Hamburger Bahnhof - Contemporary Art National Gallery

Art museum · Moabit ·

Hamburger Bahnhof - Contemporary Art National Gallery

Art museum · Moabit ·

Contemporary art in a former train station with Warhol

Information

Invalidenstraße 50, 10557 Berlin, Germany Get directions

@cntraveler

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"Housed in a monumental former 1846 train station, Hamburger Bahnhof displays one of Berlin’s foremost collections of post-1960 art in a building whose layered history ranges from railway terminus to wartime ruin to contemporary museum (opened in 1996 after Erich Marx’s donation). The collection is vast and diverse—highlights include Gerhard Richter, Georg Baselitz, Cy Twombly, Anselm Kiefer’s lead works, Andy Warhol portraits, Robert Rauschenberg collages, and Joseph Beuys sculptures and drawings—and it’s a must for fans of 20th-century and contemporary art." - Liz Humphreys, Krystin Arneson

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-berlin

Hamburger Bahnhof - Contemporary Art National Gallery

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"Contemporary Art Museum in Former Train Station The contemporary and modern art museum Hamburger Bahnhof is named for the building's previous incarnation: a train station. The current museum opened in the mid-1990s after being a museum of transport & trains. Museum exhibitions change regularly, though the permanent collections are extensive."

The Best Things to Do in Berlin

Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum für Gegenwart - Berlin

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Best Museums in Berlin

Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum für Gegenwart - Berlin

Diana F.

Google

The big advantage of this museum is its building, so it’s a perfect place for modern collections. As for the exhibitions, some are really touching, while others are not my cup of tea. But if you’re interested in modern art, you should definitely visit it.

Oliver H.

Google

One of the best contemporary art spaces I’ve visited this year—no, in recent years. An amazing building, renovated to perfection, with a 200-year history. The quality of both the temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection is outstanding. For any art lover, this is a must on a visit to Berlin—and if you live in the city, you should come at least twice a year when the temporary exhibitions change.

Roney Leigh Dubnov R.

Google

Loved it! Good exhibition, and just in the right museum size, for me anyway. Not too big or exhausting, and definitely not too small. Loved the children activities (Sunday). One thing though - a cheaper / simpler coffee / cafeteria could be amazing... Also loved the bookstore and bought some stuff. Would gladly return! 😃

פרינט פ.

Google

The best museum by far, a must see. The huge space and the chosen artists provide a wonderful experience, such that make you think, feel and get emotional in a way. Don't miss it.

Iisa

Google

Incredible exhibitions. This museum offers a very wide selection of captivating contemporary art. Definetely make sure you have enough time to visit the exhibitions throughfully!!

Christian Edelvold B.

Google

The new temporary exhibitions once again managed to surprise positively. One with an almost mythos appeal of a legacy brought to life for a brief moment and the artistic work of an opera (kind-off)

microise

Google

The exhibitions we saw there were all great. The space is perfectly organized. The shop has a great selection of books and presents. During the summer of 2025, there are also additional activities like open-air parties happening there.

SleepNoMore S

Google

Surprisingly I really like this museum! It was a train station before and now showing contemporary art exhibitions! Don’t miss it. You need 3 hours inside

Abbie O.

Yelp

This train-station-turned-contemporary-art-museum is one of my favorites. For pop art lovers, check out Warhol's Maos. For lovers of the eccentric and bizarre, several installation pieces deserve your attention. This museum has something for every modern art enthusiast, and perhaps even something for those who are only lukewarm to modern art.

Wyatt G.

Yelp

If you ever get an invitation to one of the swanky galas or soirées often hosted here, don't pass on the chance to experience the luxury. If you're a normal person, then come enjoy this old former train station turned museum with its many intriguing special exhibitions throughout the year. I highly recommend the café as one of the nicest and most affordable classy dining spots in the chaos that is never ending construction site surrounding the main train station. The cakes, coffee, and service are superb all with a gorgeous view of the Spree from the Uferterrasse.

Andrew W.

Yelp

My favorite museumin Berlin. Huge and always something new. Though they did get rid of the free evenings on Thursdays. Easy to get to from the Hauptbahnhof. The Sarah Wiener Cafe is a nice place for some food, though their coffee foam leaves something to be desired. I like the huge main room and the long hallway space. Rarely do I go to the upper rooms. They should have a cafe at the end of the long space so visitors could fortify themselves for the trek back. A must-see for visitors to Berlin.

Sandija M.

Yelp

I would suggest buying a ticket online as the lines may get quite time demanding. The art space is truly exciting.

Jennifer W.

Yelp

Please change that you are open today 31/12/19 on yelp and google. My mom and I came into town today since it's our last day in the city specifically for this museum and you were closed.

Daniel S.

Yelp

Exhibitions are mostly great. However, you cannot enjoy the art when the staff is extremely rude and is trying to find any reason to tell you off. Especially when visiting with kids it seems that they constantly run after you to look for something to complain.

Chumo B.

