Neues Museum
Quick answer
Neues Museum in Berlin, Germany — a Museum Island masterpiece rebuilt by David Chipperfield — home to the iconic bust of Nefertiti, Egyptian and prehistoric collections, and one of Berlin's most visited archaeological museums. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: From €14 standard admission (Museum Island pass available). Allow 2 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Neues Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | From €14 standard admission (Museum Island pass available) |
| Free or reduced entry | Museum Island day pass €24 · Under 18 free |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Tuesday or Wednesday at 10 AM opening — Nefertiti's room is quietest in the first hour. |
| Getting there | Metro: U5 to Museumsinsel — exits directly beneath Museum Island; S-Bahn to Hackescher Markt — 5-minute walk |
| Address | Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin, Germany |
| Official website | smb.museum |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Neues Museum known for?
The Neues Museum on Berlin's Museum Island reopened in 2009 after a decade-long reconstruction by David Chipperfield — one of the most acclaimed museum restorations of the 21st century. Chipperfield preserved wartime bullet scars and missing columns alongside new concrete and steel, creating a dialogue between ruin and renewal that mirrors Berlin's own history.
The museum houses the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, the Museum of Prehistory and Early History, and classical antiquities. Its undisputed star is the painted bust of Queen Nefertiti — 3,400 years old, displayed alone in a domed room where photography is strictly forbidden. The bust draws more than a million visitors annually and is the most visited artwork in Germany.
Beyond Nefertiti, the Egyptian galleries contain the Berlin Green Head, papyrus texts including the Book of the Dead, and mummy portraits from Fayum. The prehistory collection includes Heinrich Schliemann's Trojan gold (partially returned) and the Bronze Age Nebra sky disc — one of the most important archaeological finds in Europe.
The Neues Museum is one of five institutions on Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A day pass covering all five museums at €24 is the best value for a full day exploring Berlin's greatest cultural treasure.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · Art Lovers
How long do you need at Neues Museum?
Allow 2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Neues Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Bust of Queen Nefertiti
📍 Room 210, Egyptian Museum
The most famous portrait in ancient Egyptian art — a painted limestone bust of Akhenaten's queen with extraordinary lifelike detail.
- 2
Berlin Green Head
📍 Room 109, Egyptian Museum
A virtuoso hardstone sculpture of a priest or sage carved from greywacke with inlaid eyes.
- 3
Nebra Sky Disc
📍 Prehistory Collection, Ground Floor
A bronze disc inlaid with gold symbols of the sun, moon, and stars — the oldest known concrete depiction of the cosmos.
- 4
Golden Hat of Berlin
📍 Prehistory Collection, Ground Floor
One of four extraordinary conical gold hats from the Bronze Age — elaborately decorated with astronomical symbols and band patterns whose meaning archaeologists are still deciphering.
What are the must-see works at Neues Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Bust of Queen Nefertiti, Berlin Green Head, Nebra Sky Disc and more.
Bust of Queen Nefertiti
Thutmose workshop · c. 1345 BCE
📍 Room 210, Egyptian Museum
The most famous portrait in ancient Egyptian art — a painted limestone bust of Akhenaten's queen with extraordinary lifelike detail. Displayed alone in a domed room; photography is strictly prohibited to protect the pigments.
Berlin Green Head
Ptolemaic period · c. 350 BCE
📍 Room 109, Egyptian Museum
A virtuoso hardstone sculpture of a priest or sage carved from greywacke with inlaid eyes. One of the supreme achievements of late Egyptian sculpture and a masterpiece of psychological portraiture.
Nebra Sky Disc
Bronze Age · c. 1600 BCE
📍 Prehistory Collection, Ground Floor
A bronze disc inlaid with gold symbols of the sun, moon, and stars — the oldest known concrete depiction of the cosmos. Discovered in Saxony-Anhalt in 1999, it revolutionised understanding of Bronze Age astronomy.
Golden Hat of Berlin
Bronze Age · c. 1000 BCE
📍 Prehistory Collection, Ground Floor
One of four extraordinary conical gold hats from the Bronze Age — elaborately decorated with astronomical symbols and band patterns whose meaning archaeologists are still deciphering.
