Museum Island (Museumsinsel)

Each of Museum Island’s five museums is impressive in its own way. The Pergamon is home to classical antiques, artifacts from ancient civilizations, and Middle Eastern and Islamic art. The Bode Museum boasts a large coin collection and a number of Byzantine-era sculptures. The Altes Museum is significant for its neoclassical architecture and Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities. The Neues features prehistoric and Egyptian artifacts, and the Alte Nationalgalerie showcases works of classicism, romanticism, impressionism, and more.

You can pay for each museum individually or purchase a 3-day Museum Pass Berlin that includes admission to more than 30 museums and exhibitions. Tours to Museum Island generally discuss the buildings’ significance, from their architecture to the prized pieces housed inside. A number of tours also include skip-the-line access to the two most popular museums, the Pergamon and the Neues. Berlin hop-off hop-off bus tours stop at the island.

• Museum Island is a must-visit for those who love history, architecture, and art.

• Cloakroom service is available for storing coats, jackets, and bulky items that may pose a safety issue inside the exhibits.

• All five Museum Island buildings are accessible to wheelchair users.

Museum Island is located just a short walk from Brandenburg Gate. Take the U2 to either Spittelmarkt or Märkisches Museum, the closest stops to the museums, and walk across the bridge. Alternatively, take the S5, S7, S9, or S75 commuter train to Hackescher Markt station, or the M1 or 12 tram to the Georgenstr./Am Kupfergraben stop.

The museums are open from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday through Sunday and until 8pm on Thursday; all are closed on Monday. Berlin gets quite crowded in summer, so it’s recommended to purchase skip-the-line access tickets during this time, or visit during the shoulder months.

Museum Island began in 1830 with the opening of the Altes Museum, which housed a number of artifacts. By 1930, all five structures were built and housed various historical and artistic works. Many buildings were badly damaged during World War II, and after 1945, the island was in East Germany under Soviet control, who fixed only minor damages. Since 1999, the island has undergone extensive repairs to return it to its former glory.