Driving doesn’t need to be a chore like it is for many of us, rather it can be a brilliant way to explore a country at your own speed, driving through the landscapes and enjoying the sights en route. So if you’ve got a set of wheels and you love cars, if they captivate you into wanting to take a road trip, then why not take a trip to explore the top car museums from around the world. Although museums can be dull and boring, museums with cars in them are a lot more attractive and there is a museum out there for everyone, but which would you most like to visit?
Here’s our list of the top museums from around the world, which we believe will soon have you a need for speed, if you don’t already that is:
1. Porsche Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
If you fancy encountering a close-up experience with some legendary racing and sports cars, then why not take a trip to the Porsche Museum, Germany. Housed in a striking modern building, with more than 80 vehicles, you’ll be taken on a journey right through from the early years of Porsche all the way through to the present day.
Twice as big as Ferrari’s, the Porsche Museum opened in 2009 and cost an incredible £100 million. Within the museum, a large area is dedicated to temporary exhibit space, which does, of course, vary over time. As Porsche celebrates a massive 70 years of the Porsche sports car this year, it has devoted a special exhibition to the anniversary at the Porsche Pavillon, Autostadt, up until early January 2019.
Aiming to highlight Porsche’s outstanding developments over the past seven decades, the 70-year-old 356 number one Roadster will be the first thing that catches visitors attention, as well as making Porsche one of the few manufacturers to have the original first vehicle ever built by the brand in its possession.
Address: Porscheplatz 1, 70435 Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
Contact: 0049 (0)711 – 911 20 911 Email: info.museum@porsche.de
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Admission fee: Adult 8€. Free admission for children up to and including 14 years of age. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
2. Rolls -Royce Museum, Dornbirn, Austria
Established in 1982, the Rolls Royce Museum is said to have the world’s largest collection of Rolls-Royce cars. Its permanent collection is made up of over 1,000 objects, including approximately 70 cars.
With less space available in the smaller building, the museum focuses on special exhibitions, with the aim of presenting a new theme each year. At present, 60 Rolls-Royce models await in its exhibition, which can be located in its large building, just follow the blue signs!
So while you’re on your road trip exploring the top car museums from around the world, make sure that you make Rolls-Royce Museum part of your itinerary as it’s one not to be missed.
Address: Gütle 11a, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria
Contact: +43 5572 52652
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm
Admission fee: Adult 6€, children 3€, students and teens 4€ and seniors from 65 years 5€.
3. Museo Ferrari, Maranello, Italy
Located just down the road from the factory, the Ferrari museum is not just purely for cars as there are also trophies, photographs and other historical objects on display, covering a massive 2,500 square metres. Museo Ferrari is one of two Ferrari museums, which offers a unique and enthralling voyage of discovery.
With some temporary exhibits on display, most of the exhibits are part of the permanent collection. “Under the Skin” is the current exhibition on display, which illustrates the story of Ferrari’s creative and engineering development.
The museum invites visitors to experience the passion for racing by enabling visitors to sit in a semi-professional Formula 1 simulator, allowing you to get a taste of the exhilarating driving through a virtual experience in the cockpit. Museo Ferrari is a must-visit for any petrolhead, with a circuit for drives and a production site in addition to the museum.
Address: Via Dino Ferrari 43, 41053 Maranello, Italy
Contact: +39 0536 949713 Email: museo@ferrari.com
Opening hours: April – October 9:30 – 7:00pm November – March 9:30am – 6:00pm. Everyday except December 25 and January 1.
Admission fee: Adult 16€, under 19 accompanied by family members 6€ and students and over 65 concession 14€.
4. Maserati Museum, Modena, Italy
Italy is home to some of the world’s best motoring attractions, so perhaps before you head home from having been to the Ferrari museum, why not head over to the Maserati plants in Modena where you can learn more about the production of the world’s most luxurious sports cars.
Containing various models of vintage cars and motorcycles, the unofficial Maserati museum provides guests with an exclusive factory tour, in which you’ll be able to walk around the showroom, the famous assembly lines and get close up with some of the most celebrated cars.
With a long history of appeal, the Maserati museum is one of the most fascinating car production companies with some magnificent cars, such as the Bora, Merak, Ghibli Spyder and the A6GCS by Pininfarina, as well as some obscure ones like the Simun. So if you fancy browsing at some of Italians finest motoring masterpieces, then be sure to head to Maserati’s shrine.
Address: Via Corletto Sud 320, 41126 Modena, Italy
Contact: +39(0) 59 220022 Email: maseratifactorytour@modenatur.it
Opening hours: Tours of the factory are available Monday – Friday 9:00am – 12:00pm and from 2:00pm – 5:00pm, depending on availability.
Admission fee: Tours of the showroom for groups of ten 10€, depending on availability. Tours of the factory for groups of four to ten 30€. Participants must be over the age of 18.
