Day 3. Visiting Chocoversum and Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg

On By Little Miss TravellerIn Europe, Germany, Hamburg November 2022

There were more foodie treats in store for us to experience during our Hamburg city break with a morning visit to Chocoversum, the city’s chocolate museum.  It’s located in the Kontorhaus district with the nearest U-Bahn station being Meßberg on the U1 Line.  We joined one of their 90 minute chocolate tours which are offered in both German and English.  Standard admission €21 at the door or €15 if booked in advance.

Chocversum, Hamburg
The entrance to Chocoversum, Hamburg

Our guided tour began with each of us being given a wafer biscuit as we passed through the entrance barrier.

Chocoversum! Hamburg
Chocoversum in Hamburg

All was revealed as we entered the first room as there we found an enormous chocolate fountain where we were invited to get our first taste of the German Hachez chocolate brand which tasted smooth and delicious.  The gigantic chocolate fountain contained a whopping 90 litres of this creamy delight standing 1.43 metres high.

Giant chocolate fountain, Chocoversum
The giant sized chocolate fountain

The tour then focused on the equatorial parts of the world where cocoa beans grow with Brazil and Ecuador in South America, Ghana and the Ivory Coast in Africa and Indonesia in Asia being the largest producers.  Our guide then took us on a journey through the museum all the way from the cocoa plantations to the Port of Hamburg warehouses in Speicherstadt where the beans are stored.

Chocoversum, Hamburg - Learning where cocoa beans are grown
Learning where cocoa beans are grown

It was then time to try our hands at creating our own chocolate bars in the preparation room.  After selecting milk or dark chocolate to work with (I opted for dark), we poured the thick melted chocolate into a clear plastic mould then set to work decorating it with up to three of the varied toppings available.

Selecting our toppings at Chocoversum
Selecting our toppings at Chocoversum

I chose crumbled amoretti biscuits and chocolate sprinkles to add to my bar.  We were then asked to give the completed bar a few taps on the table to remove the surplus and then to write our names on the edge of the plastic mould.  As our tour commenced at 10.30 a.m. we placed our creations in the fridge marked 30, leaving them to set whilst we continued the tour.

Chocoversum, Hamburg - my chocolate creation
My chocolate creation ready to be chilled

We’d learnt about the countries in which the beans grow and next it was time for us to discover how they are processed from opening up the large cocoa pods to revealing the beans inside.  We all tasted a raw cocoa bean which was quite bitter and not at all like chocolate.

Chocolate making equipment, on display at Chocversum
Some of the equipment on display at Chocoversum

Each stage of the chocolate making process was demonstrated but it wasn’t until the roasting and crushing stages where the chocolate nibs are produced that the beans started to taste of chocolate.  The process continued with the milling stage where the cocoa nibs are ground into a mixture of cocoa bean and cocoa butter and our spoonful of this tasted smooth and creamy.

Chocoversum, Hamburg - our creations
Our creations ready for packing

Kneading then takes up to seven days with the tempering process making the chocolate hard and glossy.  This is followed by the final moulding and packaging and on completion we were handed out some of the small wrapped chocolate squares to nibble.

Chocoversum, Hamburg
Wish that piece of chocolate was real!

Finally, our own creations were returned to us and we packed these ourselves in cellophane and added gold ties which made them look quite professional.  Taking the guided tour had been both educational and fun but I would describe Chocoversum more of an ‘experience’ than a museum.

Chilehaus, Hamburg
Chilehaus, Hamburg

On leaving, we went over to view the Chilehaus building close by.  This impressive 1920’s brick building was designed by Fritz Höger and commissioned by the shipping magnate Henry B. Sloman who made his fortune selling saltpetre from Chile.  Constructed using 4.8 million bricks and designed to resemble a ship’s bow it is now UNESCO World Heritage listed and currently utilised as offices.

Deich Jung's, Hamburg
Deich Jung’s, Hamburg

It was then time for some lunch and what better way to warm up than with steaming bowls of soup so we headed to Deich Jung’s, a small cafe specialising in homemade soups and stews using traditional family recipes containing no additives or preservatives.  My pea soup was delicious and very filling and my companion’s chilli stew went down a treat too.

Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg
Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg

Suitably nourished, I spent the afternoon at nearby Miniatur Wunderland, home to the world’s largest model railway and miniature airport.  (Standard admission €20).  I think I’d saved my favourite attraction to the end as it’s a place I’d long wanted to visit.

Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg
The miniatur wonderland is divided into different sections

Arranged over three floors in one of the historic warehouses of the Speicherstadt district I was transported into a miniature world not only of Hamburg landmarks but of other parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the USA and even South America.

Model railway, Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg
Part of the model railway

With almost 10 miles of track and more than 1,000 trains, the attention to detail is incredible with such things as tiny writing on vehicles and individual blades of grass.  The setting changes every 15 minutes from day to night-time when tiny apartment windows become illuminated and street lamps and car headlights are switched on.

Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg
Scenes from Miniatur Wunderland

As if the enchanting model railway exhibition wasn’t enough there’s also an impressive miniature airport which features 45 different planes from an A380 to a Cessna.

The airport night scene at Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg
Night time scene at the model airport

As if by magic the aircraft are pushed back by tugs and then taxi to the runway by themselves before accelerating and taking off.

An aircraft taking off at Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg
One of the planes taking off

The aircraft fly through a flap in the wall and with their flashing lights and engine turbine sounds are very realistic.  A visit to Miniatur Wunderland will bring out the inner child in us all and is an amazing experience for young and old alike.

Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, Hamburg
Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, Hamburg

On leaving there, I still had time to visit the landmark Elbphilharmonie concert hall as it was nearby.  This stunning building sits on top of a 1960’s brick warehouse and having viewed it the previous day from the harbour cruise, it creates the impression of a large liner setting sail.

Views from The Plaza, Hamburg
Views from The Plaza, Hamburg

I didn’t have time to attend a concert but instead joined the queue at the ticket kiosk to obtain a free ticket to go up to the Plaza viewing platform.  It’s accessed by one of the world’s longest escalators with the viewing area encircling the entire building offering spectacular panoramas across the Elbe, canals and Hamburg skyline.

Views from The Plaza, Hamburg
Views from The Plaza, Hamburg

It was the perfect way to conclude my visit to Hamburg and I’d adored everything.  From the city’s culinary highlights to the UNESCO Speicherstadt, top cultural attractions and elegant shopping arcades, Hamburg has it all and makes for a perfect city break.

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During my visit I was a guest of Visit Hamburg and as always all views and opinions are entirely my own.

 

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58 thoughts on “Day 3. Visiting Chocoversum and Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg”

  2. ThingsHelenLoves

    I’m glad you enjoyed a visit to the Elbphilharmonie. There was a lot of debate about it in German press at one point and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. But having been and seen in person I think it’s a beautiful building. Certainly, a Hamburg landmark now. I’d love to return to Hamburg and attend a concert there.

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  5. I’m assuming you’d booked in advance for Miniatur Wunderland? We failed to get in when we were there in 2019 because we hadn’t booked online for a Monday in December. I have to go back because I really want to go and visit it.

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  7. A chocolate museum and experience- count me in! What a fun (and gloriously delicious) experience to finish off the rest of your culinary adventures there. I love that you got to make your own chocolate bar. Also that wunderland looks amazing! I can’t believe the detail that went into the railroad and airport scenes. You have definitely found all the treasures of this city the last few days 🙂

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  12. This new view of the Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall confirms my interest in this architecture, but it’s nothing compared to the chocolate experience, I’ll really have to try that when I return to Hamburg!

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  15. Sounds like you had a lot of fun at the Chocoversum! I think I’ve been to a chocolate museum similar to that, but in Cologne. Didn’t get to taste any chocolate, but sounds like a fun (and delicious) experience! Glad you had a wonderful time in Hamburg: I hope to visit it now someday!

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  16. Both, the Chokoversum and the Miniatur Wonderland are still on our bucket list. When we were in Hamburg the last time, we definitely had way too little time, and promised ourselves to come back one day.We still hope to.

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  18. When I first started reading the post, I couldn’t imagine anything more fun than visiting the chocolate museum. But I was in for a surprise when you went to the Miniatur Wunderland! I believe I could spend all day there being in awe of the displays. Thank you for sharing Hamburg with us, Marion. It has been a fun trip!

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  20. That chocolate experience looks like the perfect hands on tour, with some sweet rewards. I have been to a few miniature worlds, but this one looks to be phenomenal. How may Grampas with train hobbies did it take to create this one? The views from the concert hall are amazing. Looks like there is a lot to se and do in Hamburg. Happy Tuesday Marion. Allan

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  22. Some curious sights here to add do the Hamburg to-do-list. The chocolate Museum looks fun but pricy, I would certainly be booking that online! Your creation looks fantastic. Model making is really popular in Germany, so no surprise to see an attraction like Miniatur Wunderland thrive.

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    1. Visiting Chocoversum was fun and took quite a different angle from Terry’s Chocolate World in York (but both very good). Miniatur Wonderland was superb and because they limit the number of visitors was enjoyable without being too crowded. My stay in Hamburg had been so nice, sampling the gastronomic delights and visiting the city’s main attractions. Thanks for reading and commenting Leighton.

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  23. Mmm, chocolate is a good start to the day! It’s quite amazing to think that the (bitter) cocoa bean eventually transforms into sweet chocolate, isn’t it? I like your chocolate creation – that’s a fun interactive part of the tour! Yummy, pea soup – my favourite! And yours looks delicious! What a unique place is Miniatur Wunderland … that must be a fun place to visit.
    As always, I enjoyed your series of posts on a beautiful city and your lovely photos – and may I add that Hamburg definitely don’t have to stand back when it comes to delicious food! Thanks Marion for taking me along 🌸.

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