Ethnological Museum of Berlin (Ethnologisches Museum)

The basics

The museum's artifacts are organized by origin—categories include the Department of the South Seas and Australia; South and Southeast Asia; and Africa. Given its extensive size, plan for 2–3 hours here to fully appreciate the exhibits. Must-see items include the Featherwork Madonna from late 18th-century Mexico, an outrigger boat from Luf, Papua New Guinea, and a kangaroo tooth chain from pre-1875 Australia.

Things to know before you go

• The museum is wheelchair-accessible and has elevators to all upper levels. There are 22 disabled parking spaces.

• The museum offers free Wi-Fi—connect to the Wi-Fi network called Public WiFi.

• There’s a roof terrace that offers great views of Berlin’s landmarks—including the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Cathedral. The terrace is barrier-free and can be reached by elevator.

• There is a free cloakroom where you can leave coats and bags.

How to get there

The easiest way to reach the Ethnological Museum of Berlin is by U-Bahn, as it is very close to the Museminsel U-Bahn station. If you’re traveling by bus, you can get the #100, #300, or N5 to Lustgarden, which is only a 1-minute walk away. Or, if walking, it takes roughly 15 minutes to get to the museum from Alexanderplatz.

When to get there

The museum is open year-round, usually from mid-morning until early evening; although it’s usually closed on Tuesdays. To avoid the big crowds, it's best not to come during weekends—particularly during the afternoons. Instead, visit during the week, close to the opening time for a more peaceful museum experience.

Things to do near the Ethnological Museum of Berlin

Given its prime location in the heart of Berlin, the Ethnological Museum of Berlin provides the perfect launchpad for further sightseeing. Don’t miss the city's famous TV Tower on Alexanderplatz and the iconic Brandenburg Gate. Another architectural marvel is the Berlin Cathedral, and then there are all the museums of Museum Island. You can round off your adventures with a coffee and cake stop in the charming Gendarmenmarkt, hailed as the city’s prettiest square.