Køge Museum

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.

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Køge Museum

Set in a beautifully preserved 17th‑century half‑timbered merchant’s house in the heart of Køge, Køge Museum weaves together the town’s story from Stone Age hunter‑gatherers and the Viking Age to early modern trade. Inside the creaking timber frame, atmospheric exhibitions use modern, interactive storytelling and archaeological finds to bring local history vividly to life, from mysterious gold figurines and amulets to dramatic burials. A sheltered courtyard, cosy café and a playful ship‑themed playground make this compact museum as welcoming for families as it is rewarding for history enthusiasts.

A brief summary to Køge Museum

Nørregade 4, Køge, 4600, DK
+4570701236
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
Mid ranged
Indoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Monday 10 am-4 pm
Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
Thursday 10 am-4 pm
Friday 10 am-4 pm
Saturday 10 am-3 pm
Sunday 10 am-3 pm

Local tips

Plan 1.5–2 hours to enjoy both the exhibitions and some quiet time in the courtyard café rather than rushing through the galleries.
Look out for information on temporary exhibitions about Viking finds and burials; these can add a dramatic, story‑driven dimension to your visit.
The historic building has stairs and some uneven floors; wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for limited step‑free access in a few areas.
Combine the museum with a stroll around Køge’s old town and market square to connect the artefacts you see inside with the streets outside.
If visiting with children, allow extra time for the ship‑themed playground in the courtyard, which can be a good mid‑day energy break.

Getting There

Train

From central Copenhagen, take a regional train towards Køge; the journey typically takes 35–45 minutes with departures several times per hour during the day. A standard adult single ticket usually costs around 80–110 DKK depending on the fare type and zones. Køge Museum is within walking distance from Køge Station through the old town centre. Trains run year‑round, but evening and weekend services can be slightly less frequent, so check return times in advance.
Car

Driving from central Copenhagen to Køge generally takes 35–50 minutes via the main motorway, depending on traffic. There is paid public parking available in and around Køge’s historic centre, with hourly rates often in the range of 10–20 DKK and time restrictions in the busiest areas. The streets near the museum are narrow and can be busy on market days, so allow extra time to find a space and be prepared for short walks on cobblestones from car parks to the museum.
Regional bus

Several regional bus routes connect Køge with nearby towns on Zealand, typically taking 20–60 minutes depending on distance and route. Single fares on regional buses are usually comparable to train zone prices, often around 30–60 DKK for shorter journeys. Buses stop at or near Køge Station and central stops in the town, from which the museum can be reached on foot through the old streets. Services are generally reliable year‑round, though evening and weekend timetables may offer fewer departures.

Køge Museum location weather suitability

Any Weather
Cold Weather
Mild Temperatures
Hot Weather
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Discover more about Køge Museum

A merchant’s house frozen in time

Køge Museum occupies an impressive half‑timbered merchant’s house dating from 1619, right in the historic centre of Køge. Stepping through the entrance, you move from the bustle of the old streets into a quieter world of crooked beams, low ceilings and uneven floors that tell their own story of centuries of trade and town life. The building itself is part of the exhibition; carefully preserved timber, painted panels and old construction techniques reveal how prosperous merchants lived and worked in this busy Baltic port town. As you move between floors and across the courtyard, you are constantly reminded that this was once a functioning commercial property. Narrow passageways, former storerooms and loft spaces have been adapted into galleries, creating a layered sense of time where 17th‑century architecture frames finds that reach back thousands of years.

From Stone Age shores to Viking strongholds

The museum’s core story follows the development of Køge and its surroundings from the earliest hunter‑gatherer communities along the coast to the emergence of a powerful Viking landscape. Exhibits trace daily life through stone tools, pottery fragments and bones that speak of subsistence, trade and changing beliefs. Carefully lit cases reveal tiny beads, worked flint and domestic objects that feel surprisingly familiar despite their age. A highlight is the focus on the Viking Age, where discoveries from nearby sites are presented with clear reconstructions and models. Here you encounter traces of chieftain’s estates, evidence of longhouses and the remains of bridges that reused earlier building materials. Together they sketch a picture of a region tied into wider Scandinavian networks, while remaining rooted in local fields, rivers and coastline.

Seeresses, gold and gods

One of the most memorable areas explores ritual, magic and power in the Viking world. Delicate gold figurines, perhaps offerings or symbols of deities, are shown alongside amulets and weapon fragments that hint at beliefs now only partially understood. The storytelling leans into this mystery, inviting you to imagine how these objects once felt to the people who wore, buried or displayed them. Themed displays centre on the figure of the seeress, the ritual specialist who mediated between worlds. Through objects, scenography and thoughtful interpretation, the museum reveals how burial customs, grave goods and the placement of buildings can all be read as clues to cosmology. It is an atmospheric space where archaeology and imagination meet, without losing sight of the evidence beneath the stories.

