Køge Byhistoriske Arkiv
Køge’s documentary memory bank, where quiet shelves of papers, photos and maps reveal centuries of local life to anyone ready to start researching.
Køge Byhistoriske Arkiv is the city’s local history archive, tucked into central Køge on Nørregade. Part reading room, part treasure vault, it preserves documents, photographs, maps, and records from Køge and its surrounding parishes. Researchers, genealogists, students, and curious locals use the calm, bookish space to trace family stories, investigate old streetscapes, or dive into centuries of urban and rural life. With limited opening hours and a focused mission, it offers a quiet, specialist experience rather than a conventional museum visit.
A brief summary to Køge Byhistoriske Arkiv
- Nørregade 4, Køge, 4600, DK
- +4531165360
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 3 hours
- Free
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Tuesday 10 am-12 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-12 pm
- Thursday 10 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Prepare specific questions or surnames before visiting; it makes it easier for staff to guide you to the most relevant collections.
- Bring a notebook, pencils and a USB drive or camera for personal reference photos, and ask staff about any copying restrictions first.
- Check current opening hours in advance, as the archive operates only on select weekdays and hours that can vary seasonally.
- Combine your visit with a walk through Køge’s historic centre to see the streets and buildings you encounter in the documents.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Regional train and short walk
From Copenhagen Central Station, take a regional train towards Køge or Næstved; the journey to Køge Station typically takes about 35–45 minutes and runs several times per hour during the day. A standard adult single ticket for this zone distance usually costs around 80–110 DKK depending on fare type. From Køge Station, allow about 10–15 minutes on foot through the town centre to reach Nørregade, where the archive is located in the historic core. The walk is flat and paved, suitable for most visitors.
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Local bus within Køge
If you are already in Køge’s outer districts, use the local Movia buses that serve the town centre; most routes stop near the central square or station, within a 5–10 minute walk of Nørregade. Typical bus journeys within the municipality take 10–25 minutes, and a single adult ticket usually ranges from 24–36 DKK depending on zones and purchase method. Services are less frequent in evenings and on weekends, so check the timetable in advance.
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Car from greater Copenhagen
Driving from the greater Copenhagen area generally takes 35–50 minutes under normal traffic conditions, using the main motorway towards Køge. There is no dedicated parking at the archive itself, so you will need to use public car parks in and around Køge’s centre, where time restrictions and fees commonly apply during weekdays. Expect to pay in the region of 10–20 DKK per hour in central parking zones, and allow extra time to walk 5–10 minutes from your parking place to Nørregade.
Køge Byhistoriske Arkiv 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 Køge Byhistoriske Arkiv
Where Køge’s memories are carefully kept
Køge Byhistoriske Arkiv is the documentary memory of the town, dedicated to collecting, preserving and making accessible material about Køge and nearby parishes such as Boholte, Ølsemagle and Lellinge. Behind its modest entrance on Nørregade, shelves and archival boxes hold everything from centuries‑old documents to modern photographs, local leaflets and personal collections. Rather than display cases and large exhibitions, you will find a research room and knowledgeable staff who help unlock this material. It is the place where local associations deposit their minutes, where businesses send old records, and where private families donate albums and papers that shed light on everyday life.Collections that map a town’s changing life
The archive’s holdings cover a broad sweep of Køge’s development: urban planning, harbour life, crafts and trades, housing, schools and cultural life. Historic maps show how streets and plots have shifted; property records help reconstruct who lived where; and image collections trace the transformation from market town to modern municipality. For anyone exploring family history, church books, census extracts and local registers can be consulted on site, often alongside card indexes and digital tools that make searching more efficient. Researchers interested in specific themes – from wartime experiences to industrial stories – can draw on clippings, pamphlets and unpublished manuscripts.A working room more than a classic museum
Visiting the archive feels closer to entering a reading room than walking into a gallery. Tables, computers and reference tools dominate the public space, and visits typically revolve around concrete research questions. Staff can advise on how to frame a search, where to begin, and which collections are most promising for a given topic. The atmosphere is quiet and concentrated, suited to note‑taking and slow browsing of fragile originals. Because material must be preserved for the long term, handling rules are taken seriously: pencils instead of pens, clean hands, and careful use of supports for larger volumes or maps.Part of a wider network of local archives
Køge Byhistoriske Arkiv forms one branch of Køge Arkiverne, a network that also includes local archives for Skovbo, Herfølge‑Sædder and Højelse. Together they divide the municipality into coverage areas, ensuring that documents from villages and rural parishes are not lost and that each area has dedicated guardians of its heritage. This collaboration strengthens the possibilities for regional research. A topic beginning in the town – such as a factory, railway line or school reform – can often be followed into the countryside through related collections in the sister archives, with staff pointing visitors to the right place.Planning a focused stop in central Køge
The archive’s limited opening hours make it a place best visited with some preparation. Checking current timetables in advance, defining your questions and perhaps contacting staff ahead of time can help them retrieve relevant boxes before you arrive. Allow enough time for slow reading: once you begin unfolding old maps or scanning names in a register, hours can pass quickly. Located in Køge’s compact historic centre, the archive fits easily into a day spent exploring the town’s cobbled streets, harbourfront and museums. For anyone with roots in the area, or a professional interest in local history, it can become the most meaningful stop of all, connecting present‑day Køge with the stories preserved on paper within these walls.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Køge Torv
0.1 km
Denmark's largest medieval town square, where seven centuries of history unfold on cobblestones.
