10 Best Museums in Copenhagen with the Copenhagen Card (Discover vs Hop)

Updated with the latest Copenhagen Card details (Discover vs Hop), current museum closures and renovations, and my newest tips.

I spent about a week in Copenhagen in the depths of winter. It was freezing outside – the perfect excuse to spend my days in the city’s wonderful museums, and to put the Copenhagen Card to the test.

Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital and one of the most liveable cities in the world – rich history, a famously relaxed culture, brilliant food and world-class infrastructure. I could go on about everything I love here, but this post is all about the museums: ten of my favourites, ranked, and how to visit them with the Copenhagen Card.

Of course, “free” really means “prepaid”: entry is included in the price of the card. Whether it pays off depends on how much you squeeze in.

With the Discover card, public transport – including trains to and from the airport and day trips to Louisiana and Elsinore – is included too, which is where I saved the most.

On the same trip I climbed the City Hall tower and the Round Tower, took a day trip to Elsinore, and visited Frederiksborg Castle, Rosenborg Castle and Christiansborg Palace. But for this post, I am focusing on the museums. Even if you don’t have the card (or decided not to), I am giving you my reviews of these museums in the city of Copenhagen, so you can be the judge and decide which one that you want to go to the most. I am giving stars for each of these places and rank them accordingly. You may not agree with me, and that’s fine, everyone’s experience is unique, and please leave a comment at the bottom to share with us your view, and which museum would you recommend!

How the Copenhagen Card Works: Discover vs Hop

The Copenhagen Card is a digital city pass: you buy it in the official app or online, activate it when you’re ready, and show the QR code at each attraction. It now comes in two versions:

Copenhagen Card Discover – free entry to 80+ attractions in Copenhagen and the wider Capital Region, plus unlimited public transport (metro, buses, S-trains, regional trains and harbour buses) in zones 1–99, including to and from the airport. This is the one I’d choose: it gets you to Louisiana, ARKEN, Frederiksborg and Kronborg.

Copenhagen Card Hop – free entry to 40+ attractions in central Copenhagen and Frederiksberg, plus Stromma’s hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses. It does not include regular public transport or airport trains.

A few things to know: each attraction can be visited once per card, a handful (like Home of Carlsberg) need advance booking, and the card does not cover Malmö in Sweden. The app lists every included attraction with opening hours and directions, which makes planning easy.

Cards are sold for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours (Hop currently tops out at 72 hours), with cheaper junior and kids’ cards that you add to an adult card. The longer the card, the lower the cost per day – I used a 120-hour card and found it best value when I planned two or three big-ticket sights a day and used the trains for day trips.

To see whether it pays off for your plans, try the official savings calculator.

Prices and opening hours change often, so check the official Copenhagen Card website before you go. You can buy the Copenhagen Card in the official app, or get your Copenhagen Card Discover here.

This post contains affiliate links, including the GetYourGuide boxes. If you book through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What should you cover? If you only pick a few, my must-dos are the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, an evening at Tivoli Gardens in summer, at least one castle, and two or three of the city museums below. Pick two or three key places a day, map them and leave time to actually enjoy them – this isn’t the Amazing Race!

I’ve ranked the museums below from my least to most favourite, with a star rating for each – Louisiana gets a bonus sixth star.

Getting around Copenhagen is really easy. It’s one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, and some hotels and hostels lend bikes to guests – lovely in summer. In winter I relied on the driverless metro, which has four lines and runs around the clock; it’s punctual and almost impossible to get lost on. For places further out, the colour-coded S-trains and regional trains will get you there, usually within an hour. With the Discover card, all of it is included.

Kunsthal Charlottenborg

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

The Charlottenborg Palace was originally built in 1683 as a residence of Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve – the building was constructed in the Baroque architectural idiom shared by Holland, England, and Denmark. Dowager queen Charlotte Amalie purchased the palace in 1700 until the ownership was transferred to the Royal Danish Academy of Art in 1787. Today, the site functions as the official exhibition gallery of the Royal Danish Academy of Art. It is the platform for local contemporary artists to show their work. While they may not be big names (yet), the venue still draws a solid audience to support and appreciate the local art development. 

