Even with large sections closed for a multi-year renovation through 2027, the Pergamonmuseum remains one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological museums. Walking through the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate — a 2,500-year-old Babylonian portal reconstructed brick by brick — is the kind of experience that genuinely stops you in your tracks. Check the SMB website before visiting to see which wings are open, and pair it with the Neues Museum next door for a full Museum Island day.
Walk through a 2,500-year-old Babylonian gate rebuilt brick by brick — even partially closed for renovation, it's one of the world's great archaeological experiences.
Check the SMB website before visiting to see which wings are currently open — the renovation schedule changes, and the Pergamon Altar hall is closed through 2027.
Ancient wonders under renovation — still unmissable
The Pergamonmuseum is the kind of place that makes you stop in your tracks. Walking through the Ishtar Gate — that massive, blue-glazed Babylonian portal reconstructed brick by brick — you genuinely feel the weight of millennia. It's one of the world's great archaeological museums, and for good reason: where else can you stroll through a reconstructed ancient city gate that's two and a half thousand years old? Even with parts of the collection inaccessible, what remains open is still world-class.
Here's the catch: the main building is undergoing a massive, multi-year renovation (expected to last through 2027), and large portions are currently closed, including the famous Pergamon Altar hall. That's a real loss for first-time visitors. However, the north wing and the Museum für Islamische Kunst remain partially accessible, and the Pergamonmuseum. The Panorama exhibition — housed in a separate building nearby on Am Kupfergraben — offers a stunning 360-degree immersive experience of the ancient city of Pergamon, complete with atmospheric sound and lighting. Reviewers consistently call it a worthwhile alternative while the main halls are under wraps.
If you're planning a visit, check the SMB website beforehand to see exactly which wings are open — it changes as renovation progresses. Museum Island itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so even when parts of the Pergamon are closed, you can pair your visit with the Neues Museum (Nefertiti!) or the Bode-Museum right next door for a full day of world-class archaeology.