Unearthing everyday lives from the soil

Another strand of the museum’s narrative focuses on the forensic work of archaeology itself. Dirt, debris and discarded rubbish from excavations around Køge are presented as treasure troves of information. Swept‑up floor waste, chewed bones and shattered glass become windows into diets, trade links and habits, reminding you that the past survives in the smallest fragments. Interactive elements and clear graphics explain how archaeologists interpret postholes, soil layers and building remains to reconstruct vanished houses and streets. By the time you leave this section, it becomes easier to picture how the town grew, burned, rebuilt and slowly took on the shape you see outside the museum walls today.

Courtyard calm, café comforts and play

Beyond the exhibition rooms, the museum’s courtyard offers a welcome pause. Enclosed by historic walls and half‑timbered façades, it is a sheltered pocket of greenery where you can sit beneath climbing plants and listen to the muffled sounds of the town beyond. The small café serves drinks and light refreshments, extending the visit and giving you time to absorb what you have seen. Families are well catered for, with a ship‑themed playground inviting younger visitors to climb, balance and role‑play their own adventures while adults rest nearby. This blend of serious storytelling, intimate historic setting and relaxed outdoor space makes Køge Museum a natural anchor point for exploring the wider town, its market square and the streets of old merchants’ houses that radiate out from its door.

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.

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

0.2 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.

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.

Befrielsessten i Køge

0.3 km

A solemn memorial to Denmark's liberation from Nazi occupation, standing in Køge's historic market square.

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.

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

6.5 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 Byhistoriske Arkiv

0.0 km

Køge’s documentary memory bank, where quiet shelves of papers, photos and maps reveal centuries of local life to anyone ready to start researching.

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.

Brønden på Køge Torv

0.1 km

A German-inspired historic well on Køge’s grand market square, where everyday water, medieval trade and modern town life quietly flow together.

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.

Vandkunsten - Stationspladsen

0.2 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.

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.

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.

Drikkevandpost - Havnen

0.3 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

0.8 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.

Bronzestien - Køge Ås

0.8 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.

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.

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.

Straightforward Scandinavian menswear in Køge’s Strædet shopping street, with a strong focus on denim, casual basics and easy everyday style.

Pioneer V/søren Marsner Hansen

0.1 km

Owner-led menswear boutique in Køge’s historic center, offering curated Scandinavian-inspired clothing and a calm, personal shopping experience.

Essential bars & hidden hideouts

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.

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.

Bodega Slap A

0.2 km

Køge's electric nightlife hub where quality drinks meet vibrant DJ sets and dancing until dawn.

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.

Café Asti

0.3 km

Intimate wine and tapas bar in Køge's heart, where Italian flavors meet European sophistication.

Ibsens Pub & Vinbar

0.3 km

Waterfront wine bar and pub where Nordic hospitality meets harbor views and live entertainment.

The Old Irish Pub

0.4 km

Køge's benchmark for weekend nightlife with live music, cocktails, and authentic Irish pub atmosphere.

Ellemarkens Bodega Drøvlen

1.0 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.

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Køge Museum

A brief summary to Køge Museum

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Train

Car

Regional bus

Køge Museum location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Køge Museum

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Køge Museum

A merchant’s house frozen in time

From Stone Age shores to Viking strongholds

Seeresses, gold and gods

Unearthing everyday lives from the soil

Courtyard calm, café comforts and play

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Køge Torv

VisitKøges selvbetjente turistbureau

Visit

Køge St.

Befrielsessten i Køge

Mindesmærke for slagene i Køge Bugt

“Slaget i Køge Bugt”

Comwell Køge Strand

Køge Nord

Vallø Slotskro

Roskildekrukkerne

Skänk Beer & Wine bar

Det Kongelige Palæ i Roskilde

Ledreborg Castle

Viking Ship Museum

Unmissable attractions to see

Køge Byhistoriske Arkiv

Drikkevandpost - Torvet 14

the old house

Brønden på Køge Torv

Køge Church

Vandkunsten - Stationspladsen

KØS Museum of Art in Public Spaces

Mindesten for Træskoslaget

Drikkevandpost - Havnen

Lovparken

Tidsrummet

Mindesten for Elias Andersen

Rhododendronparken

Bronzestien - Køge Ås

Dyreskueplads

Essential places to dine

Cups 'n Cones Køge

Café Liyana

Odd Fellowgaarden

Halifax Burgers Køge

Bistro17

The Green Corner

Cafe O'Flanagans

Det Sunde Køkken

Bone's Køge

Sanne's Desserter

Restaurant Christiansminde

Frokost MALT

Siesta Prime Grill

Cafe Vivaldi

Café T

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Cosmetics La Boutique

Rokkjær-Køge

NYSTRUP & ØSKOV

Tendens Køge

Pure Me

Merkur

Kop & Kande

KLUD

Marie-lou V/marie Louise Busk Rasmussen

Outlet Køge

Uldahl

Kings & Queens Køge