Statens Museum for Kunst: Denmark’s Majestic National Gallery
Experience Denmark's artistic heritage and international masterpieces at SMK, Copenhagen's dynamic national gallery housed in landmark architecture beside the Kings’ Garden.
SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst is Denmark’s largest art museum, showcasing works from the Renaissance to contemporary times. Located in central Copenhagen beside the Kings’ Garden, the museum’s striking blend of historic and modern architecture houses masterpieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, Danish Golden Age painters, and modern icons. With special exhibitions, lush park views, and tranquil galleries, SMK is a cultural cornerstone for art lovers and curious travelers alike.
A brief summary to Botanical Garden
- Peter Holms Vej, Aarhus C, Aarhus C, 8000, DK
- +4587155415
- Visit website
Local tips
- Admission is free to the permanent collections; special exhibitions require a paid ticket.
- The museum café offers excellent park views and is perfect for a relaxing break.
- Large lockers are available free of charge—ideal if you arrive with luggage.
- Check the museum's programme for family workshops, especially during school holidays.
- Photography is allowed, but flash and tripods are prohibited throughout the galleries.
Getting There
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Walking
From the heart of central Copenhagen, set out toward the lush stretches of The King’s Garden, a beloved city park. SMK stands directly at the park’s edge, its striking white façade visible amid the greenery. The stroll from the central pedestrian zone is leisurely and typically takes 10–20 minutes. The route passes historic monuments and lively city squares, making the walk itself part of the cultural experience.
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Public Transport
Frequent city buses link Copenhagen Central Station and the city center with stops near the museum, usually within 10–15 minutes. A standard adult ticket for buses or metro is 24–30 DKK. After alighting, visitors make their final approach with a brief walk along the perimeter of Østre Anlæg Park, with the museum clearly signposted from the park’s edge.
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Taxi
A taxi from central Copenhagen brings you to SMK in around 5–10 minutes, depending on traffic and city events. Fares usually range from 80–130 DKK. The museum’s entrance sits just beside the green expanse of The King’s Garden, easily identifiable upon arrival.
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Bicycle
Copenhagen is famously bike-friendly, and dedicated cycling lanes lead right up to the museum from the central city. Typical cycling time is about 5–10 minutes from main sights such as City Hall Square. Ample bike parking is available at the museum, free of charge, but be aware spaces fill up quickly on sunny weekends.
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Driving
Parking near SMK is limited; pay zones average 24–38 DKK per hour. Arriving by car is feasible, but many visitors find public transport or cycling easier, especially during busy museum hours or special exhibitions.
Discover more about Botanical Garden
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Kunst ved Kaserneboulevarden
0.6 km
Explore contemporary art at Kunst ved Kaserneboulevarden, Aarhus' premier gallery showcasing local and international talent.
Den Svangre
1.4 km
A bronze sculpture celebrating the female form in Aarhus's cultural heart.
Agnete og Havmanden
1.5 km
Discover the poetic fusion of Danish folklore and modern sculpture at Aarhus’ Agnete og Havmanden, a landmark bronze fountain embodying myth and emotion.
Folkehuset Trøjborg
1.6 km
Folkehuset Trøjborg blends Danish hygge, vibrant community life, and affordable culture, making it a beloved gathering place in the heart of Aarhus’ Trøjborg district.
Herman Sallings Plads
1.6 km
Aarhus’s vibrant harborfront plaza, bridging the historic city and the modern waterfront, alive with urban energy, culture, and panoramic views.
Aarhus waterfront
1.6 km
Aarhus Waterfront blends urban vibrancy, Nordic design, and harbor heritage with panoramic sea views and lively promenades, making it a quintessential Danish experience.
Endless Connection
1.6 km
Experience the dynamic interplay of art and water at Aarhus's Endless Connection, an interactive fountain by Jeppe Hein.
Frederiks Plads
1.8 km
A vibrant, contemporary city square where modern architecture, open green space, and urban life converge in the heart of Aarhus near Frederiksbjerg.
