Alte Nationalgalerie

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Alte Nationalgalerie, also known as Berlin's Old National Gallery, stands on Museumsinsel like a temple for 19th-century art. Inside, you move from Caspar David Friedrich and Adolph Menzel to Claude Monet and Auguste Renoir across three exhibition levels.

Start with an entry ticket or a Museum Island pass online to lower queue risk and secure your preferred date.

Select a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:

Entry tickets

Choose this first if you want the simplest plan: direct access to Alte Nationalgalerie and a clear start to your day.

Berlin: Museum Island Multiple Museum Entry Ticket

4.5(4301)

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Alte Nationalgalerie: Entry ticket

4.5(1497)

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Guided tours

Pick this if you want context while you walk: guides help you connect key works, artists, and rooms faster.

Tour Museumsinsel & Schloss: kompakt, royal und fotogen

4.7(58)

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Kid-friendly Berlin Alte Nationalgalerie Guided Tour for Families

viator.com

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City passes

Best for multi-stop days in Berlin: combine museum entry with wider city transport and attraction planning.

Berlin WelcomeCard: Museum Island & Public Transport

4.4(1015)

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Current exhibitions

Cassirer and the Breakthrough of Impressionism

The exhibition honors art dealer Paul Cassirer and shows how his gallery program helped French Impressionism gain ground in Germany. More than 100 works of Impressionism and Classical Modernism trace his role in promoting artists from Monet and Manet to Liebermann, Munch, and Kirchner.

May 22, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026

Scandal!

Hermione von Preuschen and the "Mors Imperator"

This cabinet exhibition focuses on painter, writer, and world traveler Hermione von Preuschen and her 1887 painting "Mors Imperator". It revisits the Academy rejection that made her famous in Berlin and highlights her self-assured response in a male-dominated art world.

Mar 22, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026

InterNationalgalerie#1

National Museum in Warsaw

The new InterNationalgalerie series opens with a guest presentation from the National Museum in Warsaw. Under the title "Inventing Myths", the showcase on the first exhibition floor introduces current themes and questions through the visiting museum's collection perspective.

Jun 18, 2026 – Jan 13, 2027

About Times

Encounters of the 19th century with works of the 20th and 21st centuries from the collection of the National Gallery

This anniversary-year presentation pairs 19th-century works with pieces from the 20th and 21st centuries drawn from the National Gallery collection. Spread across all three floors, it invites visitors to compare periods and see familiar works from new angles.

Oct 14, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 tips for visiting the Alte Nationalgalerie

Book your date early

If you want your preferred day on Museumsinsel, book online as soon as your plan is stable. Tickets are sold up to four weeks in advance, and this usually cuts counter waiting time, especially before lunch and on weekends. That way you start with art, not with a line.

Check floor closures first

Parts of the second floor are temporarily closed during exhibition changeovers. In 2026, access to the second exhibition floor is affected again from April 21 for the Cassirer installation and exhibition, with full reopening expected from October 27. Checking this before arrival avoids surprise detours.

Follow a top-down route

If this is your first visit, start on the upper level with early 19th-century works, then continue to the Impressionist axis, and finish with sculpture on the lower floor. This route keeps your energy for the densest rooms and reduces backtracking. You will feel less rushed at the end.

Travel light for entry

Small bags are fine, but anything above 30 x 20 x 10 cm (11.8 x 7.9 x 3.9 in) must go to the cloakroom, and large luggage is not accepted. If you are changing museums on the same day, pack only what you need in hand. This keeps entry smooth and saves stress at the door.

Use a combo museum day

If you want a full culture day, pair your visit with Neues Museum, Altes Museum, or Pergamon Museum. A Museum Island ticket or pass often gives better value than separate purchases and keeps your route compact. That way you spend time in galleries, not in transit.

Match format to your goal

If your priority is pure gallery time, choose entry-only tickets. If you want interpretation and stories, pick a guided format. If your day includes multiple attractions, city-pass products are usually the best fit. Deciding this upfront keeps costs and timing under control.

How to plan an Alte Nationalgalerie stop on Museum Island

A strong visit here is about sequence: ticket format first, then timing, then a floor route. Use this structure to keep your day calm and flexible.

Choose the ticket format that fits your day

If this is your only museum stop, standard entry keeps things simple. If you are moving across multiple venues, a Museum Island or city-pass option often gives better value and fewer decisions at each entrance. Book online before you arrive in Berlin so you reduce queue risk and start on schedule. Book now.

Time your visit around crowds and closure windows

Monday is closed, so demand concentrates from Tuesday to Sunday. Early entry usually means calmer rooms before midday groups, and checking current closure notices matters because exhibition changeovers can temporarily affect the second floor. In practice, this saves both time and frustration.

Use a top-down route through the galleries

Start on the upper level with early 19th-century painting, continue through the Impressionist and German-Roman rooms, then finish with sculpture on the lower floor. This rhythm gives the day a narrative arc and avoids unnecessary stair repeats when circulation gets busy.

Pair nearby museums while you are already on the island

The easiest same-area extension after Alte Nationalgalerie is Neues Museum, Altes Museum, or Pergamon Museum. Use Museum Island as your anchor point and build outward in short walking segments. This keeps logistics easy and lets you focus on collections instead of transport switches.

