Museum Folkwang is an art museum at Museumsplatz 1 in Essen, with collections spanning painting, sculpture, photography and poster art. Its permanent collection, presented as NEW WORLDS, is free on opening days; special exhibitions may have separate admission charges.
At a glance
- Address: Museumsplatz 1, 45128 Essen, Germany.
- Regular hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday
- Closed: Mondays.
- Admission: Free for the permanent collection; special exhibitions may charge separately.
What to see at Museum Folkwang
Museum Folkwang’s collection covers art from the 19th century through Classical Modernism and the period after 1945. Painting and sculpture sit alongside photography and poster art, giving the museum a range of collection areas to consider as you plan your visit.
The museum’s building was designed by David Chipperfield Architects. Its public areas connect with the existing exhibition rooms on one level, without level differences.
Collections and exhibition spaces
The permanent collection is presented under the title NEW WORLDS, and admission to it is free on all opening days. The Deutsches Plakat Museum is part of Museum Folkwang; its collection comprises 350,000 exhibits and became part of the museum in 2010.
For a sense of the scale of the exhibition spaces, the large exhibition hall covers 1,400 m². RuhrKunstMuseen describes it as the largest of its kind in Germany.
Opening hours, admission and tickets
Museum Folkwang is open Tuesday through Sunday, with later closing hours on Thursday and Friday, and is closed on Monday. Special and temporary exhibitions may have separate admission charges. The museum advises checking its website or online shop for those prices; check the official site before you go for current hours and ticket details.
Opening hours
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00–18:00
- Thursday and Friday: 10:00–20:00
- Monday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Collection audio guides are available to rent for €4. The museum app is free to download and can be used as an audio guide; bring your own headphones if you plan to use it.
Before entering the exhibition rooms, you are asked to leave bags, umbrellas, walking sticks, coats, jackets and backpacks at the cloakroom. Bag checks are carried out.
How do you get to Museum Folkwang from central Essen?
From Essen Hauptbahnhof, take tram line 103, 106 or 107, or underground line U11, to Rüttenscheider Stern. The museum is signposted from the stop, about a 7-minute walk away.
If you prefer to walk from the station, the route from the south exit of Essen Hauptbahnhof takes about 20 minutes via Huyssenallee, following the signs. For route and ticket planning around the city, the Essen public transport guide covers local connections.
The museum has an underground car park that is open 24 hours daily. It has 125 spaces, including 4 for visitors with disabilities, and an entrance height of 2 metres. The entrance and exhibition areas can be accessed without barriers from the car park’s disabled parking spaces.
There are 16 free bicycle parking spaces with racks in the underground car park, accessed separately from the car entrance, plus additional rack spaces on Museumsplatz. Four e-bike charging points are available in the underground car park; you can borrow the charging key at the foyer ticket counter against a €5 deposit.
Allowing time for your visit
The collection spans several periods and formats, and the museum also has a large exhibition hall. The time needed depends on which collection areas and exhibitions you want to see. For a pause, the museum has a restaurant called edda, a bookshop and a reading room open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you are fitting the museum into a day around the city centre, the Essen city-centre itinerary offers a way to plan other stops around your visit.
FAQs
Is admission to Museum Folkwang free?
Admission to the permanent collection is free on all opening days. Special exhibitions may have separate charges.
Is Museum Folkwang open on Mondays?
Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday.
How do you reach the museum from Essen Hauptbahnhof?
Take tram lines 103, 106 or 107, or underground line U11, to Rüttenscheider Stern, then follow the signs for about a 7-minute walk. Walking from the station’s south exit via Huyssenallee takes about 20 minutes.
Can you use an audio guide at the museum?
Yes. Collection audio guides can be rented for €4, and the free museum app can also be used as an audio guide. Bring your own headphones to use the app.