Are you looking for a day trip in NRW? Welcome to the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann - exactly where the world's first Neanderthal man was found.
Here you can wander through the fascinating history of mankind, meet wild animals in the Ice Age Animal Park, climb on Europe's largest Stone Age playground and get very close to the famous Neanderthal find on the tower Höhlenblick.
Not a dry museum - but a place to marvel, laugh and join in!
How did we become what we are today? In our interactive permanent exhibition, you accompany humans on their journey from the Stone Age to the present day - excitingly staged with real fossils, hands-on stations and talking Neanderthals.
We welcome around 160,000 guests every year!
Hike through the turbulent history of the valley, take the shortcut via the 20 metre high climbing tunnel and get very close to the famous find. Use virtual telescopes to see what the Neanderthal valley looked like 40,000 years ago - mammoth hordes included!
Right next to the museum, bison, tarpans and aurochs graze - just like in the Ice Age! Highlight for young and old: a short or long walk along the circular hiking trail.
The large Stone Age playground invites you to climb, slide and run around - right next to the museum. And for adults there is a large, covered picnic area.
"A must visit for those who visit Germany. This reminds us of our past and also throes some light into the evolution." (Google review)
What would a sight be without prices worth seeing? Families always receive a 15% discount on all ticket categories (from 1 adult + 1 child). Adults also save 15 % on the admission price in the afternoon from 4 pm.
A sight in itself: Exclusively at the Neanderthal Museum, we are showing the world's first exhibition on the Neanderthal woman, which challenges common clichés and myths about the Neanderthals. The special exhibition is included in the museum visit.
Yes - our exhibition, the café, the lost property centre, the shop and the sanitary facilities are all accessible. There are also car parks right next to the building and wheelchair-accessible paths in the outdoor area. This makes the museum an easily accessible attraction in NRW for all generations. Further information on accessibility here.
Absolutely! Our permanent exhibition, the Stone Age workshop and the café are completely covered. The museum is therefore an ideal day trip destination in NRW - even in rainy weather or in winter.
A spontaneous visit is possible at any time - tickets are also available on site. We recommend booking in advance for workshops, guided tours or groups, especially during the holidays.
Here you will not only encounter Neanderthals, but also travel back in time through the history of mankind - right where the world's first Neanderthal was found. The combination of museum, historical site, nature, wildlife enclosure and hands-on activities is unique in NRW.
Yes - there is plenty for children aged 4 and over to discover: from the adventure playground to interactive stations and craft activities in the Stone Age workshop. Our museum is one of the most popular day trip destinations in NRW for families with children.
Plan at least 2-3 hours for the museum and outdoor area. However, with a picnic in the garden, playground time or participation in a workshop, you can easily spend half a day or a whole day here.
The museum is located in Mettmann, in the centre of the Neandertal valley - just 20 minutes from Düsseldorf. There are good connections by car (including car parks), bus and train as well as beautiful hiking and cycling trails along the Düssel. Further information on travelling here.
Yes and no, there is a special DoggyDay for dogs once a month. This always takes place on the 1st Friday of the month between 2 and 6 pm. Unfortunately, dogs are not otherwise allowed in the museum out of consideration for other guests.
Why is the Neanderthal Museum one of the best sights in NRW? Because you get more than just a museum here: