Copenhagen

Nationalmuseet

National Museum of Denmark

This museum portrays the national history and cultural heritage of Denmark and is widely regarded as one of the best in Europe. The permanent collection is well laid out, an informative collection of national artifacts, perhaps the most impressive being those exploring Danish prehistory from the Bronze Age through to the Vikings. The museum also holds a collection of Classical and Near Eastern artefacts. The children's museum in the basement is a blast for the kids.

10:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays in winter) · 150 kr (135 kr online), children under 18 years old free. · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

Tivoli

main entrance shown on map

Tivoli is a garden built around a lake stemming from the old fortification of the city. It was opened in 1843 by its founder Georg Carstensen, just outside the city walls. Since then Copenhagen has grown up around it, and today the world-famous gardens and amusement park, is a magic and green oasis smack in the center of the city, between the central station and the city hall square. The magic is particularly obvious after dark, when the lights and lanterns in every colour of the rainbow, lights up everywhere. Main season is mid-April to late September. From mid November to late December there is Christmas in Tivoli. Tivoli is especially beautiful at night when coloured lamps light up everywhere. Pop/rock concerts every Friday night, sometimes with internationally known names. Some evenings end with fireworks, consult the programme. Also brass bands, pantomime theatre, etc., on the program.

Daily 11:00-23:00 (later on weekends) · Entry adults (8 years and up) 130 kr, children 3-7 years old 60 kr (discounts available online and for groups) · Limited wheelchair access

Thorvaldsens Museum

Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) was a Danish/Icelandic sculptor, who lived most of his live in Rome. He is one of the major internationally renowned Danish artists. The museum houses many of Thorvaldsens original models, and several marble casts makes the collection almost complete. It is big and impressive, and the building itself is a striking piece of architecture.

Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 · Adult 70 kr, students 50 kr, children free, retired Danish citizens: Free. Free admission for all on Wednesdays

Kongens Have

King's Garden

This park adjacent to Rosenborg is the most frequented park in the city. It is a place for a stroll, a picnic, drinking beers in the sun, or whatever you feel like doing. The topless sunbathers often inject a shock into foreign visitors. Also the marionette theatre in the eastern corner is doing plays every day at 14:00 and 15:00. Great for kids.

07:00-22:00 · Free · Free entry

Marmorkirken

The Marble Church, Frederik's Church

Officially called Frederikskirken, this impressive church imposes a massive presence on the Copenhagen skyline, with its 31 m. diameter dome. Because of financial turmoil in the country, it took over 100 years to complete. The church takes its name from the original lower part of the structure which is made from Norwegian marble. Guided tours of the dome: adults: 35 kr, children (under 18) 20 kr (cash only); June 15-Aug 31: daily at 13:00; at other times: Sa Su at 13:00. Tickets are sold from 12:50. Visits might be cancelled due to services or concerts. Services in Danish on Sundays and holidays at 10:30.

Mon-Thu Sat 10:00-17:00, Fri Sun 12:00-17:00 · Free

Krigsmuseet (previously: Tøjhusmuseet)

Danish War Museum (previously: the Royal Danish Arsenal Museum)

The Royal Danish Arsenal Museum covers the history of the Danish Defence, its collection dating back to 1604. It covers the development of weapons from the introduction of firearms to the present day, and is well known for its many activities for kids - especially its medieval knight days, during the schools autumn break in week 42.

Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, closed Mondays · Adult 80 kr, adult with a child: 70 kr, children: free admission · Wheelchair accessible

Naturhistoriske Museum

Natural History Museum of Denmark

Formerly called the "Geologisk Museum", still with a strong focus on geology. Has some impressive samples of minerals, rocks and fossils from all over the world on display. Including stones from the moon were brought back to the earth by Apollo 17, dinosaur fossils, and the kids favorite; glow in the dark minerals. The entry fee includes a visit to the palm house in the botanical garden.

Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, Mondays closed · Adult 105 kr, children (aged 3-16) and students: 50 kr

The University of Copenhagen Botanical Garden

The Botanical Gardens are one of several parks, dotted along the string of lakes, which used to form part of the old city fortifications. Run by the University of Copenhagen, the garden hosts Denmark's largest collection of living plants, including an impressive collection of orchids. The signature palm house is a huge greenhouse, with large tropical trees, and a sky walk in the canopy.

