With a staggering 175 museums, Berlin is a treasure trove for cultured travellers. Whilst cranes clutter the skyline and the city changes almost beyond recognition, it’s still steeped in a monumental history, with a love of the archaic and aesthetic. It’s a city that’s not afraid to look to its own past to shed light on its future.
Covering everything from computer games to the darkly absurd Stasi surveillance methods, there truly is a Berlin museum for everyone. If you’re used to the free museums in London, the entry fees can seem a little steep. But with a bit of planning you can still get your culture fix on a backpacker’s budget, especially if you book a stay in one of Berlin’s best hostels. There are several free museums in Berlin, plus if you plan to visit more than one address on this list, then a Berlin museum pass can save you loads of money. Try the 24-hour Berlin Museum Island Pass (which gives you access to the 5 of the best museums in Berlin for €18, instead of €10-12 each) or the Welcome Card (which gives you free and reduced entry to loads of museums and other attractions, plus unlimited public transport – from €19.90).
So which Berlin museums should you make a beeline for? Here’s our pick of the best.
1. Neues Museum
Built in the 19th century by one of Berlin’s most famous and prolific architects, Friedrich August Stüler, the New Museum (“Neues Museum”) was all but destroyed during WW2. It remained a bombed out ruin for years under GDR rule, before being restored and reopened by British architect David Chipperfield in 1999. The new building, made from recycled bricks and retaining some original elements, is an exquisite mix of old and new, or in Chipperfield’s words: “The contemporary reflects the lost, but without imitating it.”
Inside the stunning building you’ll find a vast collection of Egyptian art and classical antiquities, plus one of the city’s most famous artefacts: the bust of Nefertiti. Created in 1345 B.C, it’s one of the most copied pieces of Egyptian art ever and truly is a thing of beauty.
Address: Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin
Price: €12
Why Visit: Home to the legendary bust of Nefertiti, and incredible Egyptian and prehistoric collections.
Insider’s Tip: “Visit early to skip queues and enjoy exhibits calmly.”
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2. Berlin Wall Memorial
? @emma.v.martell
? @emma.v.martell
If you really want to understand the Berlin Wall, skip the crowds at the East Side Gallery and Checkpoint Charlie and head to this moving and totally free museum just north of the centre. The museum explains how and why the wall came about, with footage of its construction. A viewing platform allows you to see a section of the wall as it was, complete with death strip and watchtowers, whilst plaques at ground level mark the many escape tunnels dug by desperate East Germans, with information about how many people died or escaped there.
This is one of the most moving museums in Berlin, and really helps those who didn’t experience the horror first hand understand the impact of the Berlin Wall on ordinary people’s lives.
Address: Bernauer Straße 111, 13355 Berlin Price: Free Why Visit: Authentic site preserving Berlin Wall remnants and powerful historical documentation. Insider’s Tip: “Join a guided tour for compelling stories from locals.”
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3. Pergamon Museum – (Closed for renovation until 2027)
? @jackhu_
This is one of Germany’s most visited museums, and with good reason. It houses extraordinary reconstructions of archaeological excavations including the Pergamon Altar, the Market Gate of Miletus, the Mshatta Facade and the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way from Babylon. If you fancy gazing in awe at something big and decadent, this is the place to do it.
Address: Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin
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4. Stasi Museum
? Stasi Museum / ASTAK e.V, / John Steer
Located in the former Stasi HQ, this museum is a must for fans of the Oscar-winning classic The Lives Of Others, which was shot here. Walking around the huge, austere offices and boardrooms, you’ll get a chilling insight into life in East Berlin under Socialist rule. Keep an eye out for the primitive covert surveillance devices, featuring cameras clumsily hidden in watering cans, ties and behind buttons. What makes a visit to this Berlin museum so memorable, besides the aesthetics, is the unsettling mix of eeriness and absurdity.
Address: Ruschestraße 103, 10365 Berlin Price: €10 (Adults), €8 (Students) Why Visit: Explore the secret world of East Germany’s notorious state security. Authentic offices preserved just as they were during the Cold War. Insider’s Tip: “Don’t skip the guided tour—hearing personal stories from former East Germans makes this an unforgettable visit.”
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5. Jewish Museum Berlin
? @smuffie
Opened in 2001, in an old baroque building re-imagined by world-famous architect Daniel Libeskind, this is a hugely important and popular Berlin museum. The permanent exhibition focuses on Jewish life in Germany through history, with artworks, texts, and plenty of interactive elements. For a few Euros you can even purchase a piece of art by a talented Berlin-based Jewish artist from a vending machine. Of course, the museum also explores the devastating period for Jews in Berlin leading up to and during WW2. Viewed alongside the other exhibits, the all-too-familiar facts of the holocaust are somehow all the more disturbing.
Address: Lindenstraße 9-14, 10969 Berlin Price: €8 (Adults), €3 (Students), Free under 18 Why Visit: Architect Daniel Libeskind’s thought-provoking design hosts powerful exhibits on Jewish history and culture. Insider’s Tip: “Spend extra time in the ‘Garden of Exile’—it’s an incredibly moving, reflective space.”
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6. Natural History Museum
? @hzr_93
When is a museum more than a museum? Well, when that museum is also a research facility, dedicated to the study of life and planet Earth, meaning a constantly evolving collection as new and important discoveries are made. The collection consists of over 30 million items and counting – more are being added as you read this – covering zoology, palaeontology, geology and mineralogy. That means there are bugs and rocks and snails and lizards and fossils and fishes, birds, mammals, snakes, frogs, plants, meteorites, you name it…
Address: Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin Price: €8 Why Visit: Dinosaurs, fossils, and immersive exhibits for all ages. Insider’s Tip: “Great for families—don’t miss the T-Rex!”
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7. Museum Berggruen
? Staatliche Museen zu Berlin / hc-krass.de
Don’t be put off by its location on the western outskirts of the city; this is one of the best museums in Berlin and home to some seriously impressive works from the likes of Giacometti, Picasso, Klee and Matisse. Although it doesn’t look it on the map, this Berlin modern art museum, located next door to Charlottenburg Palace, is actually surprisingly easy to reach with a fast S-Bahn train from Alexanderplatz in the centre taking around 30 minutes.
Address: Schloßstraße 1, 14059 Berlin Price: €10 Why Visit: Incredible artworks by Picasso, Klee, Matisse. Insider’s Tip: “Combine with Charlottenburg Palace visit.”
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8. Topography of Terror
? @psfitz
? Stefan Müller / Stiftung Topographie des Terrors
This free Berlin museum focuses on the terrible crimes that Hitler’s SS committed throughout Europe, with photographs and texts, as well as audio and film recordings. Located on the site of its former headquarters, the open-air exhibition is a shocking, sobering experience, and does what any good museum should do: it makes you reflect on what it is to be alive.
Address: Niederkirchnerstraße 8, 10963 Berlin Price: Free Why Visit: Built on the former Gestapo and SS headquarters site, this museum delivers a powerful lesson on Nazi Germany. Insider’s Tip: “Combine your visit with Checkpoint Charlie nearby for deeper insight into Berlin’s complex history.”
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9. Old National Gallery
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? papaque_
Dreamed up by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, who imagined a “sanctuary for art and science”, the museum is a temple-like building home to an extraordinary art collection, including Romantic and Impressionist masterpieces, works by Manet, Monet, Cezanne, Schinkel, and a world-class collection of paintings by German Realist Adolph Menzel. The seed of the Old National Gallery (“Alte Nationalgalerie”) dates back to a gift from a banker in the 19th century, putting pay to the common notion that all bankers are wicked and greedy individuals (at least, they didn’t used to be!).
Address: Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin Price: €10 Why Visit: Romantic and impressionist masterpieces. Insider’s Tip: “Head straight to Monet’s works.”
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10. Bode Museum
This exquisitely designed museum, extensively renovated and reopened in 2006, mainly exhibits sculptures, including masterpieces such as Donatello’s ‘Pazzi Madonna’ and Antonio Canova’s ‘Dancer’, the iconic ‘Tarquinius und Lucretia’ by Petro Tacca, as well as an important German sculpture by Tilman Riemenschneider and Ignaz Günther. There’s also an impressive collection of Byzantine art ranging from the 3rd to the 15th century, including carvings, mosaics and religious objects. As you walk around the museum among the relics and statues, you’ll start to feel a wonderful calm descend.
Address: Am Kupfergraben, 10117 Berlin Price: €10, included in Museum Island pass Why Visit: Renowned for its outstanding collection of sculptures, Byzantine art, and historical coins housed within stunning baroque architecture. Insider’s Tip: “Visit at sunset—views from the entrance are absolutely beautiful, overlooking the River Spree.”
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11. DDR Museum
? DDR Museum, Berlin 2017
Despite the potentially dour subject matter, the DDR Museum paints a fascinating and surprisingly fun and colourful illustration of life in East Berlin before the wall came down. This is partly thanks to its interactive nature: ‘Everything is waiting to be touched or felt’ here. You can have a poke around the reconstruction of an East German apartment, gaudy wallpaper and all; find out what it was like to sit in an interrogation room; listen to examples of East German pop music; and even explore the cheeky exhibition detailing the Communist fascination with nudity. The museum is noisy, lively, and altogether quite unexpected. Don’t forget to try a bottle of East German-style lemony cola (named “Vita Cola”) at the cafe afterwards. Very refreshing indeed.
Address: Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1, 10178 Berlin Price: €12.50 (Adults), €7 (Students) Why Visit: Interactive and immersive, experience daily life in East Germany firsthand—from Trabants to authentic DDR apartments. Insider’s Tip: “Engage with the exhibits! Sitting inside the tiny Trabant car is always a fun photo op.”
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12. Käthe Kollwitz Museum
Dedicated to one of Germany’s most influential female artists, the Käthe Kollwitz Museum houses the biggest collection of timeless drawings, etchings and sculptures. Housed in a grand residential building in West Berlin, these timeless works depict war, poverty, suffering, and love. There is a deep sense of humanity in every work, and despite the often bleak subject matter, you will leave feeling reborn.
Address: Fasanenstraße 24, 10719 Berlin Price: €7 Why Visit: Deeply moving artworks by influential artist Käthe Kollwitz. Insider’s Tip: “Reflective experience—prepare to be moved.”
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13. Old Museum
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Housed in an iconic Neoclassical building that was completed in 1830, the Old Museum (“Altes Museum”) contains the city’s collection of classical antiquities, including works from ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, and one of the largest collections of Etruscan art outside of Italy. Prepare to be dazzled by bronzes, urns, statues, ceramics, carved ivory, precious stones, vases and cultural artefacts.
Address: Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin
Price: €10 (included in Museum Island pass)
Why Visit: Magnificent neoclassical architecture and an impressive collection of classical antiquities, showcasing Greek, Roman, and Etruscan artefacts.
Insider’s Tip: “Don’t miss the stunning rotunda—perfect for photography and soaking up the grand atmosphere.“
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14. Deutsche Kinemathek – CLOSED
? Hans Scherhaufer / Deutsche Kinemathek
? Marian Stefanowski / Deutsche Kinemathek
Berlin’s role in the history of cinema cannot be understated: the film-making capital of Germany, the city pioneered the horror film (with iconic films such as Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr Caligari), science fiction (with Metropolis), and was a massive influence on American cinema, with the Hollywood melodrama and crime genres of the 1950s having their genesis in German film. This rich history can be explored at the Kinemathek on Potsdamerplatz, a very modern film museum that delves back into the origin of the artform, and begins with a marvellously immersive walk through a futuristic hall of mirrors.
