The Best Museums in Berlin: A Local’s Guide to History, Art & Free Things To Do
With over 170 museums to choose from in Berlin (that’s more than one museum for every rainy day!), it can be hard to know where to start. Below, I’ve curated some of my favourite museums in the city. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or travelling with kids, I’ve got some great recommendations for you!
Best History Museums in Berlin
The best history museums in Berlin are free! So if you’re paying to learn about history, do a swift u-turn and visit one of the suggestions below.
Best Cold War Museum
I absolutely love the ‘Everyday Life in the GDR’ museum in the Kulturbrauerei in the north of Berlin. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions about various aspects of life under the SED (East Germany’s ruling socialist party). The permanent exhibition is full of detailed information (in German and English) about how people lived, dealt with material shortages, and found small moments of freedom within an otherwise restrictive society.
As a bonus, I also love the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse for more insights into the division of Germany.
Best Third Reich Museum
If you’d like to learn more about the Third Reich while in Berlin, I strongly recommend the Topography of Terror, located on the former site of the SS Reich Security Main Office (Gestapo headquarters) between 1933 and 1945.
Start with the outdoor exhibition, where you’ll see remains of the Gestapo’s cellars, before heading inside to explore the main exhibition. It documents, through images and text, the 12 years of Nazi rule and the crimes they committed. I usually recommend spending about 1.5 hours here, long enough to take it all in without feeling overwhelmed.
Best Holocaust Museums
Okay, I’m cheating a bit with this one because there are actually three I’d recommend.
The first is the Jewish Museum, which is one of the most comprehensive and emotional museums I’ve ever visited. The first time I went, I spent 3.5 hours here and still didn’t get through everything, but you can get a solid overview in around 2 hours. It’s free, but I recommend booking a time slot in summer to avoid long waits, as it gets busy.
Just across the road is the ANOHA Museum, the children’s section of the Jewish Museum. It’s an interactive play space designed for younger kids (around 8 and under)—a great way to unwind with little ones after visiting the main museum.
Finally, I recommend the Information Centre underneath the Holocaust Memorial near Brandenburg Gate. It takes about 1.5 hours to explore and really helps contextualise the memorial above—a must-see if you’re visiting. Just be aware that there’s airport-style security at the entrance.
Best Museums for Families
There are plenty of great kid-friendly museums in Berlin. Aside from ANOHA (mentioned above), here are a few more I highly recommend.
Spy Museum
A great choice for a rainy day, the Berlin Spy Museum is packed with interactive exhibits that explore the world of espionage. Kids will love the laser maze and code-cracking challenges. The museum is best for children aged 8 and over, and I’d plan to spend 1.5 to 2 hours here.
Museum für Naturkunde (Natural History Museum)
Home to the world’s largest dinosaur skeleton, the Berlin Natural History Museum is seriously impressive. Alongside its enormous dinosaur fossils, it has interactive exhibits on evolution, meteorites, and taxidermy—a must-visit for any curious kids (or adults!).
Best Art Galleries in Berlin
Berlin has some fantastic art museums and galleries, whether you’re into classical masterpieces or modern art.
Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery)
If you’re a fan of 19th-century art, the Old National Gallery is a must-visit. Its collection includes works by Caspar David Friedrich, Claude Monet, and Auguste Renoir, among others. The building itself is also beautiful, perched on Museum Island in the heart of Berlin.
Neue Nationalgalerie (New National Gallery)
For modern art lovers, the New National Gallery focuses on 20th-century masterpieces, including works by Pablo Picasso, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and Paul Klee. The museum recently underwent a major renovation and is well worth a visit.
Best Alternative Galleries and Museums
Berlin is known for its alternative art scene, and there are some incredible galleries and museums showcasing contemporary and street art.
Urban Nation
A paradise for street art lovers, Urban Nation is one of Berlin’s best contemporary art museums, dedicated to graffiti, murals, and urban creativity. The museum is free and features works from some of the biggest names in international street art.
C/O Berlin (Photography Gallery)
If you’re into photography, C/O Berlin is a fantastic space featuring rotating exhibitions from some of the world’s most renowned photographers. It’s housed in an old post office building near Bahnhof Zoo, adding to its unique atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or travelling with kids, Berlin has an incredible variety of museums to explore. Many of the best museums are free (except the art galleries), so there’s no need to splurge on overpriced attractions!
