The best art museums in Germany
Alte Pinakothek, Munich
For lovers of fine art, and in particular the Old Masters, this is the place to dedicate a day or even two. Major names from European art from the 14th-19th centuries are featured here such as Rembrandt, Botticelli and da Vinci as well as Albrecht Dürer.
Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne
Smaller and easier to navigate than some of the larger galleries found in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, this historic gallery is home to Germany's grandest art collections of the 14th to 19th centuries. Gothic Renaissance, Baroque and Impressionist works are all displayed.
Altes Museum, Berlin
A work of art itself, this huge Neoclassical building is situated on Berlin's famous Museum Island. The gallery displays some of the biggest collections of classic art (Roman/Greek/Etruscan) in the world.
While on Museum Island, visitors can incorporate a visit to the Bode Museum, which showcases Byzantine, Islamic and Middle Eastern Art, and the Alte Nationalgalerie, which features western art from the 19th-20th centuries including some of the best examples of German expressionist art.
Museum Barberini, Potsdam
Just a little outside of Berlin in the small, pretty and quaint old capital of East Germany, Potsdam, you'll find the Museum Barberini. Regardless of when you visit, you can expect to see one of the three, exciting temporary exhibitions that the museum hosts each year; recent artists featured include Picasso and Henri-Edmond Cross.
You can expect an emphasis on Impressionist works when visiting the Barberini gallery, as well as a standard collection displaying works of the Old Masters as well as pieces from the Expressionist era and Contemporary Art.
Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art, Munich
The Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA) is new, fresh and an antidote to the many galleries displaying Fine Art. MUCA puts the spotlight on artists such as Andy Warhol and Banksy but also gives space to emerging artists. This museum was only opened in 2016 and can be found in central Munich.
Kunsthalle, Hamburg
The biggest and most impressive art gallery in Northern Germany. Perfect for art lovers who enjoy variety, the gallery is home to works by some of the best painters of all time, from Old Masters such as Canaletto and Rembrandt to more modern names such as Munch, Klee, Kandinsky, Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney. Visitors can also enjoy Contemporary Art and a collection of art banned by the Nazis.