Køge St.
0.2 km
Experience Skagen’s iconic Det Grå Fyr, an elegant lighthouse offering breathtaking views, unique birdwatching, and local culture at Denmark’s northernmost edge.
VisitKøges selvbetjente turistbureau
0.2 km
An iconic 19th-century lighthouse at Denmark’s northern tip, famed for panoramic views, migrating birds, and immersive maritime and nature exhibits.
Visit
0.3 km
Historic lighthouse and bird observatory at Denmark’s northern tip, with panoramic sea views, interactive nature exhibits, and a vibrant café in wild coastal surroundings.
Mindesmærke for slagene i Køge Bugt
0.3 km
Harbourfront monument where stone, sea breeze and maritime symbols keep the naval battles of Køge Bugt and their admirals alive on Køge’s working waterfront.
“Slaget i Køge Bugt”
0.3 km
Harbourfront monument on Køge’s quay, quietly marking the dramatic naval battles once fought in the bay where today only fishing boats and leisure craft glide.
Befrielsessten i Køge
0.3 km
A solemn memorial to Denmark's liberation from Nazi occupation, standing in Køge's historic market square.
Comwell Køge Strand
1.1 km
Historic lighthouse and world-class bird observatory at Denmark’s northern tip, with sweeping sea views, immersive exhibitions, and a welcoming café.
Køge Nord
4.8 km
A soaring timber‑lined footbridge and high‑speed rail hub turning everyday commuting into a slice of contemporary Danish architecture and panoramic landscape.
Vallø Slotskro
6.4 km
Explore Denmark's largest private engine collection and maritime heritage at Maskinrummet in Skagen.
Roskildekrukkerne
21.2 km
Three colossal ceramic jars rising from a mirrored basin transform Roskilde’s station square into an open-air monument to a thousand years of city history.
Skänk Beer & Wine bar
21.2 km
Experience Aarhus’ celestial heritage at the Ole Rømer Observatory, where history, culture, and astronomy converge for hands-on stargazing and exploration.
Det Kongelige Palæ i Roskilde
21.6 km
Baroque palace where Danish royalty met democracy, now a vibrant hub for art and culture.
Ledreborg Castle
22.1 km
Denmark's most harmonious 18th-century palace, where 250 years of aristocratic life remain beautifully preserved.
Viking Ship Museum
22.5 km
Beautiful sandy beach blending city and sea, with grassy dunes, safe swimming, and a friendly promenade—Marselisborg Strand is Aarhus’ closest seaside escape.
Unmissable attractions to see
Køge Museum
0.0 km
Time‑travel through Køge’s past inside a 17th‑century merchant’s house where Viking treasures, buried secrets and a tranquil courtyard meet in one intimate museum.
Vandkunsten - Stationspladsen
0.1 km
A sculptural fountain anchoring Køge’s station square, where moving water, stone and light turn a busy transport hub into an inviting urban meeting place.
