New National Gallery (Neue Nationalgalerie)

Exterior of the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin
Exterior of the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin cc licensed photo by ANDREA CAROLINA FLORES MARTINEZ

First opened in 1968, the New National Gallery (Neue Nationalgalerie) started undergoing its first major renovation in 2015. We expect it to reopen around the end of 2020. Neue Nationalgalerie belongs to the Kulturforum complex located a little west of Potsdamer Platz.

The architectural style of the building is befitting of its collection of modern art. The upper level is a prominent glass pavilion elevated above the street level and accessible by three flights of stairs. It features a unique contemporary design with a large roof supported by 8 columns, 2 on each side, but none on the corners.

The current renovations have much more to do with bringing the building up to modern standards and safety codes than with altering the original style.

Special events and temporary exhibitions are held in the light-filled glass and steel upper pavilion. The permanent exhibition is housed in the larger exhibition space available in the museum’s lower level.

During your visit, you’ll see renowned paintings and sculptures from classical modernism through to the 1980s.

The permanent exhibition showcases influential art by Twentieth-century masters, moving from cubism and surrealism to American colour field painting. While you are exploring, you come across such acclaimed names as Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Otto Dix, and Morris Louis.

On the west side of the museum, a door leads to an open-air sculpture garden.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

Neue Nationalgalerie Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Address: Potsdamer Str. 50, 10785 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 266424242

Official Website: Neue Nationalgalerie

Neue Nationalgalerie Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating The architecture by Mies van der Rohe is just stunning! The exhibition inside is definitely worth checking out — it gives you a real feel for the development of modern German art, and a few pieces really blew me away. Also, the staff there were super nice. Like, I lost my sunglasses and Mr. Javad helped me find them — I'm really grateful for that. And the guy at the gate to the sculpture courtyard was so thoughtful with visitors — just lovely. Anyway, I really enjoyed this place!
pinta zhou - 3 weeks ago

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2 Star Rating Some interesting pieces but all in all quite underwhelming. The €14 ticket does not allow access to the special exhibitions. Staff is not very service-minded and does not speak English (which should be a requirement for working in a museum with a lot of foreign guests).
Stefan Kim - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Absolutely amazing! I highly recommend joining the guided tour. You can see the ‘less is more’ philosophy expressed in Brancusi’s works — a journey from technique to creativity, and at its core, a path toward the divine through simplicity. Worth visiting if you want to truly think and see.​​​​​​​​​
Mehmet KASAP (SMMM / CPA) - 5 months ago

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3 Star Rating I came here specifically for the Brancusi and on that front it was a success, well worth the trip for me, though there was a €6 extra charge for this gallery on top of everything else which caught me off guard. The permanent collection is fairly weak unless you are really into modern art, and even then it did not fully win me over, and reception was not the friendliest either. But I got what I came for, and seeing the Brancusi in person made the visit worth it. The building itself is a piece of history, designed by Mies van der Rohe and built in the 1960s as a temple to 20th-century modern art, all glass and steel and open space. Worth it if you have a specific artist or work you want to see here like I did, but if you are just browsing and not especially into modernism you might find the collection a bit thin for the extra cost.
Andrei Petrescu - 2 months ago

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4 Star Rating The Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin stands as a magnificent testament to both groundbreaking architecture and a superb collection of modern art. It's an essential stop for art enthusiasts, offering a captivating journey through 20th-century artistic movements, albeit with one significant caveat. The moment you approach the Neue Nationalgalerie, you're struck by its iconic presence. Designed by the legendary Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the building itself is a work of art – a minimalist marvel of steel and glass that embodies the essence of mid-century modernist design. Its iconic transparent upper hall, often used for temporary installations, creates a unique interplay of light and space, serving as a powerful and impressive introduction before you descend into the permanent collections. The sheer elegance, clean lines, and innovative design of the structure are breathtaking and often rival the art within for attention, making it a pilgrimage site for architecture buffs alone. The museum boasts a formidable permanent collection, making it a true paradise for modern art lovers. You'll find a rich tapestry of 20th-century artistic innovation, encompassing various movements from Cubism and Expressionism to Surrealism and Bauhaus. A particular highlight for many is the significant representation of works by masters like Gerhard Richter, whose powerful and often abstract pieces draw considerable admiration. Beyond the core collection, the Neue Nationalgalerie consistently hosts engaging ongoing exhibitions that delve deeper into specific artists or themes, ensuring there's always something new and thought-provoking to discover, enriching the overall experience. However, the immense popularity of the Neue Nationalgalerie comes with a notable drawback: it can get overwhelmingly crowded. While a bustling atmosphere can sometimes add to the vibrancy of a cultural institution, here it often verges on disruptive. Navigating the galleries can feel less like a contemplative artistic experience and more like a jostle, making it challenging to fully immerse oneself in the artworks. This high foot traffic can unfortunately detract from the quiet contemplation and deep engagement that many seek when visiting an art museum, particularly when trying to appreciate intricate details or larger installations without a constant stream of people in your line of sight. This "little bit of disruption" can genuinely impact the overall enjoyment of the art.
faozan rizal. ICS - 4 months ago

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Directions

How to get to Neue Nationalgalerie by U-Bahn, S-Bahn

Nearest U-Bahn, S-Bahn Line(s): U2, S1, S2, S25,
Nearest U-Bahn, S-Bahn Station(s): U Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Potsdamer Platz Bahnhof

From Potsdamer Platz, walk west along Potsdamer StraBe. After it curves to the south at the Berliner Philhamonie, go right on Scharounstraße. The Neue Nationalgalerie is located in the Kulturforum complex straight ahead. This is about a 10 minute walk.

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