Over a gangway directly into another time: The Cap San Diego, a former general cargo ship, is securely moored at the overseas bridge – and yet it remains a true working ship. As the only one of its kind, it is still seaworthy today and is regularly activated for special trips.

What makes the Cap San Diego so special?

The Cap San Diego was built in the early 1960s to operate between Hamburg and South America. It was the last ship of the so-called "White Swans of the South Atlantic," known for their elegant lines and modern technology. Today you can explore almost everything on board, from the engine room to the command bridge.

Some cargo holds serve as exhibition spaces – sometimes on maritime themes, sometimes featuring modern photography or political topics. The contrast between the raw cargo ship character and the artistic presentation in the exhibitions is particularly exciting.

Overall, it offers:

• Trips
• Museum
• Hotel
• Escape Games
• High ropes course
• Events & celebrations
• Location for film and photo shoots

Insider tip: You can stay overnight on the Cap San Diego – in authentic, maritime passenger cabins with a view of the harbor. At night, you'll hear the water splashing and the distant tooting of ships – you won't get any closer to the harbor feeling.

1. The Cap San Diego was built at the renowned Deutsche Werft in Hamburg-Finkenwerder.
2. In the cargo holds of the ship, coffee, cocoa, and machine parts were primarily transported in the past.
3. The ship belongs to the so-called Cap San class, which consisted of six nearly identical freighters.
4. At the time of its commissioning, it was considered one of the most modern general cargo ships in the world.
5. The original telephone system on board is still partially operational today and can be demonstrated during tours.
6. In the crew area, there is a fully preserved ship's galley, including an old combined cooking stove.
7. The Cap San Diego was decommissioned in 1986 and was almost sold for scrap before being taken over by the city of Hamburg.
8. The ship has a so-called man-overboard boat, which was previously kept ready for emergencies.
9. In the radio station, the original morse device is still present, which was once used to send messages to land.
10. The Cap San Diego is officially registered as a cultural monument of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

The Cap San Diego is aimed at everyone who wants to experience technology, seafaring, and history – without any protective glass in between. For adults, it is a journey of discovery into a past era when loading was done without containers and navigation was carried out using radio and maps. Children find it exciting to navigate through the labyrinth of decks, see gigantic machines, and enter real sailor's bunks. Families can go on a treasure hunt together throughout the ship – there are always small details to discover. For technology enthusiasts, the engine room is a highlight, while art lovers can enjoy the rotating exhibitions. And for those who just want to immerse themselves, it is even possible to spend a night on board.

 

Tip: Combine your visit with a harbor ferry - from the Landungsbrücken you can reach the Overseas Bridge in a few minutes and easily connect both.

 

Note: Last admission is at 5:30 PM. On holidays, the same hours usually apply, but there may be deviations during special operations.

The Cap San Diego is not a static museum, but a living ship – built for the ocean, today an experience in the middle of the city. You get insight into the inner workings of a general cargo ship that shaped an era when cargo was still handled manually and technology remained tangible. Unlike many museums, here you cannot just look, but truly experience. The ship remains a ship – with all its smells, sounds, and stories.