Drikkevandpost - Torvet 14
0.1 km
A small but essential drinking water fountain on Køge’s historic Torvet, offering free, clean tap water and a brief pause amid cobblestones and town life.
the old house
0.1 km
One of Denmark’s oldest dated half‑timbered houses, this 1527 gem in Køge’s old town now hosts a cosy children’s library and atmospheric vaulted cellar.
Køge Church
0.2 km
Explore Køge Church: a landmark of Danish Gothic architecture with Renaissance treasures, vibrant frescoes, and a pivotal role in the historic heart of Køge.
Brønden på Køge Torv
0.2 km
A German-inspired historic well on Køge’s grand market square, where everyday water, medieval trade and modern town life quietly flow together.
Mindesten for Træskoslaget
0.2 km
Discover Køge Church—a late medieval architectural gem, celebrated for its stunning murals, ornate interiors, and centuries of local history in the old town center.
KØS Museum of Art in Public Spaces
0.2 km
Denmark’s dedicated museum for art in public spaces, revealing the sketches, models and stories behind monuments, murals and urban artworks in the heart of Køge.
Drikkevandpost - Havnen
0.2 km
Solgårdsparken in Køge is a riverside retreat featuring woodlands, lawns, playgrounds, public art, and event spaces—an ideal escape for families and nature lovers.
Lovparken
0.4 km
Experience Køge’s centuries-old Sankt Nicolai Kirke—a showcase of Nordic Gothic architecture, unique artworks, and vibrant local history in the town center.
Tidsrummet
0.6 km
A compact harbourfront playground in Køge where maritime character, industrial backdrops and inventive landscape design create a free, atmospheric urban pause.
Mindesten for Elias Andersen
0.7 km
Historic Gothic church in central Køge featuring an iconic spire, centuries-old interiors, Renaissance woodwork, remarkable maritime artwork, and peaceful churchyard.
Rhododendronparken
0.9 km
A quietly spectacular woodland garden on Køge’s outskirts, home to one of Denmark’s largest rhododendron collections and an elegant fusion of estate history and landscape art.
Dyreskueplads
0.9 km
A flexible harbourfront field where Køge’s open sky, sea breeze and industrial silhouettes frame everything from quiet dog walks to large outdoor festivals.
Bronzestien - Køge Ås
0.9 km
A peaceful Bronze Age–inspired trail along the wooded ridge of Køge Ås, where manor landscapes, river views and ancient traces meet just outside Køge.
Essential places to dine
Odd Fellowgaarden
0.1 km
French‑inspired bistro warmth and homely cooking in a historic Køge townhouse, where homemade bread, hearty plates and a tempting cheese table set the tone for long evenings.
Café Liyana
0.1 km
Family-run café-restaurant in Køge’s old town, known for generous burgers, easygoing atmosphere and all-day dining on historic, shop-lined Nørregade.
The Green Corner
0.1 km
Fresh-made bowls, kebabs, and sandwiches in Køge's go-to casual take-away spot.
Halifax Burgers Køge
0.1 km
Casual, contemporary burger hangout on Køge’s cultural square, serving customisable patties, vegan options and drinks with both indoor cosiness and sunny terraces.
Cups 'n Cones Køge
0.1 km
Handcrafted ice cream and frozen yogurt in the heart of Køge's historic town square.
Siesta Prime Grill
0.1 km
Casual grill house in the centre of Køge serving hearty Mediterranean‑inspired comfort food, ideal for laid‑back lunches, relaxed dinners and social evenings.
Lucky Star
0.1 km
Waterfront sushi and Asian cuisine in Køge's heart, where simplicity meets authentic Japanese flavour.
Bone's Køge
0.1 km
Family-friendly American BBQ in the heart of Køge, serving generous ribs, burgers and salad bar in a cosy, saloon-inspired setting ideal for relaxed group meals.
Cafe O'Flanagans
0.1 km
Cozy Irish-inspired café-bar in central Køge, serving hearty brunches, burgers and beers from late morning coffee to lively late-night weekend drinks.
Bistro17
0.2 km
Modern bistro and bar in a former 1940s cinema on Køge’s central square, serving generous brunches, comfort food and cocktails in a lively, historic setting.
Restaurant Christiansminde
0.2 km
Traditional Danish and Chinese-inspired comfort cooking in a 19th-century building on Brogade, offering generous portions and a relaxed, old-town Køge atmosphere.
