Among the Scandinavian cities, the capital of Denmark stands out with a huge number of museums. To go around all the museums of Copenhagen, you will have to visit the Danish capital several times. When planning a trip to Denmark, be sure to study the information about the objects and select the ones that cause the greatest interest. No matter what attracts you to Copenhagen – history, architecture, painting or the world of fairy tales, you are sure to find something to see. In the article we made a selection of the most unusual and fascinating museums in the Danish capital.
The most interesting museums in Copenhagen
Art lovers should definitely visit the National Gallery, which presents the best collection of paintings and sculptures by European and Danish masters. Another place dedicated to world cultural heritage is the New Carlsberg Glyptotek. A rich collection of sculptures is on display at the Thorvaldsen Museum. Children will surely enjoy the fabulous museum dedicated to the works of Hans Christian Andersen. Nature lovers will be interested in the Cactus Museum, Palm House and an amazing aquarium, known not only in Denmark, but also in other countries. Exotic lovers will be interested in the Erotic Museum and the Experimentalarium interactive research center.
Good to know! Many museums in Copenhagen are closed on Monday. For tourists a pleasant surprise is the availability of a separate children’s program in many places.
Museum of David
Copenhagen is a typical European city, but the David Museum is a place where you can plunge into the world of the Ancient East. The attraction is named after its founder, Christian Ludwig David, who in the 19th century began to collect Islamic art. When there were too many of them, the owner organized a museum of oriental art, which today is considered the largest in Western Europe.
Among the exhibits are thousands of unique pieces of decorative and applied art:
- silk products;
- porcelain dishes;
- Jewelry;
- antique furniture;
- manuscripts;
- carpets.
Interesting to know! Walking in the halls of the museum, you can easily feel yourself in the colorful and noisy market of Istanbul or Baghdad.
The undoubted advantage of the David Museum is its free admission and the ability to use an audio guide in many languages. You will have to pay for the services of a guide. In the souvenir shop you can buy a memorabilia – a poster, a board game, a book. This place is a great opportunity to escape from the bustle of the European city and plunge into the magical atmosphere of the east for several hours.
There are two ways to get to the object:
- metro to Kongens Nytorv or Norrepot stations;
- by bus No. 36, the Kongensgade stop, then you need to walk two blocks to Kronprinsessegade.
Entrance is open daily except Monday. Schedule on Wednesday from 10-00 to 21-00, on other days – from 10-00 to 17-00.
New Carlsberg Glyptotek
Karl Jacobsen – the famous Danish “beer king” has clearly demonstrated that business and art are not a hindrance to each other. It was Jacobsen who founded the Carlsberg trade poppy, popular around the world, and assembled the largest exposition of unique pieces of art that spanned the period from antiquity to the present.
Good to know! “Pearl of the collection” – three dozen works by sculptor Rodin.
Also on the ground floor are sculptures of other masters. The second floor is dedicated to painting, among the paintings are paintings by Van Gogh and Gauguin. Also exhibited are collections of Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle East, and Etruscan and French expositions. The architecture of the building is of great interest – the wings of Glyptothek were designed and built by different craftsmen in different periods, however, visually the structure looks harmonious and integral.
Practical information:
- work schedule: Thursday – from 11-00 to 22-00, from Tuesday to Sunday – from 11-00 to 18-00, Monday – day off;
- ticket price: adult – 115 DKK, children under 18 years old admission is free, also for all comers free entry on Tuesdays;
- Address: Dantes Plads, 7;
- How to get there: by public transport – 1A, 2A, 11A, 40 and 66 to the stop “Glyptoteket”.
National Museum of Denmark
The National Museum of Denmark is the country’s main cultural and historical site, with exhibits covering the history and traditions of all of Scandinavia. The attraction is located in the very center of the capital, on the Frederiksholm Canal. The landmark is the Prince Palace, dating from the 18th century.
In 1807, the Royal Commission was created, which dealt with the collection of treasures. After the adoption of the Danish constitution, the exhibits finally settled in the castle of Prince Palace, and passed into the possession of the state.
The fund of the National Danish Museum is constantly updated with new pieces of art, the expositions are dedicated to different eras, themes and events that took place in the Scandinavian countries.
Interesting fact! The most popular is the exposition telling about the prehistoric period of Denmark. Wealth and luxury will surprise the exposition dedicated to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The museum also has exhibitions revealing the secrets of other cultures. Of interest are items that were used in religious rites by the Indians of America, the clothes of Indians and samurai from Japan, amulets from Greenland. You can admire the collection of church art and take a trip to Ancient Egypt.
The pride of the museum is the Chariot of the Sun. Historians believe that it was used for religious exhibits. Undoubtedly, the list of original exhibits included the counter of the dealer in hashish and a luxurious room of the Victorian era.
- The object is located at: Ny Vestergade 10.
- You can get there by bus 11A, the Nationalmuseet Indgang stop.
- The ticket price for adults is 85 CZK, for children under 18 years admission is free.
- Schedule: from Tuesday to Sunday – from 10-00 to 17-00, Monday – day off.
