The roof terrace
Go up top. You get the cathedral, the river and central Berlin — and it costs nothing.
Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · DCB — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Humboldt Forum is a large building in the middle of Berlin, on Museum Island. From outside it looks like an old palace, but it is new: it opened in 2021. Three of its faces are a copy of the royal Berlin Palace that was demolished in 1950. The fourth side is completely modern. Inside there are several museums in one place. The main ones are the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, holding objects from Africa, Asia and Oceania. There is also an exhibition about the history of Berlin itself, plus space for temporary shows. Entry to the building and the permanent exhibitions is free. Go up to the roof — the view takes in the cathedral, the river and the city centre, and that is free too. The place is very large, so pick one or two museums rather than trying to see everything.
Go up top. You get the cathedral, the river and central Berlin — and it costs nothing.
Large wooden boats hung in a tall hall. Among the most impressive things in the building.
Three sides look like an old palace, the fourth is modern. Stand at the corner to see both at once.
Schloßplatz, 10178 Berlin
Ethnological MuseumBerlin's Ethnological Museum holds one of the world's largest collections of non2 minutes walk4.1
Berlin CathedralBerlin Cathedral is the largest church in the city, standing on Museum Island un3 minutes walk4.5
DDR MuseumThe DDR Museum is a small museum on the riverbank opposite the cathedral, explai3 minutes walk4.2
LustgartenThe Lustgarten is a square of grass in the middle of Berlin's Museum Island. Ber3 minutes walk4.5
NikolaiviertelThe Nikolaiviertel is the oldest spot in Berlin: the city began here in the thir4 minutes walk4.7Yes. The building, the permanent exhibitions and the roof are all free. Only some temporary exhibitions need a ticket. No booking is needed on an ordinary day.
New — it opened in 2021. But three of its façades were rebuilt as copies of the old royal palace, demolished in 1950. That is why it confuses so many visitors.
Start with the Pergamon or the Neues Museum in the morning, then come here in the afternoon — they are minutes apart. Finish on the roof before closing.