Palmhouse:10:00-15:00, garden: Mar-Oct 08:30-18:00 Nov-Feb 08:30-16:00 · Garden free, palm house access included in the ticket for the Naturhistoriske Museum or 60 kr for adults and 40 kr for kids and students · Free entry

Dansk Jødisk Museum

Danish Jewish Museum

The museum presents Jewish life in Denmark through 400 years, from the first immigrants in the seventeenth century until today. The exhibition space is designed by famous architect Daniel Liebeskind, and is quite striking - with its old traditional exterior contrasted by a very modern interior.

Opening hours Summer (June-August): Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays. Opening hours Winter (September-May): Tue-Fri 13:00-16:00, Sat Sun 12:00-17:00, closed on Mondays · Adult 60 kr, students & people over 65 50 kr, children free · Wheelchair accessible

Nikolaj Art Gallery

Nikolaj Kunsthal

An old church housing changing contemporary exhibitions from newer Danish and international artists. Visiting will take about an hour and is well worth it if you like contemporary art.

Tue-Fri 11:00-18:00, Sat Sun 11:00-17:00, Mon closed; tower open weekends at 13:00 · 100 kr, children up to 17 and on Wednesdays free

Cisternerne

Museum of Modern Glass Art

The museum is the old, catacomb like, water cisterns under Søndermarken park opposite the main entrance to Zoo, and the unusual environs, combined with the stained glass art and various sculptures makes the museum quite unique.

Open Fri 14:00-18:00, Sat Sun holidays 11:00-17:00. Closed Dec-Jan · 70 kr

Experimentarium

Science center

Excellent "hands-on" science museum for kids of all ages. Rich with activities centered around nature and technology, and does wonders teaching complex subject easily through self experimentation. Has changing themed exhibitions (check website for current ones).

Mon Wed-Fri 09:30-17:00, Tue 09:30-21:00, Sat Sun 11:00-17:00 · 135 kr for adults, 90 kr for children

The Workers' Museum

Covers Danish daily lives in the last 150 years, with exhibitions that both include artifacts relating to the main theme, and art portraying the life of the industrial worker.

Daily 10:00-16:00 (Wed until 19:00) · Adult 90 kr, children free, 18-25 year olds & students: 65 kr, members of participating Danish trade unions: Free.

Amalienborg

Amalienborg is the Royal residence and consists of four identical classical mansions, each facing an octagonal courtyard. On the Queen's birthday (14th of January) and for other highlights in the lives of the royal family, the square is jam-packed with people waving the Danish flag and greeting the Queen. There is a museum in the Christian VIII Mansion displaying exhibitions of the period 1863-1972, and four generations of the royal family. There is changing of the guards each day at 12:00. (Marches from Rosenborg Castle barracks) The ceremony is most elaborate in the winter, when the Queen is in residence here; a scale-down version is performed the rest of the year when the Queen is in residence in her other palaces. After visiting the museum, Amaliehaven offers some beautiful views of the new Opera on the other riverside.

11:00-16:00 · adults 135 kr, students 90 kr (museum entrance), 10 kr less when ordering online · Wheelchair accessible

Medical Museion

Museum of the History of Medicine

The museum communicates knowledge about the history of medicine, the study of the preparation of medicines and dentistry, by means of public exhibitions, publications, lectures and other museum-related activities.

Tue-Fri 10:00-16:00, Sat Sun 12:00-16:00 · Adults 75 kr, children under 16 and students 50 kr

Copenhagen Contemporary

CC

As one of the great contemporary museums of Copenhagen it gives space to large-scale modern installations. Can be well combined with a visit to the Reffen food court area next to it.

Fri-Wed 11:00-18:00, Thu 11:00-21:00, Mon Tue closed · kr 120, kr 95 for students, children up to 17 are free

Pixie

hands some reasonably priced cocktails (a flat 65 kr) over the counter, Outdoor seating on the small square, and brunch, lunch, tapas and an evening menu if you want to fill up your stomach before indulging. Pixie is the name for a series of well known children's books, and the owners have kept true to the name with pretty neat colorful childish interiors.

