Despite having lived in Berlin for almost six years, I’d never made it to Long Night of Museums before—and so this year, naturally asked myself, “Is Long Night of the Museums worth it?” I worried that, like so many other cool and interesting events in Berlin, the hype (or worse, the crowds) might overpower the substance of the event. Well, fellow night owls and culture lovers—I can now report back that the event exceeded my rather high expectations!
Museum Culture in Berlin
Before diving into the event itself, it’s worth noting that Berlin’s museum culture is as diverse as the city itself. With over 175 museums, it’s ideal for anyone eager to explore a wide range of topics. From the iconic Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses treasures spanning antiquity to modern art, to the DDR Museum offering an interactive glimpse into East German life, the choices are endless. History buffs can delve into the city’s complex past at the German Historical Museum, while contemporary art lovers will find their haven at the Hamburger Bahnhof.
It’s also worth noting that although certain museums do special events—Hamburger Bahnhof, for example, hosts Berlin Beats, a summer rave series that features DJs spinning sets in the garden space in front of the exhibition hall—most of the museums steer more traditional and operate with limited hours. This makes Long Night of Museums a special treat for late-night culture enthusiasts.
What is Long Night of Museums?
The Long Night of Museums, or Lange Nacht der Museen, in Berlin is an annual cultural event where museums, galleries, and cultural spots stay open late into the night—from 6pm to 2am. It’s a chance to explore a variety of exhibitions and performances across the city. From art and history to unique finds, you can hop between venues and experience Berlin’s cultural scene in a whole new way. Whether you’re an art lover, history buff, or just looking for a different nighttime experience, the Long Night of Museums offers an enjoyable and inspiring adventure.
70 of Berlin’s museums participated in the event this year, with special programming, tours, and performances.
Being Mitte-based, I decided to focus my itinerary on Museum Island (embarrassingly, I’d not visited any of the collections there), and choose the museums based on the length of the lines. Ultimately, I hit:
- Altes Museum – with its neoclassical beauty, holds a treasury of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art and artifacts.
- Berliner Dom* – the rounded cathedral offers stunning views and a glimpse into the city’s religious history.
*We attempted a visit, but unfortunately the Dom closed before 8pm, which was a bummer. - Humboldt Forum – opened in July 2021, the Humboldt Forum is a modern space where art, culture, and history converge in innovative ways. There are a number of exhibitions, displays, and interactive elements to visit.
- Neues Museum – houses an eclectic collection, including the iconic bust of Nefertiti, showcasing Egyptology, prehistory, and early history.
- James Simon Gallery – Ok, this isn’t really a museum, but there was a little exhibit, so we’re counting it! It serves as the welcome center for visitors to Museum Island, and is an architectural gem.
- Pergamom Museum – known for its monumental reconstructions, the Pergamon Museum takes you on a journey through ancient civilizations with awe-inspiring artifacts. Important to note is that the Pergamon will be closed from October 2023 to spring 2027.
So, is Long Night of the Museums worth it?
I had a few things in mind when considering, “Is Long Night of the Museums worth it?”. My top concerns were:
- Will it be too crowded to enjoy the museums?
- Will it provide enough value for the ticket price? (In 2023, early-bird price was 12€, and regular price was 18€).
- Will it be easy to move around from museum to museum?
- Will there be enough information in English to plan the visits and enjoy the spaces?
- Will it be well-organized and enjoyable to participate in?
Will it be too crowded to enjoy the museums?
As I walked up to Museum Island, the first thing I noticed were the lines for the Altes Nationalgalerie and the Pergamon Museum, each of which were hundreds of people deep. As you might have expected from the news of the Pergamon’s closure, it was the hottest ticket of the evening. Both queues gave me some pause, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the line for the Altes Museum moved briskly—I only waited for 20 minutes or so. Docents with counters kept an eye on how many people were in the spaces at any given time, ensuring that a) the crowd levels were controlled, and b) the safety of the art and objects were considered. I found the flow quite easy, even for hugely popular exhibits like the Bust of Nefertiti.
⭐️ If you can be flexible about what museums you want to see, it’s definitely possible to get into the museums in a timely manner, and to enjoy the spaces and collections without too many people.
Will it provide enough value for the ticket price?
In 2023, the cost for Long Night of Museums early-bird price was 12€, and regular price was 18€).
Considering the average price for each museum hovers between 8-12€, an 18€ flat-rate ticket is a great deal—especially if you moved fast and got the early-bird price. As long as you got into two museums, the ticket paid for itself. That’s not including the extra programming or special exhibits that were included for free.
Having visited 5 museums, I definitely considered the price / value ratio favorable.
Will it be easy to move around from museum to museum?
Berlin introduced several extra mobility options for the event, ranging from e-bike and scooter vouchers to special bus routes targeting sectors of the city with more museums. I found the Getting Around page of the Long Night of Museums website very easy to digest and super helpful for planning—even though I ultimately stayed in one section of the city and simply walked from institution to institution.
Will there be enough information in English to plan the visits and enjoy the spaces?
The Long Night of Museum website is available in English, and ExBerliner, Berlin’s expat news source, has a great guide for English tours and programming.
At the museums, tours were offered in English at certain times, and all placards and signage was in both English and German.
Will it be well-organized and enjoyable to participate in?
Generally, I found the event very well-organized. The logistics were clear, the lines were manageable, and I loved the way the city filled the gaps between the cultural spaces. Little alleys of food truck vendors, street performers and DJs, restaurants that stayed open later or offered specials for the events… I felt a lot of civic pride on display, which is something that Berlin sometimes lacks.
All in all, it was a beautiful evening out and about, and I will definitely be marking my calendar for next year!
Up and Gone 