What’s more? The palace sits right at Nyhavn, the famous waterfront lined with brightly painted 17th- and 18th-century houses, so it’s easy to combine with a canal-side stroll. The museum’s own café-restaurant, Apollo Bar & Kantine, is a popular spot for lunch. A stone’s throw away, the Guinness World Records Museum – now called Guinness World Records & WonderMaze – is also included in the card: it’s light, fun and a great pick for families with kids.

Natural History Museum of Denmark and the Palm House

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

Big news: the museum is moving. The historic building on Øster Voldgade – home to the Geological Museum and its Mineral Hall, where I saw the meteorites below – has closed its doors, and a brand-new Natural History Museum Denmark is opening in the Botanical Garden with eight new exhibitions. The Palm House and Butterfly House in the Botanical Garden stay open. Check the museum’s website for the opening date before you plan your visit.

The museum is a result of a merger of Copenhagen’s Zoological Museum, Geological Museum, Botanical Museum and Central Library, and Botanical Gardens – The museum focuses on nature based on the background of these four long-standing institutions. It was merged in 2004 and it has had a collection of exhibits for over four centuries.

The Palm House creates an exotic habitat that is unlike anywhere you see in Denmark. It has quite a spectacular botanical collection in various temperatures and humidity as if it brings you to a tropical place during winter – from aquatic plants and mangrove plants, warm and dry subtropical plants in the mountains, plants in the warm Mediterranean region, to an unusually large and scientifically significant collection of cycads. One of them dates from 1824 and is one of the tallest in Europe under glass.

Returning to Denmark after passing through the Palm House, I headed to the old Geological Museum, which at the time had a temporary exhibition showcasing meteorites from outer space; followed by an impressive collection of gems, crystals, minerals, and rocks from all over the world (this is definitely for those who are fascinated by rocks). 

One of the coolest things about the meteorite exhibition was that I got to touch a piece of meteorite that came from the Moon and Mars! 

Less than one percent of meteorites come from Mars and the Moon. Martian meteorites come from regions, like the far side of the Moon, that the Apollo or Luna missions have never visited. These unique objects enable us to trace and understand the history of our cousin Mars and neighbor Moon.

Museum of Copenhagen

My rating: ★★★☆☆

The Museum of Copenhagen is a city museum that brings the audience on a journey to the history of Copenhagen. The museum is very close to Copenhagen’s City Hall, and I think it’s a great complement to exploring the city. The journey starts from the first traces of humankind to the capital we know today. 

As for me, I am most interested to know about how the city was established and developed. The first archaeological traces of the city are from the 1000s, the late Viking Age. Roads, buildings, and graves provide evidence of the first Copenhageners and the origins of the city. But what is the background of the city that emerges on the shore of the Sound? The city began with the good farming and fishing resources of the area and the market it created. Its coastal location made it a hub for traffic and trade by land and sea. The city attracted more people, and before long the Crown assumed control of this strategic site for the defense of the kingdom. During the 1100s the city developed rapidly and Bishop Absalon came to power. From 1000 to 1600, Copenhagen grew in size and significance. Its central location, fishing grounds, and fertile soil generated trade. The city was a hub on the Sound, with the castle islet of Slotsholmen as its power center. Under the Christiansborg Palace where the remains of the castle are often linked to the birth of the city. But the history of Copenhagen began long before the castle was built. Continuing on, Christian rebuilt and expanded Copenhagen as a “modern city”. The Royal Exchange was built on the waterfront, linking the old town and the new merchant town of Christianshavn. The building was modern in design and construction. Ships could sail right up to the exchange, offloading cargo directly onto the ground floor as people trade from more than 40 stalls in the new indoor market. The Royal Exchange is the creation of Christian IV, Denmark’s dynamic Renaissance king. Science, art, war, and commerce were key themes of the age and permeated all the king’s plans for the capital. Through city planning, he demonstrated the power and glory of the throne.

In the 1700s and 1800s, Copenhagen became a hub for literature, poets, and authors. During the 1700s, Copenhagen became the country’s literary capital. At the theatres, coffee houses and club houses and club authors and readers alike discuss literature with a passion. Modern printing techniques, freedom of the press, and a growing book market increase people’s interest in reading. Novels, reviews, and publishers see the light of day, and a new kind of author emerged. The opening of the Royal Theatre gives Copenhageners a chance to experience European and Danish theatre, opera, and ballet. The theatre also provides a stage for the career dreams of authors. Go on further, you will learn more about the city’s layout, design, and important infrastructure that shaped the city today. 

The museum is 3-story high and not huge; yet it illustrates the story of Copenhagen with text, photos, and interactive models. If you are interested in learning more about the city, this is where you should be; what’s more, enjoy a cup of tea and a danish in the museum’s cafe, I found their pastry (although not a lot of choices) quite delicious! 

Thorvaldsens Museum

My rating: ★★★★☆

Heads-up: the museum’s beautiful inner courtyard, where Thorvaldsen is buried, is currently closed for a major restoration of its painted façades. The galleries are open as usual – check the museum’s website for the latest.

The Thorvaldsens Museum is dedicated to a single Danish neoclassical sculptor, Bertel Thorvaldsen, which the museum is also built around his burial place. Bertel Thorvaldsen gained international fame in the early 19th century, he was born and died in Copenhagen, and spent 40 years of his life in Italy, after graduating from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. His work would be seen in different countries including the Lion Monument in Lucerne in Switzerland, the equestrian statue of Prince Józef Poniatowski in the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, and the statue of Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany.

In his final years, he bequeathed his sculptures and art collections and established the Thorvaldsen Museum – it opened in 1848 in Denmark’s first purpose-built museum building, inspired by ancient and polychrome architecture. It provides the perfect backdrop to showcase Thorvaldsen’s white, neoclassical marble sculptures.

Many of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s works are reliefs and statues based on Greek mythology or biblical stories.
The main floor is the heart of the museum, wrapped around the courtyard with Thorvaldsen’s grave. The Grand Hall shows Thorvaldsen’s plaster models for large statues of historical personages, which stand in various European cities, and moving on to the galleries that showcase marble sculptures and reliefs, especially with themes from classical mythology. The Christ gallery is one of my favorites as it displays the plaster models for the statues of Christ and the Apostles in Copenhagen Cathedral, and the size and details of these many figurines are simply outstanding. The upper floor showcases Thorvaldsen’s collection of paintings and antiques. 

I like the museum in general as I was impressed by the sculptural work (like the Christ Gallery that I mentioned). I always like the idea of a museum dedicated to one artist because it usually has a focus that tells a story, and it helps the audience to understand the aesthetics and concept of a certain kind of art genre in a certain period of time. On the flip side, it may be too “one-note” to some people as the entire place is really all about Thorvaldsens. Furthermore, most of the exhibits are only replicas or plaster models – in particular, the “real” Christ and twelve Apostles sculptures are in Copenhagen Cathedral, which is basically a 10-minute walk away from the museum; while most of the sculptures are in marble, many of them have turned black due to oxidation. In case you decide to visit the Christiansborg, consider dropping by and taking a quick spin because the museum is right next to the palace.

What’s more? On a side note, there are a few nice cafes nearby (which I hope to write about in Copenhagen later); The Theatre Museum at the Court Theatre, Danish Jewish Museum, and Nikolaj, Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center is also nearby. For Nikolaj, some might miss this place on the map but I found it quite special that a church is turned into a contemporary art space! While I was there, it was hosting a themed exhibition for Leonard Cohen, a Canadian singer-songwriter, showing pictures, videos, and audio of his work; but there are a few small places with some other interesting works, too. Once I climbed up to the second floor, there were eighteen TV flat screens. Each of the screens is one individual who was singing, but altogether it came out as an acapella performance in perfect unison and harmony. The Theatre Museum, the Danish Jewish Museum and Nikolaj Kunsthal are all included in the Copenhagen Card, so take a quick spin if you’re nearby.

Designmuseum Denmark

My rating: ★★★★☆

It’s clear that in the name that the Designmuseum Danmark focuses on “design”. But what is design? The museum highlights local designers’ works and crafts over the last decades and some of them did have a serious impact on the world. Famous Danish designers include Arne Jacobsen, Kaare Klint and Poul Henningsen. Design is not only limited to artworks but also architecture, home products, cars, fashion, even music, and lifestyle.

The museum was founded in 1890 and when I was visiting the museum, the permanent exhibition takes you on a journey of the changes in design style and aesthetics through different eras; it inspires me how life and design are interrelated. If art is more of a spiritual form of expression, design takes on a more “practical” route as it needs to incorporate what customers want, what they need, and the functionality behind the design.

Imagine how to create a lounge chair that looks stylish and comfortable (and I had no idea that there are so many architectural elements in one chair), and how a nightstand that has all the parts that you need will make your life easier and get you ready for work faster. Like many Scandinavian designs in Norway and Sweden, Danish designs are clean, simple, and modern without compromising practicality and style. 

The museum also dabbles in achievements of Danish architectural design – can you name any world-recognized modern architectural wonders in the world that were built by a Danish architect? Look at one of the descriptions of the photos below to find out. 

Sydney opera house was built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon

The museum also showcases a range of Chinese and German porcelain, and tapestry works as well. In general, the museum doesn’t have extremely valuable or unique exhibits, yet it stands out from other art museums with a focus on the modern era and the information is quite inspiring and educational. Since my visit, the museum has had a two-year renovation and reopened with refreshed galleries – one more reason to go back.

National Gallery of Denmark (SMK)

My rating: ★★★★☆

Good to know: SMK is renewing its collection displays one area at a time, so some galleries – starting with European art from the Renaissance to the 1800s – are temporarily closed while the rest of the museum stays open. Check SMK’s website to see what’s on view when you visit.

The National Gallery of Denmark, or commonly known as “SMK” (short for “Statens Museum for Kunst” in Danish), is obviously a very important site that collects, registers, maintains, researches, and handles art from Denmark and all over the world dating from the 14th century to the present day. 

The gallery is expanded from its original old building (for classic and historic art) with a new wing at the back that houses contemporary printings and large-size installation art. It has a collection of 9,000 paintings and sculptures – not only from domestic artists but international names like Albrecht Dürer, Peter Paul Rubens, Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem and Henri Matisse.

I appreciate how the galleries are separated into two wings and how they design the layout and placements of the art pieces. It’s hundreds of years of art housed in one place and each room has a clear theme and feature. It has an area dedicated to Danish artists with a detailed introduction and guide. 

Henri Matisse’s Portrait of Madame Matisse. The Green Line. is probably the most sought-after work in the bunch. It is a portrait of the painter’s wife back in 1905. Why is it called “The Green Line”, it’s notable that the green band divides the face in half to create a sense of light, shadow, and volume without using traditional shading. This technique shook the world at that time – with both the admirers and critics arguing over this shade of green, some found it astounding, and some found it odd.

What’s more? SMK is part of a cluster of museums around the King’s Garden: the Hirschsprung Collection, the Natural History Museum’s Botanical Garden, the David Collection, Rosenborg Castle and the Workers Museum are all within walking distance. All of them except the David Collection (which is free anyway) are included in the Copenhagen Card.

The Hirschsprung Collection is right behind the lawn of the National Gallery. It has a unique collection of paintings by the most important Danish artists of the 19th century (The Danish Golden Age from 1800 to 1850, including Peder Severin Krøyer, Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, and Dankvart Dreyer. The paintings were donated by the founder of the museum – Heinrich Hirschsprung.

The David Collection showcases a unique Islamic collection that is considered among the top 10 of its kind in the western world. 

The Workers Museum explores the everyday life of Danish working-class families during the last 150 years, and how the workers built the foundation of the Danish welfare model.

National Museum of Denmark

My rating: ★★★★★

Like the Museum of Copenhagen, the National Museum takes you on a journey through time, but on a larger scale that covers the history of Denmark. What’s wonderful about exploring the National Museum of Denmark, is that visitors can see the actual item, whether it is a historic painting, fossils, jewelry, clothes, equipment, and so many more. The exhibits take visitors on a time-traveling journey, allowing them to witness the history and development of Denmark, all the way from the prehistoric period to modern times.

