Museums & galleries in Copenhagen

The palace where the Parliament sits. In addition to its lavish royal halls (still used for official receptions), the building hides the ruins of Bishop Absalon’s castle beneath it, which marked the founding of the city. Be sure to climb the tower—it offers the best free view over the city.

One of the leading contemporary art galleries in Scandinavia. It presents both internationally established artists and emerging Danish talent. It frequently hosts exhibitions featuring large-scale painting.

A cozy mansion dedicated to Denmark’s “Golden Age” and the Skagen painters. It features masterpieces by Købke, Eckersberg, Hammershøi, and Krøyer. The atmosphere is very quiet, uncrowded, and intimate, like visiting a private collector’s home.

A museum dedicated to the history of the city itself. It is especially interesting after a recent renovation. Here, you can trace Copenhagen’s development from a small fishing village to a modern capital, as well as see archaeological finds discovered during urban construction projects.

In addition to its famous collection of Islamic art, the upper floors house one of the finest collections of Danish painting and applied arts from the 18th-19th centuries. Artists such as Hammershøi, Købke, and masters of Danish modernism are displayed in beautifully restored interiors. Admission is free.

For fans of unconventional exhibitions. It features the history of medicine, including a somewhat unsettling but scientifically valuable collection of pathological anatomy (organs preserved in formaldehyde) and antique surgical instruments.

A lush, green museum under a glass dome, founded by the brewer Carl Jacobsen. Its highlights include a stunning collection of French Impressionists (Renoir, Monet, Degas) and an extensive collection of ancient antiquities—from Ancient Egypt with mummies to Greece and Rome.

An unusual exhibition space in a former church. It showcases contemporary art (painting, sculpture, and installations) inside a church with a tall bell tower. The contrast between the historic architecture and modern forms is very striking.

The country’s main historical museum. It houses truly unique artifacts such as the “Golden Horns of Gallehus,” the “Sun Chariot” from the Bronze Age, and the “Egtved Girl,” a remarkably well-preserved burial of a young woman who lived 3,500 years ago.

Denmark’s largest art museum. It houses a vast collection ranging from medieval altarpieces and works from the Danish Golden Age to pieces by Matisse, Picasso, and contemporary installations. Be sure to look for its famous work, “Landscape with a Polar Bear.”