A handling apparatus for handling a measuring probe of a scanning probe microscope is disclosed. The measuring probe has a probe body and a probe tip which is coupled with the probe body by a cantilever. The handling apparatus includes a receiving device for receiving the measuring probe at a receiving area, a guide structure, in which the measuring probe is guidable while at the same time the probe body is at least partially limited and the cantilever and the probe tip are supported without contact, and a transport device for transporting the measuring probe from the receiving area along the guide structure to a target area.