Explore the Pinakothek Art Museums in Munich

Munich is a vibrant city offering many things to do, including an array of world-class museums. These cultural institutions cover a variety of topics that resonate with both locals and tourists, from art to beer.

Three of the city’s premier museums are part of the remarkable Pinakothek Museums ensemble, each highlighting a distinct era in the world of art:

• Alte Pinakothek – Fourteenth to Eighteenth Century
• Neue Pinakothek – Eighteenth to Nineteenth Century
• Pinakothek der Moderne – Twentieth Century to Present

Conveniently located within walking distance of each other, all three museums belong to the Bayerische Staatsgemaldesammlungen (Bavarian State Painting Collections), which also includes the Schackgalerie and Museum Brandhorst in Munich. Moreover, they are accompanied by various museums from Ansbach to Würzburg.

These museums are must-see landmarks for any visitor to the city. Here’s all the information you need to enhance your visit to Munich’s Pinakothek Museums.

Alte Pinakothek

The Alte Pinakothek, an iconic art museum opened by King Ludwig I of Bavaria in 1836, is one of the oldest galleries in Germany and was once recognized as the world’s largest museum.

This museum’s architecture has inspired similar structures throughout Europe, with replicas found in cities like Saint Petersburg and Brussels. Inside, grand galleries illuminated by expansive skylights showcase over 800 European masterpieces, spanning from the Middle Ages to the Rococo period. Notably, it features significant collections of Early Italian, Old German, Old Dutch, and Flemish paintings, showcasing masterpieces by renowned artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Peter Paul Rubens, and Leonardo da Vinci.

Visitor Information for Alte Pinakothek

• Opening Hours: Daily 10 am – 6 pm; Tuesday 10 am – 8 pm (closed on Monday)
• Admission: 7 Euro (5 Euro reduced); on Sunday 1 Euro; Day Ticket for all three Pinakotheken 12 Euro. NOTE: Admission is currently reduced to 4 Euro to enhance energy efficiency
• Address: Barer Straße 27 (entrance Theresienstraße), 80333 München
• Getting there: Subway U2: stop Königsplatz or Theresienstraße, U3 and U6: stop Odeonsplatz or Universität, U4 and U5: stop Odeonsplatz

Neue Pinakothek

The Neue Pinakothek (New Pinakothek) offers a glimpse into more contemporary artistic expressions from the Nineteenth Century. Founded by King Ludwig I of Bavaria in 1853 and later rebuilt in 1981, the museum features about 400 paintings and sculptures that emphasize German works from romanticist Caspar David Friedrich, along with a private art collection of King Ludwig I. Furthermore, it boasts an exceptional assemblage of French Impressionists, including Monet, Degas, and Renoir.

Visitor Information for Neue Pinakothek:

• Opening Hours: Daily 10 am – 6 pm, Wednesday 10 am – 8 pm (closed on Tuesday)
• Admission: 7 Euro (5 Euro reduced); on Sunday 1 Euro; Day Ticket for all three Pinakotheken 12 Euro
• Address: Barer Straße 29 (entrance Theresienstraße), 80333 München
• Getting there: Subway U2: stop Königsplatz or Theresienstraße, U3 and U6: stop Odeonsplatz or Universität, U4 and U5: stop Odeonsplatz

Pinakothek der Moderne

The Pinakothek der Moderne, which opened its doors in 2002, stands as Germany’s largest modern art museum and is among the world’s most significant contemporary art institutions. Locals often refer to it as the Dritte (“third”) Pinakothek, distinguished from the Old and New Pinakothek.

This expansive gallery complex is home to four main collections:

• The State Graphic Collection, comprising over 400,000 prints, drawings, and works on paper
• International Design Museum Munich
• Museum of Architecture from the Technical University of Munich, the largest of its kind in Germany
• State Gallery of Modern Art, showcasing acclaimed artists such as Picasso, Magritte, Kandinsky, Francis Bacon, and Warhol

Housed within an impressive $120 million, 22,000-square-meter structure designed by Stephan Braunfels, the museum features state-of-the-art, computer-controlled lighting that highlights the artworks while eliminating annoying shadows. The diverse collections are categorized into four sections: art (Kunst), architecture (Architektur), design (Design), and works on paper (Graphik).

Visitor Information for Pinakothek der Moderne:

• Opening Hours: Daily 10 am – 6 pm, Thursday 10 am – 8 pm (closed on Monday)
• Admission: 10 Euro (7 Euro reduced); on Sunday 1 Euro; Day Ticket for all three Pinakotheken 12 Euro
• Address: Barer Straße 40 (entrance Theresienstraße), 80333 München
• Getting there: Subway U2: stop Königsplatz or Theresienstraße, U3 and U6: stop Odeonsplatz or Universität, U4 and U5: stop Odeonsplatz