Berlin’s Museum Island Turns 200: Events and What to Skip

Museum Island’s 200th Season: What Travelers Get

Berlin’s Museum Island turns 200 this year and the five museums are throwing a year-long party. Until March 2031, the Neues Museum hosts “200 Objects for 200 Years”, a tight collection of rarely shown pieces from the depot. Entry to the special exhibition is included in the regular ticket (from around 18 EUR for the island’s combined ticket).

Skip the Pergamon Museum on Saturdays. The queue snakes for 90 minutes. Go on a Wednesday evening instead, when it stays open until 20:00 and the crowds thin after 18:00. Book your time slot online at least two days ahead. The Alte Nationalgalerie just reopened its upper floor after a three-year renovation, the Romantic paintings hall is worth the trip alone.

Summer Heat: What Else to Know

Temperatures in Berlin this week hit 32°C. The Museum Island cafes run out of cold drinks by 14:00. Bring a refillable bottle, there are free water fountains at the Neues Museum entrance and outside the Bode Museum. If you want a cheap lunch, skip the museum restaurants (from around 14 EUR for a sad sandwich) and walk five minutes to Hackescher Markt for a currywurst from around 4 EUR.