Nordisk Film Cinemas Trøjborg
1.9 km
Experience local Danish cinema culture at Nordisk Film Cinemas Trøjborg—an atmospheric neighborhood movie house blending modern comfort with classic charm in Aarhus.
Trøjborg Beboerhus
1.9 km
Experience the vibrant community spirit of Aarhus at Trøjborg Beboerhus, a hub for cultural events, workshops, and local gatherings.
Udsigtspladsen
2.2 km
Experience breathtaking city, harbor, and bay vistas from one of Aarhus C’s most beloved scenic viewpoints, perfect for relaxation and panoramic photography.
Tivoli Friheden
2.9 km
Experience the thrill and magic of Tivoli Friheden, Aarhus' premier amusement park with rides, live music, and family-friendly fun for all ages.
Flagpladsen
3.7 km
Historic plaza overlooking Aarhus Bay, gateway to royal heritage and astronomical discovery.
Marselisborgmonumentet
3.8 km
Standing tall in Mindeparken, Marselisborgmonumentet honors Danish World War I volunteers with solemn beauty, monumental sculpture, and panoramic bay views near Aarhus.
Mindeparken
3.8 km
Aarhus' Mindeparken: Where history, remembrance, and recreation meet in a stunning parkland setting by Marselisborg Palace, offering bay views and tranquil gardens.
Unmissable attractions to see
Stenpartiet
0.3 km
A compact rock garden in Aarhus’ Botanical Garden, where stone, slope and hardy plants create a miniature mountain landscape rich in texture and quiet detail.
Greenhouses in the Botanical Garden
0.3 km
Step into Aarhus’ luminous Greenhouses, where four climate zones, towering tropical plants and Danish landscapes outside create a calm, free botanical escape all year.
Møllen i botanisk have Århus
0.4 km
Urban beach escape south of Aarhus city center, offering clean sands, gentle waters, and year-round access beside forest and royal palace grounds.
Danish Poster Museum
0.5 km
A compact museum inside Den Gamle By where bold graphics, historic campaigns and global visual culture come together in hundreds of eye-catching posters.
The Old Town
0.5 km
Walk through four centuries of Danish town life in a reconstructed open‑air city of timbered houses, vintage shops and lived‑in streets at Den Gamle By.
Museumsbroen
0.8 km
Historic hilltop observatory in Aarhus offering hands-on astronomy, guided stargazing, and a unique glimpse into Denmark’s pioneering scientific past.
Steno Museum
0.9 km
Marselisborg Castle offers a regal experience close to Aarhus, with public parklands, royal ceremonies, and sculpted gardens reflecting Danish history and culture.
Møllestien
1.0 km
Pastel cottages, cobbled stones and climbing roses – a tiny historic lane where centuries of Aarhus history live behind colourful facades.
Mølleparken
1.0 km
Compact yet characterful, Mølleparken is Aarhus’ riverside green room, blending mill-town history, public art, student life and festival energy in one urban pocket.
Aarhus Culture Walk
1.0 km
Discover Aarhus' oldest neighborhood, Latinerkvarteret, where historic charm meets modern culture in a vibrant blend of cafés, boutiques, and artistic venues.
Naturhistorisk Museum Aarhus
1.0 km
Denmark’s second-largest natural history museum, blending immersive wildlife dioramas, Danish ecosystems and cutting-edge research in a compact, campus setting.
Our Lady Church
1.0 km
Dokk1 is Aarhus’ iconic harborside library and cultural center—where award-winning design, vibrant community life, and panoramic waterfront views combine.
Kunsthal Aarhus
1.1 km
Free contemporary art in a light-filled modernist space, showcasing international and Danish artists since 1917.
Mindrebæltsbroen
1.1 km
Royal residence on Aarhus Bay with historic gardens, open parkland, classic Danish architecture, and the chance to witness the royal guard—all amidst city green space.
Klostertorvet
1.1 km
Intimate cobbled square in central Aarhus where monastic history, café life and city shopping streets meet in a relaxed, atmospheric urban pocket.
