Over 70 museums and galleries open their doors until the wee hours of the morning and invite Berlin to show a new dimension – be it vibrant, cultural, or night-owlish.
It’s undoubtedly one of the city’s most iconic cultural events. With a single ticket, visitors have access to an extensive programme that includes permanent and temporary exhibitions, guided theme tours and activities designed exclusively for this particular evening. The atmosphere of the Long Night of Museums is both festive and cultural, attracting audiences of all ages and interests.
In Berlin, a city in which history and modernity intersect, this evening acquires a special significance. Museums that are dedicated to classical antiquity coexist with places more focussed on urban and contemporary art, creating a comprehensive cultural itinerary. You can either visit some of the most iconic museums in the city, like those of the Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or venture to less well-known and more alternative sites. Each arts enthusiast constructs their own experience, from science, art, history, technology, pop culture…
At each stop there are surprises. Many of the museums organise interactive activities, concerts, screenings or workshops for the evening, which make the visit even more unique. In various cases, the curators and artists themselves make an appearance.
To get around easily, choose where you’re going to stay carefully and strategically. A central hotel by the Tiergarten is a great starting spot to explore the city’s main cultural sights. For this event, Berlin offers extra transport, operating several continuous bus shuttle circuits that connect the main venues. This system allows you to optimise time and explore different parts of the city without complications. The well-known bus line 200, which covers the main roads of the old City West and City East, has a stop right outside the hotel.
For those interested in discovering the city in a more active fashion, a bike route can be the ideal solution – fortunately, the Pestana Berlin Tiergarten has 16 bicycles available for hire. Pedalling between the museums as evening falls provides a different perspective of the city, with broad avenues and a well-structured network of cycle paths, which makes it possible to experience the event in a free and flexible way.
In addition to the cultural programme, the Long Night of Museums is also an invitation to discover different neighbourhoods and the unique atmosphere of Berlin after the sun goes down. There are cafés, bars and restaurants that stay open and create a vibrant energy in the streets, which allows visitors to enjoy a late dinner or a drink in between venues. The more places you visit, the more you feel the pulse of a city that embraces its culture wholeheartedly.
