A neoclassical temple rises on a plinth above Museum Island, housing Germany‘s finest collection of 19th-century art. The building looks more suited to ancient Athens than industrial-age Berlin — which is precisely what architect Friedrich August Stüler intended when he modelled it on a Greek temple in 1876.
To skip the detail and buy a skip-the-line entry ticket, head this way.
Quick overview
Standard admission costs €14 (reduced €8). During special exhibitions, prices increase to €16/€8, and discount passes require a €6/€3 surcharge. The museum opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–6pm.
Museum Island is in central Berlin between the Spree River and Spree Canal. The Museumsinsel U-Bahn station opened in 2021, putting visitors within a five-minute walk of all five museums. Parking is difficult — public transport is strongly recommended.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €14 (€8 reduced) | Tue–Sun 10am–6pm | Bodestraße, 10178 Berlin | Under-18s | 30 minutes before closing |
How much does the Alte Nationalgalerie cost?
Standard admission is €14 for adults and €8 for those entitled to concessions. However, during major special exhibitions, separate pricing applies.
Standard admission (permanent collection only)
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €14.00 | Ages 18+ |
| Reduced | €8.00 | Students, unemployed, 50%+ disability |
| Under-18s | Free | Anyone under 18 (€0 ticket required) |
| Museum Island Day Ticket | €24.00 | Access to all 5 Museum Island museums |
| Museum Pass Berlin | €32.00 | 3-day pass to 30+ Berlin museums |
The surcharge situation is confusing but necessary to understand: if you hold the Museum Pass Berlin or Berlin WelcomeCard All Inclusive, these normally grant free admission to the Alte Nationalgalerie. During major special exhibitions, you must purchase a €6 (or €3 reduced) surcharge ticket in addition to showing your pass.
What time does the Alte Nationalgalerie open?
Tuesday to Sunday: 10am–6pm
Monday: Closed
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. The museum recommends arriving 15 minutes early to allow time for cloakroom procedures and security checks.
Special closures: Check the official website for public holiday hours. German museums often close on 24 December and have reduced hours on 31 December and 1 January.
Do I need to book Alte Nationalgalerie tickets in advance?
Online booking is strongly recommended to avoid queuing, particularly during special exhibitions.
Under-18s receive free admission but must still obtain a €0 ticket, either online or at the museum desk. Families should book adult tickets online, then collect children’s tickets on arrival by showing ID.
Parking advice
There is no dedicated parking at the Alte Nationalgalerie or anywhere on Museum Island. Street parking in Mitte district is expensive, heavily restricted, and almost impossible to find.
The few public car parks near Museum Island charge €3–€4 per hour with daily maximums around €25. Nearest options include:
- Hackescher Markt Car Park (Dircksenstraße 1)
- Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz (Alexanderstraße 7)
Both fill quickly on weekends. Berlin residents and regular visitors universally advise against driving to Museum Island.
Better alternatives: Park-and-ride facilities on Berlin’s S-Bahn network (such as S-Bhf Birkenwerder or S-Bhf Potsdam Hauptbahnhof) allow you to park for free and take the train into central Berlin. A day ticket for zones AB costs €9.50 and covers unlimited travel.
Public transport is by far the easiest option. U-Bahn line U5 stops at Museumsinsel station, a 5-minute walk from the museum. S-Bahn lines stop at Friedrichstraße and Hackescher Markt (both 10 minutes’ walk). Tram M1 and 12 stop at Am Kupfergraben.
History
In 1861, banker Joachim Heinrich Wilhelm Wagener died and bequeathed 262 paintings to the Prussian state — on condition they be displayed publicly. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV had already proposed a cultural complex on the island between the Spree’s two channels, envisioning a “sanctuary for art and science.”
Architect Friedrich August Stüler designed the Alte Nationalgalerie to resemble an ancient temple raised on a high stepped platform. The building opened in 1876, two years after Stüler’s death. His design consciously referenced classical antiquity to suggest the eternal nature of great art.
The equestrian statue on the front steps depicts Friedrich Wilhelm IV himself — the king who first imagined Museum Island. Sculptor Albert Wolff based the figure on imperial Roman statuary.
During the Nazi period, authorities confiscated works by artists they deemed “degenerate” — Jewish artists, modernists, and anyone whose politics they opposed. In 1937, 73 paintings and hundreds of prints were removed from the Nationalgalerie’s collections. Many were destroyed; others were sold abroad and now reside in international museums.
Allied bombing during the Second World War severely damaged the building. The collection had been evacuated to various locations across Germany, but the structure itself suffered extensive destruction. Post-war restoration took decades.