The museum is a huge space and it takes hours to complete. For those who want to have a taste, focus on the highlights that were listed on the museum map. Since it is huge, it could be quite confusing to cover so many topics at once as it has exhibits from the prehistoric era, a dollhouse showcase, an astronaut suit, to modern culture in the 60s. The museum even has exhibits from Egypt and India. 

The Aurochs – The Feast that Drowned. 10,000 years ago Denmark’s ancestors hunted a 1,000-kilogram aurochs, which was 2 meters high at the withers. A group of hunters pulled back their bows and fired their arrows. Three of them stuck and wounded the massive beast. The aurochs leaped into a bog in Vig on the peninsula of Odsherred, where it disappeared before the eyes of the hunters. The aurochs’ skeleton was discovered in 1905.

The Egtved Girl – A Traveller from the Bronze Age. More than 3,300 years ago a young woman hiked through the South German Alps, heading for the country that later became Denmark. She died one summer when she was 16 to 18 and was buried in an oak coffin in a barrow in what is the town of Egtved in Central Jutland today. A small yarrow flower was laid on the edge of the coffin before the lid was lowered and she sank into darkness. She first saw the light of day when her body was unearthed by archaeologists in the 1920s. She continues to be famous today thanks to research constantly revealing new facts about the girl and her journey.

The Golden Horns – Replicas of National Treasures. The gold drinking horns are replicas. The originals were unearthed in 1639 and handed over to the king in 1743. But on May 4th, 1802 they were stolen from the King’s Cabinet of Curiosities. For a whole year, there was no trace of the horns or the thief. While the police tried to solve the mystery, the Danish poet Adam Oehlenschlager wrote a famous poem about these national treasures. The thief was found the following year – a poor goldsmith called Niels Heidenreich who had melted them down to make earrings and buckles. The Golden Horns were gone forever, but from the 1850s they became a symbol of Danish identity and Denmark’s magnificent ancient past.

The Faceted Hoard – Denmark’s Largest Treasure Trove of Gold. In the 900s, maybe on the orders of a magnate or king, 1.5 kg of gold was buried in Denmark. Harald Bluetooth was king at the time. He and other nobles conquered large areas of land on their raids where they traded or plundered treasures. They melted some of the gold and silver treasures down to make elaborate jewelry. Some of this jewelry was buried at Faested in Jutland. Here it remained hidden until 2016 and 2017 when amateur archaeologists discovered it with metal detectors. The hoard is the largest discovery of gold in Danish history.

The Eckhout Paintings – World Heritage. In 1654 a series of magnificent paintings by the Dutch painter Albert Eckhout was presented to King Frederik III of the people, animals, and landscapes of Brazil. The paintings include portraits of a woman with a child on her hip, and a man ready to go hunting. Today the paintings are controversial, and some see them as symbols of colonial exploitation. In Brazil, however, they are seen as precious pieces of national heritage providing unique documentation of the country in the 1600s.

Parka from the Great Sledge Expedition. Tertaq’s mother attached 80 amulets to the parka of her 6 to 7-year-old son. They are made of animal skin bones, teeth, human, and animal hair, claws, beaks, stones, wood, and fish skin. They were to give him strength and protect him from evil spirits. Tertaq had more amulets than anyone else in the Netsilik Inuit community of Canada he came from. The explorer Knud Rasmussen brought back the parka to Denmark after visiting the people of the Arctic by sled on the 5th Thule Expedition in 1923.

Executioner’s Axe – The Royal Physician Beheaded for the Queen. Johan Fredrich Struensee is the main character of Denmark’s most dramatic love affair. He was the physician of Christian VII (1749-1808), responsible for the insane king’s health and mind. He became the king’s right-hand man. Queen Caroline Mathilde fell in love with him he had an entire kingdom in the palm of his hand and used his power to abolish torture and censorship. The Danish aristocracy was fuming with rage at his arrogance and reforms, and together with Dowager Queen Juliane Marie, they turned the empire against him. In 1772 he was arrested for treason against the king and beheaded with his axe.