Collections and highlights
- • Egyptian Museum — Nefertiti, mummies, and papyrus
- • Prehistory and Early History — Nebra disc and Bronze Age gold
- • Classical antiquities — Greek and Roman sculpture
- • Trojan archaeology — Schliemann collection
- • Papyrus Collection — Book of the Dead and literary texts
- • Berlin Green Head and Ptolemaic sculpture
- • Chipperfield architecture — ruin and restoration dialogue
- • Museum Island UNESCO World Heritage setting
Tips for visiting Neues Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Tuesday or Wednesday at 10 AM opening — Nefertiti's room is quietest in the first hour. Thursday evenings until 8 PM offer a calmer alternative.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Nefertiti's room bottlenecks constantly — expect a queue even on quiet days. Summer and school holidays bring heavy Museum Island traffic.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Book timed-entry online at smb.museum — mandatory for Museum Island museums. Day pass for all five museums costs €24. Under-18s free.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Museum Island has no café; head to Hackescher Markt (5 minutes) for restaurants and coffee. Ampelmann Restaurant on the island serves basic meals.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible after Chipperfield renovation with elevators throughout. Wheelchair loan at ticket desk. Nefertiti room has limited space for mobility devices.
How do you get to Neues Museum?
- metro U5 to Museumsinsel — exits directly beneath Museum Island; S-Bahn to Hackescher Markt — 5-minute walk
- tram M1, M4, M5, or M6 to Am Kupfergraben — 2-minute walk across the Spree
- walk 15 minutes from Alexanderplatz via Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse along the Spree riverbank
Address: Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin, Germany
Neues Museum: frequently asked questions
Where is the Nefertiti bust in Berlin?
The bust of Queen Nefertiti (c. 1345 BCE) is displayed in the Neues Museum on Museum Island — Room 210 in the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection. Photography is not permitted in the Nefertiti room.
Is the Neues Museum on Museum Island?
Yes — along with the Pergamon Museum, Altes Museum, Bode Museum, and Alte Nationalgalerie. A Museum Island day pass covers all five.
How long should I spend at Neues Museum?
Plan 2 hours for the highlights of Neues Museum. Our 4-stop route — Bust of Queen Nefertiti, Berlin Green Head, Nebra Sky Disc and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Neues Museum best known for?
A Museum Island masterpiece rebuilt by David Chipperfield — home to the iconic bust of Nefertiti, Egyptian and prehistoric collections, and one of Berlin's most visited archaeological museums. Key highlights include Egyptian Museum — Nefertiti, mummies, and papyrus, Prehistory and Early History — Nebra disc and Bronze Age gold, Classical antiquities — Greek and Roman sculpture.
How do I get tickets for Neues Museum?
Admission: From €14 standard admission (Museum Island pass available). Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/neues-museum/
Why is photography forbidden in the Nefertiti room?
Flash photography damages the 3,400-year-old pigments on the bust's painted surface. The Staatliche Museen enforce a strict no-photography policy in Room 210 to preserve the colours. Postcards and official images are available in the museum shop.
Should I buy a Museum Island day pass?
Yes — at €24 the day pass covers the Neues Museum, Pergamon Museum, Altes Museum, Bode Museum, and Alte Nationalgalerie. A single Neues Museum ticket costs €14. If you plan to visit two or more museums, the pass saves money and allows flexible movement between sites.
How does the Neues Museum compare to the Pergamon Museum?
The Neues Museum is best for Egyptian art (Nefertiti), prehistory (Nebra disc), and Chipperfield architecture. The Pergamon Museum holds monumental ancient architecture — the Ishtar Gate, Pergamon Altar, and Market Gate of Miletus. Both are essential; allow 2 hours each.
Is Neues Museum open on Mondays?
No — Neues Museum is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Neues Museum's opening hours?
Neues Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Neues Museum free to visit?
No — standard admission is From €14 standard admission (Museum Island pass available). Exceptions: Museum Island day pass €24; Under 18 free.