Yelp

Hamburger Bahnhof needs training for its service staff. After buying tickets for an exhibition the exhibition was surprisingly closed once we wanted to walk in because they had technical issues. I only found out about the reason for closure after asking the staff person who said "Ich schliesse alles, Sie muessen raus." Of course, I went to the cashier for a refund. He flatly refused it. He lied that it were not possible. Having studied the BGB (~german commercial law) I informed him that they must refund me. He offered me to come back another day. I declined. He kept denying me a refund. I guessed that he had no permission to do refunds, so I asked for the manager who could. Suddenly he clicks on a button on the screen and gives me my money. 3 seconds. Then he called me uncooperative and that people like me make life difficult. I told him that we are free, that I don't pay for sevices I didn't buy or receice, and that putting down others is unnecessary. Still, I will have to write a letter their managers and inform myself about their policies on this incident of lying to and putting down customers.

greg j.

Yelp

If your uncertain....go for it...it's worth the visit....various examples of modern Berliner art...plus a very nice taste of 60s pop art if the taste gets a little bitter in your mouth...expansive space...few crowds....the surrounding sitting space is expansive...plenty of room to reflect, once you've had a go at it....I chose to unwind in the museum restaurant, which has great service...pricey, but above average food...and not of the boring and ubiquitous kebab or curry wurst variety... Worth the trip...and only a short walk from the nearby S Bahn station

S. I.

Yelp

I've been a fan of this place for a long time. It has always had a good selection of contemporary art and one of the largest collection of works by Andy Warhol. The museum itself is in a convenient location and is easy to get to, as it's close to the Hauptbahnhof. However, since my last visit, the price of the admission has more than doubled, and now, they are charging extra for special exhibitions, which wasn't even that impressive this time. Also, I agree with other reviewers that the museum is poorly organized, and the layout is quite confusing. There's hardly any information about the artists, and the signage is extremely poor. It also doesn't help that there's no information desk, and the people at the reception don't even bother to explain the layout and exhibitions. For 14 Euros, I expect that the museum would do a better job organizing its collection and treating its patrons better ... especially, what's up with the grumpy old lady at the reception?!?

Jules H.

Yelp

Is it a museum or is it an over-sized state sponsored contemporary art gallery? it calls itself a Contemporary Museum and it has contemporary art on display. Now ... to be fair, one has to change the exhibition space on a very regular basis to be and to stay contemporary ... otherwise it would only be Modern Art, right? Not to go too much into the whole discussion of contemporary art and its problems, this ... space, is very nice and has some rather nice exhibitions as well. I'm always having a quick peek when I'm in Berlin. Sometimes it tickles my fancy and sometimes not. Not a big fan of the cafe, as it's overpriced and not that great, but there isn't much else around and it's OK for a quick coffee when I need to have a ramble about modern/contemporary art.

Rebecca S.

Yelp

I have been coming to Hamburger Bahnhof on my annual visits to Berlin since they first opened a decade ago. So it is with great sorrow I report that the current museum staff is so aggressively unpleasant that I may never return. Having purchased tickets for the temporary exhibition, I asked to use the ground floor restroom. In order to do so, the ponytailed guard demanded I leave my small handbag in the coat check. So far, pretty unreasonable. Then he forbade me from using the ground floor restroom while my cotton blazer was draped on my forearm. "That MUST be tied around your waste! Now!!!" This fellow, whose physical appearance resembles the Furio character from The Sopranos, should really not come in contact with the paying public to this museum again. And with that, one of my favorite museums in Berlin has been crossed off my list for good.

Chris B.

Yelp

Quite simply a must if you're in Berlin. (Or so I'm told.) When I visited they were running a great exhibition on the work of Swedish painter Hilma af Klimt. I really enjoyed it. The permanent collections are great too. Regardless of the collections inside, the building itself is beautiful, and has a fascinating history. It's worth visiting for that reason alone.

Maddy G.

Yelp

Well worth it- one of the best things to do in Frankfurt! Exciting new modern art in the basement. Enjoy a walk along the water after and venture over to the cinema museum as well.

Joy Y.

Yelp

Expensive entry but exhibits in the wing are quite impressive. I think the ticket also gets you into a few other museums for free before 6.

Jenny K.

Yelp

Going to the Hamburger Bahnhof is an experience - walking through the halls of what once was a train station certainly enhanced my time there. Loved the halls on the ground floor, "Wall Work" was showing when I was visited and I spent a couple hours walking back and forth the galleries. Some people here reviewed that the entrance fee is expensive, I got a student discount for the collection and all exhibitions for 7 euros, I think. There is also the option of just seeing the temporary exhibitions so look into this if you don't want to spend that much time/money at the museum, though I think it is worth it!

Qype User (.

Yelp

Hamburger Bahnhof is an awesome modern art museum housed in an old train station. The downstairs area is particularly interesting. Walking down, it really feels like you're entering a subway station. Warhol, Lichtenstein, Hirst and others are well represented. They also have regular exhibitions, many of which are fascinating. Try to go on a Thursday afternoon when admission is free.

Oliver R.

Yelp

Best Museum Ever in Berlin This Year (2018). Enjoyed the Die Sammlungen. The Collections. Les Collections and Qin Yufen exhibitions.

Michael S.

