The Natural History Museum in Berlin, the Museum für Naturkunde, holds one of the world’s largest natural history collections, including the tallest mounted dinosaur skeleton on display anywhere.
This guide was updated in June 2026. The museum’s own site currently carries an active alert: its exhibition rooms have no air conditioning, something worth knowing before a summer visit that older guides won’t mention. You can book through GetYourGuide to secure a time-slot ticket and skip the queue.
Natural History Museum quick facts
| Address | Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany |
| Opening hours | Tue–Fri 9:30am–6pm · Sat, Sun & holidays 10am–6pm · Closed Mondays |
| Admission | Adult €11 · Children (6+) and concessions €5 · Under 6s free |
| Nearest transit | U-Naturkundemuseum (U6), 300m walk |
| Typical visit duration | 2 to 3 hours |
Why book Natural History Museum tickets?
- 🏛️ The world’s tallest mounted dinosaur: Giraffatitan brancai towers over the entrance hall.
- 🎟️ Skip the queue: time-slot tickets guarantee entry within an hour of your chosen time, then you can stay as long as you like.
- 🌿 A genuine specimen of Archaeopteryx: one of the rarest fossils in the world, the original “first bird.”
- 📜 Free digital guide in 11 languages: available on your own smartphone, plus a sign language tour in German Sign Language.
- 💰 Free admission for pre-school children: under-6s don’t need a ticket at all.
Natural History Museum opening hours
The museum runs slightly longer weekday hours than weekend hours.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday to Friday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays | 10am–6pm |
| Monday | Closed |
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Special holiday hours can apply around Christmas and New Year, so check the museum’s detailed timetable if your visit falls near either date.
5 Berlin experiences worth booking
- 🏛️ Dive into Berlin’s history on a Third Reich and Cold War walking tour.
- 🚲 Take a three hour bike tour and cram in more Berlin highlights.
- 🍽️ Discover Berlin’s food scene on a multi-stop food tour.
- 🕊️ Visit Sachsenhausen concentration camp to understand the horrors of the Third Reich.
- 🎵 Discover David Bowie’s Berlin haunts on a specialised small group music tour.
Natural History Museum ticket prices
These are the museum’s current standard rates.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | €11.00 |
| Children aged 6 and over | €5.00 |
| Concessions (students, seniors, unemployed, and others with proof) | €5.00 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Family (2 adults + up to 3 children under 14) | €18.00 |
| Small family (1 adult + up to 2 children under 14) | €12.00 |
Tickets can be bought on arrival or booked in advance through GetYourGuide, and the museum specifically recommends booking online time-slot tickets to avoid queues at the ticket office.
Why book the Berlin WelcomeCard?
- 🚋 Unlimited Public Transport: Enjoy free, unrestricted travel on all buses, trams, U-Bahn, and S-Bahn trains within your chosen fare zones (AB or ABC) for the entire duration of your pass.
- 🏛️ 180+ Discount Partners: Save up to 50% at Berlin’s most popular sights and cultural highlights, including the Television Tower, DDR Museum, and the Botanical Garden.
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Travel: Take up to three children between the ages of 6 and 14 for free on your ticket, making it an exceptionally cost-effective option for families exploring the capital.
- 🕒 Flexible Duration Options: Tailor the pass to your specific travel plans with validity periods ranging from 48 hours to 6 consecutive days, starting from your first validation.
- 📱 Interactive Guide & Map: Access the official WelcomeCard app or pocket guide for insider tips, themed tour suggestions, and a detailed city map to help you navigate Berlin like a local.
How to get there
By U-Bahn: U-Naturkundemuseum, served by the U6 line, sits just 300 metres from the entrance.
By tram: Trams M5, M8, and M10 also stop at U-Naturkundemuseum, right by the museum.
By S-Bahn: Berlin Hauptbahnhof (S5, S7) is about 1,300 metres away, and Nordbahnhof (S1, S2) around 900 metres.
By bike: The museum is easily reached via Invalidenstraße, with ample bike parking, lockers for cycling gear, and a free 24-hour e-bike pump at the neighbouring ministry building.
Why book the Big Bus Berlin Hop-on Hop-off Tour?
- 🚌 Two Comprehensive Routes: Explore both the historic city center on the Red Route and the creative, trendy neighborhoods of former East Berlin on the Blue Route with one flexible ticket.
- 🏛️ 20+ Iconic Landmarks: Enjoy convenient access to Berlin’s most famous sites, including the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the East Side Gallery, and the Reichstag Building.
- 🎧 Multilingual Audio Guide: Learn about the city’s transformation from the Prussian era through the Cold War with engaging recorded commentary available in 14 different languages.