Essential places to dine
Restaurant Malt - Mad, Øl & Vin
0.6 km
Experience innovative Nordic-Thai cuisine in Aarhus' historic Ceres Brewery at Restaurant Malt.
Møf
0.8 km
Inventive new Nordic cuisine, inspired by local ingredients, served in a lively and intimate setting in central Aarhus.
Den Lille Kro
0.8 km
Authentic Danish comfort food in a timeless neighbourhood setting, where tradition meets quality ingredients.
AmoRomA
0.9 km
Neighbourhood-style Italian restaurant in central Aarhus serving generous pizzas and pastas in a cosy, candlelit room on lively Vestergade.
Restaurant Amalfi
0.9 km
Authentic Italian pasta and pizza in central Aarhus, where skilled cooking and warm service meet reasonable prices.
Gastro & Vino
1.0 km
Discover exquisite Danish cuisine and thoughtfully paired wines in an intimate, backyard setting at Gastro & Vino, one of Aarhus’s most celebrated culinary gems.
Lupo
1.0 km
Big‑hearted Italian dining on Frue Kirkeplads, where homemade pasta, good wine and a lively, sociable room turn an evening in central Aarhus into its own celebration.
Lydmar Restaurang
1.1 km
Intimate, modern dining on lively Vestergade in the heart of Aarhus C, pairing relaxed Scandinavian ambience with simple, well-crafted seasonal dishes.
Keyser Social
1.1 km
Creative Asian–Nordic social dining in the heart of Aarhus, where multi-course sharing menus, refined cocktails and warm urban design turn dinner into an evening-long experience.
Faour
1.1 km
Authentic Palestinian falafel and mezze in a cozy Aarhus hideaway—budget-friendly, vegetarian-focused, and genuinely delicious.
Bardok
1.2 km
Discover Bardok in Aarhus—a contemporary small-plates restaurant known for inventive cuisine, social dining, and a lively riverside atmosphere in the city center.
Restaurant Komfur
1.2 km
Restaurant Komfur in Aarhus offers modern Danish cuisine in a stylish yet comforting space, celebrated for creative menus, vibrant atmosphere, and local culinary flair.
Langhoff & Juul
1.2 km
Nordic-inspired, organic dining in Aarhus’ historic Latin Quarter, with a focus on sustainability, seasonal menus, atmospheric interiors, and local flair.
Kolo
1.2 km
Urban kolonihave vibes, reimagined kebab and vegetable-led plates, and natural wines on tap in one of Aarhus’ most inviting city-centre dining rooms.
Bernth & co
1.2 km
Artisanal restaurant blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary Nordic cuisine in central Aarhus
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Storcenter Nord
0.9 km
Modern shopping complex with 60+ stores, dining, and Scandinavia's largest free-access saltwater aquarium.
1 + 1 Textil & Design
0.9 km
Intimate Aarhus boutique showcasing handpicked Danish ceramics, textiles and jewellery, curated by textile designer Helene Vonsild in atmospheric Grønnegade.
Darling Inspire
1.0 km
Intimate Aarhus clothing boutique in the Latin Quarter, where Danish design, slow fashion and a calm studio-like atmosphere invite unhurried browsing.
Vintage Divine
1.0 km
Authentic vintage fashion from the 1920s–1970s, expertly curated and restored in central Aarhus.
Røde Kors Butik Krydsfelt
1.1 km
Curated Red Cross thrift in central Aarhus, where unique second-hand fashion, long-hours self-service and a social mission turn browsing into feel-good shopping.
RAINS Store Aarhus
1.1 km
A sculptural, minimalist flagship where Danish rainwear design meets gallery-like interiors in the heart of Aarhus’ main shopping district.
Hørlyck Aarhus
1.1 km
Intimate shoe and fashion boutique on atmospheric Vestergade, blending Scandinavian elegance with curated footwear, clothing and a relaxed Aarhus city-centre vibe.