Address: Potsdamer Straße 2, Mitte 10785
15. The Hohenschoenhausen (Stasi Prison)
? Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen/Gvoon
A fascinating and at times frightening museum, this former Stasi prison is a little way out of the city, and not much publicised, but well worth the visit. Machine gun towers, barbed wire, cells without windows, water torture facilities… this is not a place for the faint-hearted. But, combined with a visit to the Stasimuseum, it paints a necessary and grim picture of a notorious era in Berlin’s history. The guided tours are often led by former inmates of the prison, and are well worth doing.
Address: Genslerstraße 66, 13055 Berlin Price: Free (guided tours recommended, donations welcomed) Why Visit: Experience a chilling yet essential insight into East Germany’s notorious Stasi prison, guided by former inmates for authentic personal accounts. Insider’s Tip: “Book a guided tour in advance; it profoundly enhances your understanding of this sobering place.”
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16. Allied Museum
? @char.ro
If you wanted to see the actual guard’s booth that was used at Checkpoint Charlie, don’t go to Friedrichstraße, but head to the Allied Museum in Zehlendorf. The museum looks at what life was like in the Western half of the divided city after the Second World War, when it was occupied by the Americans, British and French, right up to when the Allies withdrew in 1994. Located in a former US Army cinema, near what used to the be headquarters of the US Army in Berlin, the Allied Museum has a wealth of intriguing exhibits, including a segment of an American and British spy tunnel used to listen to Soviet communications, and a magnificent RAF Hastings plane used in the Cold War-era airlift, in response to the Soviet Union blocking supply routes to West Berlin.
Address: Clayallee 135, 14195 Berlin Price: Free Why Visit: Explore the intriguing history of Allied forces in Berlin after WWII, including original Checkpoint Charlie booth and Cold War espionage exhibits. Insider’s Tip: “Don’t miss the RAF Hastings plane outside—perfect for Cold War history buffs.”
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17. Currywurst museum
? Deutsches Currywurst Museum Berlin
Okay, this one’s a little bit naff, but who can resist a novelty lifesize sausage? Not us. The museum is, of course, dedicated to Berlin’s iconic streetfood dish, which consists of diced sausage smothered in a curried sauce and served with chips. In the museum you’ll learn about how the dish was invented in the 1940s and what ingredients go into making this beloved snack, before tasting it for yourself whilst sitting on a sofa shaped like – you guessed it – a giant sausage.
Address: Bülowstraße 7, 10783 Berlin Price: Free Why Visit: Discover a vibrant celebration of street art and contemporary urban culture, showcasing incredible murals and artwork from global artists. Insider’s Tip: “Explore nearby streets, as stunning street art continues outside the museum walls!”
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18. Ramones Museum
Founded in 2005, this museum attract fans of the iconic, influential New York rock band from far and wide. It’s the only one of its kind and displays over 1000 original artefacts from The Ramones, spanning the band’s career from 1974 to 1996, and including posters, unpublished photos, signed memorabilia, stage clothing, instruments, handwritten letters, song lyrics, and unusual merchandise. Afterwards, you can invest in a cool Ramones T-shirt in the gift shop. Hey, ho, you should go…
Address: Oberbaumstraße 5, Kreuzberg 10997
Admission: €3.50
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19. Computer Games Museum
? Jörg Metzner / Computerspielmuseum
The museum opened in 2011 with over 300 exhibits that take you from the origins of the videogame (remember Pong?) right up to its astounding, ongoing development into virtual reality and beyond. This is a wonderful museum, and the best bit is, you can play computer games old and new, including arcade machines of Donkey Kong, Asteroids and Space Invaders. It’s not only an enjoyable nostalgia trip, but you’ll come out thinking “I have seen the future.”
Address: Oberbaumstraße 5, 10997 Berlin Price: €3.50 Why Visit: A must-see for music lovers, featuring over 1,000 original artefacts from legendary punk rock band The Ramones, including rare memorabilia. Insider’s Tip: “Grab a coffee in the café afterwards and pick up unique Ramones merchandise!”
