Major computer museum in Paderborn: 5,000 years of information technology, from cuneiform via ENIAC and Enigma to robotics and AI.
May 10, 2026 – May 30, 2027
Hands-on exhibition about time for children aged three to twelve, with a play town for the youngest and a time expedition for older children. A touring exhibition from the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen Mannheim and the Graz children's museum FRida & freD.
The idea for a computer museum goes back to the Paderborn entrepreneur Heinz Nixdorf. For the 25th anniversary of Nixdorf Computer AG in 1977, he was given numerous historic office machines, which formed the core of a collection; in the early 1980s targeted acquisitions and a first exhibition concept followed. After his sudden death in 1986, former employees kept the project alive, and in 1990 the City of Paderborn approved it.
From 1992 to 1996 the former headquarters of Nixdorf Computer AG on Fürstenallee was converted into a museum and event venue. It opened on October 24, 1996. The museum is run by a nonprofit company whose shareholder is the Stiftung Westfalen, a foundation that grew out of Nixdorf's estate.
The permanent exhibition, covering around 6,000 square meters, spans the beginnings of writing and arithmetic in Mesopotamia, mechanical calculating machines, telegraphy, office automation and cryptography through to mainframes, home computers, the internet, robotics and artificial intelligence. The HNF sees itself as the largest computer museum in the world and holds around 25,000 objects in total.
Besides the exhibition, the building is a forum for lectures, conferences and competitions; a student lab and a student research center complete the offering. Changing special exhibitions are held on the fourth floor, and in 2026 original racks of the American Whirlwind computer joined the collection on loan.
| Adults | €10 |
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| Reduced | €7Children and teenagers aged 6 to 18, school students, university students, apprentices, volunteer service participants (FSJ, FÖJ, BFD), seniors aged 60 and over, people with disabilities and recipients of social benefits |
| Children & teens | €7Reduced admission for ages 6 to 18; the prices page gives no rate for younger children. Children under 14 only when accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | €7Reduced from age 60. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €7companion free · Designated companions of people with disabilities are admitted free. |
| Students & apprentices | €7Students of universities and universities of applied sciences free in groups with advance registration. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €7 per personFrom 10 people; reduced €5. Guided tour €50 per group plus admission. School classes, university groups and daycare and kindergarten groups free with advance registration. |
| Families | €20Family ticket for the permanent exhibition. |
| Special exhibition “Der Uhr auf der Spur” | €7reduced €5, family ticket €14; groups of 10 or more €5 / reduced €4 |
| Combined ticket for permanent and special exhibitions | €12reduced €8, family ticket €24; groups of 10 or more €8 / reduced €6 |
Return ticket: single tickets (not group tickets) are valid for a repeat visit to the permanent exhibition within twelve months, or to the special exhibition until May 30, 2027. Admission vouchers available in the online shop.
Certified under “Reisen für Alle” (accessibility verified). Two elevators to all floors; permanent and special exhibitions step-free; accessible restroom in the basement. Loan wheelchair and two mobile transfer chairs free of charge at the information desk; folding chairs and rest areas in the exhibition. Four accessible parking spaces directly in front of the building. Tactile tour “Anfassen erlaubt” (Touching Allowed) for blind and visually impaired visitors on request.
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €20 · Family ticket for the permanent exhibition. |
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Free family tour on Saturdays at 15:00, children's rally in the multimedia guide, and numerous media stations to try out. Bookable children's tours, rallies, escape and robotics workshops for ages 5 to 15, also as a children's birthday party. Children under 14 only when accompanied by adults.
MuseumsForum
Bus lines 9 and 14 (Padersprinter), stop “MuseumsForum” directly in front of the building; line 9 from Paderborn Hauptbahnhof (main station) (at times with a change at Westerntor).
Free parking
Free parking directly in front of the building, two of them with an electric charging station (type 2); four accessible parking spaces; three RV parking spaces (max. 48 hours, no reservation).
Museum café F7 in the entrance area with a terrace (Tue–Fri 11:00–16:00, Sat, Sun, and public holidays 12:00–17:00). Museum shop. Coat check and lockers in the basement. Free Wi-Fi. Four e-bike charging compartments.
Up to 410 guests.
Conference and convention center in the building: auditorium (386 seats), several combinable seminar rooms and around 2,600 m² of exhibition space for trade fairs and events; rooms for up to 410 people. Children's birthday parties with a workshop can be booked.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming for private purposes allowed without a tripod or professional flash. |
| Good to know | Free multimedia guide (loan device or your own smartphone via QR code) with a highlights tour of 21 stops, children's rally and puzzle tour “Gefangen im Code” (Trapped in the Code). Free public guided tours (admission only): Sat 15:00 for families, Sun 15:00 general, one hour each, no registration required (not held on special event days and Advent Sundays). Group, themed and combined tours as well as workshops and the student lab by appointment. |
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