Det Sunde Køkken
0.2 km
Bright, casual salad and bowl bar right on Køge’s medieval market square, serving fresh, customizable healthy meals, juices and easy takeaway all day.
Sanne's Desserter
0.2 km
Cosy dessert café on Køge’s main square, serving Belgian waffles, homemade cakes and coffee with a front-row view of life on historic Torvet.
Frokost MALT
0.2 km
Classic Danish smørrebrød served in a historic courtyard just off Køge’s main square, blending local lunch traditions with a cosy, modern Scandinavian touch.
Café T
0.2 km
A snug, retro-furnished tea and brunch café tucked off Køge’s main square, serving homemade breads, cakes and generous brunch plates in true Danish hygge style.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Cosmetics La Boutique
0.0 km
Køge's premier destination for curated fragrances, skincare, and beauty accessories.
NYSTRUP & ØSKOV
0.1 km
Intimate women’s fashion boutique in central Køge, offering contemporary Scandinavian style, curated collections and personal styling in a relaxed setting.
Kings & Queens Køge
0.1 km
Curated contemporary fashion for young adults in central Køge's vibrant shopping district.
Rokkjær-Køge
0.1 km
A contemporary Scandinavian womenswear boutique on Køge’s historic market square, blending modern style, local brands and a building marked by centuries of town history.
Merkur
0.1 km
Local women’s fashion on Jernbanegade, blending Scandinavian everyday style with the cozy, walkable charm of Køge’s historic town center.
Uldahl
0.1 km
A calm, Scandinavian-style women’s boutique in central Køge, offering curated wardrobe pieces, friendly guidance and an unhurried atmosphere on Jernbanegade.
JACK & JONES
0.1 km
Straightforward Scandinavian menswear in Køge’s Strædet shopping street, with a strong focus on denim, casual basics and easy everyday style.
Tendens Køge
0.1 km
A cosy multibrand fashion boutique in the heart of Køge, blending Scandinavian style, curated labels and a relaxed, town-centre shopping vibe.
Pure Me
0.1 km
A cosy Køge boutique for carefully chosen lingerie, beachwear, jewellery and perfume, offering calm, personal shopping a few steps from the town’s historic streets.
Outlet Køge
0.1 km
Compact, no-frills outlet in the heart of Køge where rotating discounts and everyday bargains add a practical edge to a day of town-center shopping.
Marie-lou V/marie Louise Busk Rasmussen
0.1 km
Locally owned women’s fashion boutique in central Køge, offering Scandinavian-inspired styles focused on quality, fit and personal, relaxed shopping.
VILA
0.1 km
A light-filled Scandinavian fashion boutique in Køge’s old town, blending feminine everyday styles with relaxed, modern Nordic design.
KLUD
0.1 km
Contemporary Danish womenswear in a cosy multibrand boutique on Køge’s main shopping street, blending personal styling, curated labels and a relaxed Nordic feel.
My Apartment Køge
0.1 km
A cosy, apartment-inspired fashion boutique in central Køge, blending Scandinavian style, curated brands and a relaxed, home-like shopping atmosphere.
NORMAL Køge, Strædet
0.1 km
A bright, maze-like discount shop in Køge’s Strædet centre, where everyday branded essentials and quirky finds turn a simple errand into a low-cost mini treasure hunt.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Vinbaren Køge
0.2 km
Intimate wine bar in Køge’s old town, serving well-chosen bottles, tapas-style plates and plenty of Danish hygge from relaxed afternoons to late-night last pours.
Den høje stue
0.2 km
Cosy sportspub on Køge’s historic Torvet, pairing classic bar vibes with big-screen matches and relaxed small‑town atmosphere late into the evening.
Bodega Slap A
0.2 km
Køge's electric nightlife hub where quality drinks meet vibrant DJ sets and dancing until dawn.
Ibsens Pub & Vinbar
0.3 km
Waterfront wine bar and pub where Nordic hospitality meets harbor views and live entertainment.
RICHTERs Ølstue
0.3 km
Characterful beer hall in Køge’s historic centre, pouring quality specialty brews and serving hearty Danish smørrebrød in a warm, wood-accented pub setting.
The Old Irish Pub
0.3 km
Køge's benchmark for weekend nightlife with live music, cocktails, and authentic Irish pub atmosphere.
