Review: Museum Island

What’s this place all about? Berlin's Smithsonian on the Spree, Museumsinsel (“Museum Island”) is a UNESCO-inscribed collection of five world-class museums and a must-see for anyone coming to Berlin. Spanning 6,000 years of art and history, the island’s ensemble of venues (The Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Pergamonmuseum—closed until at least 2027—and Bode Museum) represent the pinnacle of Germany’s museum collection. Here, visitors can come face to face with Nefertiti; ascend an ancient altar dedicated to Zeus; and marvel at Monet, Cézanne, and Degas’ landscapes before crossing the bridge back to mainland Berlin.

What are the highlights of each museum? Each museum on the island has its own distinct specialty. Opened in 1830, the Altes Museum (Old Museum) is the oldest of the five and is housed in a striking neoclassical building surrounded by a garden. Inside, it houses a wealth of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman antiquities. Behind it, the Neues Museum (New Museum) is home to perhaps the island’s most popular treasure: a 3,300-year-old bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti. Nearby, the Corinthian temple–shaped Alte Nationalgalerie displays artwork from the neoclassical through the early modernist periods, including a parade of 19th-century French masters, like Monet, Manet, Renoir, and more. The Pergamonmuseum is the island’s largest and most popular museum; like the Altes, it focuses on the ancient world, expanding from Roman and Greek antiquities into Babylon and the Middle East. Finally, the Bode-Museum showcases one of Europe’s greatest collections of sculpture, including German, Italian, and French pieces from the Gothic to neoclassical periods.

Are there any special exhibits we should be sure to see, or strategies for navigating such a massive array of art? While the museums occasionally feature special exhibits, their true strength lies in their rich permanent collections. In fact, the five museums are so vast, and their displays so impressive, that we sincerely don’t recommend trying to take in more than one or two in a day. Often, you may find yourself marveling at the museums as much as the artifacts they hold. The Altes Museum is housed in a striking neoclassical building surrounded by a garden. British architect David Chipperfield masterfully rebuilt and restored The Neues Museum after it was badly bombed during World War II. The Alte Nationalgalerie is modeled after a Corinthian temple—its sweeping staircases, grand domed entrance, and neo-Baroque facade of the Bode-Museum are breathtaking. The Pergamonmuseum has been undergoing extensive renovation for years; it’s fully closed until at least spring 2027, at which time the Pergamon Altar and other sections will reopen—though other parts of the collection will still be closed until 2037. In the meantime, you can visit the appealing Pergamon Panorama next door, which offers a 360-degree view of ancient Pergamon along with a few statues and other objects on display.

Anything we should remember before planning a visit? Make no mistake: The island is crowded, especially on rainy days. Coming early and on weekdays will help, but you’ll never have the place to yourself. There are plenty of people who simply purchase a €24 joint ticket for all the museums and beeline to each museum’s most boldfaced site before pacing off. That said, there are certainly pockets of each museum that are quiet enough for you to peacefully take in each display. As a general rule, while the Pergamonmuseum is closed, the Neues Museum is probably the most crowded of the bunch.

On the practical tip, how were the facilities? Thanks to well-placed benches, fast elevators, and accessible entrances, the island (which is conveniently compact) is a breeze to navigate. A hint for multi-museum goers: Start at the recently built James-Simon-Galerie, which functions as a visitor center (you can buy tickets and check your coat here), then head directly to the Neues Museum. After that, hit the Pergamon Panorama and the Altes Museum, then continue to the Bode-Museum, and finally backtrack to the Alte Nationalgalerie.

Is the café worth a stop? Need a break? The closest cafes are Allegretto Caffè, inside the Neues Museum, the much fancier cafe inside the Bode-Museum, and bright and airy Cu 29 inside the James-Simon-Galerie. However, we recommend going outside, getting some fresh air, and relaxing. The splashing fountain at Lustgarten Park or the shady James Simon Park nearby are wonderful spots for a picnic, and they're both within walking distance of a wealth of cafes.

Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? If you were to buy a €24 joint ticket to all museums and only hit the highlights, it would likely take you a brisk three hours. If that's your plan, be sure to see the bronzed Praying Boy in the Altes Museum, Queen Nefertiti’s gorgeous face at the Neues Museum, the 360-degree panorama at the Pergamon Panorama, the French impressionist masters at the Alte Nationalgalerie, and the early Italian Renaissance sculptures at the Bode-Museum.