Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
Walk past the long lines to explore 19th-century masterpieces with an audio guide at Berlin's iconic art gallery.
Walk past the long lines to explore 19th-century masterpieces with an audio guide at Berlin's iconic art gallery.
Inclusions
Exclusions
The Alte Nationalgalerie features an exceptional collection of 19th-century European art, representing diverse movements like Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, and Neoclassicism. Discover the dramatic, emotional landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich, the vivid urban scenes of Gustave Courbet, and the luminous light and color in works by Édouard Manet and Claude Monet.
Caspar David Friedrich’s Monk by the Sea (1808) features a solitary figure before a vast, untamed seascape. Responding to the Industrial Revolution, the painting emphasizes nature’s uncontrollable power and its reflection of divine glory. With its seamless blending of land, sea, and sky in dark blues and blacks, the composition evokes a sense of foreboding, where boundaries between elements dissolve and the horizon remains low, creating a modern, unified atmosphere.
Abbey in the Oakwood is the ‘pendant piece’ to Monk by the Sea, with religion serving as the connection between the two. While one painting features a lone monk, the other depicts a funeral procession heading toward a ruined abbey, surrounded by a desolate graveyard. Friedrich reflects on the futility of life and the insignificance of human creation, with the decaying church and twisted oak trees symbolizing inevitable death. Yet, the dawn breaking in the sky offers a glimmer of hope, hinting at the presence of a heavenly realm.
Two of Adolph Menzel's most significant works, The Balcony Room (1845) and Iron Rolling Mill (1875), offer contrasting insights into 19th-century life. The Balcony Room captures a moment of personal reflection, with Menzel focusing on the intimate space of a woman gazing out from a balcony. In contrast, Iron Rolling Mill showcases the power and industrial might of the era, depicting a dramatic, bustling scene of workers in a factory. Both paintings reflect Menzel’s mastery in capturing human emotion and the changing dynamics of society during the period.
In this painting, Edouard Manet portrays a fashionable couple seated on a bench in a conservatory, a large greenhouse. While the woman, distracted by something outside the frame, pays no attention to the man, he seems captivated by her. The couple, the Guillemets—Manet’s friends and owners of a Parisian clothing shop—are dressed in elegant attire that hints at their profession. The bench, which physically and psychologically separates them, becomes the focal point, drawing attention to their hands as they are about to touch, capturing a fleeting moment in their relationship.
Heinrike Dannecker, wife of a Stuttgart court sculptor, is portrayed in profile by Gottlieb Schick, set against a vast landscape. Holding a small bouquet, she is symbolically connected to the blooming nature around her. While her classical attire, hairstyle, and the serene landscape suggest neoclassical influence, her expression is far more genuine. With a natural turn of her head and a spontaneous, curious gaze, she looks towards the viewer as though responding to a call, capturing a moment of attentiveness.
Getting there
The best time to visit is during weekdays, especially in the mornings when the museum is typically less crowded. Visiting during off-peak seasons, such as early spring or autumn, can also provide a more relaxed experience.
Regular admission to the Alte Nationalgalerie is generally around €12 for adults, with discounts for students, seniors, and groups. Entry is free for children under 18.
Yes, the Alte Nationalgalerie offers guided tours in several languages. You can book these tours in advance, or audio guides are available for self-guided exploration. Special tours in sign language can be arranged with prior notice.
Photography is allowed in some areas of the Alte Nationalgalerie, but the use of flash and tripods is prohibited. For commercial photography or film footage, written permission from the museum management is required.
Yes, the museum is accessible to people with disabilities. There are ramps and elevators for easier access, and guided tours in sign language are available upon request. It’s best to contact the museum in advance to arrange special services.
A visit to the Alte Nationalgalerie typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your interest in the exhibits and how much time you'd like to spend exploring each gallery. If you're an art enthusiast or prefer to explore the details, it might take longer.
