Deutsches Museum

The Deutsches Museum in Munich is one of the world's largest museums of science and technology and one of the top things to do in Munich, especially with kids or on a rainy day. Set on an island in the Isar River just outside the old town, it's packed with historic aircraft, spacecraft, robots, musical instruments, and hands-on exhibits. Even with major renovations underway, there's easily enough to fill a whole day.

A museum of masterpieces

The museum was founded in 1903 by engineer Oskar von Miller, whose idea was revolutionary at the time: show science and technology through real objects, working models, and demonstrations visitors can try themselves. The main building on the island opened on May 7, 1925. In 2025 it drew about 1.69 million visitors. The museum also runs a transport center in Munich, an aircraft hangar at Schleissheim, and branches in Bonn and Nuremberg.

What's open now

The main building has been under a long-term renovation since 2015. The first half reopened in July 2022 with redesigned galleries, and the second phase is still in progress. According to the museum, about 20 interactive exhibitions are currently open, including:

• Historic and Modern Aviation, with aircraft such as the Junkers Ju 52
• Space travel, with rockets, satellites, and a lunar rover
• Robotics, Health, and Optics
• Musical Instruments
• Kinderreich, a dedicated area for young children

Some longtime favorites, including the famous replica mine, are closed for several years during construction. The visitor entrance is temporarily in a glass building at the Corneliusbrücke bridge; the museum plans to move it back to the main courtyard in 2028.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the museum:

• Hours: daily 9 am to 5 pm, last entry 4:30 pm.
• Closed: November 1, November 11 (staff meeting), and December 24, 25, and 31.
• Tickets: adults 16 euros; reduced 9 euros for ages 6 to 17, students, and seniors 65+ (weekdays only); children 5 and under free.
• Family ticket: 33 euros for up to two adults with their children under 18.

The museum recommends buying tickets online. Weekends, school holidays, and rainy days are the busiest.

How to get there

The address is Museumsinsel 1, about a 15-minute walk from Marienplatz in central Munich.

• S-Bahn: Isartor or Rosenheimer Platz on the main city line, which also connects to Munich Airport (about 40 minutes)
• Tram: line 17 to the Deutsches Museum stop
• Subway: U1 or U2 to Fraunhoferstrasse

Local transit is covered by the Deutschlandticket. The museum advises against arriving by car. Wheelchair users and families with strollers should use Rosenheimer Platz, since Isartor station has escalators only.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely, if you enjoy science, engineering, or history, and it's one of the best rainy-day options in Munich for families. Arrive right at opening to enjoy the aviation halls before the crowds, pick a few galleries in advance rather than trying to see everything, and plan at least three to four hours, and note that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Many exhibits have English labels, and the aviation and space halls alone are worth the ticket. If you're a transport fan, add the museum's transport center on the Theresienhöhe, home to historic cars and trains.