East Germany controlled Museum Island from 1945 to 1990. The Alte Nationalgalerie reopened in 1950 but operated separately from West Berlin’s museums. German reunification in 1990 allowed the scattered collections to be reassembled — though some works confiscated by the Nazis were never recovered.
Between 1998 and 2001, the museum underwent comprehensive renovation to ensure its place as one of Europe’s great art museums. Architect HG Merz restored historic details whilst adding modern climate control and lighting systems. The reopening in 2001 presented the collection in a way closer to the museum’s original 19th-century arrangement.
What to see at the Alte Nationalgalerie
The permanent collection spans the 19th century from Neoclassicism through Romanticism, Biedermeier, Impressionism, and early Modernism. Works are arranged chronologically across three floors.
Caspar David Friedrich’s “Monk by the Sea” (1808–1810) is one of German Romanticism’s most famous paintings. A solitary figure stands before an empty seascape — just sand, sea, and sky. The painting’s radical simplicity shocked contemporary viewers who expected more traditional composition.
The Prinzessinnengruppe (Princesses Group) by Johann Gottfried Schadow greets visitors at the entrance. This double portrait shows Prussian princesses Luise and Friederike in flowing neoclassical dresses. Created in 1795, it remains one of Berlin’s most beloved sculptures.
Adolph von Menzel’s “The Iron Rolling Mill” (1875) depicts industrial workers in a modern steel factory. The painting captures 19th-century Berlin’s transformation from royal capital to industrial powerhouse. Menzel spent months sketching in actual factories to achieve documentary accuracy.
French Impressionists occupy dedicated galleries: Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Paul Cézanne all feature prominently. The museum holds one of Germany’s finest Impressionist collections outside France.
The sculpture collection includes works by Auguste Rodin, Reinhold Begas, and Adolf von Hildebrand. Sculpture galleries on the first floor display marble, bronze, and plaster works alongside paintings.
What’s included with your ticket?
- Permanent collection across three floors
- Special exhibitions from museum’s own holdings
- Audio guide (included in admission)
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
- Free cloakroom for coats and bags (€1 or €2 coin deposit for lockers, refunded)
- Wheelchair, walking frame, and cane hire from cloakroom
- Access to Museum Island gardens (outside building)
Not included: Major special exhibitions like “The Scharf Collection” (requires higher-priced ticket or surcharge for pass holders), food and drink (no café inside the building).
Things to do near the Alte Nationalgalerie
Neues Museum (150m, 2-minute walk) — Houses the Egyptian Museum including the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti. Also displays prehistoric and early history collections with the “Golden Hat of Berlin” and extensive Bronze Age artefacts. Built 1843–1855, destroyed in WWII, and brilliantly reconstructed by David Chipperfield (reopened 2009).
Bode Museum (250m, 4-minute walk) — Northern tip of Museum Island, recognisable by its copper dome. Collections include Byzantine art, European sculpture from medieval times to Neoclassicism, and the Münzkabinett (Coin Cabinet) with half a million items. The neo-Baroque building interior is spectacular regardless of exhibits.
Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama (300m, 5-minute walk across canal) — The actual Pergamon Museum is closed until 2027 for renovation. This temporary exhibition building houses original artefacts including the Telephos Frieze, plus Yadegar Asisi’s massive 360-degree panorama depicting ancient Pergamon. The immersive installation includes day-night cycles and sound effects. Admission included in Museum Island Day Ticket.
Berlin Cathedral (400m, 6-minute walk) — The imposing Protestant cathedral dominates Museum Island’s southern end. Built 1894–1905 in Italian High Renaissance style, the dome reaches 98 metres. Climb 270 steps to the dome gallery for panoramic city views. The crypt contains 94 sarcophagi of Hohenzollern royals.
Hackesche Höfe (600m, 8-minute walk) — A series of interconnected courtyards built 1906–1907 in Art Nouveau style. The complex houses cafés, theatres, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Courtyard I features stunning blue-and-white tiled facades. Completely free to explore. The surrounding Hackescher Markt neighbourhood offers independent shops and nightlife.
Other attractions worth considering in Berlin include the Tiergarten and Berlin Zoo in West Berlin, the DDR Museum and the creative venues along the path of the Berlin Wall.
Practical tips
Location and access: The Alte Nationalgalerie sits on Museum Island (Museumsinsel), a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Berlin’s Mitte district. The visitor entrance is on Bodestraße. The museum is part of a five-museum complex including the Neues Museum, Altes Museum, Bode Museum, and Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama.