Café Asti
0.3 km
Intimate wine and tapas bar in Køge's heart, where Italian flavors meet European sophistication.
Ellemarkens Bodega Drøvlen
1.1 km
Unpretentious local bodega and community hangout in Køge’s Ellemarken district, serving inexpensive drinks, sports on TV and a relaxed slice of everyday Danish life.
Grillen
1.5 km
Casual grilled fare in the heart of Køge, open daily for straightforward dining and drinks.
MC 19 Køge
5.5 km
Unpretentious roadside bar on the edge of Lille Skensved, blending motorcycle-club spirit with classic Danish pub hospitality and a relaxed, locals-first atmosphere.
Charlie Chaplin
20.0 km
An unfussy neighbourhood bar in Roskilde, Charlie Chaplin pours cold beers and warm conversation in a relaxed local bodega setting far from the city’s tourist crowds.
Vinbaren Muicon
20.0 km
An intimate wine bar in Roskilde’s Musicon district, pairing cozy Nordic warmth with a curated wine list and relaxed, conversation-friendly vibes.
Musicon Mikrobryggeri
20.0 km
Local craft beer, stainless-steel tanks and live music energy in the heart of Roskilde’s creative Musicon district.
Bykroen
20.1 km
Cozy local bar and live music hangout on Haslev’s main street, offering simple drinks, late-weekend nights and an authentic small-town Danish atmosphere.
Roskilde Bodega
21.1 km
Classic Danish corner bar on Holbækvej with pool, darts, slot machines and a lively local crowd, offering an unpolished, authentic bodega atmosphere from day to late night.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
The Flame
0.3 km
Compact, high-energy nightclub by Køge’s harbor, serving up youthful beats, live acts and weekend dance-floor vibes in an intimate, no-frills setting.
LUSIO
0.3 km
Compact harbor-side nightclub in Køge with late Friday hours, a tight dance floor, and an intimate, no‑frills setting for Danish weekend nights out.
Bloom Nightclub
0.3 km
Late-night harborfront beats and a compact dance floor bring big-night energy to small-city Køge every Friday and Saturday.
Tropicana DC
18.8 km
Compact Latin-flavoured nightclub on Roskilde’s industrial edge, delivering loud beats, simple drinks and a late-night dancefloor focused purely on partying.
Klubhuset
18.9 km
Low-key local clubhouse turned disco-style nightspot, where a simple bar, small dance floor and regulars’ vibe create relaxed, unpretentious nights in Roskilde.
Dansebar Roskilde
21.1 km
Roskilde's premier multi-floor nightclub with dual dance spaces, three bars, and DJ-driven energy until dawn.
Garbos Roskilde
21.2 km
Cozy neighborhood nightclub in central Roskilde, blending casual bar vibes with a compact dance floor and late-night weekend energy on Hersegade.
Danseriet
21.5 km
Frivilligdrevet danseklub i Roskilde med stort dansegulv, livebands og hyggelig stemning for danseglade gæster på tværs af aldre og niveauer.
Haven - Events
32.8 km
Discover the electrifying nightlife at Haven, Frederiksberg's top night club, where music, dance, and fun come together for an unforgettable experience.
KB3
33.1 km
Discover the pulse of Copenhagen's nightlife at KB3, a lively night club in Vesterbro offering unforgettable music and vibrant experiences.
The Union
33.3 km
Discover the vibrant nightlife at The Union, Copenhagen's premier night club offering electrifying music and an unforgettable experience.
Baggen
33.4 km
Discover the electrifying atmosphere of Baggen, where Copenhagen's nightlife comes alive with vibrant music and unforgettable experiences.
Dollhouse Striptease Nightclub
33.5 km
Experience the vibrant nightlife of Copenhagen at Dollhouse Striptease Nightclub, where adult entertainment meets unforgettable performances.
Falafelberg
33.6 km
Discover the pulsating nightlife of Frederiksberg at Falafelberg, a night club offering delicious falafel and electrifying music for an unforgettable experience.
Vela Lesbian Lgbtq+ NightClub
33.6 km
Experience the inclusive spirit and vibrant nightlife at Vela Lesbian LGBTQ+ Nightclub in Copenhagen, where every night is a celebration of love and diversity.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Zen
- Unique
- Casual
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Art & Design
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly