Housed in a neo-gothic collage of monastic buildings designed by famous German architect Ludwig Hoffmann, the Märkisches Museum opened in 1908. The displays in the museum showcase the history of Berlin through a mixture of permanent and temporary exhibitions featuring everything from religious statues to fragments of the Berlin Wall. Children will especially enjoy the collection of unusual items like self-playing pianos, puppets, a 19th-century barber shop mock-up, and a 19th-century 3D camera.
The Märkisches Museum is located within the Köllnischer Park creative and museum quarter. It’s easy to get to the museum on public transport—the closest station is Märkisches Museum on the U-Bahn U2 line. Free use of public transport is included with the Berlin Pass.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday all year round. Opening times may differ on public holidays. The museum is busiest on weekend afternoons, so visit during the week if you can for a quieter experience.
The River Spree is one of two rivers flowing through Berlin (the other is the River Havel). In the summer months, there are few things as pleasant as a leisurely boat cruise along the Spree, enjoying views of Berlin’s historic buildings from a new vantage point on the water. The Berlin Pass includes just such boat cruises during the summer months.
