Museum Island
A UNESCO cluster of five great museums on an island in the Spree - from the Pergamon's ancient wonders to the bust of Nefertiti, the heart of Berlin's culture.
Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map
Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Museum Island is a UNESCO ensemble of five great museums crowded onto an island in the river Spree, the cultural heart of Berlin. Together they hold treasures spanning millennia, from the monumental ancient architecture of the Pergamon Museum and the painted bust of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti in the Neues Museum to old master paintings and classical antiquities, a concentration of world heritage rare anywhere.
What you actually see
- The Pergamon Museum - the monumental ancient altars and gates (partly under renovation).
- The bust of Nefertiti - the famous painted queen in the Neues Museum.
- The Old National Gallery - the nineteenth-century paintings.
- The Berlin Cathedral - the great domed cathedral beside the island.
When to go
Year-round; indoor museums, ideal in poor weather. Note that the Pergamon Museum is largely closed for major renovation for several years, so check what is open before planning around it.
Honest expectations
The star Pergamon Museum is largely closed for a long renovation, so check what is open before you go. Seeing all five museums is too much for one visit, so pick your priorities. A combined ticket and booking ahead help with the popular ones.
Nearby
The Berlin Cathedral and the Lustgarten are beside the island; Unter den Linden is alongside.
What to pack for Museum Island
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
