Museumsinsel

A complex of museums on an island in the Spree River, Museumsinsel is a UNESCO world heritage site that will take more than a day of exploration to fully appreciate. Currently being reconstructed as a state-of-the-art super-facility, it consists of 5 separate museums, all of which you save on immensely with a Welcomecard from the tourist offices.

The Alte Museum (Old Museum) houses the Greek Antiquities collection and is recognizable by its gorgeous rotundas; the Neues Museum (New Museum) is known for its prehistoric artifacts and its Egyptian collection; the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) is known for its selection of Monet, Renoir, and other 19th century Europeans painters; the Bode Museum has a wide range of sculpturing history and an array of Byzantine art; and finally, the Pergamon has a Middle Eastern and Islamic collection, as well as amazing reconstructions of the Pergamon Altar and The Market Gate of Miletus. Who knew in the last few thousand years that some of the most important remnants of history would wind up on a little island in the middle of the Spree River? Caesar? No. Cleopatra? No. Nostradamus? Maybe. We'd have to reread a few texts and get back to you.

Check the website for up-to-date information on admission, hours, and more.