Kulturforum
Matthäikirchplatz, Berlin, Germany, 10785
The Kulturforum in Berlin’s Tiergarten district is home to some of Berlin’s top cultural institutions—including museums, libraries, concert halls, and a church. Music enthusiasts flock here to visit the world-renowned Philharmonie concert hall, while the Picture Gallery (Gemaldegalerie) boasts medieval European art masterpieces and the New National Gallery (Neue Nationalgalerie) showcases modern European art.
The basics
Being home to so many stand-out museums and cultural sights, the Kulturforum is a common stop on Berlin sightseeing tours. Create your itinerary by visiting the Kulturforum as part of a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour, some of which also includes a cruise on the Spree River. To combine the Kulturforum with other historic Berlin locations in a day, a private taxi tour helps you navigate with ease.
Things to know before you go
The ground around the Kulturforum is typically flat and wheelchair-accessible but it’s worth checking individual venues for accessibility information before visiting.
A great spot for architecture fans, the Kulturforum has great examples of modernist buildings, including the New National Gallery, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
In the summer months, between June and August, the Piazzetta of the Kulturforum becomes an open-air cinema setting with deck chairs and a bar.
Between September and June, the Philharmonie Berlin offers free lunchtime concerts on Wednesdays.
How to get there
The Kulturforum is well served by public transport; it’s best to hop on the M48, M85, or N2 bus to the Kulturforum stop, which is a short walk away. Alternatively, you can get the S1, S2, S25, or S26 S-Bahn, or the U2 U-Bahn to Potsdamer Platz, then it’s just a 10-minute walk away.
When to get there
The Kulturforum is buzzing with activity year-round, but it's recommended to check the individual opening hours of the venues you want to visit as many are closed on Mondays. To sidestep peak crowds, visit on weekday mornings during quieter months of the year, such as April and May. Berlin tends to be busiest during the summer season of June through September.
Things to see near the Kulturforum
There’s so much to see and do near the Kulturforum, especially for art lovers and museum fans. After ticking off Gemaldegalerie and the Museum of Decorative Arts, continue your adventures at the Art Library or the Musical Instrument Museum. Once you've had your museum fix, the Tiergarten is nearby for a dose of nature, or you can feast at the food hall of the Manifesto Market Potsdamer Platz.
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