State natural history museum on Karlsruhe's Friedrichsplatz with dioramas, fossils, minerals, insects and a vivarium with live sharks and reptiles.
October 10, 2026 – October 11, 2026
Together with the mushroom group of the Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein (natural science society), the museum shows around 250 to 300 species of fresh mushrooms, plus microscopy and mushroom identification advice. Free admission, in the pavilion in the Nymphengarten.
The museum's foundation was laid by Margravine Karoline Luise of Baden, who assembled an extensive natural history cabinet between 1752 and 1783. After it moved into the court library, the collection was opened to the citizens of Karlsruhe for the first time in 1785 – the year the museum considers its founding date.
To house the growing holdings, the collection building on Friedrichsplatz was built from 1866 to 1872 to designs by Josef Berckmüller. During an air raid in September 1942 the building burned out and most of the collections were lost; only the mollusk collection survived largely intact. Reconstruction dragged on until 1972, and in 2016 the renovated west wing was also completed.
Today the Landesmuseum (state museum) presents the geology and minerals of the Upper Rhine, fossils spanning 540 million years, dioramas, insects, and African and native habitats on more than 5,000 square meters. The vivarium, with more than 30 aquariums and terrariums, is a crowd favorite; a female bamboo shark caused a stir here with the first documented case of virgin birth in sharks in Europe. A new permanent exhibition on human evolution was also announced for 2026. Besides its exhibitions, the museum is a research institution of the state of Baden-Württemberg.
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4People with severe disabilities, adults in school, vocational training, university or volunteer service, holders of the Ehrenamtskarte BW (volunteer card), groups of 15 or more, holders of certain guest cards (e.g. Rheinpfalzcard, GEOCard) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and teens under 18 get free admission to the permanent exhibitions; for major special exhibitions, children 6 and over pay a reduced child rate. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4companion free · Reduced with severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis); companion (“B” or “H” marker) free. |
| Students & apprentices | €4From age 18 with a school or university student ID. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €4 per personReduced rate for groups of 15 or more; two accompanying adults free with school classes. |
| Families | –Family ticket only for major special exhibitions (most recently €16). |
| Annual pass | €20Reduced €16 |
Free admission: Free admission to the permanent and small exhibitions on Fridays from 13:00 (not on public holidays)
Prices for the permanent exhibitions. Major special exhibitions cost extra (most recently “Versammelt”: €8, reduced €6, children 6–17 €3, family €16). Free with the Karlsruher Kinderpass, the Museums-PASS-Musées and for ICOM and Museumsbund members. Payment by EC/Girocard debit card possible.
Ramp at the main entrance, automatic door openers, elevators to all levels, wheelchair-accessible restroom with Euro key, plus first-aid and baby changing room on the first floor; portable seating. Tours in Easy Language and German Sign Language (DGS), tactile offerings, quiet hours and dementia-friendly programs. Contact: barrierefreiheit@smnk.de.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
Children's workshops three times a month (ages 6–7 and 8–10), experiments and research courses; activity booklets for exploring independently. Birthday parties for ages 5 and up, museum mystery for ages 9 to 12. Baby changing room on the first floor.
Marktplatz
Marktplatz stop (S1/S11, S2, S5, tram 1) or Ettlinger Tor/Staatstheater (S1/S11, S4, S52, S7, S8, tram 2), each a few minutes' walk
Parking available
No parking of its own; the museum lists the Friedrichsplatz, Landesbibliothek, IHK, and Ettlinger Tor-Center parking garages. Bus parking at the Festplatz or at the theater.
By car via the B10 (city center) onto Kriegsstraße, at Ettlinger Tor toward the city center.
Get directionsMuseum shop with cafeteria in the Kassettensaal on the upper floor (organic and fair-trade drinks, cake, snacks).
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours (up to 15 people, about 60 min.) Tue–Fri €50, on weekends and public holidays €70, plus admission if applicable; register at least two weeks in advance via buchungen@smnk.de or 0721 175-2152. About a dozen themed tours; programs for schools. |
Cookies help you use this website. We only load the map and statistics with your consent.
