The best museums in Karlsruhe in September 2025

These are the top 20 best museums in Karlsruhe, Germany, ranked by their rating and popularity in 2025. Click a museum for more information about the museum, including visitor information, exhibitions and reviews.

For a complete overview of museums in Karlsruhe, their exhibitions and discount cards & passes, see our overview page with all museums in Karlsruhe.

Looking for the best museums in Karlsruhe? These are the best ones:

  1. Karlsruhe Zoo1

    Karlsruhe Zoo

     Karlsruhe
    The Karlsruhe Zoo, also known as Zoologischer Garten Karlsruhe, is a renowned zoo located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, in the city of Karlsruhe. It is a significant attraction for tourists who are interested in wildlife and nature.
  2. Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe2

    Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe

     Karlsruhe
    The Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe is a museum that showcases the history of transportation from the early 19th century to the present day. The museum's collection includes historical bicycles, motorcycles, cars, and railway models. It also highlights technical inventions and introduces developers from the region, such as Karl Drais and Felix Wankel.
  3. Museum für Neue Kunst3

    Museum für Neue Kunst

     Karlsruhe
    In 2017, as part of a restructuring process, the Museum für Neue Kunst and the Media Museum were formally dissolved and their collections were merged. This means that visitors to the museum today can enjoy a diverse range of exhibits from both collections, offering a comprehensive overview of contemporary art and media.
  4. ZKM Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe4

    ZKM Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe

     Karlsruhe
    The ZKM, or Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie, is a cultural institution in Germany that was established in 1989. It is situated in Karlsruhe, in a former industrial building that was used as a weapons factory during the Second World War. This historical setting adds a unique backdrop to the contemporary art and media technology showcased within.
  5. Städtische Galerie5

    Städtische Galerie

     Karlsruhe
    The Städtische Galerie Karlsruhe is an art museum located in the city of Karlsruhe. It occupies the southernmost of ten courtyards in a large hall building, which also houses the Center for Art and Media Technology (ZKM). This unique location provides a distinctive setting for the museum and its collections.
  6. Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe6

    Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe

     Karlsruhe
    The Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, an art museum, was designed by Heinrich Hübsch and inaugurated in 1846. This historical establishment has been a cornerstone of the city's cultural scene for over a century and a half, offering visitors a chance to explore a wide range of art collections.
  7. Orangerie7

    Orangerie

     Karlsruhe
    The Orangerie in Karlsruhe, located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a historical site that was once the orangery of the city's botanical garden. Today, it serves a new purpose as an exhibition hall for the Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, showcasing works from the 20th and 21st centuries.
  8. State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe8

    State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe

     Karlsruhe
    The State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe, also known as SMNK, is one of the two state-owned natural history museums in Baden-Württemberg. It is a significant repository for state-owned natural history collections, making it a key location for those interested in natural history. The museum is well-known for its comprehensive exhibitions that cover all aspects of natural history.
  9. State Museum of Baden9

    State Museum of Baden

     Karlsruhe
    The Badisches Landesmuseum, or the Baden State Museum, is a significant historical and artistic institution in Baden-Wurttemberg. Established in 1919, the museum has been housed within the castle in Karlsruhe since 1921. This location adds a unique historical charm to the museum, making it a fascinating destination for tourists interested in history, art, and architecture.
  10. Badisches School Museum Karlsruhe10

    Badisches School Museum Karlsruhe

     Karlsruhe
    The Badisches Schulmuseum, situated in the Waldenserschule in the Palmbach district of Karlsruhe, offers a unique insight into the history of education in the region. Operated by the Badisches Schulmuseum Karlsruhe e.V. association, the museum is a testament to the evolution of learning and teaching methods over the years.
  11. Botanischer Garten der Universität Karlsruhe11

    Botanischer Garten der Universität Karlsruhe

     Karlsruhe
    The Botanical Garden of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is not just a place of beauty, but also a hub for research and teaching. One of its core tasks is the preservation of endangered plant species. This makes it a unique destination for those interested in botany and conservation efforts.
  12. Tierpark Oberwald12

    Tierpark Oberwald

     Karlsruhe
    Tierpark Oberwald, a part of the Karlsruhe Zoo, is situated in the Oberwald recreational forest. This location is freely accessible and conveniently located adjacent to the main train station. This makes it an easy and convenient destination for tourists who are looking to explore the local wildlife.
  13. Bird Park Neureut13

    Bird Park Neureut

     Karlsruhe
  14. Historisches Depot 191314

    Historisches Depot 1913

     Karlsruhe
  15. Museum of Literature on the Upper Rhine15

    Museum of Literature on the Upper Rhine

     Karlsruhe
    The Museum of Literature on the Upper Rhine is located in the Prinz-Max-Palais, the city's cultural center. This historic building also serves as the headquarters of the Literary Society Karlsruhe. In addition to the museum, the Prinz-Max-Palais hosts the city museum and the youth library of the city library, making it a hub of cultural and educational activities.
  16. Stadtmuseum16

    Stadtmuseum

     Karlsruhe
    The Stadtmuseum Karlsruhe is a museum that presents the history of the city of Karlsruhe through a permanent exhibition. This exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the city's past, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about Karlsruhe's history.
  17. RetroGames17

    RetroGames

     Karlsruhe
    RetroGames is a museum located in Karlsruhe, run by the RetroGames association. It features a permanent exhibition of operational classic arcade machines, game consoles, and pinball machines. This museum is part of the retro gaming movement and is dedicated to preserving and promoting video game culture.
  18. Pfinzgaumuseum18

    Pfinzgaumuseum

     Karlsruhe
  19. 19

    Wildschweingehege

     Karlsruhe
  20. 20

    Museum in der Majolika

     Karlsruhe

All museums in Karlsruhe