October 15th, 2025.
How to find unique exhibitions in Berlin
The good news is, you’ve already found this blog post, so you’re halfway there!
As endless and exciting as the Berlin art scene is, it can also be a little overwhelming to navigate. A quick search throws up hundreds of options, but finding the real gems amongst them can feel like an art form in itself. Luckily, some locals have had plenty of practice and all but perfected that art, and as it happens they are not big on gatekeeping either.
We’ve put together a list of 11 unique galleries and creative concepts across the city. Some are well established, others are tucked away, but each brings its own take on contemporary art in Berlin and is ready for you to explore.
Exgirlfriend
Once a physical gallery, Exgirlfriend has grown into a nomadic curatorial project that thrives on collaboration and experimentation. You’ll find emerging artists represented here who aren’t afraid to push boundaries. Chaotic at times, surprisingly intimate at others. Definitely one to keep an eye on if you want to see where Berlin’s younger art crowd is headed.
Tip: After an opening, the crowd often takes to Weserstraße and the neighboring streets, an area packed with dive bars and late-night energy.
Soma Art
Hidden in plain sight, Soma mixes gallery with science and cultural exchange. A core value of theirs is activism, addressing global challenges through their platform, especially around sustainability, diversity, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Expect installations that pull you in, events that spark conversation, and an overall energy that feels less like “look but don’t touch” and more like “let’s talk about what art can be.”
Tip: Pair a visit with a walk through Viktoriapark, arguably one of the most beautiful parks in Berlin, complete with its iconic waterfall.
NOTAGALLERY
True to its name, Notagallery doesn’t stick to the conventional gallery script. Also a nomadic concept, it moves through vacant spaces across Berlin and reimagines them as hubs for creativity. Expect pop-up vibes, unconventional formats, and artists who like to mess with structure. Ideal if you’re tired of white walls and crave something rougher around the edges.
Tip: Located near Checkpoint Charlie. Pop by before or after to mix history with a healthy dose of contemporary art.
Sauers
One of Berlin’s younger heavy-hitters. Sauers is a non-profit art project space that leans into bold contemporary voices. Their curation is sharp, polished, and feels ready for the global stage. It’s the kind of space where you leave feeling like you just got a glimpse of art’s next big wave.
Dittrich & Schlechtriem
Tucked into a street in Berlin-Mitte, this gallery specializes in conceptual contemporary art across a wide range of media. Championing younger artists with strong voices, it favors the bold, thus holding a reputation for concept-driven exhibitions that often touch on cultural and social questions. If you’re into work that sparks conversation, this is where you’ll find it.
HORSE & PONY
Playful name, serious programming. HORSE & PONY is an artist-run project that invites participants and collaborators to push their artistic boundaries when contributing to the space. It keeps things fresh by giving room to experimental and performance-based practices, and since 2021 has also been outsourcing creative projects to other locations. You never quite know what you’ll walk into, and that’s exactly the point.
Tip: Check their Instagram before heading out, as projects sometimes pop up in completely new venues across Berlin.
ACUD Galerie
Part of the wider ACUD cultural hub, this gallery feels like an anchor for Berlin’s grassroots creative energy. Known for its alternative vibe, it is run by a team of creatives aiming to spark dialogue and exchange through experimental artistic formats. Approachable, diverse, and often interdisciplinary, it crosses lines between art, music, and community, with an ongoing open call to artists who want to get involved.
Tip: Grab some excellent tacos at ACUD’s longtime courtyard resident, El Amigo Taqueria. A margarita from their bar makes the perfect pairing.
Boros Bunker
Berlin’s art world landmark. The Boros Collection lives inside a former WWII bunker, and the building itself is already half the experience. It embodies the city’s distinct blend of history, resilience, and contemporary art. The collection changes every few years and is only accessible by guided tour, turning every visit into a deep dive rather than a quick browse. A must if you’re drawn to the obscure and ambitious side of contemporary art.
Tip: Tours book out months in advance, so reserve early.
Carlier Gebauer
A veteran on the Berlin scene, Carlier Gebauer invites artists to experiment in its museum-like space in Kreuzberg. With room for large-scale installations, their program leans heavily into aesthetic and conceptual practices. Balancing global names with strong curatorial voices, the gallery has even expanded to Madrid. Slick, professional, and proof that Berlin can play in the same league as London or New York without losing its gritty edge.
Buchmann Galerie
Another more established name on this list, Buchmann represents international talent across painting, sculpture, photography, and drawing. The gallery has long collaborated with museums and collections worldwide, securing its reputation as a significant player on the international stage while remaining firmly rooted in Berlin. Step inside and the atmosphere strikes you: polished but never cold, with exhibitions that are crisp, thoughtfully curated, and designed to let the work breathe. Buchmann strikes a rare balance between seriousness and accessibility, making it a reliable stop on your journey through Berlin’s contemporary art scene.
Schinkel Pavillon
This institution is drenched in history and sits right on that cusp of art and architecture that Berlin is so known for. Perched near Museum Island and some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, this DDR monument offers a striking contrast between the classical surroundings and the contemporary, often experimental works shown inside. The Schinkel Pavillon is especially celebrated for its daring programming, which frequently highlights performance art, installations, and pieces that challenge how we experience space. Its glassy, octagonal structure makes every exhibition feel exposed and intimate at once, creating a viewing experience unlike anywhere else in the city.
Tip: Pair your visit with a walk around Museum Island for the perfect combination of classical and contemporary.
Even narrowed down to 11 spaces, Berlin’s art scene remains as layered as it is unpredictable. Whether you wander into a nomadic project space, step into a bunker filled with contemporary works, or find yourself in a polished gallery showing international names, each stop offers its own take on what art can be.
Part of the magic is letting the city surprise you. So while this list may have made your search a little easier, your journey through Berlin’s contemporary art scene has only just begun. Pick a few spots that catch your eye, leave room for detours, and let the city lead you somewhere unexpected.
Words by Candice Boehnert.
