Pinakothek der Moderne

The Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich's Maxvorstadt district is one of Germany's largest museums for modern art, architecture, graphic art and design. Opened in 2002 and designed by Stephan Braunfels, it houses four independent museums under one roof. If you are looking for things to do in Munich on a rainy day, or you simply love design and 20th-century art, it is an easy choice.

What makes it special

The building opened on September 16, 2002. At its heart is a rotunda about 30 meters in diameter with a skylight, from which two large staircases lead up to the collections. Private donations of about 10 million euros kickstarted the financing, and the Free State of Bavaria covered the rest.

The four museums inside are the Modern Art collection (Bavarian State Painting Collections), the State Graphic Collection, the Architecture Museum of the Technical University of Munich, and Die Neue Sammlung, the design museum. A free museum app offers audio, text and video content on more than 100 objects.

Be aware that several rooms of the Modern Art collection are temporarily closed. Rooms 11 to 17 were closed until October 8, 2026, and further closures run into November and December 2026. If you want to see a specific work, email the museum in advance.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

• Hours: daily except Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday until 8 p.m.
• Admission: 10 EUR, 7 EUR reduced. On Sundays admission is 1 EUR per museum. Visitors under 18 enter free.
• Combined ticket: 12 EUR covers the Pinakotheken, Museum Brandhorst and Sammlung Schack.

Prices are presented inconsistently on some pages, so check the official website before you go. Plan two to three hours for the art collection and one more museum.

How to get there

The museum is at Barer Straße 40, 80333 Munich, in the Kunstareal, a short walk from the Alte Pinakothek. From Munich Hauptbahnhof you can reach the area by local transit, which the Deutschlandticket covers. Check the museum website for the exact bus, tram and subway connections. Construction in the winter garden may limit access to the building and the café.

Accessibility and nearby

Step-free entrances are on Barer Straße and on Belsbergerstraße, two elevators serve all departments, and wheelchairs are available at the information desk. Nearby you will find the Museum Brandhorst, the Alte Pinakothek and the Sammlung Schack. The Neue Pinakothek is closed for a general renovation until about 2030.