7 Must-Visit Museums in Copenhagen: First-Timer's Guide

Contemporary, chic, and oh-so-cool, Denmark's capital city of Copenhagen seamlessly integrates modern design and old-school charm. Boasting some of Europe's most spectacular buildings, Copenhagen is one of the continent's design capitals with many world-class museums.

Culture vultures, art lovers, and history buffs alike will delight in the city's cultural offerings. From the grand elegance of Louisiana to the celebrated genius of Ny Carlsberg Gylptotek, here are some of Copenhagen's top museums that shouldn't be missed!

Are Museums in Copenhagen Free?

Most Copenhagen museums are state-owned and were previously free to visit. But in response to recent budget cuts, these museums began to charge admission fees to maintain themselves. 

However, museums like The David Collection are still free daily. Others are free on specific days of the week, like Glyptoteket.

Copenhagen's 7 Best Museums

7. Copenhagen Contemporary

Based in a former B&W welding hall in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Refshaleøen, Copenhagen Contemporary is, without a doubt, Copenhagen's hippest museum. Grand, high-ceiling industrial halls are adorned with avant-garde installation art by world-renowned artists and emerging talents. Marvel at monumental video works, one-of-a-kind performance art, and behemoth art installations.   

Insider tip: Check out the award-winning interior of the museum's café, Connie-Connie.

Opening Hours: 

Monday & Tuesday: closed

Wednesday–Sunday: 11am–6pm

Thursday: 11am–9pm

6. Danish Architecture Center (DAC)

Housed in BLOX on Copenhagen harbourside, the Danish Architecture Center (DAC) is an architectural gem in its own right. Explore the world of architecture and how building design shapes our lives.

Discover architectural masters like Jan Gehl and Arne Jacobsen. Explore innovative urban development like the UN city at Copenhagen harbor and VM Houses in Ørestad. Challenge your senses on the wildest art installation in Copenhagen, the 40-meter, four-story spiral DAC Slide.

Insider tip: Visit the museum's top floor for awe-inspiring views over the harbor and the city.  

Opening Hours: 

Monday–Sunday: 10 am–6pm

Thursday: 10am–9pm

5. Designmuseum Danmark (Design Museum Denmark)

If you love Danish design, you'll fall in love with the Designmuseum Danmark. The museum is housed in a beautiful Rococo building that was once Denmark's first public hospital and is an artwork in itself.

Home to the world's largest collections of Danish design, the museum is a haven of decorative art, industrial and furniture design, ceramics, textiles, and glass. Admire the permanent exhibition of Danish chairs and works by Hans Wegner and Arne Arne Jacobsen.

Insider tip: Lunch in the lovely museum garden in the summer.

Opening Hours: 

Monday: Closed

Tuesday–Sunday: 10am–6pm

Thursday: 10am–8pm

4. Statens Museum for Kunst (National Gallery of Denmark)

Located in Østre Anlæg Park, the Statens Museum for Kunst (National Gallery of Denmark) boasts a breathtaking collection of Danish Golden Age and contemporary art. It also houses one of the world's best Matisse collections.

The museum is enormous, so don't expect to see it all in one day. Must-see highlights include Vilhelm Hammershøi's muted 19th-century Copenhagen interiors and the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes of the Skagen School.

Check out the stunning Danh Vo-designed interiors in the Kafereria that seamlessly blend classic Danish design with chic Italian and Japanese inspiration.

Insider tip: Watch out for SMK Fridays. The museum opens during the evening, admission is free, and visitors can enjoy drinks, street food, and live music.

Opening Hours: 

Monday: Closed

Tuesday–Sunday: 10am–6pm

Thursday: 10am–9pm

3. Nationalmuseet (National Museum)

If you want to explore Scandinavian cultural history, then this is the place to be. The Nationalmuseet (National Museum of Denmark) is the country's largest museum and features exhibitions from the Stone Age through the Viking Age to modern Danish history.

Located in the exquisite 18th-century Prince's Palace, the museum's exhibits are fascinating. Discover Denmark's colonial history in the Caribbean, India, West Africa, and Greenland. Don't miss the 3,500-year-old bog-preserved body of the Egtved Girl.

Marvel at the magnificent Trundholm Sun Chariot. Dating back to 1,400 BC, the Bronze Age statue is a sight to behold!

Insider tip: Don't pack lunch when you visit, as the museum café makes the best sandwiches in town.

Opening Hours: 

Monday: Closed

Tuesday–Sunday: 10am–5pm

2. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Get lost in this tranquil oasis in the heart of Copenhagen. Established in 1888 by brewing magnate Carl Jacobsen as a sanctuary for his private art private collection, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is nothing less than spectacular.

Centered around a glass-domed Winter Garden filled with statues, palm trees and a fountain, grand rooms with ornate ceilings house a world-class art collection. Admire ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sculptures. Marvel at French Impressionist pieces and appreciate works from the Danish Golden Age.

Insider tip: Entry to the museum is free on Tuesdays.

Opening Hours: 

Monday: Closed

Tuesday–Sunday: 11am–6pm

Thursday: 11am–9pm

1. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Even if you're not a lover of modern art, visiting the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a must! One of the world's most enchanting museums, the Louisiana boasts an impressive collection of more than 4,500 pieces. You'll find works by the great impressionists Monet and Cezanne to Danish masters Per Kirkeby and Asger Jorn.

Wander around the exquisitely designed galleries and admire an impressive collection of works by Picasso and Miró. Outside, a mesmerizing sculpture park featuring works by Alexander Calder and Richard Serra is unforgettable.

Just as impressive is the museum's location. Situated on the coast north of Copenhagen, you can soak up spectacular views across the Øresund towards Sweden.

Insider tip: If you want to the museum to yourself, visit on a weekday afternoon.

Opening Hours: 

Monday: Closed

Tuesday-Friday: 11am–10pm

Saturday & Sunday: 11am–6pm

Plan Your Trip Now!

The avant-garde city of Copenhagen boasts the perfect blend of culture and history with elegant castles and palaces, New Age architecture, and world-class museums and art galleries. With so much to do, start logging your plans on Pilot.