Museum Brandhorst

The Museum Brandhorst in Munich's Maxvorstadt district is a contemporary art museum in one of the most eye-catching buildings in Germany. Its facade of thousands of colorful ceramic rods, designed by Sauerbruch Hutton, makes it easy to recognize from far away. Inside, you will find major works by Cy Twombly and Andy Warhol. Pair it with the neighboring Pinakothek der Moderne for a strong modern-art day in Munich.

Why it is worth visiting

The building opened to the public on May 21, 2009, on the site of a former barracks in the Kunstareal. About 36,000 ceramic rods in 23 colors clad the concrete walls, which also helps dampen traffic noise. The collection goes back to Udo and Anette Brandhorst, who began collecting in the 1970s and placed the works in a foundation in 1993. It now includes more than 700 artworks. The Free State of Bavaria paid for the roughly 47 million euro building.

The highlight for many visitors is Cy Twombly's Lepanto, twelve large paintings created in 2001 for the Venice Biennale and shown in a dedicated room upstairs. The museum holds more than 100 works by Andy Warhol, making him the second most represented artist after Twombly. Temporary shows in 2026 include Long Story Short (through January 31, 2027) and Carrying (through November 8, 2026).

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday until 8 p.m.; closed Mondays.
• Admission: 7 EUR, 5 EUR reduced, 1 EUR on Sundays. Visitors under 18 enter free.
• Combined ticket: 12 EUR for the Pinakotheken, Museum Brandhorst and Sammlung Schack.

Note that the museum's website says the ground floor is closed while the exhibition In My Head is being installed; it is due to open on October 29 or 30, 2026 (the site gives both dates). Check which areas are open before your visit. Plan one to two hours.

How to get there

The museum is at Theresienstraße 35a, 80333 Munich, at the corner of Türkenstraße. Take the U2 subway to Königsplatz or Theresienstraße, or the U3 or U6 to Odeonsplatz or Universität. Trams 27 and 28 stop at Pinakotheken. Local transit is covered by the Deutschlandticket if you hold one. Two elevators reach all levels, and wheelchairs and accessible restrooms are available.

Nearby

The Pinakothek der Moderne is right next door, and the Alte Pinakothek and Sammlung Schack are also part of the Kunstareal. The Neue Pinakothek is closed for a general renovation.