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Museum of Copenhagen

Explore a thousand years of Copenhagen's history through artifacts, interactive exhibits, and the stories of its people.

4.3

Discover Copenhagen's rich history from Viking times to the present day at this engaging museum housed in a beautiful historic building near City Hall. Explore interactive exhibits including a 600-year-old shipwreck, a wooden bicycle, and a large-scale panoramic model of the entire city. The museum features a café and shop, making it an ideal introduction to understanding what it means to be a Copenhagener.

A brief summary to Museum of Copenhagen

  • Stormgade 18, København V, København V, 1555, DK
  • +4521764366
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-8 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 11 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 11 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on Wednesday for free admission for all visitors, or bring children under 18 who always enter free. The museum also offers a 48-hour combined ticket granting access to Thorvaldsen's Museum and Nikolaj Kunsthal.
  • Thursday evenings offer extended hours until 20:00, providing a quieter atmosphere for exploring the exhibits away from daytime crowds.
  • Use the free audio guide available at the museum to enhance your understanding of exhibits and stories as you move through the galleries at your own pace.
  • Plan 30 minutes for highlights or 1–2 hours for a comprehensive visit. The café and courtyard are ideal for breaks during longer explorations.
  • The interactive Copenhagen Panorama model is best explored without rushing; take time to locate neighborhoods and landmarks you plan to visit during your stay in the city.
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Getting There

  • Metro

    The Copenhagen Metro Line M1 or M2 serves Nørreport Station, approximately 400 meters northeast of the museum. Journey time from Copenhagen Airport is roughly 15 minutes. Exit at Nørreport and walk southwest through the city center toward City Hall; the museum is located directly behind it at Stormgade 18. Single tickets cost approximately 24 DKK for travel within Copenhagen's central zones.

  • Bicycle

    Copenhagen's extensive bicycle network makes cycling an efficient option. Rent a bike from one of the city's many rental stations (approximately 80 DKK per day) and cycle to Stormgade 18 in the Indre By district. Most routes from central locations take 5–15 minutes depending on starting point. Secure bicycle parking is available near the museum entrance.

  • Walking

    From Nørreport Station or Tivoli Gardens, the museum is a pleasant 10–15 minute walk through Copenhagen's historic center. Follow signs toward City Hall (Rådhuspladsen); the museum entrance is directly behind the building on Stormgade. The route passes through pedestrian-friendly streets with shops and cafés.

  • Bus

    Several bus routes serve the area around City Hall and Nørreport. Routes 1A, 2A, 6A, and 14 stop near Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square), approximately 200 meters from the museum. Single tickets cost approximately 24 DKK. Journey times from central locations range from 10–20 minutes depending on traffic and starting point.

Museum of Copenhagen location weather suitability

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Discover more about Museum of Copenhagen

From Vikings to Modern Copenhagen

The Museum of Copenhagen traces the city's extraordinary journey across more than a thousand years of history. Beginning with the Viking Age, the narrative unfolds through medieval prosperity and devastating challenges—plague, fires, and wartime bombings—before arriving at contemporary Copenhagen. This chronological approach helps visitors understand how each era shaped the city's character and identity. The museum's collection of original artifacts and documents brings these periods vividly to life, revealing the resilience and innovation of Copenhageners across centuries.

Iconic Artifacts and Interactive Experiences

Among the museum's most prized possessions is a 600-year-old shipwreck of a keel, a tangible connection to Copenhagen's maritime heritage. Equally fascinating is an early wooden bicycle, representing the humble origins of the transport method that defines modern Copenhagen. The centerpiece of the museum experience is the Copenhagen Panorama—a large-scale, interactive model that provides a comprehensive overview of the entire city. Visitors can explore this model to understand the spatial relationships between neighborhoods, landmarks, and districts, gaining a deeper sense of Copenhagen's urban geography and development.

A Living Portrait of the City's People

Beyond objects and exhibits, the museum captures the essence of Copenhagen's inhabitants and their evolving way of life. Through carefully curated displays, visitors encounter the stories of ordinary and extraordinary Copenhageners—their professions, homes, celebrations, and struggles. The museum asks a compelling question: what makes someone a true Copenhagener? By the end of your visit, you may find yourself reflecting on this question and imagining your own place within the city's ongoing story.

Practical Comforts and Cultural Amenities

The museum recognizes that cultural exploration works best when visitors are comfortable and well-cared-for. A welcoming café offers refreshment and a place to pause and reflect on what you've learned. The museum shop provides thoughtfully curated gifts, from postcards to handcrafted design pieces, allowing you to take a piece of Copenhagen home. The courtyard, described as particularly 'hyggelige'—that distinctly Danish sense of cozy warmth—offers a peaceful retreat within the museum's walls, perfect for quiet contemplation or casual conversation.

Accessibility and Flexible Exploration

Located in a beautiful historical building directly behind Copenhagen's City Hall, the museum is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that all visitors can experience its treasures. For those with limited time, the museum offers a curated highlights tour that can be completed in approximately 30 minutes, though a more leisurely exploration typically takes 1–2 hours. The museum's central location in Indre By (the Inner City) makes it an easily accessible starting point for understanding Copenhagen before venturing out to explore the neighborhoods and landmarks you've learned about.

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