Welcome to Berlin’s vibrant museum scene, a fascinating blend of history, art, and culture.
With over 170 museums across the city, Berlin offers something for every curiosity: from world-famous institutions like the Pergamon Museum on Museum Island (Museumsinsel) to the quirky Computer Games Museum,
you can dive into the city’s rich past, admire timeless masterpieces, and explore interactive exhibitions that both inspire and entertain.
Many of Berlin’s museums even offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month, making it easier to enjoy world-class culture without breaking the bank.
Quick Picks (Plan by Interest)
First-timers / Classics: Museum Island (Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie), Pergamon* (Panorama), Gemäldegalerie
With Kids: Museum für Naturkunde, Computerspiele Museum, Museum of Illusions, Spy Museum
Design & Architecture: Bauhaus-Archiv, Martin-Gropius-Bau, Jewish Museum (Libeskind)
Cold-War & Politics: Stasi Museum, Allied Museum, German History Museum
Rainy Day Half-Day: Museum Island combo (Neues + Alte), Gemäldegalerie
Note: The Pergamon Museum building is fully closed until spring 2027 for major renovations.
Its temporary substitute, “Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama,” is closed Sept 1 – Oct 27 2025 for exhibition work.
A second construction phase began in March 2025 to add a new fourth wing, improving visitor flow and connectivity with neighboring museums.
Full completion is planned for 2037. Always check the latest updates before your visit.
Essential Tips
Tickets & Time: Book online for popular venues; plan 90–120 min per museum. Museum Island combos can fill a day.
Free / Reduced Days: The citywide Museum Sunday free-admission program ended in December 2024. Some individual museums still offer free or discounted entry check each museum’s site.
Opening Days: Since April 2024, many State Museums (SMB) operate on reduced hours and are closed Mon–Tue.
Museum Pass: A 3-day Museum Pass (30+ museums) offers great value for multi-day visits.
Accessibility: Most major museums are wheelchair-friendly.
Photography: Rules vary for example, no photos of the Nefertiti bust in the Neues Museum. Look for signage.
The Shortlist: What to See & Why
Pergamon (Main Museum Closed; Panorama Status)
Where: Museum Bodestraße 1–3 | Panorama – Am Kupfergraben 2
Website: smb.museum → Pergamon
Status: Closed until spring 2027; phased reopening planned from then.
Panorama: Closed Sept 1 – Oct 27 2025; otherwise offers a 360° experience with selected originals.
Good for: Ancient history fans, impressive visuals
Neues Museum — Ancient Egypt & Prehistory
Where: Bodestraße 1–3 (Museum Island)
Website: smb.museum → Neues Museum
Highlights: The world-famous Nefertiti bust, mummies, and prehistoric artifacts.
Good for: First-timers, families
Alte Nationalgalerie: 19th Century Art
Where: Bodestraße 1–3 (Museum Island)
Website: smb.museum → Alte Nationalgalerie
Highlights: Caspar David Friedrich, Manet, and Impressionists in a stunning neoclassical setting.
Good for: Art lovers
Gemäldegalerie: Old Masters of art
Where: Matthäikirchplatz (Kulturforum)
Website: smb.museum → Gemäldegalerie
Highlights: Botticelli, Bruegel, Rembrandt, Caravaggio.
Good for: Deep-dive art days
Museum für Naturkunde Natural History
Where: Invalidenstraße 43
Website: museumfuernaturkunde.berlin
Highlights: T. rex “Tristan,” giant dinosaur hall, evolution & biodiversity.
Good for: Families, science lovers
Deutsche Kinemathek: Film & TV
Where: Potsdamer Straße 2 (check for temporary exhibitions at other locations)
Website: deutsche-kinemathek.de
Highlights: From silent cinema to digital film history.
Good for: Film buffs
Computerspiele Museum: Video Games
Where: Karl-Marx-Allee 93A
Website: computerspielemuseum.de
Highlights: Playable arcade machines, consoles, and gaming culture.
Good for: Kids, teens, nostalgic adults
Martin-Gropius-Bau: Exhibitions
Where: Niederkirchnerstraße 7
Website: gropiusbau.de
Highlights: Rotating modern and contemporary art in a magnificent historic building.
Good for: Design & art lovers
Stasi Museum: State Security History
Where: Ruschestraße 103
Website: stasimuseum.de
Highlights: Original Stasi HQ, Erich Mielke’s office, surveillance artifacts.
Good for: Cold War history buffs
Jewish Museum Berlin
Where: Lindenstraße 9–14
Website: jmberlin.de
Highlights: Daniel Libeskind’s architecture and powerful exhibitions on Jewish life in Germany.
Good for: Architecture & culture lovers
Museum für Kommunikation: Communication
Where: Leipziger Str. 16
Website: mfk-berlin.de
Highlights: From postal services to digital media; hands-on exhibits.
Good for: Families, tech-curious visitors
Deutsches Spionagemuseum: Spy Museum
Where: Leipziger Platz 9
Website: deutsches-spionagemuseum.de
Highlights: Spy gadgets, cipher machines, and laser tunnels.
Good for: Families, teens
Museum of Illusions Berlin
Where: Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 9
Website: illuseum-berlin.de (also accessible via museumofillusions.de)
Highlights: Optical tricks, holograms, photo-friendly rooms.
Good for: Kids, rainy-day fun
Bauhaus-Archiv: Museum of Design
Where: Klingelhöferstraße 14
Website: bauhaus.de/en/bauhaus-archiv
Highlights: Bauhaus art, design, and architecture shaping the modern era.
Good for: Design aficionados
Allied Museum
Where: Clayallee 135
Website: alliiertenmuseum.de
Highlights: Berlin Airlift, Cold War artifacts, and outdoor exhibits.
Good for: History & aviation fans
Military History Museum: Berlin-Gatow Airfield
Where: Am Flugplatz Gatow 33
Website: mhm-gatow.de
Highlights: Cold War aircraft and technology on a historic airfield.
Good for: Aviation enthusiasts
Practical Info
Getting Around: Museum Island is walkable; Gemäldegalerie & Gropius-Bau are near Kulturforum. Use the BVG app for public transport.
Food Breaks: Most museums have cafés; Mitte and Potsdamer Platz offer many options.
Peak Times: Weekends and rainy days get busy. Mornings or late afternoons are calmer.
Before You Go: Book tickets online and reconfirm opening hours shortly before visiting.