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20. Märkisches Museum
? @rodykle
? Stadtmuseum Berlin / christina Sieber
Located on the banks of the Spree, this is an exhibition of artefacts related to the culture and and history of the city, with a permanent exhibit, ‘Here is Berlin!’, where you can stroll through the streets and districts of Berlin and experience how Berlin has changed over the course of several centuries (and afterwards, of course, step outside and see what the city is like right now).
Address: Am Köllnischen Park 5, 10179 Berlin Price: €4 Why Visit: Offers a captivating insight into Berlin’s rich history and urban culture, with exhibits spanning centuries of the city’s fascinating development. Insider’s Tip: “Stroll along the nearby River Spree after your visit for beautiful views of historic Berlin.”
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Berlin Museum Passes: Save Money on Entry Fees
Visiting multiple museums? A museum pass could save you money and hassle:
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Berlin Museum Island Pass (€18) – Access to 5 top museums on Museum Island. -
Berlin Welcome Card (€19.90+) – Discounted museum tickets + unlimited public transport. -
Berlin Pass (€99) – Entry to 50+ attractions, including museums and guided tours.
Insider’s Tip: If you plan to visit 2 or more museums, a pass will often be cheaper than individual tickets!
Quirky & Offbeat Museums in Berlin
Tired of traditional museums? Try these unique picks:
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Designpanoptikum – A bizarre collection of surreal mechanical objects. -
Science Center Spectrum – Fun, interactive science exhibits. -
Monsterkabinett – A creepy underground robotic art museum.
Insider’s Tip: Berlin has museums for literally everything—even sausages and spies!
Instagram-Worthy Museums & Photo Spots
Looking for aesthetic backdrops? These museums are perfect for social media snaps:
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Bode Museum – Stunning neoclassical architecture on Museum Island.
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East Side Gallery – World’s largest open-air street art museum.
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Urban Nation Museum – Vibrant murals and modern installations.
Insider’s Tip: Visit early morning or on weekdays for the best shots without crowds!
Best Time to Visit Berlin Museums
Want to avoid long queues and make the most of your time?
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Weekdays (Tue-Thu) – Fewer crowds, better museum experience. -
Mornings (Before 11 AM) – Best time to visit popular museums like Neues Museum & DDR Museum. -
Museum Night (Lange Nacht der Museen) – Visit 75+ museums after dark, with special events!
Insider’s Tip: Check museum websites for free entry days—many offer discounts on certain evenings!
Packing Tips for a Museum Day in Berlin
Planning a full day of museum-hopping? Here’s what to bring:
Comfortable shoes – You’ll be walking A LOT. Light backpack – Some museums require bag checks. Museum pass / student ID – Discounts available! Notebook / phone – Jot down your favourite exhibits. Water & snacks – Some museums have cafes, but they can be pricey!
Insider’s Tip: Check if lockers are available, especially if you’re carrying a big bag.
Final Thoughts: Berlin’s Museums – Where History Meets Inspiration
Berlin’s museums are more than just buildings filled with artefacts—they are portals into the soul of the city. From ancient wonders to cutting-edge contemporary art, each museum tells a story, offering a glimpse into Berlin’s past, present, and future.
For history buffs, Berlin is a living museum, with remnants of the Berlin Wall and Cold War espionage still shaping the cityscape. For art lovers, the city pulses with creativity, from classical masterpieces to vibrant street art. And for the curious traveller, Berlin’s museums offer a chance to see the world through different perspectives.
“Berlin is not a city that forgets. It’s a city that transforms.”
So, whether you’re walking through the halls of Neues Museum, standing before a giant T-Rex skeleton, or stepping inside a Cold War surveillance room, remember: you’re not just visiting museums—you’re stepping into stories, emotions, and history itself.
Go explore, get inspired, and let Berlin’s museums blow your mind! 
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There are more than enough museums in Berlin to keep you busy, but don’t forget about all the other amazing things to do in Berlin.
