World-class art in Berlin

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the ‘edgier’ east of the city suddenly offered up a wealth of low rent, avant garde studios and exhibition spaces. The result was an explosion in Berlin’s art scene – the city now boasts more than 600 private art galleries, handily concentrated in the trendy suburb of Mitte.

Wander its streets to take in a whole spectrum of artists, from students to masters, struggling to world-famous.

This renowned art institution houses the impressive modern and contemporary art collection of Heinz Berggruen, a German-American art collector. It spans various artistic movements, including Cubism, Surrealism, and German Expressionism and includes works by prominent artists such as Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, and Alberto Giacometti.

Reopened in 2006 after a major refurbishment, the museum now houses a fine collection of Byzantine art, coins, medals, and most notably, one of Europe’s finest collections of sculpture.

This authentic World War II bunker in Mitte has been converted into a sprawling 3,000sq m contemporary art gallery to house the superb private collection of advertising guru Christian Boros. Also on display are works by luminaries such as Olafur Eliasson and Anselm Reyle. Access by 1.5-hour guided tours only, available Thursday-Sunday. Book ahead.

This 1.3km-long, visually captivating segment of the old Berlin Wall is the largest open-air gallery in the world, adorned with paintings by 118 artists bidding goodbye to the Communist regime. Many of the colourful works pursue themes of hope, peace and freedom on this longest, most authentic section of the ‘anti-Fascist protection barrier’ (the GDR’s parlance).

Look out for The Mortal Kis by Dimitrji Vrubel, the confronting image of Erich Honecker and Leonid Brezhnev engaged in a mouth-to-mouth kiss, and Birgit Kinder’s Trabi knocking down the Wall.

First opened in 1830, the Gemaldegalerie is one of Europe’s finest assemblies of European art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance (13th-18th centuries).

Although Italians such as Caravaggio, Raphael, Rubens and Titian grab the limelight, at the heart of the museum are its Dutch and Flemish masterpieces, notably 16 works by Rembrandt at the height of his powers.

Other gems to look for include Franz Hals’ Mad Babette, Bruegel’s impish Netherlandish Proverbs and Vermeer’s Glass of Wine.

The Kunstgewerbemuseum showcases decorative arts and design, with an extensive collection of objects spanning various historical periods and artistic styles. Exquisite displays of ceramics, glassware, and furniture, complement those of textiles, jewellery, and other decorative items. The museum’s collection encompasses both European and non-European works, providing a comprehensive perspective on global decorative arts.

Prestigious museum showcasing the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the Islamic world. through a mightily impressive collection of over 15,000 artifacts, spanning more than a millennium. Marvel at exquisite examples of Islamic art, including intricate calligraphy, illuminated manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, and architectural elements.

A museum that celebrates the art and history of photography through a rich and diverse collection of iconic works from renowned photographers around the world. Temporary exhibitions highlight various genres, techniques, and historical periods of photography, from black-and-white classics to cutting-edge contemporary pieces.

This architecturally impressive neoclassical building which used to be one of Berlin’s main railway stations (Hamburger Bahnhof), now houses one of the largest and most significant public collections of contemporary art in the world.

The focus is on art since the 1960s (where the Neue Nationalgalerie leaves off), and includes a mix of sculpture, painting, installations and multi-media.

Top of the bill is the Marx collection, a heavyweight line-up of works by Anselm Kiefer, Robert Rauschenberg and Cy Twombly, plus more than 60 drawings by Andy Warhol.

The Neue Nationalgalerie houses an impressive collection of 20th-century artworks up until the 1960s. The museum’s sleek and minimalist design – designed by the renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe –provides an ideal backdrop for the display of modern art.

The collection includes paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations. Look out for masterpieces by artists such as Picasso, Kandinsky, and Warhol, among others.

The Alte Nationalgalerie, one of the three internationally-renowned galleries on Museum Island, showcases one of the world’s largest collections of 19th-century sculpture and paintings, with additional collections of neoclassical, Romantic, Impressionist and early Modernist artwork.

This unique museum houses an extraordinary collection of surrealist and fantastical art.

The collection was founded out of the private collection of Otto Gerstenberg, and includes artworks by renowned artists such as Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, and René Magritte.

It’s a captivating immersion into a world of dreams, symbolism, and the subconscious mind that delve into the depths of the human imagination.

A contemporary urban art and street art museum showcasing a diverse range of artworks, installations, and murals created by renowned street artists from around the world. With its ever-evolving exhibitions, they explore the intersection of art, culture, and the urban environment, promoting artistic expression and cultural exchange.