The Danish Natural History Museum, Copenhagen
University-based museum of geology, zoology, and botany set beside Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden, linking scientific collections with the living world outside.
Set on the edge of Copenhagen’s leafy Botanical Garden, the Danish Natural History Museum explores everything from dinosaurs and meteorites to Arctic wildlife and Danish landscapes. As part of the University of Copenhagen, it combines classic gallery halls and modern exhibitions with research collections behind the scenes. Paired with the surrounding gardens and historic Palm House, it is an easy half‑day stop for curious travelers, families, and anyone wanting a deeper look at nature.
A brief summary to The Danish Natural History Museum
- Øster Farimagsgade 2C, Copenhagen, København K, 1307, DK
- +4535322222
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 3 hours
- Mid ranged
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-9 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Combine your museum visit with a slow circuit of the Botanical Garden; plan at least an extra hour to explore the ponds, rock garden, and Palm House.
- Check current exhibition information in advance, as some galleries may be temporarily reorganized during the museum’s ongoing transition to new buildings.
- Arrive close to opening time on weekdays for quieter galleries and more time to linger at interactive stations without waiting.
- Wear layers—indoor climate is comfortable but you will likely move between cool galleries and the often warmer glasshouses in the garden.
- Bring a notebook or sketchbook if you enjoy drawing; the mineral collections, fossils, and mounted animals make excellent sketching subjects.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Metro and short walk from central Copenhagen
Take the M1 or M2 metro line to Nørreport Station, one of Copenhagen’s main hubs. From central areas such as Kongens Nytorv or Christianshavn, travel time is typically 3–8 minutes, with departures every few minutes throughout the day. From Nørreport it is an easy, mostly level walk of about 10–15 minutes through city streets to the museum area by the Botanical Garden. A single metro ticket within the central zones usually costs around 20–30 DKK; lifts and escalators make the journey suitable for visitors with limited mobility.
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City bus within Copenhagen
Several city bus routes serve the streets around Øster Farimagsgade and Øster Voldgade, placing you within a 5–10 minute walk of the museum. From the city centre, journey times are generally 10–20 minutes depending on traffic and starting point. Buses run frequently during the day and less often in the late evening. Standard bus tickets in the central zones typically cost 20–30 DKK and can be bought via ticket machines or mobile apps. Low-floor buses and designated spaces make this option practical for wheelchairs and strollers.
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Bicycle from inner Copenhagen districts
Copenhagen’s extensive cycle lanes make biking to the Danish Natural History Museum straightforward from most inner districts, including Vesterbro, Nørrebro, and Østerbro. Expect 10–20 minutes of cycling from these neighbourhoods at a relaxed pace. Public bike-share schemes and rental bikes usually cost from about 50–150 DKK per day, depending on the provider and duration. The terrain is flat and well-suited to less experienced cyclists, but be prepared for busy commuter traffic at peak hours.
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Taxi or rideshare within the city
Taxis and licensed rideshare services are widely available in central Copenhagen and can bring you directly to the streets bordering the Botanical Garden near the museum. Travel times from popular areas such as the main railway station or Nyhavn are typically 10–20 minutes, longer during rush hour. Fares within the central area often range from about 120–250 DKK depending on distance and traffic. This is the most comfortable option if you are carrying luggage, travelling with small children, or prefer door-to-door access.
The Danish Natural History Museum 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
Discover more about The Danish Natural History Museum
A gateway to Denmark’s natural world
The Danish Natural History Museum forms the scientific heart of Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden, bringing the story of nature indoors. Housed in historic university buildings, the museum interprets geology, biology, and climate through large-scale displays and carefully lit exhibition halls. Here you encounter everything from mineral crystals and fossils to mounted animals and botanical specimens that connect directly to the living collections outside. The institution is part of the University of Copenhagen’s Statens Naturhistoriske Museum, which unites the botanical garden, zoological and geological collections under one umbrella. Stepping inside, you move from the calm greenery of the garden into a world of specimens, models, and interactive elements designed to make complex science accessible and visually engaging.From deep time to today’s changing climate
One of the museum’s key strengths is its sense of timescale. Geological sections trace Denmark’s formation through layers of rock, ancient seas, and the movement of ice sheets across Scandinavia. Fossils, meteorites, and minerals tell the story of deep time, while exhibits on evolution link primordial oceans to the wildlife that inhabits Danish forests and coastlines today. Recent decades have seen a growing focus on biodiversity and climate. Displays explore endangered species, fragile habitats, and the shifting balance between human activity and natural systems. Text panels, models, and multimedia presentations encourage you to consider how landscapes are changing and what that means for life in the North Atlantic region and beyond.Collections behind the glass cases
Although only a fraction of the museum’s holdings can be shown at once, the public galleries hint at vast research collections stored behind the scenes. Carefully arranged drawers of insects, rows of preserved specimens, and orderly cabinets of rocks suggest a working scientific archive. Many exhibits emphasize how curators and researchers use these materials to track species, study geology, and reconstruct past climates. Connections to the surrounding Botanical Garden are never far away. Botanical displays reference living plants outside, while information panels often highlight how fieldwork and herbarium collections underpin what you see on the walls. For visitors, this link between lab, gallery, and garden creates a coherent sense of how natural history is studied and preserved over time.Architecture, atmosphere, and sense of place
The museum’s buildings occupy a corner of the former city ramparts, giving the site a slightly elevated feel above the surrounding streets. Inside, high ceilings, wooden floors, and tall windows create an academic atmosphere that reflects the institution’s university roots. Some galleries retain a classical museum character with long rows of cases, while others adopt a more contemporary design with darkened rooms and spotlighted objects. Outside, the landscaped paths, ponds, and rock gardens of the Botanical Garden frame the museum with greenery almost year-round. From certain viewpoints, you can glimpse Copenhagen’s towers and spires rising beyond the treetops, underlining how this is both an urban attraction and a pocket of quiet in the city center.Planning your visit and combining experiences
Typical visits last one to two hours inside the museum, but the combination with the ten-hectare Botanical Garden easily fills half a day. Many visitors alternate between time in the galleries and short breaks outdoors among the beds of Nordic plants, alpine slopes, and the ornate Palm House with its iron-and-glass dome. On-site facilities usually include a small café area and a museum shop with books, educational toys, and botanical-inspired gifts. Benches and seating corners in the galleries make it feasible to explore at a gentle pace, and most exhibition areas are on accessible levels connected by ramps or lifts. Whether you arrive for a focused look at a particular exhibition or a broader encounter with Denmark’s natural heritage, the museum rewards unhurried exploration.A museum in transformation
The Danish Natural History Museum is in a phase of renewal, with plans to consolidate and modernize its exhibition spaces in a new main building by the Botanical Garden. This transformation aims to bring geology, zoology, and botany under one roof while preserving the atmosphere of a university museum embedded in a historic landscape. During this period, some displays may shift or appear in temporary formats, but the core mission remains the same: to interpret the richness of the natural world for a broad audience. Visiting now offers a snapshot of an evolving institution that balances tradition and innovation at the center of Copenhagen’s scientific and cultural life.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Essential places to dine
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One‑Michelin‑star Green Star dining in a historic Copenhagen townhouse, where hyper‑seasonal Nordic tasting menus meet quietly striking design by the King’s Garden.
Høst
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Time's Up Vintage
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Relaxing
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Vintage Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Art & Design
- Parks & Gardens
- Landmarks
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Instagrammable
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Mindfulness
- Roadtrip Stop
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
