apprentices over 18 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and young people up to 18 are admitted free. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €13companion free · On presentation of a severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis); with the "B" marker, the companion is admitted free. |
| Students & apprentices | €7.50School pupils, students and trainees over 18. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €13 per personAdult groups of 10 or more; guided tours are not included in admission. |
| Families | –No family ticket; children and young people are free. |
| Open guided tour (Sun/public holidays at 11:00 and 14:00) | €5Plus admission; children aged 6 and over €2. |
| Guided tour of "Viva Casanova!" (last Saturday of the month, 14:00) | €5Plus admission; please register by 12:00 on the day of the event. |
| KinderMitmachFührung (hands-on children's tour; first Sunday of the month, 14:00) | €5Price per child (admission free); adults pay museum admission. |
Tickets only at the museum ticket desk, no advance booking required; payment also by debit (EC) and credit card. The special exhibition is included in admission; different prices may apply for events. Admission vouchers in the online shop.
According to the museum, all visitor facilities are accessible; elevator and ramp available. Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the exhibition (dog resting area outside).
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
Play and hands-on activities in the exhibition. KinderMitmachFührung (interactive tour) for children aged 5 and up on the first Sunday of every month at 14:00. Children's birthday parties can be booked.
Bad Waldsee station, from there by Bürgerbus (community bus) to the museum (book by phone at 07524 94-4555 at least one hour in advance or via the "bwrider" app); on foot from the town center via Schützenstraße and Hopfenweilerweg.
Free parking
Over 600 free visitor parking spaces, also for motorhomes and caravans; motorhome pitches with a service station at the Waldsee-Therme.
Museum restaurant "Caravano" with outdoor terrace (Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, hot food until 17:00, also coffee and cake). Museum shop, free guest Wi-Fi.
Up to 1,000 guests.
Event hall (approx. 750 m², up to 500 people), foyer (approx. 400 m²), two conference rooms (87 and 230 m², up to 120 people), auditorium in the exhibition (up to 100 people), Restaurant Caravano and outdoor grounds; events for 5 to 1,000 people in total, catering by the restaurant.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Allowed for private purposes only; drones prohibited on the entire grounds. |
| Good to know | Free digital media guide on your own smartphone via the guest Wi-Fi (German and English, no app needed). Public guided tours (60 minutes) on Sundays and public holidays at 11:00 and 14:00. Group tours (60 or 90 minutes, up to 20 people) €100, in English €120, plus admission; book at 07524 976676-45. Programs for kindergartens and schools as well as workshops. |
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