Neues Museum (New Museum), Berlin

51

Neues Museum (New Museum), Berlin

Neues Museum (New Museum), Berlin (must see)

This delightful section of the Museum Island ensemble made its grand return in 2009 and is well worth an extensive exploration. Spread across four floors, it houses an unparalleled collection of Berlin's archaeological wonders, spanning the globe and various prehistoric epochs, as well as treasures from ancient cultures like the Greeks, Romans, Nubians, and most notably, ancient Egyptians.

Although pride of place here goes to the stunning bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti – and you so need to see her gracefully sculpted head from every possible angle – there's a trove of other marvels waiting to be discovered. As you venture into the next room, you'll encounter one of the more intriguing displays, with precious papyrus scrolls appearing at the touch of a button. Also, be sure to peruse the information cards scattered throughout many rooms, detailing the current state of the artifacts in comparison to their pre-World War II condition. On this second floor, you'll also find additional Egyptian art, and on the first floor, a temple and a courtyard.

Take time to linger over the well-curated and well-explained Bronze and Iron Age exhibits, showcasing an array of weapons, tools, pottery, and other relics, along with the photos and diagrams of the excavations where they were unearthed. Among the most fascinating displays is the recently acquired Golden Hat, an enigmatic piece of Bronze Age ceremonial headgear, one of several found in Northern Europe (apparently, whoever held the power that accompanied it could predict eclipses and celestial phenomena). Other highlights include the astonishingly lifelike Berlin Green Head, mummies and sarcophagi, a magnificent collection from the ancient city of Troy, 19th-century wall paintings depicting scenes from Nordic mythology, and blue faience funerary objects shaped like animals.

Tips:
Arrive as early as possible to beat the crowds, and consider purchasing a Berlin Card or a three-day museum pass to make the most of your visit, as there is much to see. It's advisable to start this particular journey from the top and work your way down, either with the aid of an audio guide or as part of a guided tour.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Berlin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Neues Museum (New Museum) on Map

Sight Name: Neues Museum (New Museum)
Sight Location: Berlin, Germany (See walking tours in Berlin)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Berlin, Germany

Create Your Own Walk in Berlin

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Creating your own self-guided walk in Berlin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Berlin Food Walking Tour

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Third Reich Walking Tour

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Tiergarten Walking Tour

Tiergarten Walking Tour

Known for the huge park of the same name, which once was a royal hunting ground, the central district of Tiergarten (German for “Animal Garden”) is home to the Berlin Zoo, the Victory Column with its winged statue and the lively, lakeside Café am Neuen See.

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Alexanderplatz Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Museum Island Walking Tour

Museum Island Walking Tour

One of Berlin’s most visited attractions, the Museum Island ("Museumsinsel") complex was established by order of King Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1841 and houses several world-famous museums kept in close vicinity of each other. The island itself is spectacular for a walk, with wonderful architecture, statues, gardens and trees, so enjoy the atmosphere and make at least a day...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Berlin Introduction Walking Tour

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The German capital, Berlin, is known for its turbulent past. Today, this sprawling metropolis is filled with a mix of historical resonance and modernity manifested in creative industries, popular media, and diverse cultural tourism.

The first written records of settlements in the present-day Berlin area date back to the late 12th century. In 1157, the region came under German rule as part of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles

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