The Globe Map
🎨

Museum/arts/culture

New National Gallery

4.6 (6,640)$$ · Mid-range

Mies van der Rohe's glass-walled steel pavilion on Potsdamer Straße is itself a modernist landmark, its dramatic cantilevered roof framing a collection of 20th-century modern art beneath. A perfect culture score, a strong 89 must-see score, and a 4.6-star rating reflect broad appreciation, though reviews are somewhat split — some visitors find the permanent collection underwhelming relative to the ticket price, especially since special exhibitions cost extra, while others, particularly those who join a guided tour, come away genuinely impressed by works like Brancusi's sculpture. Its high aesthetic score is largely uncontested, with the building itself drawing consistent admiration regardless of how visitors feel about the art inside. At 90 minutes, it's worth pairing with a guided tour if one is available.

✨ Reasons to go

  • 1Designed by Mies van der Rohe, the building's glass-walled steel pavilion with a dramatic cantilevered roof is a modernist architectural landmark in its own right.
  • 2The collection focuses on 20th-century modern art, including works by Brancusi.

💡 Good to know

  • 1Book ahead, especially in peak season
  • 2join a guided tour if possible, since reviewers rate the experience noticeably higher with one
  • 3check whether special exhibitions are included before assuming full access.

⏱️ Typical visit

1h30

🕰️ Best time

morning, lunchtime, afternoon or early evening

🚶 Walking intensity

Moderate walking

📍

Address

Potsdamer Str. 50, 10785 Berlin, Germany · MitteGoogleApple
🎫

Booking

Booking recommended

What people say

"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