Getting there: U-Bahn line U5 to Museumsinsel station (opened July 2021) is quickest — exit and walk 5 minutes. S-Bahn to Friedrichstraße or Hackescher Markt requires a 10-minute walk. Trams M1 and 12 stop at Am Kupfergraben. Bus 100 and 200 stop at Lustgarten. Berlin’s public transport is reliable and far easier than driving.
Time needed: Allow 2–3 hours for the permanent collection. If you’re seeing a special exhibition as well, budget 3–4 hours. Visitors focusing on highlights (Friedrich, Menzel, the Impressionists) can cover these in 90 minutes. The Museum Island Day Ticket encourages rushing between museums — resist this and focus on one or two properly.
What to wear: Museums maintain stable temperatures around 18–20°C (64–68°F) to preserve artworks. Bring layers as galleries can feel cool. Comfortable shoes are essential — you’ll walk several kilometres on hard floors. No dress code exists, but large bags and coats must be checked.
Accessibility: The museum is partially wheelchair accessible. A lift provides access to all exhibition floors, though some historic doorways are narrow. The accessible entrance is on the side of the building (follow signage from Bodestraße). Wheelchairs, walking frames, and canes are available free from the cloakroom. Visitors with 50%+ disability receive reduced admission; companions marked “B” on German disability passes enter free.
Photography: Permitted for personal, non-commercial use without flash, tripods, or selfie sticks. Some individual works may prohibit photography — signage indicates restrictions. Commercial photography requires written permission from the museum’s press department.
Bags and cloakroom: Bags larger than DIN A4 size (approximately 30 x 21cm) must be checked for security reasons. During major exhibitions like “The Scharf Collection,” even smaller bags may require checking. Lockers need a €1 or €2 coin deposit (refunded). Expect queues at the cloakroom during busy periods.
Food and facilities: No café exists inside the Alte Nationalgalerie. The nearest options are the Café im Bode-Museum (300m) or Cu29 in the James Simon Gallery (400m). Hackescher Markt neighbourhood (600m) offers dozens of restaurants and cafés. Free toilets are located throughout the building. The museum shop sells books, postcards, and reproductions near the entrance.
Museum Island coordination: If you’re visiting multiple Museum Island museums, purchase the Museum Island Day Ticket (€24) rather than individual tickets. However, realistically seeing all five museums properly requires 2–3 days. The underground Archaeological Promenade connecting museums is still under construction — you must exit and re-enter each building separately.
Crowds: Weekends and German school holidays (varies by state) are busiest. Tuesday–Thursday mornings (10–11:30am) are quietest. During major special exhibitions, advance booking is essential — walk-up tickets may sell out by midday.
FAQs
Can you visit the Alte Nationalgalerie with the Museum Pass Berlin? Yes, the 3-day Museum Pass Berlin (€32, reduced €16) includes free admission to the Alte Nationalgalerie and 30+ other Berlin museums. However, during major special exhibitions like “The Scharf Collection” (until 15 February 2026), pass holders must purchase a €6 (reduced €3) surcharge ticket. This confusing policy applies to the Museum Pass and Berlin WelcomeCard All Inclusive.
Is there an audio guide? Yes, audio guides are included in the admission price. They’re increasingly offered as downloadable apps (bring your own smartphone and headphones) rather than physical devices, though devices are usually available at the entrance desk. The guide is available in German, English, and other languages.
What’s the difference between the Museum Island Day Ticket and individual tickets? Individual admission to the Alte Nationalgalerie costs €14. The Museum Island Day Ticket costs €24 and grants same-day access to all five museums (Alte Nationalgalerie, Neues Museum, Altes Museum, Bode Museum, and Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama). If you’re visiting two or more museums in one day, the day ticket saves money. However, seeing all five properly in one day is unrealistic.
Are children really free? Yes, anyone under 18 enters free. However, you must obtain a €0 ticket either online or at the museum desk. Bring ID for anyone who looks older than their actual age. The policy is standard across all Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.
Can you take photos of the paintings? Yes, photography is allowed for personal use without flash, tripods, or selfie sticks. Some individual artworks may prohibit photography due to loan conditions — respect the signage. Commercial photography, publication, or social media use beyond personal sharing requires permission from the museum. The Staatliche Museen zu Berlin offers free downloads of public domain works at recherche.smb.museum.
More Berlin travel
Other Berlin travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Canoeing along the Berlin Wall.
- Taking the Berlin to Munich train.
- Taking on Berlin’s Bearpit Karaoke.
- How the Ampelmann became a beloved symbol of Berlin.
- 8 ways to improve your Berlin city break.