History and character of the Alte Nationalgalerie

This museum feels layered because its architecture, war history, and collecting choices all remain visible in the visit experience.

From a royal concept to the 1876 opening

The idea for a cultural center opposite the palace took shape under Friedrich Wilhelm IV, and the project gained real momentum after the 1861 bequest of 262 works by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Wagener. After roughly a decade of construction, the Nationalgalerie opened ceremonially on March 21, 1876.

War damage and reopening in 2001

The building suffered heavy damage after repeated wartime bombardments, especially from 1944 onward. After provisional post-war reopening phases, a major renovation cycle closed the museum in 1998, and the fully renewed venue reopened in December 2001.

Why the building feels like a temple

The design by Friedrich August Stüler uses a raised plinth and classical motifs, so the approach already frames the visit as a ceremonial ascent. This temple-like staging changes your pace before you even enter the first room.

A UNESCO context that strengthens the visit

Because Alte Nationalgalerie sits within Museum Island, your visit is part of a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble inscribed in 1999. That wider context explains why pairings on the island feel coherent rather than random.

Ticket types at the Alte Nationalgalerie

Mapped products for this POI split into clear formats. Choose by intent first, then book the option that gives the right balance of depth, pace, and flexibility.

Standard entry tickets

Best for visitors who want direct access and full control of their own pace. You enter, choose your own floor order, and can stay focused on the galleries that matter most to you. This is usually the cleanest first purchase for independent visits. Book now.

Guided tour formats

Best if you want interpretation while moving through dense rooms. Guided formats can be especially helpful for first-time visitors and families, because they reduce decision fatigue and highlight key works without long pauses. Choose this when context is your priority. Book now.

Museum Island and city pass options

Great when your day includes multiple attractions. These products make it easier to link Alte Nationalgalerie with Neues Museum and Altes Museum while keeping ticket handling simpler across the area. Choose this if flexibility and bundled value matter more than a single stop. Book now.

Broader city tours that include the gallery

Some products frame the museum as one stop within a wider Berlin route. Choose this if your goal is city overview first and curated highlights second, especially on a short stay. It is a practical fallback when you want structure without building every detail yourself. Book now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should I plan for the visit?

Most visitors spend about 1.5 to 3 hours in Alte Nationalgalerie, depending on whether they focus on highlights or walk all exhibition levels.

Is entry free for children and teens?

Yes. Children and young people up to age 18 are eligible for free admission with the required proof.

Do I need a fixed time slot?

For standard day tickets, entry is possible at any time during opening hours on the ticket date. Booking online in advance is still recommended to reduce queue risk.

Can I bring a backpack into the museum?

Small bags are allowed. Bags larger than 30 x 20 x 10 cm (11.8 x 7.9 x 3.9 in) must be checked at the cloakroom, and large luggage is not accepted.

Is photography allowed inside?

Photography is generally permitted for personal use. Commercial use requires permission, and some temporary exhibitions can set stricter rules.

Is Alte Nationalgalerie wheelchair accessible?

The museum is listed as partially wheelchair accessible. If you need mobility support, confirm details before arrival.

Are audio guides available?

Yes. Museums on Museumsinsel, including Alte Nationalgalerie, provide audio/media guide options and app-based formats.

Which nearby museums combine best on the same day?

The most practical combinations are Neues Museum, Altes Museum, and Pergamon Museum because they are all on or next to Museum Island.

General information

opening hours

Monday closed. Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 6 pm. Public holidays usually follow Sunday hours; all museums are closed on December 24 and 31, 2026, and open 12 noon to 6 pm on January 1, 2027. The second exhibition floor is not fully accessible from April 21, 2026, during the Cassirer installation and exhibition, with full reopening expected from October 27, 2026. Check current notices before visiting.

tickets

Standard Alte Nationalgalerie admission costs 14,00 EUR (concessions 7,00 EUR). For Cassirer and the Breakthrough of Impressionism from May 22 to September 27, 2026, the museum + Cassirer ticket costs 16,00 EUR (concessions 8,00 EUR). Museum Island day tickets cost 24,00 EUR (concessions 12,00 EUR), and the 3-day Museum Pass Berlin for permanent exhibitions costs 32,00 EUR (concessions 16,00 EUR). Day tickets are valid any time during opening hours on the ticket date; children and young people up to 18 are eligible for free admission with proof.

website

Official site: https://www.smb.museum/

address

Alte Nationalgalerie
Bodestraße 1-3
10178 Berlin
Germany

how to get there

U-Bahn: Museumsinsel. S-Bahn: Friedrichstraße or Hackescher Markt. Tram: Am Kupfergraben or Hackescher Markt. Bus: U Museumsinsel. The museum sits in the center of Museum Island, so nearby pairings are easy on foot.

accessibility

Alte Nationalgalerie is listed as partially wheelchair accessible. Mobility aids are available in many museums, but availability should be confirmed in advance through the SMB info line (+49 30 266424242, Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm). Trained assistance dogs are permitted.

cloakroom

Cloakrooms and lockers are available for coats, jackets, and bags. Bags larger than 30 x 20 x 10 cm (11.8 x 7.9 x 3.9 in) must be checked. Large luggage cannot be accepted.

photography and filming

Photography is generally permitted for personal use. Commercial photography or filming requires prior permission. Individual exhibitions may apply stricter rules, so check current notices on site.

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