So ein Ding - Vintage
1.1 km
Small basement vintage shop in central Aarhus with Berlin–New York inspired second-hand fashion, retro 70s flair and handpicked, affordable pieces for men and women.
Blue Caviar
1.1 km
Curated fashion boutique in Aarhus city center offering distinctive clothing and contemporary design pieces.
S.T. Valentin
1.2 km
Contemporary menswear boutique in Aarhus’ Latin Quarter, blending Scandinavian simplicity, quality footwear and attentive styling in an intimate setting.
& Other Stories
1.2 km
A bright Scandinavian fashion playground in central Aarhus, blending ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories and beauty into one polished, design-led women’s wardrobe.
Salvation Army thrift store
1.2 km
Charity-run thrift haven in central Aarhus, where ever-changing second-hand finds and small prices support the Salvation Army’s wider social work.
Collage the Shop Mens Aarhus
1.2 km
Polished menswear boutique on historic Lille Torv, pairing curated designer labels with minimalist interior design and attentive, style-focused service.
Magpie Lane Vintage
1.2 km
Aarhus’ go-to vintage boutique for unique, handpicked fashion finds and classic accessories in an inviting, sustainability-focused setting.
Collage the Shop Womens Aarhus
1.2 km
Minimalist luxury boutique showcasing curated women's accessories in a beautifully designed historic space.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Hjorten
0.7 km
Discover the heart of Aarhus nightlife at Hjorten, a lively bodega with local brews and a vibrant atmosphere for all visitors.
Mundhæld
0.9 km
Discover the charm of Mundhæld, a cozy bar in Aarhus offering a delightful selection of craft beers and a unique ambiance for every traveler.
V58
0.9 km
Courtyard-hideaway bar and music spot in central Aarhus, blending crafted cocktails, Mediterranean flavours and intimate live performances late into the night.
Vesterlauget
0.9 km
Cozy madbodega on Vestergade serving simple Danish comfort food, strong coffee and great beer in a relaxed, communal bar-restaurant setting.
S'vinbar
1.0 km
Intimate Aarhus wine bar where more than 300 carefully chosen bottles, sunlit pavement tables and relaxed expertise turn Klostergade into a cosy vinous living room.
Heidi's Bier Bar Aarhus
1.1 km
Discover the vibrant nightlife at Heidi's Bier Bar Aarhus, featuring a diverse selection of beers, live music, and a welcoming atmosphere for all.
Hornsleth Bar Aarhus
1.1 km
Discover the vibrant nightlife of Hornsleth Bar Aarhus, a premier destination for cocktails and dancing in the heart of the city.
Fairbar
1.1 km
Experience the perfect blend of bar and cafe culture at Fairbar in Aarhus, offering a cozy ambiance and a diverse drink menu.
Annalise's Bar
1.1 km
Experience the vibrant nightlife of Aarhus at Annalise's Bar, where cozy ambiance meets creative cocktails and friendly service.
Two Socks Ginbar
1.1 km
Discover the enchanting ambiance of Two Socks Ginbar, a haven for gin lovers in the heart of Aarhus, Denmark, where expert mixology meets local charm.
Oops - Bar, lounge og Rombar i Århus
1.2 km
Discover Oops Bar in Aarhus - a vibrant cocktail haven blending style and comfort with an exquisite drink menu and light bites.
Waxies
1.2 km
Lively Irish pub and sports bar in central Aarhus, blending cosy wood‑panelled charm with live music, games and big‑screen sports late into the night.
Die kleine Bierstube
1.3 km
Cozy German-style pub on lively Frederiksgade, pouring classic Bavarian beers and serving hearty schnitzel in a wood-paneled corner of central Aarhus.
PV (Pustervig) - Kaffe & Cocktails
1.3 km
Cosy central Aarhus hideaway where daytime coffee culture flows seamlessly into a warm, late-night world of candles, chatter and creative cocktails.
Bar Smil Aarhus
1.3 km
Loud beats, cheap drinks and late-night energy in a compact bar-club right in the centre of Aarhus’ historic heart.
