The Workers Museum
Europe's oldest workers' assembly hall transformed into a museum celebrating 150 years of labour, democracy, and everyday resilience.
Housed in Europe's oldest workers' assembly hall (1879), this compelling museum in central Copenhagen chronicles 150 years of Danish working-class life, labour activism, and the development of the welfare state. Immersive period rooms, interactive exhibits, and authentic reconstructions bring the struggles and daily realities of ordinary workers to life, from cramped 1930s apartments to 1950s streetscapes. Award-winning and deeply engaging for all ages.
A brief summary to Workers Museum
- Rømersgade 22, Copenhagen, Indre By, 1362, DK
- +4533932575
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3.5 hours
- Mid ranged
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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 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Allow at least two hours to fully experience the museum. The warren of small rooms and period reconstructions rewards slow, attentive exploration. Children's interactive sections can easily extend your visit.
- The grand assembly hall with its restored pastoral mural and red union banners is architecturally stunning—take time to appreciate the space's design and historical significance before moving to the exhibitions.
- Visit the basement for temporary exhibitions, which often feature compelling contemporary themes. Check ahead for current shows, as these rotate seasonally.
- The 1950s coffee bar and Café & Ølhalle offer authentic Danish lunch and refreshments. The basement restaurant is a unique listed heritage space worth experiencing.
- If visiting with children, prioritise the Children's Workers Museum section early in your visit when energy levels are highest. The interactive grocery store and role-play areas are particularly engaging.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Metro and Walking
Take the Copenhagen Metro (Lines M1 or M2) to Nørreport Station, approximately 5–7 minutes from the museum. Exit and walk south through the city centre towards Rømersgade, approximately 8–10 minutes on foot. The museum is located in central Copenhagen near the Town Hall, making it easily accessible from most city-centre locations. The walk is flat and straightforward through pedestrian-friendly streets.
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Bus
Multiple bus routes serve central Copenhagen and stop near Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square), approximately 200 metres from the museum. Routes 1A, 2A, 6A, and 14 are frequent options with service throughout the day. Journey times from outer districts typically range from 15–30 minutes depending on starting point. Buses run regularly Monday to Sunday, though frequency decreases in evening hours.
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Bicycle
Copenhagen's extensive cycle network makes cycling a practical option. Borrow a bike from one of the city's bike-sharing schemes (Donkey Republic or similar services available throughout Copenhagen) or use your own. The museum is located in the flat, central city area with dedicated cycle lanes. Journey times from most central locations are 5–15 minutes depending on distance.
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Taxi or Rideshare
Taxis and rideshare services (Uber, Bolt) operate throughout Copenhagen. Journey times from Copenhagen Airport are approximately 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. From central hotels, expect 5–15 minutes. Parking near the museum is limited and paid; rideshare is often more convenient than driving. Costs vary but typically range from 80–200 DKK from central locations.
Workers Museum location weather suitability
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Any Weather
Discover more about Workers Museum
A Monument to Democratic Labour Organisation
The Workers Museum occupies the historic Workers' Assembly Hall at Rømersgade 22, a building constructed in 1879 that stands as the oldest existing workers' assembly hall in Europe. Built by Danish unions to provide a meeting space when the government attempted to restrict working-class gatherings, the hall became an iconic gathering point for labour activists, socialists, and organisers from across Europe. The building's architecture itself expresses the values of the emerging labour movement—designed as a multifunctional space for political, union, educational, social, and cultural activities. In 2018, it was added to Denmark's UNESCO World Heritage tentative list, recognising its exceptional significance as a testament to mass democratic organisation and the fight for workers' rights.Intimate Portraits of Working-Class Life
The museum's most powerful feature is its meticulous reconstruction of domestic spaces spanning three generations of the Sørensen family, poor labourers who migrated to Copenhagen in 1882. Visitors step into their cramped, damp quarters—from a maid's attic apartment to their first home with running water—experiencing the harsh realities of urban poverty in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Beyond the Sørensen story, period rooms transport visitors through the 1930s and 1950s, complete with authentic furnishings, hand-embroidered textiles, children's toys, and reconstructed shops selling goods within working-class budgets. These immersive environments capture not only material conditions but the texture of daily survival—the scent of coal and kerosene, the cramped staircases, the ingenuity required to make ends meet.Labour History and Social Progress
The museum documents the Danish labour movement as a central force in shaping modern Danish society and the welfare state. Exhibitions explore industrial work across the past 150 years, featuring recreations of factory floors, Carlsberg bottling operations, and B&W shipyard riveting crews from the 1950s. A dedicated section honours Thorwald Stauning (1873–1942), a proletarian who rose through the labour movement to become a member of parliament at 33 and later prime minister, exemplifying the transformative power of organised workers. The grand assembly hall itself, with its restored pastoral mural and red union banners, remains a symbol of collective aspiration and democratic participation.Interactive Engagement for All Ages
The Children's Workers Museum offers hands-on experiences where young visitors can take jobs at a brewery, work as bicycle messengers, or help in a trade union office. An old-fashioned grocery store invites free play with scales, goods, and change, making history tangible and memorable. Adults and children alike can dress up in period clothing, role-play in reconstructed scenes, and explore the museum's warren of small rooms—each revealing new details about how ordinary people lived, worked, and organised for change.Contemporary Relevance and Social Justice
The museum actively engages with present-day issues through exhibitions addressing modern slavery, human trafficking, and social inequality. The temporary exhibition Stop Slavery! examines Denmark's historical connection to slavery and contemporary exploitation, including an estimated 500 cases of modern slavery within Denmark itself. This commitment reflects the museum's broader mission to use labour history as a lens for understanding current social challenges and inspiring democratic participation. In 2023, the museum received the Council of Europe Museum Prize, recognising its innovative approach to inclusive heritage and its dedication to combating underrepresentation in museum access.Facilities and Visitor Experience
The five-storey building houses exhibition spaces, a 1950s-style coffee bar, and Café & Ølhalle—Copenhagen's only listed basement restaurant, serving traditional Danish lunch. A gift shop, library, archives, and study hall support deeper research into labour history. The museum's recent major renovation restored the central meeting hall and adjacent spaces to their striking historic appearance, revealing decorations hidden under layers of paint and reaffirming the architecture's role in fostering pride and community among workers.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Explore Denmark's labor history at The Workers Museum in Copenhagen's historic Workers' Assembly Hall.
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Cultural Heritage
- Educational
- Thought-provoking
- Immersive
- Reflective
For the design and aesthetic lover
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For the architecture buff
- Historic
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For the view chaser and sunset hunter
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For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
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- Photo Spots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Locally Managed
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
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- Day Trip
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For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Educational Groups
