Things to do in Berlin, Germany: The Best Art Museums

March 20, 2022 Russell Mellin

Berlin is an edgy city, from its fashion to its architecture to its charged political history. The Berlin Wall is a sobering reminder of the hyper-charged postwar atmosphere, and yet the graffiti art that now covers its remnants has become symbolic of social progress. Check out the Weltzeituhr (world time) Clock, topped by a model of the solar system, then turn back time by dining at the historic Zur Letzten Instanz, a 16th century restaurant that was frequented by Napoleon and Beethoven.
Restaurants in Berlin

1. Bocci

Kantstr. 79, 10627 Berlin Germany http://bocci.ca/79/
Excellent
90%
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10%
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5.0 based on 10 reviews

Bocci

2. Urban Nation

Buelowstrasse 7, 10783 Berlin Germany +49 30 32295989 [email protected] http://Urban-Nation.com
Excellent
86%
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12%
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5.0 based on 232 reviews

Urban Nation

Reviewed By julianw854 - Prestwich, United Kingdom

Fantastic gallery, free to enter, photography welcomed, really stunning work you can experience up close. No pushy sales or hustle for money. So much better than the outdoor wall gallery down by the river. Thank you.

3. Pergamonmuseum

Bodestrasse 1-3, 10178 Berlin Germany +49 30 266424242 [email protected] http://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/pergamonmuseum/home.html
Excellent
65%
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4.5 based on 20,507 reviews

Pergamonmuseum

The Pergamonmuseum is a three-wing complex. The museum houses three of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin’s collections: the Antikensammlung, Vorderasiatisches Museum, and the Museum für Islamische Kunst. The impressive reconstructions of massive archaeological structures – the Pergamon Altar, Market Gate of Miletus, the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way from Babylon, and the Mshatta Facade – have made the Pergamonmuseum famous throughout the world, with the result that it is the most visited museum at the Staatliche Museen and in Germany as a whole.

Reviewed By bsandrs - Portsmouth, United Kingdom

The Jewels of Museum Island in the centre of the City are the Pergamon and the Neue buildings and we enjoyed an excellent three hour guided tour from an expert on the collections, who whilst now living in Berlin, originated from the Isle of Wight, just off Portsmouth which was a strange coincidence. The contents of the Pergamon are mind blowing and you can only scratch the surface on a day visit. With the Pergamon Altar itself closed for the next few years, the undoubted highlights are the Ishtar Gate and Lion Approach from Babylon, together with the Miletus Roman Facade and we rightly spent most of our available time studying those. However, the whole Museum is packed with great artefacts and we simply must return.

4. Gemaldegalerie

Matthaeikirchplatz, 10785 Berlin Germany +49 30 266424242 [email protected] http://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/gemaeldegalerie/home.html
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,096 reviews

Gemaldegalerie

We are more than happy that starting from 12th of May 2020 we can reopen several of the museums belonging to the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – among them the Gemäldegalerie! Please note that during your visit you have to follow some special hygiene and safety measures. All important information about visiting the museum can be found on our website. // The Gemäldegalerie boasts one of the world’s most important collections of European painting ranging from the 13th to 18th century. Masterpieces from all epochs in the history of art are on permanent display here, including paintings by Jan van Eyck, Pieter Bruegel, Albrecht Durer, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, and Jan Vermeer van Delft. The gallery is especially proud of its strong collection of German and Italian painting from the 13th to 16th century and painting from the Low Countries dating from the 15th to 17th century.

Reviewed By Cynicoren - Beersheba, Israel

The Gemaldegalerie in Berlin contains one of the world's leading collections of paintings covering the period from the 13th to the 18th centuries, including an exceptional collection of works by great German artists - as the website notes: "including paintings by Jan van Eyck, Pieter Bruegel, Albrecht Dürer, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, and Jan Vermeer van Delft." Since I was teens I had to cut my tour short, but still enjoyed it immensely.

5. Sammlung Hoffman

Sophienstr. 21, 10178 Berlin Germany +49 4930 28499121 http://www.sophie-gips.de/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 20 reviews

Sammlung Hoffman

This art museum houses one of Berlin's best collections of modern works.

Reviewed By goldenhandart

I view private art collections as the ultimate thing to do in Berlin. This one is smaller than some others but the perfect tour. You have to reserve your spot well in advance, I was two weeks ahead to get a ticket. You have to know to walk into the courtyard and keep going or you might miss the entry. It IS private. The receptionist was very friendly and accommodating, the tour was a few people, just enough to allow dialogue around the artworks. There was some hands-on experience, there was plenty of interaction between the guide, the people and the artwork. There were great pieces by artists I studied in school decades ago, and some art from ones who I know are still making things today. One piece I remember from the cover of the art magazines of the early 80's, absolutely iconic piece. Great art. Great tour guide dedicated to bringing out the love of art, and an truly wonderfully low price.

6. Alte Nationalgalerie

Bodestr. 1 - 3 Museumsinsel, 10178 Berlin Germany +49 30 266424242 [email protected] http://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/alte-nationalgalerie/home.html
Excellent
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4.5 based on 889 reviews

Alte Nationalgalerie

We are more than happy that starting from 12th of May 2020 we can reopen several of the museums belonging to the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – among them the Alte Nationalgalerie! Please note that during your visit you have to follow some special hygiene and safety measures. All important information about visiting the museum can be found on our website. // The collection of the Alte Nationalgalerie is one of the largest collection of art between the French Revolution and the First World War, between Classicism and secession. Unique is the harmony between the collection and the style of the building.

Reviewed By coke_somchai - Bangkok, Thailand

Alte nationalgalerie is part of many museums in Museum Island in Berlin, Germany. There are a lot of 19th century paintings and sculptures collections here. I love this museum!

7. Gropius Bau

Niederkirchnerstr. 7, 10963 Berlin Germany +49 30 254860 [email protected] http://www.gropiusbau.de
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4.5 based on 324 reviews

Gropius Bau

Since its meticulous restoration in the 1970s the Gropius Bau has become one of the most renowned exhibition halls in Germany. Many international exhibitions have since found a fitting venue here and attracted many millions of visitors.

8. Kunstgewerbemuseum

Matthaikirchplatz, 10785 Berlin Germany +49 30 266424242 [email protected] http://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/kunstgewerbemuseum/home.html
Excellent
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4.5 based on 90 reviews

Kunstgewerbemuseum

Staatliche Museen zu Berlin closed from Saturday onwards From Saturday, 14.03.2020, onwards all buildings of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin will be closed until further notice. This measure is intended to minimise the spread of the coronavirus. We ask our visitors for their understanding. The Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts) is the oldest of its kind in Germany. It houses world-famous examples of European arts and crafts, including magnificent reliquaries made of gold and precious gemstones, exquisite vases of glass and porcelain, finely embroidered textiles, ornate inlaid furniture, and classic examples of modern industrial design. The permanent and special exhibitions hosted by the Kunstgewerbemuseum can be seen at two locations in Berlin: at the Kulturforum near Potsdamer Platz and in the picturesque setting of Schloss Kopenick on an island on the river Dahme. The Schloss Kopenick site features masterpieces of interior design from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Reviewed By operalover939 - Toronto, Canada

From the medieval Welfenschatz (Guelph treasure) to twentieth-century ceramics and glass, this is a splendid collection of treasures from many centuries. Though clearly not as popular as the Gemaeldegalerie to which it is connected by an underground passage, the Museum of Applied Art will prove rich rewarding to those who are interested in objects of use, many of them very beautiful. Highly recommended!

9. Kathe Kollwitz Museum

Fasanenstrasse 24, Berlin Germany +49 4930 8825210 [email protected] http://www.kaethe-kollwitz.de/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 228 reviews

Kathe Kollwitz Museum

Museum featuring the works of artist and pacifist Kathe Kollwitz.

Reviewed By annaputele_LV - Riga, Latvia

After spending some time in busy streets of Berlin, it was nice to turn left to a calm, nice street with beautiful architecture and green trees. This small museum holds a great collection of an amazingly talented artist of 20th century. Gives a very good insight in Kollwitz's work and life in a chronological order. You don't get tired and it is possible to enjoy every drawing and sculpture.

10. Berlinische Galerie

Alte Jakobstr. 124-128, 10969 Berlin Germany +49 4930 78902600 [email protected] http://www.berlinischegalerie.de
Excellent
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4.5 based on 288 reviews

Berlinische Galerie

The Berlinische Galerie is one of the newest museums in the German capital and collects art from Berlin dating from 1870 to the present day - with both a local and international focus. Founded in 1975, the State Museum reopened in its own building close to the Jewish Museum in 2004, moving into a spacious industrial hall that has been rebuilt to provide 4,600 square metres of exhibition space. Fine art - painting, graphics, sculpture, multimedia - photography, architecture and artists' archives provide a rich source, whose interdisciplinary relationships create exciting dialogues. Its outstanding collections include Dada Berlin, the Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) and the Eastern European avant-garde. The art of he divided and reunified city of Berlin provides another focus.

Reviewed By Maria3559

We went to see the Bauhaus exhibition here, which was really interesting + informative even if you didn't know anything about it. There were also interactive games that were fun, would be great for children. The permanent exhibition was also really worth a visit- a number of the paintings are recreated in 3D for the visually impaired which was a really lovely addition.

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