Hans Christian Andersen Museum
For many travelers, Copenhagen is associated with a magic, gingerbread house, it is not surprising that it was here that Hans Christian Andersen wrote his best works. The museum of the famous storyteller is a special world created from the characters of his fairy tales. There are no boring, dusty stands and traditional displays. Just go to the Andersen Museum in Copenhagen and feel like a child and a fairy tale. For tourists with children, this place is a must-have item in the entertainment program. Give your child an amazing meeting with your favorite characters, let me touch the fairy tale.
To immerse yourself in the world of fairy tales as real as possible, the museum created three-dimensional animation. Due to the technical capabilities, guests can not only see the characters of the works, but also meet with the master himself – the author of fairy tales. In the house where the museum is located, Hans Christian Andersen really lived and worked.
Good to know! The founder of the museum is Lera Ripley – a famous journalist who also created a fun and informative Guinness World Records Museum.
The exposition presents scenes from the most famous fairy tales: “Thumbelina”, “Flint”, “The Little Mermaid”, “The Snow Queen”. Just press a button and the shapes come to life.
Andersen’s house is located at: Radhuspladsen, 57, can be reached on foot from the center of the capital or by bus number 95N or 96N, stop “Rådhuspladsen”.
Schedule:
- June and August – every day from 10-00 to 22-00;
- from September to May inclusive – from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10-00 to 18-00.
Ticket price: adult – 60 CZK, children – 40 CZK.
Ripley Museum “Do you want – believe it, want it – no”
The museum’s collection is the rich legacy of Robert Ripley, a famous journalist, collector and researcher who devoted his life to the search for unique and unusual items. Exhibits reveal a lot of fun facts to tourists. Here you can find out – what do the Scots wear under a kilt? Who made the tattoo on the back in the form of 103 Dalmatians?
The museum exhibits are a collection of oddities and wonders, collected in all corners of the world. Have you ever seen a harp without strings? And the legendary Taj Mahal, built of three hundred thousand matches? A man with four pupils? There is also a prisoner in the collection who miraculously survived after 13 bullets were fired at him. It is impossible to list all the miracles that are presented in Ripley, they need to be seen with your own eyes. This can be done at 57 Radhuspladsen.
Schedule of attractions: from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10-00 to 18-00. Sunday and Monday are weekends.
Ticket price:
- adult – 105 DKK;
- children (for children under 11 years) – 60 DKK.
Good to know! The Ripley and Andersen Museum in Copenhagen is located nearby, so tourists are offered tickets to both attractions at once: adult – 125 DKK and children – 75 DKK.
Carlsberg Museum in Copenhagen
A visit to the brewery is an opportunity to get acquainted with the history of the emergence and development of the most famous brand of foamy drink. It all started in the 19th century, namely, in November 1847, when the first beer was brewed. Two decades later, the drink began to be exported to the UK and Scotland.
Interesting fact! The main admirer of beer was Winston Churchill.
By the end of the 20th century, the drink had conquered the whole world. Carlsberg brand factories were built in China, Greece, France and Vietnam. But in Copenhagen there is the oldest factory where you can visit the brewhouse with boilers and steam engines of the 19th century, cellars that are used to store finished products, see the largest collection of unopened beer bottles, visit the sculpture garden, stables and, of course, go to the bar and gift shop “Carlsberg”.
In 2008, a fragrance room was opened at the museum. Here guests select their favorite aroma and on its basis they are offered a certain type of beer.
Practical information:
- from May to September, the facility is open every day, from 10-00 to 18-00;
- from October to April it works from Tuesday to Sunday (Monday – day off), from 10-00 to 17-00;
- the cost of an adult ticket is 100 CZK (including 1 beer), children 6 – 17 years old – 70 CZK (including 1 soft drink);
- for owners of Copenhagen Card admission is free;
- the entrance for visitors is closed an hour before the end of work.
Useful video for those wishing to visit the Karsberg Museum in Copenhagen.
Museum of Erotica
Update! The Erotic Museum in Copenhagen is closed forever!
It was founded in 1992 by photographer Kim Ricefeldt and film producer Ol Edge. The attraction is rightfully considered one of the most interesting museums in the capital of Denmark.
The collection of attractions tells about the intimate relationship between a man and a woman at different times. Among the exhibits are magazines, photographs, sculptures, underwear, sex toys. All exhibits belong to a certain time period and are displayed in chronological order. There is an exhibition dedicated to the personal life of famous personalities – Marilyn Monroe, Hans Christian Andersen, Sigmund Freud.
The nearest bus stop to the museum is Svaertegade, with lines 81N and 81. The New Royal Square or Kongens Nytoriv metro station is also a 10-minute walk away. At a similar distance bus number 350S stops.
Prices on the page are for May 2018.
Museums of Copenhagen – this is an amazing, special world in the capital of Denmark. Everyone is able to tell a fascinating story and invite into an unforgettable world of fantasies, past, fairy tales and art.
The main attractions of Copenhagen and the museums described in the article are marked on the map in Russian.
