Berlin is an incredible city to explore, and there are plenty of areas where you can learn more about its history and culture. One of the best things you can do, whether you’re a first time visitor or not, is to visit some museums in Berlin. While the Pergamon is the most visited museum in the city, Berlin plays host to a wide variety of museums, and many of the newly established ones have interactive elements within them.
There are almost 200 museums in Berlin to choose from, so it can be overwhelming deciding which ones to visit if you’re only spending a few days in Berlin. While you’re planning your itinerary, take a look at Visit Berlin’s website where you can find a complete list of all of the museums in the city. If you’re in Berlin on the first Sunday of the month, around 60 museums in Berlin offer free entry too.
Museum Pass Berlin
Visiting Berlin on a budget can be tricky if you want to visit a lot of the main attractions. Some of the museums in Berlin aren’t cheap either, which is why purchasing the Museum Pass Berlin may be a good option for you. The pass grants you three days admission to over 30 museums in Berlin. This includes top museums such as those found on Museum Island.
Alternatively, the Berlin Welcome Card provides you with free local transportation throughout the city and you’ll get discounted rates on over 180 locations, including restaurants and attractions. You can upgrade to an all inclusive card too which will give you free access to a lot of the main attractions in Berlin.
Best museums in Berlin
DDR Museum
The DDR Museum is one of the best interactive museums in Berlin. It provides visitors with a unique experience where you’ll step back in time and see what everyday life was like in the German Democratic Republic. The exhibition also has information about the Berlin Wall as well as Stasi surveillance techniques. A lot of the information in the DDR Museum is found by rummaging through drawers or fully immersing yourself in a reconstructed room, so it’s a lot more interesting than other museums in Berlin.
Topography of Terror
One of the best free things to do in Berlin is to visit the Topography of Terror. It’s a highly visited place of remembrance in the city, and the exhibition focuses on the persecution and terror brought on by the Nazi regime. The building itself sits on the site of the former headquarters of the Gestapo and stands as a warning from history. The museum has both an indoor and outdoor exhibition, and it’s open late too so it’s something you can add to your list of things to do in Berlin at night.
Deutschlandmuseum
If you’re interested in learning more about the deep rooted history of Germany as a whole, then a trip to the Deutschlandmuseum is a must. This is one of the best museums in Berlin for history lovers thanks to the interactive elements that allow you to become more immersed in the stories of the past. You’ll learn about 2000 years worth of history spread out over 12 eras through projections, smells, and accessible exhibits. It’s a fantastic unique thing to do in Berlin and is still relatively new to the city’s museum scene.
Samurai Museum
The Samurai Museum is another example of the many unique museums in Berlin, but this one will transport you back in time to another continent. The museum focuses on the history and culture of the samurai, and boasts one of the largest collections of samurai objects in the world. It’s also the only museum dedicated to samurais in Europe, with plenty of interactive elements to help you engage more with this interesting topic. This museum may not be for everyone, but it’s certainly worth visiting if you have an interest in Japanese history.
Altes Museum
The oldest museum in Berlin can be found on Museum Island. The Altes Museum was completed in 1830 and is one of the most important examples of neoclassical architecture in the country. It’s a museum that’s entirely dedicated to classical antiquity, with the main floor featuring art and objects from ancient Greece that can be dated between the 10th and 1st century BC.
On the second floor you’ll see an impressive selection of ancient mintage, with coins dating back as far as the 7th century BC. The upper floor is reserved for the art and archaeology of the Etruscans and the Roman Empire. As you can see there is a lot to take in at the Altes Museum, which is what makes it one of the most visited museums in Berlin.
Neues Museum
Also nestled on Museum Island is the Neues Museum. Construction of the building was completed in 1855, and it was built as a result of the Altes Museum running out of space shortly after it opened. Through approximately 9000 objects, the Neues Museum showcases the cultural history of our ancestors in Europe and the Middle East.
The museum is most famous for displaying the bust of Nefertiti, but it’s home to a lot of other important Egyptian objects as well. It’s a lot bigger than you may think by looking at it from the outside, so plan to spend at least three hours here at a minimum.
Alte Nationalgalerie
One of the most impressive museums in Berlin is the Alte Nationalgalerie. Even if you don’t have time to go inside, the exterior of the building is breathtaking and well worth taking a photo of. The museum is home to a large collection of paintings and sculptures from the 19th century, with many famous painters such as Renoir and Cezanne on display. The exhibitions are spread out over three floors, so it can take a lot of time to walk around. However, if you just want to see the most famous works of art, the museum map will show you where to go.
Other museums to visit in Berlin
- Berlin Story Bunker
- Jewish Museum
- Bode Museum
- Pergamon Museum (currently closed for renovations)
Places to eat in Berlin
Avocado Club
Visiting the different museums in Berlin can be tiring work, which is why finding good places to eat in the city is important. Avocado Club is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a quick but healthy lunch. All of their dishes feature avocado in some way and even the drinks often include this superfruit in them. The avocados they use are all sustainably sourced too, and all parts of the avocado are used so nothing goes to waste.
I’d highly recommend the teriyaki chicken bowl paired with an avocado-coconut smoothie if you’re feeling particularly hungry. The beef on fire is also a fantastic option that’s loaded with fresh and tasty ingredients.
Spreegold Bikini
If you happen to be visiting the Berlin Zoo or the surrounding area, having lunch at Spreegold Bikini is a great option. This restaurant has a lot of classic dishes on their menu, but they also strive to stay at the forefront of new culinary trends. To keep things interesting, they’ve also introduced a rotating menu so you’re always in for a new surprise.
The menu is big, so there are a lot of great dishes to choose from. You’ll find some delicious vegetarian dishes such as the mushroom schnitzel (a favourite of mine), but their meat dishes are some of the best around. If braised ox cheeks are still on the menu when you visit, you really need to order them.
RE Cucina Bar
There are a lot of places to eat in Berlin, but if you like to support local businesses and dine at hidden gems, then you’ll love RE Cucina Bar. This intimate restaurant is cash only and their menu is small, but everything is made fresh. We sampled two of their popular pasta dishes and both of them were very tasty. This is a great restaurant in Berlin to dine at if you want to unwind in a chilled setting.
Aiko
Aiko is a unique Japanese restaurant in Berlin that focuses on sushi and fresh ramen dishes. The good thing about this restaurant is that they have a vegetarian sushi board which you don’t find in many sushi restaurants. The sushi is great but what they’re really known for is their ramen. The gyozas are a starter that I would recommend too. It’s the perfect place to come on a cold evening to warm yourself up!
Where to stay in Berlin
There are a lot of beautiful hotels in Berlin that cater to all types of budgets. Berlin is a fairly budget-friendly city, but staying in the city centre can be expensive depending on what time of the year you visit. If you’re looking for cheap places to stay in Berlin, I would recommend either the MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus or aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz. Both of these Berlin hotels are no-fuss and offer modern amenities.
How many days to spend in Berlin
If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Berlin, it all depends on what you want to do in the German capital. We’ve visited Berlin twice and still haven’t managed to see all of the attractions here. I would recommend spending at least three days in Berlin so you have enough time to join a walking tour, see some of the key points of interest, and indulge in delicious food along the way. There are plenty of free things to do in Berlin as well if you’re visiting the city on a budget.
If you have any questions about visiting Berlin or you’re not sure which museums in Berlin to add to your itinerary, please feel free to reach out. And if you think there are other museums we need to visit on our next trip to Berlin, I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can also follow my travels on Instagram where I’m always sharing more travel tips.
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