- 📱 Real-Time Bus Tracking: Maximize your sightseeing time by using the free Big Bus app, which features a detailed map and live bus locations to help you plan your next move.
- 🌭 Authentic Berlin Currywurst: Many ticket options include a complimentary voucher for this local street food staple, along with access to guided walking tours for a deeper dive into Berlin’s history.
Parking
There’s no parking at the museum itself, and the museum actively recommends arriving by public transport or bike instead. The nearest paid options are at the Mercure Hotel Berlin City, about 200 metres away, and near the H+ Hotel Berlin Mitte, around 350 metres away. Three disabled parking spaces sit opposite the accessible entrance, though only two are currently available due to building work on the neighbouring site.
How long to spend at the Natural History Museum
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours working through the main galleries. A timeslot ticket only governs your entry window; once inside, you can stay until closing time.
Accessibility
The accessible entrance is to the right of the main entrance, with a lift or stairlift connecting the cloakroom, accessible toilet, and exhibition level. Almost all exhibition levels are step-free; where they aren’t, content is also presented at a media station. Free wheelchair rental is available at the information counter, and the museum offers tactile tours for visually impaired visitors and a German Sign Language highlights tour for deaf visitors, both on request.
What to see inside the Natural History Museum
The World of Dinosaurs. The museum’s signature hall houses Giraffatitan brancai, the tallest mounted dinosaur skeleton on display anywhere, alongside Tristan Otto, one of the best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever found.
Archaeopteryx. A genuine specimen of this rare fossil “first bird” sits among the museum’s most scientifically significant objects, bridging the gap between dinosaurs and birds.
Cosmos and Solar System. Set in the museum’s historic stairwell, this exhibition takes visitors on a journey through space and time to the origins of the solar system, including a film shown on a reclining viewing area.
The Wet Collection. Around one million specimens from every animal group are preserved here in a combined 80 tonnes of alcohol, viewable along a walk-through gallery.
Minerals. Home to Germany’s largest mineral collection, this gallery displays everything from raw ore samples to cut and polished gemstones.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bring water in summer | The exhibition rooms aren’t air-conditioned, so pack refreshments if visiting on a hot day. |
| Book a time-slot ticket | It guarantees entry within an hour of your chosen slot, then you can stay until closing. |
| Pack light | Bags larger than A4 size must go in the free cloakroom; suitcases can’t be stored at all. |
| Bring your own headphones | The free digital guide works on your own smartphone and is available in 11 languages. |
| Use the picnic area | Outside food and drink is welcome in the dedicated picnic area, in addition to the on-site café. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the museum air-conditioned? | No, the exhibition rooms aren’t air-conditioned, so bring refreshments in summer. |
| Is it open on Mondays? | No, the museum is closed every Monday. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | Yes, with a step-free accessible entrance, a lift to all levels, and free wheelchair rental at the info counter. |
| Can I bring a pushchair? | Yes, pushchairs are permitted throughout the exhibition. |
| Should I book in advance? | Yes, advance booking is recommended to avoid queuing at the ticket office. |
Things to do nearby
Invalidenpark sits right beside the museum, a pleasant green space for a break before or after your visit.
The Memorial of the Berlin Wall is a short walk away, marking a preserved stretch of the former border with an open-air exhibition.
Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart is a major contemporary art museum housed in a former railway station nearby.
Dorotheenstadt Cemetery is the resting place of figures including Hegel and Brecht, a quiet historic spot close to the museum.
Unter den Linden and the Brandenburg Gate are within easy walking distance for anyone continuing into central Berlin afterwards.
What to visit tomorrow
These are some of the other major natural history and science museums within reach of Berlin.
Senckenberg Natural History Museum, Frankfurt. A major German natural history museum with an extensive dinosaur collection, about 4 hours by train from Berlin.
Naturkundemuseum Potsdam, Potsdam. A smaller regional natural history museum focused on Brandenburg’s flora and fauna, about 40 minutes from Berlin.
Deutsches Museum, Munich. Primarily a science and technology museum rather than natural history, but a worthwhile comparison roughly 4.5 hours away by train.
More Berlin travel
Other Berlin travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to Berlin Cathedral ticket prices.
- What to expect at the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
- Berlin from on high: Visitor guides to the Berlin TV Tower and Panoramapunkt observation deck.
- Plan your visit to Kreuzberg’s top attractions: The Jewish Museum Berlin, Berlin Story Bunker and Deutsches Technikmuseum.
- Meet the animals at Tierpark Berlin.
