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Museum · Berlim, Berlim
Museumsinsel
A group of museums on the northern tip of an island in the River Spree, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie and the Bode-Museum are open.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Museumsinsel
The Museumsinsel, the Museum Island, occupies the northern tip of an island in the River Spree in central Berlin. The museums were built between 1830 and 1930 by order of the kings of Prussia, and the ensemble was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Since reunification, the buildings have been undergoing a long restoration program.
The Altes Museum, by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, has a colonnade facing the Lustgarten and houses art from ancient Greece and Rome. The Neues Museum, rebuilt after the war while retaining signs of the bombings, brings together the Egyptian Museum, with the bust of Queen Nefertiti, and the prehistory collection. The Alte Nationalgalerie displays 19th-century painting and sculpture, with works by Caspar David Friedrich and the Impressionists. The Bode-Museum, at the tip of the island, contains sculpture and a large coin collection.
The Pergamonmuseum, with the Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate, is also on the island: check before you go which museums are open. The James-Simon-Galerie, a modern building with white columns, serves as the entrance and visitor center, with a ticket office and cloakroom.
The museums usually close on Mondays, but check before you go. A timed-entry ticket is recommended, especially for the Neues Museum and in high season from May to September. There is a combined ticket for all museums open on the same day.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Each museum requires one to two hours. A full day is enough for two or three museums, with a break for lunch.
Best time
Arrive at opening to encounter fewer people, especially at the Neues Museum. From May to September, buy timed tickets in advance. On rainy days the museums get crowded.
How to get there
Hackescher Markt station (S-Bahn) is about a 5-minute walk; Museumsinsel (U5) is next to the Lustgarten. From the Brandenburger Tor, it's about a 20-minute walk along Unter den Linden.
Tip
If time is short, choose the Neues Museum for the bust of Nefertiti, or the Alte Nationalgalerie for paintings. The Lustgarten, in front of the Altes Museum, is a good place to rest between museums.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museumsinsel
Is the Pergamonmuseum open?
No. The Pergamonmuseum is closed for long-term renovation. The other museums on the island remain open: Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie and Bode-Museum.
Where is the bust of Nefertiti?
In the Neues Museum, in the Egyptian Museum collection. It is the most sought-after museum on the island, so it's worth booking a time slot.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
It is recommended, especially from May to September. Tickets have a timed entry.
Can you see everything in one day?
You can see two or three museums in a day at a relaxed pace. There are combination tickets for all museums open on the same day.
Are the museums open on Mondays?
They usually close on Mondays. Check before you go.