Visiting Berlin? These Museums Are A Must!

By Cindy Brzostowski, to Museum Spotlight Europe

If you’re visiting Berlin, you won’t have any trouble finding interesting museums—but you may have trouble deciding exactly which ones to visit. Germany’s capital has around 170 museums (galleries included), and it even has a place called Museum Island [Ed.: we feature Museum Island here], which is, in fact, an actual island in the middle of the city with museums on it that’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This plethora means there’s something to suit everyone’s interests but also enough choices to make someone overwhelmed at where to even start, especially if you’re visiting Berlin for just a short period of time. To help you narrow things down, we’ve put together a list of the best museums in the city so you can make the most out of your trip.

Neues Museum (New Museum)

The interest of the Neues Museum starts before you even enter its doors. Located on the aforementioned Museum Island, the museum is in an impressive neoclassical building built in the 19th century and restored in the early 2000s after severe damage during World War II. When it comes to the treasures inside, Neues Museum is comprised of three main collections: Ancient Egyptian, prehistory and early history, and classical antiquities. Amid the 9,000 items on display, one in particular has garnered the museum much fame—the limestone Nefertiti bust, which has become an icon of feminine beauty. Other highlights of this museum’s collection include the Berlin Gold Hat (a well-preserved, Late Bronze Age, gold-leaf covering for a headdress) and the Berlin Green Head (a greenschist statue head that’s known as one of the most famous art pieces from Ancient Egypt’s Late and Ptolemaic periods). But with so many wonderful objects under its roof, you’re sure to find many others that capture your interest.

Jüdisches Museum (Jewish Museum)

Telling the long and harrowing history of Jews in Germany is no simple feat, but the Jewish Museum in Berlin tackles it skillfully. The largest Jewish museum in Europe, this imposing, contemporary museum spans three buildings and is designed in such a way that masterfully supports its subject matter. For example, at the beginning of your visit, you’ll choose between three corridors or “axes” as they’re called: “exile,” “Holocaust,” and “continuity.” Each of these is meant to symbolize a path of Jewish life in the country and takes you to relevant exhibits. Then, there are the “voids,” which are literally empty spaces that function as stark reminders of the everlasting voids left by the Holocaust.

Pergamonmuseum

If ancient history is your thing, then you can’t pass up the Pergamonmuseum. The museum houses a vast collection of treasures from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Near East. You also get more bang for your buck with a visit here, as the Pergamonmuseum is essentially three museums in one—the three being the Collection of Classical Antiquities, the Museum of the Ancient Near East, and the Museum of Islamic Art. Unfortunately, the monumental Pergamon Altar from which the museum gets its name is closed for refurbishment until 2023. But, don’t fret: You can still see the beautiful Ishtar Gate of Babylon and the Roman Market Gate of Miletus, which are incredible monuments in their own right.

Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum)

What better place to learn about German history than in the German capital itself? The German Historical Museum is the country’s national historical museum, and it’s spread across two buildings: the three-centuries-old Zeughaus (or armory) and the adjacent, modern exhibition hall. While at this museum, you’ll get the chance to peruse over 7,000 objects from the Middle Ages to the 20th century on display in its permanent exhibition. You’re welcome to go through the whole museum chronologically thanks to its sequential layout, but if reliving a couple of thousands of years of history is a little too much for your afternoon, just head directly to your period of interest.

Topographie des Terrors (Topography of Terror)

The name alone already clues you in on the solemnity and seriousness of this museum. Part indoors and part outdoors, the Topography of Terror stands on the former site of the Gestapo headquarters, SS headquarters, and the Reich Security Main Office. As such, the exhibits tell of the crimes of persecution and terror that were organized by the Nazi regime on that very spot. The significance of the subject matter alone makes it a worthwhile visit, but if you were still on the fence about going, know that admission is free. If you’d like, you can get an audio guide for your visit.

Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery)

Another resident of Berlin’s Museum Island, the Alte Nationalgalerie offers visitors a tour through 19th-century art. This collection includes Neoclassical, Romantic, and Impressionist works as well as a floor of sculptures and an impressive collection of paintings by Adolph Menzel, who was known for being one of the leading German painters of the 19th century. If you’re looking to get a glimpse of the highlights while here, you should make an effort to check out “The Monk by the Sea” by Caspar David Friedrich, “In the Conservatory” by Eduoard Manet, and “Flute Concert with Frederick the Great in Sanssouci” by Adolph Menzel. Take some time to admire the building itself too, which was constructed in the late 19th century and styled after a classic Greek temple.

Stasi Museum

Housed in none other than the former headquarters for the Ministry of State Security, the Stasi Museum delves into how exactly East Germany’s secret police ran their frightening state surveillance operations. While here, you can’t skip seeing the office of former GDR Minister of State Security Erich Mielke, who led the Stasi starting from 1957 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, as the space is preserved in its original condition. You’ll also get a glimpse of the incredible types of spy technology the Stasi used to gather intel and get to hear testimonies from those who found themselves under the Stasi’s close observation.

Deutsches Technikmuseum (German Museum of Technology)

You won’t be able to miss the German Museum of Technology when walking by—it’s the one with the big plane on top (a Douglas C-47B Skytrain “Raisin Bomber” to be exact)! This museum features technology old and new, including exhibitions on aerospace, shipping and navigation, rail transport, road traffic, telecommunications, photo technology, and more. Two great features of the German Museum of Technology are the historical brewery and its museum park, which has historical windmills, a forge, and a water tower. Since there are many demonstrations and activities offered throughout the museum, it makes for a great choice for those with children part of their group.