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

Ny Carlsberg Glyptoteket

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek houses over 10,000 works, divided into two principal collections. One is of works from the Mediterranean cradle of Western culture, including classical Egyptian, Roman and Greek antiquities and Romanticist sculptures; the other of Danish and French art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including paintings by Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Cézanne and van Gogh, as well as several bronze sculptures by Degas. Completed in 1897, the building is an attraction in its own right, especially the sub-tropical winter garden.

Tue-Sun 11:00–18:00, Thu 11:00-22:00, closed on Mondays · Adul 115 kr, under 27 85 kr, under 18 and Tuesdays free · Wi-Fi · Entry DKK 125

Rundetårn

The Round Tower

Climb the spiral, cobbled road up to the observation platform of this tower, for a wonderful view of the city.

10:00-20:00 (winter: 18:00) · 60 kr, students 40 kr · Limited wheelchair access · Built 1642

Christiansborg

the Parliament

This Neo-baroque palace, completed in 1928, after 11 years of construction - is unique in the world, housing both the executive power, the legislative power, and the judicial power of Denmark, in a single building. It is the 5th construction at the site, and the ruins of the original castle dating back to the 12th century - was excavated during the construction of the current palace, is open to the public (adult 85 kr, student 60 kr). Apart from the ruins there are a few other places that can be visited: free guided tours of the parliament building are conducted during summer months; Parliament's tower can be visited free of charge Tu-Su 11:00-21:00; the Royal Reception Rooms (including the Great Hall with the tapestries) 150 kr; the Royal Kitchen 85 Kr, the Royal Stables 85 kr; the Palace Chapel - free admission. Besides, there is a combination ticket which allows entrance to all of the aforementioned sights - 225 kr. You get a discount of 10 kr for all tickets when ordering online.

10:00–17:00, May-September opens one hour earlier · Free entry

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

Kastellet

Frederikshavn Citadel

A superbly preserved and restored star-shaped citadel. First built in 1626 as St. Anne's Bulwark and completed in 1664, it was the stronghold at the northern end of the East Rampart, which arched through the city and remains in the form of the many parks extending down to Tivoli. The Citadel now houses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service, and is a popular spot for picnics. As well as two small museums with limited opening hours: Livjæger Museum and the museum in the North Gate which displays Garrison's Historical Collections.

24hrs daily · Free · Wheelchair accessible · Built 1664

Davids Samling

The David Collection

Art from the Islamic world, European 18th-century art, and Danish early modern art. Free guided tours are only in Danish and are given in the spring and autumn.

Tue-Sun 10:00–17:00, Thu 10:00-21:00, Mondays: closed · Free · Free entry

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

Nordatlantens brygge

Nordatlantens Brygge is a cultural house where you can experience culture and arts from the North Atlantic region. Housed in an old dock building, there are 3 exhibition halls with changing exhibitions, performances and lectures.

Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat Sun 12:00-17:00 · DKK 40 · Wheelchair accessible

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

The Bakkehus Museum

Bakkehuset (lit. 'The Hill House') is a historic house museum on Rahbeks Allé in the Frederiksberg district of Copenhagen, Denmark. Dating from the 1520s, it has served a number of functions over the years, including as a farmhouse, inn, private home, psychiatric hospital and orphanage. It is particularly associated with the Danish Golden Age when it was owned by Knud Lyne Rahbek and his wife, Kamma Rahbek, used it as a venue for her salons.

Tue-Sun 11:00-16:00 · 30 kr

The Danish Museum of Art & Design

Designmuseum Danmark

Housed in one of Copenhagen’s finest rococo buildings, a former hospital. This museum is home of one of the most important collections of Danish and Scandinavian industrial design, decorative and applied arts., The cafe is a good place for lunch (does not require admission).

Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, Wed 10:00 – 21:00 · 100 kr, free for students and under 26 years

Møstings Hus

Changing art exhibition in small but very cute house next to the Frederiksberg Garden and a small idyllic pond. It is open to any artist that applies and is accepted by the municipality.

Tue-Fri 11:00-16:00 · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

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

Kastrupgårdsamlingen

Set in a beautiful old mansion-like country home from the 18th century, this museum displays a large collection of graphics from mainly Danish artists, including a large collection of the somewhat internationally known Cobra artists. There are also a temporary exhibition space.

Tue-Fr 13:00-17:00, except Wed 13:00-20:00, Sat,Sun 11:00-17:00 · Free · Heritage listed · Wheelchair accessible

Den Frie Udstilling

The Free Exhibition

This art exhibition was established in 1891, as a protest against a censored exhibition sponsored by the royal art board — hence the name. Mainly shows contemporary art. The exhibition is housed in a remarkable, restored building that resembles an ancient Greek temple.

Fri-Wed 10:00-17:00, Thu 10:00-21:00 · 20-45 kr

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.

Tycho Brahe Planetarium

The Planetarium

Named after the Danish astronomer who formed the basis for the discovery of planetary motion, this planetarium features a small but good free exhibit on astronomy, a 4000-star projector, OmniMax theatre, and a restaurant.

Mon 13:00-21:00, Tue-Sun 10:30-21:00 · shows 130 kr · Wheelchair accessible

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

Enigma

Museum for Postal, Tele, and Communications

So far only stage one of the new telecommunications museum is implemented. Which means that there is exactly one item on display, an old rusty Enigma machine. But it is free and they have a nice cafe and a museum shop with lots of expensive modern design. So if you are in the area it is worth a visit.

Mon-Thu 11:00-21:00; Fri 08:00-18:00; Sat Sun 10:00-16:00 · free · Wheelchair accessible

House of Amber

Known historically as 'Nordic Gold', amber is a quintessential Scandinavian jewelry. And there is no better place to get in than in this store, housed in a 17th-century house at the beginning of Nyhavn. The shops also runs a museum with an extensive collection of rare finds.

Daily 10:00-20:00 · Museum: 25 kr

Storm P. Museum

Robert Storm Petersen (Storm P) was a famous Danish artist and author, his humorous works is often regarded as something quintessentially Danish. The museum owns more than 50,000 drawings (of which only some are on exhibition). Storm P is mostly known for his comedic drawings of "philosophical" vagabonds and his much-loved Storm P machines, that perform very simple tasks through an unnecessarily complex and usually humorous series of actions.

Tu-Fr 11:00-18:00; Sa 11:00-17:00

Rosenborg

A former royal residence, Rosenborg is not only a beautiful Renaissance proper castle, with a moat and all, today it is also a fascinating museum of cultural history. Rosenborg houses some of Denmark’s greatest cultural treasures, not least the Crown Jewels and the Danish Crown Regalia, and includes exhibits about the Danish monarchy over 300 years.

10:00-16:00 · 150 kr (140kr online), students 100 kr, free for under 17 years old

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

Brønshøj

The suburb Brønshøj is a village dating back to the early middle ages. It is reached by bus 2A, 5A or 350S all stopping at Brønshøj Torv (square). Close by the square is the church from the 12th century, the oldest building still in use is Copenhagen. Brønshøj served as the head quarter for the Swedish army during the attack on Copenhagen in 1659. Many street names between Brønshøj Torv and Bellahøj are named in memory of the war (Svenskelejren - 'the Swedish camp' and Svend Gønges vej). As of Sep 2019, Brønshøj Museum is under reconstruction.

Mo-Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 12:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-14:00 · Wi-Fi

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