SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
Denmark’s national gallery, where a grand historic museum and light‑filled modern extension unite seven centuries of art beside Copenhagen’s Østre Anlæg park.
SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst is Denmark’s national gallery and largest art museum, set by the leafy Østre Anlæg park in central Copenhagen. Behind its monumental historic facade and sleek modern extension, the museum spans seven centuries of Danish and international art, from Renaissance masters and Dutch baroque to French modernism, Danish Golden Age paintings, and cutting‑edge contemporary installations, plus a glass‑roofed Sculpture Street, café, and bookshop.
A brief summary to SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst
- Sølvgade 48-50, Indre By, Indre By, 1307, DK
- +4533748494
- Visit website
- Duration: 2 to 5 hours
- Mid ranged
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Tuesday 10 am-6 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-8 pm
- Thursday 10 am-6 pm
- Friday 10 am-6 pm
- Saturday 10 am-6 pm
- Sunday 10 am-6 pm
Local tips
- Plan at least half a day if you want to see both the historic European collections and the modern wing without rushing; the museum is larger than it first appears.
- If you prefer a quieter visit, arrive close to opening time on weekdays; the galleries and café tend to be more tranquil before midday and outside school holidays.
- Combine your museum visit with a stroll in Østre Anlæg next door to decompress between exhibitions and enjoy views back to SMK’s modern glass extension.
- Check the schedule for talks, family workshops, or evening openings before you go; special programs often take place in the Sculpture Street and auditoriums.
- Use the free cloakroom facilities for coats and bags so you can move comfortably through the galleries and spend longer in front of key works.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Metro and walking from central Copenhagen
From central Copenhagen, take the M1 or M2 metro line to Nørreport Station, one of the city’s main hubs. The metro ride from Kongens Nytorv or Copenhagen Central Station typically takes 3–6 minutes. From Nørreport it is an easy, mostly level 10–15 minute walk through the city and park area to SMK. A standard single metro ticket within the central zones usually costs around 20–30 DKK, and trains run every few minutes throughout the day.
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City bus to the museum area
Several city bus routes serve the streets around Østre Anlæg and Sølvgade, offering a convenient option if you prefer to minimise walking. Typical journey times from inner‑city stops are 10–20 minutes depending on traffic, and buses generally run every 5–15 minutes during the day. A single bus ticket in the central zones is normally 20–30 DKK, and most buses are low‑floor with space for wheelchairs and strollers.
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Cycling from inner Copenhagen
Copenhagen’s cycling infrastructure makes it straightforward to reach SMK by bike from most central neighbourhoods. From areas such as Vesterbro, Nørrebro or Christianshavn, expect 10–20 minutes of riding on dedicated bike lanes. You can use city bikes or rental bikes, which typically cost from about 15–30 DKK for a short ride or are priced by the half‑hour. The terrain is flat, but remember to park only in designated bike stands near the museum and follow local cycling rules.
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Taxi or rideshare within the city
Taxis and app‑based rides within central Copenhagen provide a door‑to‑door option to SMK, useful in wet weather or if mobility is limited. Travel time from Copenhagen Central Station is usually 10–15 minutes, longer in rush hour. Typical fares within the central area range roughly from 120–200 DKK depending on distance and traffic. Most vehicles can drop passengers near the main entrance, and many offer card and contactless payment as standard.
SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Hot Weather
Discover more about SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst
A national gallery at the heart of Copenhagen
SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst is Denmark’s national gallery, anchored on Sølvgade at the edge of central Copenhagen’s park belt. The building presents a stately historic facade to the city, while a striking modern rear extension opens in glass and light towards Østre Anlæg. Together they house the country’s largest art museum, a place where you can move from centuries‑old canvases to experimental installations without ever leaving the same complex. The museum’s origins lie in royal collections that were once reserved for the court. Over time these holdings evolved into a public institution, and since the late 19th century SMK has served as the main showcase of Danish art and its dialogue with the wider European canon. Today, the galleries are arranged to encourage slow wandering: wide staircases, high‑ceilinged halls and quieter side rooms punctuate your route, inviting regular pauses.Seven centuries of art under one roof
One of SMK’s defining features is the sheer breadth of its collections. Here you can trace European art from the Renaissance onwards, with works by masters such as Rubens and Mantegna displayed alongside Northern European painting and sculpture. The museum is particularly renowned for its outstanding French collection, rich in works by Matisse, Picasso, Derain and Braque, much of it stemming from an early 20th‑century donation that reshaped the institution. Danish art has a special prominence. The galleries devoted to the Danish Golden Age offer cityscapes, interiors and landscapes that defined 19th‑century visual culture, while later rooms highlight figures like Vilhelm Hammershøi, whose quiet, light‑washed interiors have become emblematic of Danish painting. Moving forward in time, the modern and contemporary sections foreground Danish and Nordic artists but constantly place them in conversation with international peers.Modern wings and the Street of Sculptures
Towards the rear of the museum, the modern extension introduces a different architectural language: glass walls, long perspectives and a more informal flow between spaces. This is where much of the 20th‑ and 21st‑century collection is shown, including large‑scale works and installations that rely on height and openness. Natural light from the park side often plays an active role in the experience of these pieces. Connecting the historic building and the extension is the glass‑roofed Sculpture Street, one of SMK’s most distinctive spaces. Here a changing display of sculpture from roughly the last 150 years lines a broad internal promenade, with views through to the greenery of Østre Anlæg. Benches and steps turn the area into a semi‑public living room, a place to sit beneath towering figures in marble and bronze while watching daylight shift overhead.Spaces for learning, reflection and play
Beyond its permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions, SMK functions as a cultural hub. Auditoriums and flexible spaces host talks, performances, concerts and film screenings, while workshop rooms are set up for hands‑on activities and family‑focused sessions. An on‑site print room offers access to works on paper by advance arrangement, underscoring the museum’s role as a research institution as well as a display venue. Throughout the building, information is available in multiple languages and staff at the information desk also serve as an official tourist information point. The layout is largely step‑free, supported by lifts and ramps, and wide circulation areas make it relatively straightforward to navigate with wheelchairs or strollers. Quiet corners and seating areas are dotted through the galleries, providing natural break points in a long visit.Café culture and park‑side atmosphere
Food and drink are part of the experience at SMK. The museum café looks out towards the park, bringing in soft daylight and views of trees; it serves light meals, baked goods and coffee that work equally well as a mid‑visit pause or a relaxed end to your time in the galleries. The bookshop near the entrance leans heavily into art and design titles, postcards and carefully chosen objects that echo themes from the exhibitions. Outside, the proximity to Østre Anlæg makes it easy to balance time indoors with fresh air. On fine days the museum steps and surrounding lawns act as an informal extension of the café, while in colder months the contrast between the crisp air outside and the warm, hushed galleries inside can feel particularly inviting. Whether you stay for a focused hour or an unhurried afternoon, SMK offers both intensity and calm in the middle of the city.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Kastellet
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Rosenborg castle
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The King's Garden
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Frederiksholms Kanal: An evocative canal-side promenade at the heart of Copenhagen, blending royal history, stately architecture, and peaceful city scenes.
Botanical Garden
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The David Collection
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Scandinavia's premier Islamic art museum, housed in a historic townhouse with free admission year-round.
Nyboder
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Historic naval home preserving four centuries of Danish maritime family life in a single yellow row house.
Den Frie Udstilling
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Workers Museum
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The Lakes
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Kultorvet
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Skaal
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TorvehallerneKBH
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Essential places to dine
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Alouette
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Restaurant Schønnemann
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Selma
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ARK
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Restaurant Koefoed
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Dag H
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Tèrra
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Restaurant Rebel
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Restaurant Vita
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Restaurant Grønnegade
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Den Lille Fede
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Aoc
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Frank
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Bistro Royal
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Henrik Vibskov Boutique
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Exotic Mix
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Gourmet nuts, dried fruits and chocolate dragées from around the world, served from a colourful family‑run stall inside Copenhagen’s Torvehallerne market.
Fjällräven
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A compact Fjällräven brand shop on historic Kultorvet, pairing Scandinavian outdoor design with expert gear advice in the heart of Copenhagen’s old town.
Souvenir Gifts shop
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Classic Copenhagen souvenirs in a compact, central shop on historic Købmagergade, perfect for last‑minute gifts and easy-to-pack mementos from the Danish capital.
Storm - design art fashion
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Norse Projects
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Time's Up Vintage
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Gejser Bar
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Bo-Bi Bar
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The Moose
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Aloha Beach Bar
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Bar'Vin
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The Globe Irish Pub
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Charlie's Bar
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Bar Deco
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No Stress Bar
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1105
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Strøm
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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Mini Bar
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The Zoo
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Mirage
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Arch
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Hive
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Mirror
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Miami Bar
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Cosy Bar
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Dorsia
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Relaxing
- Tranquil
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Vintage Styles
- Minimalist Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Modern
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunrise Spots
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Mindfulness
- Day Trip
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Festival / Event Nearby
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
