Germany's largest floating museum: maritime and shipbuilding history aboard the DRESDEN in the IGA Park Rostock.
October 9, 2026 – September 30, 2027
The exhibition explores the relationship between humans and whales, from historical whaling and the use of the animals to today’s whale protection, with references to Rostock as well as to literature and culture, such as Melville’s “Moby Dick”.
November 6, 2025 – March 28, 2027
The artist collective Time’s Up, working with research institutions, has designed the fictional coastal city of Turnton as a walk-through future scenario on climate change, marine ecosystems and sustainable living, with interactive stations on Deck 3 of the MS Dresden.
The museum is housed on the freighter DRESDEN, a seagoing ship of the Frieden class built in Rostock for Deutsche Seereederei. On June 13, 1970, the ship first opened to visitors as the GDR's shipbuilding museum. As early as 1968, a maritime museum had opened in the former Rostock Societät building.
After 1990, both sites were combined into the Schiffbau- und Schifffahrtsmuseum Rostock on August-Bebel-Straße. In 2004 the city separated the museum from its culture department and transferred it to IGA Rostock 2003 GmbH; since then it has been the Schifffahrtsmuseum Rostock in the IGA Park in Schmarl.
The collection includes more than 12,000 objects on the regional history of shipbuilding and seafaring, from the Hanseatic era to the present. Many rooms of the ship are preserved in their original state, including the bridge, engine room, and officers' mess. The outdoor exhibition includes, among other things, the floating crane Langer Heinrich, the heavy-lift vessel 1. Mai, and numerous navigation markers. In the long term, the museum plans to redesign most of its exhibitions; this will involve an energy-efficiency renovation of the ship and a new exhibition building.
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Holders of the Deutsche Bahn MV-Ticket, people with a "B" or "H" marker, holders of the Warnow-Pass |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 5 · Children aged 7 to 14; children up to age 6 enter free |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5companion free · People with a "B" or "H" marker |
| Groups (15+ people) | €5 per personAdult groups per person; school groups €3 per person |
| Families | €182 adults and 1 child (ages 7–14); each additional child €3 |
| Annual pass | €25Valid for 12 months from the purchase date; personal, not transferable |
| Annual pass, reduced | €15 |
| Public guided tour (plus admission) | €4Per person, regardless of discounts |
| Guided tour for registered adult groups (plus admission) | €3.50Per person; groups of up to 14 people plus a €20 flat fee; maximum 20 people per group |
| Guided tour or hands-on program for registered school classes (plus admission) | €2Per person |
Free admission for holders of the RostockCard, the Rostock Volunteer Card (Rostocker Ehrenamts-Card), and the Entdeckerpass MV, among others; journalists with a recognized press card; members of ICOM, Deutscher Museumsbund, and Museumsverband MV; and bus drivers and tour guides. The admission ticket also covers special exhibitions. Events may carry a fee of €2 to €5 per person. Payment by EC card (German debit card) is possible; online tickets and vouchers are available on the website.
A ramp at the ship's entrance and a spacious elevator: Stauung, deck II, deck III, and the main deck are wheelchair accessible. The upper decks and the engine room are not accessible due to many stairs. Questions about step-free access: +49 381 12831-364.
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
| Family ticket | €18 · 2 adults and 1 child (ages 7–14); each additional child €3 |
Hands-on stations such as the tugboat simulator (deck 4), MINIPORT, and "Navigieren lernen" (deck 3) are free; ask at the foyer desk for details. New play and adventure area "A-ROSA Family Dock." Children's birthday parties for kids up to age 12 aboard the ship, holiday programs, and an app-based treasure hunt for children.
Blockmacherring bzw. Seezeichenweg/Tor 8 · 10-min walk
From Lütten Klein S-Bahn station, take bus 31 (stop Blockmacherring) or bus 35 (stop Seezeichenweg/Tor 8), then about a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, it is about a 20-minute walk from the IGA Hanse-Messe entrance through the park.
Free parking
Free car parking is only available some distance from the museum; coaches have their own car park right next to the ship (booking on +49 381 12831-364).
Navigation address: Schmarl-Dorf 40, 18106 Rostock. Passenger ships can dock at the Shuttle-Insel (pier) only for group and special trips, by prior registration (fee applies).
Get directionsOn-board shop; Wi-Fi only in the foyer.
Up to 100 guests.
Officers' mess (up to 45 people, indoor and outdoor areas), conference room Luke 1 (up to 90 people), and the main deck (up to 100 people). Catering via Warnowhuus or external providers; prices on request.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The free app "Schifffahrtsmuseum Rostock" (Android and iOS) offers tours for children aged 8 to 14, adults, and families. Wi-Fi is only available in the foyer, so it is best to download the app in advance. Public guided tours are offered; groups can book tours, expert-led tours with former seafarers, and demonstrations of the auxiliary diesel engines. School classes can book tours, a navigation course, a rally, and hands-on activities in the historic boatyard. |
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