Here is an updated list of the best museums in Copenhagen, Denmark travelers should visit.
Stroll around Copenhagen, and tourists will find a seemingly endless array of bakeries, coffee shops, and cafes. These signify the city’s prestige as a food hub, having some globally-acclaimed cuisines and restaurants.
Visitors will inevitably find themselves in the middle of authentic gastronomical experiences mixed with foreign hints.
But Copenhagen is more than just its culinary offerings. It’s also an ideal spot to learn more about Danish people’s rich culture and history. Get a grip about Copenhagen‘s heritage and delve deeper into its past when visiting its numerous museums.
Explore how centuries of wars and revolutions have shaped this country, especially in Europe‘s important locations. Not just that, visitors will glimpse of Danish arts and architecture that have evolved through the years.
Here we go.
Top 8 Can’t-Miss Museums in Copenhagen, Denmark
National Museum of Denmark
Have a glimpse of the 18th century when visiting the Prince’s Mansion, a home to different kings and royalties who served Denmark. The Mansion also hosts the National Museum of Denmark, one of the country’s top attractions.
Here, visitors will find a variety of ethnographic collections such as ancient medals and coins that have been used for centuries of commerce. There is also a toy museum inside.
The staff recommends a guided tour that will take visitors into how mummies and the Viking warriors lived under one roof at Copenhagen central. Interestingly, the tour is free, and the local volunteers would gladly share stories about the items shown. Don’t miss trying their sandwiches here, considered as the best in town.
National Gallery of Denmark
Where can visitors find the most prestigious Danish royal collections? Look no other than the National Gallery of Denmark, which has long been held as a venue for special workshops and exhibitions.
It is considered as the largest art museum in Denmark. It showcases art dating back to the 1300s with some modern collections.
The gallery displays not just Danish crafts but also selections from neighboring countries; thus, it offers an overview of Western Europe‘s culture. There are weekly art shows where visitors can learn more about Danish creativity.
A café designed by artist Danh Vo also offers a rejuvenating spot after the tour. It’s one of the famous Copenhagen art museums.
Royal Danish Library – The Black Diamond
The Black Diamond’s newly-designed entrance to the library is a magnificent sight. It’s ceiling showcases Per Kirkeby’s majestic 200 square-meter painting that will surely leave visitors in awe.
The Royal Danish Library shows how the Danish people have been successfully integrating the old and new in the creation of masterpieces.
The black shiny glass building mirrors the nearby sea. It hosts countless items listed under UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Among these items are about 2000 books written by Carl Linnaeus, a famed Swedish botanist. There are also correspondence and manuscripts authored by Hans Christian Andersen.
Glyptoteket
Glyptoteket’s greatness has much more to do with how it was built than the art it displays. It was originally designed as a wild oasis of tall palms and water fountains and a Greco-Roman winter garden. Carl Jacobsen donated the arts contained in the museum in 1888.
The donation is part of the Danish tradition of offering something back to the country in whatever form. The arts collected by Jacobsen reflect the French Post-Impressionism and the Danish Golden Age.
There are also collections made by big-name artists such as Renoir, Monet, and Rodin. The museum offers a free tour only on Tuesdays.
The Round Tower
Have a panoramic glimpse of Copenhagen’s beautiful landscapes when climbing The Round Tower. Visitors will also learn a slight of Denmark’s history when assaulting the tower’s 209-meter spiral walk. Get ready for a historical and cultural workout as you do so.
The tower dates back to the 17th-century; thus, it has a lot to say about the significant events that shaped the city. It is Europe‘s oldest functioning observatory.
Thus, it serves as a commemoration of Denmark’s astronomical achievements. Visitors get to see the Library Hall when climbing up. It has been used for different exhibitions. It is one of the best design museums in Copenhagen.
The Danish Music Museum
The Danish Music Museum will lead visitors back in time to learn about prominent Danish musical figures. In that way, they will have a deeper understanding of music and its history in one setting. The museum is ideal for both kids and adults, and visitors can have the chance to play various iconic instruments.
Among these are quainter instruments such as the sausage bassoon, the giraffe piano, and the amoeba-shaped violin. Then there are xylophones and harps which have been used to entertain royalties. A section of the museum is also dedicated to modern and futuristic instruments such as the Kaleidoscope.
Nikolaj Kunsthal Art Hall
The Nikolaj Kunsthal Art Hall proves how art can be found anywhere. It lies inside the 14th-century St Nicolai Church and is considered the most engaging and innovative contemporary art hall. It features an immaculate architecture that serves as a black canvas for the ever-changing futuristic exhibitions.
These exhibitions portray the prominent role of art in the lives of the Danes. The art hall lies in the Nyhavn neighborhood, known for its colorful houses and buildings. It often hosts various performances, talks, and concerts. It is one of the best modern art museums in Copenhagen.
ARKEN
ARKEN is the ultimate destination for those chasing world-class architecture and art exhibitions. It hosts more than 400 Nordic, Danish, and international arts, some of the region’s finest contemporary art collections.
It takes around 30 minutes of a train ride from the Copenhagen Central Station. Visitors can access the museum via a bridge since it is entirely surrounded by water.
So those are just some of the must-visit museums in Copenhagen. Visitors will appreciate the museum’s architecture and learn more about the rich and thriving culture and history of Denmark.