Over a gangway directly into another time: The Cap San Diego, a former general cargo ship, is firmly moored at the overseas pier – and yet it has remained a genuine working ship. As the only one of its kind, it is still seaworthy 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 featuring maritime themes, modern photography, or political issues. Particularly exciting is the contrast between the raw character of a cargo ship and the artistic presentation in the exhibitions.

Overall, it offers:

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

Insider tip: You can spend the night on the Cap San Diego – in real maritime passenger cabins with a view of the harbor. At night, you can hear the water lapping and the distant horns of the ships – you won't get any closer to the harbor feeling.

1. The Cap San Diego was built at the renowned German Shipyard in Hamburg-Finkenwerder.
2. In the cargo holds of the ship, coffee, cocoa, and machine parts were primarily transported.
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 piece goods ships in the world.
5. The original telephone system on board is still partially functional today and can be shown during tours.
6. In the area of the crew quarters, there is a fully preserved galley, including an old combination stove.
7. The Cap San Diego was decommissioned in 1986 and nearly sold as 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. The radio station still has the original morse device, which was once used to send messages to shore.
10. The Cap San Diego is officially registered as a monument of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

The Cap San Diego is geared towards everyone who wants to experience **technology, maritime culture, and history** – without any protective glass in between. For **adults**, it is a journey of discovery into a bygone era, when things were loaded without containers and navigation relied on radio and maps. **Children** find it exciting to navigate through the labyrinth of decks, see huge machines, and enter real sailors' bunks. **Families** can go on a treasure hunt together throughout the ship – there are always little details to discover. For **technology enthusiasts**, the engine room is a highlight, while art lovers can enjoy the changing exhibitions. And for those who just want to dive in, it is even possible to spend a night on board.

 

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

 

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

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