The Alte Pinakothek is Munich’s landmark museum of European Old Master paintings, set in the Kunstareal museum quarter. Commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria and opened in 1836, Leo von Klenze’s grand neoclassical building was designed to display the Wittelsbach collection. Damaged during the Second World War and later restored, it remains as much a part of the visit as the paintings inside.
The collection spans the 14th to 18th centuries, with particular strength in German, Flemish and Dutch painting. Dürer’s arresting Self-Portrait in a Fur Coat is a highlight, while the monumental Rubens rooms give a sense of the artist’s scale and theatricality. Works by Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt and El Greco add to a collection that rewards both a focused visit and a longer wander.
Allow at least two hours, and consider a weekday morning for a quieter look at the major works. Sunday admission is often discounted, though galleries can be busier; check current prices and opening times before you go. The museum is an easy walk from Königsplatz or Theresienstraße U-Bahn stations and pairs well with a visit to the nearby Pinakothek der Moderne.