Top 5 art galleries and museums to visit in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has long been a centre for creativity and culture, where historic buildings and modern architecture provide an impressive backdrop for artistic expression. The city features classical sculpture and centuries-old paintings, as well as Danish and Scandinavian design in furniture, glass, and ceramics. Historic buildings host contemporary works and experimental performances at the forefront of the global art scene, while some museums and galleries offer excellent creative activities for children. Here is our guide to the top five art museums and galleries not to miss on a visit to Copenhagen.

Copenhagen Contemporary

Copenhagen Contemporary, 2023. Image credit David Stjernholm

#FLODown: For contemporary art lovers, Copenhagen Contemporary is a must-visit. It’s one of Scandinavia’s largest and most dynamic art venues, set in a vast 7,000 m² former B&W welding hall on the city’s harbourfront. The space is designed for large-scale installations and artworks that visitors can walk through and experience in a way few museums allow. Past exhibitions have featured internationally renowned artists such as Marta Minujín, Project Art Works, Francis Alÿs, and pioneers of light art like James Turrell, whose permanent installation Aftershock now transforms one of CC’s main halls with cycles of colour and light.

Monster Chetwynd, A Feather in your Hat!, 2025. Installation view at Copenhagen Contemporary, 2025. Image credit Anders Sune Berg

CC doesn’t just show art, with its recently launched CC Create programme, the space becomes a creative laboratory where children and adults can draw, build, paint and play alongside exhibitions. In 2025, British artist Monster Chetwynd transformed CC’s Hall 4 into an imaginative world filled with giant moths, quirky characters, and a “Big Red Hat Shop,” inviting visitors to make their own hats, masks, and creations as part of the artwork itself, a rare chance to be part of the artistic process rather than just a spectator. It was definitely a great hit with children!

CC also has a café on site, offering coffee, seasonal snacks, and a small outdoor area, a convenient stop during a visit, especially in the warmer months. Just a short walk away, Reffen, Copenhagen Street Food provides a lively waterfront market with dozens of food stalls, bars, and creative events, it’s an excellent spot to grab a bite after exploring CC.

Location: Refshalevej 173A, 1432 København K, Denmark. Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11am - 6pm; Thursday until 9pm; Monday closed. Price (2026): Adults 140 DKK; Students 95 DKK; Youth 3–17 25 DKK; under 3 free; free with Copenhagen Card. Book now

Nikolaj Kunsthal

Nikolaj Kunsthal. Image credit mads holm taarnet.

#FLODown: Situated in an extraordinary historical building that dates back to the 13th century, Nikolaj Kunsthal is part contemporary art centre, part architectural landmark. What was once St Nicholas Church, a meeting place for seafarers and, later, the centre of the Lutheran Reformation in Copenhagen, is now one of the city’s most evocative art spaces, with exhibitions that bring Danish and international contemporary art into dialogue with the building’s dramatic interior. The red‑brick structure with its towering spire has witnessed centuries of change and served many roles, from a church to a library, museum and public meeting space before becoming an art hall in the early 1980s. Today, you’ll find cutting‑edge shows alongside concerts, artist talks and even opportunities to climb the tower for sweeping views over Copenhagen’s rooftops.  Don’t miss the Platform section of the gallery, a dedicated project space that presents six exhibitions each year by emerging artists and curators, offering a professional platform for the next generation of contemporary art practitioners.

Cafe at Nikolaj-Kunsthal. Image credit Paolo Galgani

They also have a chic little café worth a stop before or after the show.

Location: Nikolaj Plads 10, 1067 København K, Denmark. Opening hours: Tuesday–Fri day11am - 6pm; Saturday–Sunday 11am - 5pm; Monday Closed. Price: Adult tickets ~110 DKK; under 18 free; Copenhagen Card free; Wednesdays free for all. Book now

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Festsalen, Hack Kampmanns bygning. Glyptoteket © Anders Sune Berg

#FLODown: Founded in 1897 by brewer and art patron Carl Jacobsen, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is a treasure trove of sculpture and painting right in the heart of Copenhagen. The museum’s name comes from the Greek for “place of sculpture”, and its magnificent collection includes ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Etruscan art alongside an exceptional array of 19th-century French and Danish works.

Winter Gardem. Glyptoteket © Anders Sune Berg

Among its most celebrated and recognisable spaces is the Winter Garden, a beautiful glass-domed conservatory planted with towering palm trees, offering a peaceful place to pause between galleries of Rodin bronzes, Monet and Degas masterpieces, and works by Gauguin. The museum also has a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions. Beyond the galleries, seasonal concerts are held in its elegant hall, where classical music is performed in surroundings that feel distinctly and atmospherically Copenhagen.

Location: Dantes Plads 7, 1556 Copenhagen V, Denmark. Opening hours: Tuesday –Sunday 10am - 5pm; Thursday until 8pm (varies by season; check before visiting). Price: from 135DKK adults/ 108 DKK under 27s. Book now

Designmuseum Danmark

Designmuseum Danmark. Image credit Rasmus Hjortshøj

#FLODown: Just a stone’s throw from Amalienborg Palace, Designmuseum Danmark is the place to understand why Danish and Scandinavian design is admired around the world. Home to one of the largest collections of Danish furniture and applied arts, it presents iconic works by Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and Hans Wegner alongside glass, ceramics, poster art and contemporary design. More than a museum, it traces the evolution of form and function that shaped modern living throughout the 20th century.

Outdoor dining, Cafe Format. Image credit Luka Hesselberg

Alongside its permanent collection, there is a programme of temporary exhibitions and hands-on workshops, as well as a café where design details extend even to the tableware. The museum shop is equally impressive, offering a carefully curated selection of design objects, ceramics and books. It’s a natural stop for anyone with an interest in design.

Location: Bredgade 68, 1260 Copenhagen K, Denmark.Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10am – 6pm; Monday closed. Price (2026): Adults 140 DKK; Students 90 DKK; Under 18 free. Book now

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, seen from the seaside. Image courtesy of Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

#FLODown: Situated about 40 km north of central Copenhagen in the coastal town of Humlebæk, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is well worth the journey. Denmark’s first museum dedicated to modern art is celebrated for the way it blends art, architecture, and landscape. The sculpture park stretches down to the Øresund Strait, offering seasonal beauty throughout the winter and summer. On clear days, the Swedish coast appears across the water, creating a striking backdrop for the outdoor sculptures and gardens that are as much a part of the museum experience as the galleries themselves. Inside, Louisiana houses a world-class collection of modern and contemporary art, including highlights such as the Giacometti Hall, the Jorn Room, and Yayoi Kusama’s mirrored light installation Gleaming Lights of the Souls. A programme of temporary exhibitions ensures that there is always something new to explore.

The North Wing, Louisiana Cafe. Image courtesy of Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

The on-site Louisiana Café is an ideal place to pause, offering seasonal Nordic-inspired dishes and panoramic views over the sea and museum terraces. A scenic 40–50 minute train ride from Copenhagen, the journey is an enjoyable part of the experience.

Location: Gl. Strandvej 13, 3050 Humlebæk, Denmark.Travel: 40 km north of central Copenhagen, and the train journey from Copenhagen Central Station (København H) to Humlebæk Station typically takes about 40–50 minutes, depending on the service. From Humlebæk Station, the museum is a short 10–15 minute walk to the museum entrance. Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11am - 6pm; Thursday until 21:00; Monday closed. Price (2026): Adults 145 DKK; Students 90 DKK; Children under 18 free. Book now