Sun-Thu 09:30-01:00, Fri Sat 09:30-03:00 · Limited wheelchair access · Outdoor seating · Vegan options

Copenhagen Zoo

The Copenhagen Zoo is one of the oldest in Europe tracing its history back to 1859. Its focus has shifted from displaying as many animals as possible, to providing large, world class facilities to the animals, earning the zoo a reputation as one of the best in the world. An open savannah area allows wildlife mixes with each other, and thete is a large elephant house designed by Norman Foster. It is the only zoo outside Australia to have Tasmanian devils on display. The zoo is amazingly kid-friendly, with many play areas, and some hands-on animal displays throughout the zoo. The zoo has a restaurant, fast-food places, and you are allowed to bring your own food, and eat in the picnic areas.

Opening hours varies greatly throughout the season, but Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00 & Sat Sun 09:00-18:00 are always safe bets. During high season daily: 09:00-21:00

Zoo Bar

Small but hip place, which also serves good food. Always crowded on weekends. Interesting decoration.

Thu-Sat 20:00-05:00 · Limited wheelchair access

Can Family

A cool combined shop, record label and gallery, featuring some nice and rather childlike paintings, records, toys and other odds and ends that the trio behind the shop happen to like.

Mon-Fri 12:30-17:30, Sat 11:00-15:00

Sømods Bolcher

Soemods Candy

A historic drop-boiler started in 1891, here former times craftsmanship is celebrated and kept alive. Watch how the professionals cook drops and make colorful lollipops or engage yourself. Good variety of drops, known as bolcher in Danish. Particularly great with kids as they can see the candy being made. Has been owned by the same family since it first opened more than 125 years ago.

Mon-Thu 09:15-17:30, Fri 09:15-18:00, Sat 10:00-15:30 · 36-190 kr

Amagermuseet

A historical museum in two old farm houses, detailing the Dutch history of immigration on the island, who were invited to the island by the king to dam and farm the island after the Dutch model. There is also exhibits on historical interiors and textiles.

Tue-Sun 12:00-16:00 (summer only) · Adult: 65 DKK, During July and the Autumn Holidays: 80 DKK, Children under 18: Free

Assistens Cemetery

between Nørrebrogade, Jagtvej and Kaptelvej.

Both a cemetery and a peaceful park, replete with sunbathers and joggers. The A-section has big trees, bicycle paths and historical graves, including such famous Danes as the philosopher Kierkegaard, children's writer Hans-Christian Andersen and Scherfig. The place has very special atmosphere, in that it also doubles as a park, so you can see people having picnic or tanning in the sun, between the often impressive tombstones.

08:00-20:00 · Free

Christiania Jazzclub

This Jazz club, housed in Christiania's children's theatre, has an amazing atmosphere. If you play any instruments, often you can go to stage and jam away at the late hours of the night after the band of the night have finished.

Wed Fri 21:00-late

Den Blå Planet

National Aquarium Denmark

Largest aquarium in Northern Europe with 20,000 fish and ocean animals from all over the world.

Mon 10:00-21:00, Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 · Adults 185-210 kr, children 105-115 kr

Designer Zoo

DZOO is a working design store, based on a community of eight designers, which also sell designs made by a row of other Danish handcraft designers.

Mon-Thu 10:00-17:30, Fri 10:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-15:00

Hansens Old Family Garden

The oldest of the Frederiksberg garden restaurants. The main building is from 1630. Serves very traditional Danish food in mix between a Garden and an outdoor German style Beer hale, but also has indoor seating. No music played

All year 11:00-00:00 · Menu is 350 kr, 140 kr for lunch

Havnebadet

Island brygge or Bryggen

Enormously popular green area and city beach, with enclosed salt water pools, including some shallow ones for kids, and a 5-m "jumping" tower, shower, grill and toilet facilities, and it is manned with life guards. Excellent spot for hanging out with locals on sunny days, and it is quite a peculiar sensation having a swim smack in the centre of the city.

1 June-31 August · Free

Krøgers Family Garden

Only dating back to 1864, this is the youngest of the family gardens, where you sit outside on long benches drinking beer while garbling in traditional Danish fare. Live music every weekend in the summer

only during summer (May-Sep) · lunch platter at 168 kr

Middelalderlandsbyen

The medieval village

A living history museum opened in 1999. The village consists of seven reconstructed houses as they would have looked in the 13th century surrounding a small village pond. There are several workshops with many activities for the kids.

No set opening hours · Free