Yelp

This museum looks great. The outside and inside both would be considered great for any museum. However, not a single object inside captured my attention - I've been to a lot of art museums, and even at the smallest museum I can find something that interests me. Also, the guards and staff were exceptionally unfriendly even by European "so you're a tourist" standards. Further, even though it was a Tuesday and not many people were present, the two staff at the ticket desk managed to make getting into the museum take as long as if you were in a 20-person movie ticket line.

Qype User (.

Yelp

An awesome permanent Beuys-exhibition in the west wing of this former trainstation, makes this museum of modern art a really recommended place to visit. I also like the setting with wide, airy and open spaces, enabling the museum to also display bigger objects. When I was visiting (April 2010), the incredible "Bestiarium" of Walton Ford was on display (http://www.hamburgerbahnhof.de/exhibition.php?id=24864&lang=en ) - which it is still until June '10, so please go and have a look for yourself.

Qype User (.

Yelp

Hrmm, can not agree enough that this is one of the greatest buildings to house art. However, on my visit, 12.19.2008 they had a Joseph Beuys exhibit. Mostly my feeling was that his material took up a lot of space that could have been occupied by actual art. On the upside, Warhol was here and that was well worth a look. and at the very, very end of that long hall was an eerie construction that I think was What comes next. That and a few Rodney Graham pieces saved the day in terms of content for me. But I imagine a True Beuys Believer would enjoy his stuff.

Sarah J.

Yelp

cool museum but you need enough time as the lay out is non-linear. you will be walking across, retracing your paths and going up and down stairs. an interactive experience. their permanent collection is small maybe under 30 paintings but strong: warhol, lichenstein, rauschenberg, etc.

Ann D.

Yelp

Not enough bang for the Euro. Paid 14E to enter. Most of the important pieces I'd read were there, were not on display at this time. The west wing upstairs had a few lesser known Warhol's but no Chairman Mao. No Lichtenstein, Haring, Koons or Baselitz, either. One exhibit they did have consisted of huge shapes of solidified fat called, "Tallow". They mostly stunk and would give someone with allergies fits, I'm afraid, due to the strong smell of mold. Another exhibit was almost an entire floor space of one room tossed about with discarded chalkboards. Words in German were written on some of them but I had no idea what they said. Perhaps a statement on the state of education today? The exhibit in the main hall was a mish-mash of items, too numerous to describe. None of which meant a thing to me. Walked through with little curiosity and left in an hour. Rather a disappointment. I'd save the money for another museum in Berlin right now.

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

The Best Things to Do in Berlin, From Prussian Palaces to Temples to Techno | Condé Nast Traveler

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-berlin

Hamburger Bahnhof - Contemporary Art National Gallery

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Best Things to Do in Berlin

Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum für Gegenwart - Berlin

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Best Museums in Berlin

Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum für Gegenwart - Berlin

Diana F.

Google

Oliver H.

Google

Roney Leigh Dubnov R.

Google

פרינט פ.

Google

The best museum by far, a must see. The huge space and the chosen artists provide a wonderful experience, such that make you think, feel and get emotional in a way. Don't miss it.

Iisa

Google

Incredible exhibitions. This museum offers a very wide selection of captivating contemporary art. Definetely make sure you have enough time to visit the exhibitions throughfully!!

Christian Edelvold B.

Google

The new temporary exhibitions once again managed to surprise positively. One with an almost mythos appeal of a legacy brought to life for a brief moment and the artistic work of an opera (kind-off)

microise

Google

SleepNoMore S

Google

Surprisingly I really like this museum! It was a train station before and now showing contemporary art exhibitions! Don’t miss it. You need 3 hours inside

Abbie O.

Yelp

Wyatt G.

Yelp

Andrew W.

Yelp

Sandija M.

Yelp

I would suggest buying a ticket online as the lines may get quite time demanding. The art space is truly exciting.

Jennifer W.

Yelp

Please change that you are open today 31/12/19 on yelp and google. My mom and I came into town today since it's our last day in the city specifically for this museum and you were closed.

Daniel S.

Yelp

Chumo B.

Yelp

greg j.

Yelp

S. I.

Yelp

Jules H.

Yelp

Rebecca S.

Yelp

Chris B.

Yelp

Maddy G.

Yelp

Well worth it- one of the best things to do in Frankfurt! Exciting new modern art in the basement. Enjoy a walk along the water after and venture over to the cinema museum as well.

Joy Y.

Yelp

Expensive entry but exhibits in the wing are quite impressive. I think the ticket also gets you into a few other museums for free before 6.

Jenny K.

Yelp

Qype User (.

Yelp

Oliver R.

Yelp

Best Museum Ever in Berlin This Year (2018). Enjoyed the Die Sammlungen. The Collections. Les Collections and Qin Yufen exhibitions.

Michael S.

Yelp

Qype User (.

Yelp

Qype User (.

Yelp

Sarah J.

Yelp

Ann D.

Yelp

Hamburger Bahnhof - Contemporary Art National Gallery

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The Best Things to Do in Berlin, From Prussian Palaces to Temples to Techno | Condé Nast Traveler