The Living Room – Make Yourself at Home in the 1970s. Take a break in the moss-green sofa with orange and brown stripes with its tile-topped coffee table. In the museum’s 70s living room you can make yourself at home in a time capsule when the number of single-family houses exploded as people moved out of flats in the city. A lot of Danes can clearly remember this kind of living room, with its potted plant, pottery, hand-embroidered cushions, and rya rug. This is where people puffed on cigarettes as they discussed the oil crisis or abortion rights.

Space Suit – The First Dane in Space. In 2015 Andreas Mogensen spent eight days on the International Space Station ISS. His trip into space and back was on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. During the trip, Andreas wore a white suit to protect him from falling atmospheric pressure and other challenges in space. During his time at the space station, he wore a black suit to protect him from the negative effects of zero gravity. Andreas was the first Dane in space. Describing the experience he said: “It’s like being a child on a swing flying towards the clouds. The instant you leave the ground and your feet point to the sky, time just standstill.”

Denmark’s Second Oldest Book. The book from Home is a book of Gospels from around 1225. From 1656 to 1810 it was kept on the altar of Home Church in Funen. Before then the book belonged to Danish noble families who decorated its pages with their coats of arms. In 1810 Count Preben Bille-Brahe donated the book to the National Museum. The cover of the book is decorated with Christ on the cross, flanked by Mary and John the Baptist.

The highlights of the museum (see the captions on the photos above for each story):

• The Aurochs – The Feast that Drowned. 
• The Egtved Girl – A Traveller from the Bronze Age. 
• The Golden Horns – Replicas of National Treasures. 
• The Fæsted Hoard – Denmark’s Largest Treasure Trove of Gold. 
• The Eckhout Paintings – World Heritage. 
• Parka from the Great Sledge Expedition. 
• Executioner’s Axe – The Royal Physician Beheaded for the Queen.
• The Living Room – Make Yourself at Home in the 1970s.
• Space Suit – The First Dane in Space.
• Denmark’s Second Oldest Book.

ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art

My rating: ★★★★★

ARKEN is on the coast south of Copenhagen, in Ishøj – and the Discover card covers both the entry and the train ride there (it isn’t included in Hop). It is well worth the trip for its collection of over 400 significant international artists, many of which are permanent cultural displays and installation art pieces, spanning from the post-World War II period to the present day. Notable artists include Anselm Reyle, Ai Weiwei, Damien Hirst, Olafur Eliasson, Ingar Dragset, and so on. 

The museum is, in fact, a private non-profit organization; which stands among the most prestigious contemporary art museums in the region. Opened in 1996, the museum was designed by Søren Robert Lund, a 25-year-old architect student – it is surrounded by water and it has a striking and eye-catching building with a giant white wall at the entrance; both the building and the artworks are something to see. The museum covers mainly contemporary and modern art pieces, but it has sculptures, printed, and mixed media displays. To me, the most interesting part is the site installations, like Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals Heads, and Damien Hirst’s Love’s Paradox.

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

My rating: ★★★★★

Ny means “new” in Danish, and Glyptotek comes from the Greek for a collection of carved sculpture. The museum grew out of the private collection of brewer Carl Jacobsen, the founder of Ny Carlsberg, who gave his collection to the public in 1888; the museum opened in 1897. Although it was a personal collection, it is not limited by scale and size. The majority of the exhibition are sculptures, including antiques collected from the ancient Mediterranean, Egypt, Rome, and Greece; and some modern works in Denmark and France. The museum also features sculptures by Auguste Rodin, which is considered to be the most important collection of his work outside France.

The museum consists of three buildings, namely Dahlerup Building, Henning Larsen Building, and Kampmann Building. The first building was designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup and built in 1897. It is the main entrance (and where the ticket office and cloakroom) are located. When I visited, it was hosting the special exhibition The Road to Palmyra; it’s also home to Danish and French sculpture and an outstanding collection of French paintings, including one of the world’s finest groups of works by Paul Gauguin.

The second building was completed in 1906 and designed by Hack Kampmann. This is where the Central Hall is located, with Greek and Roman sculpture, the Egyptian collection, and the Ancient Mediterranean collection.

Lastly, the Henning Larsen Building was built in 1996, and the area hosts temporary exhibitions and offers access to the museum’s roof terrace – it is a beautiful rooftop terrace designed by Danish architect Henning Larsen, offering views of the city and Tivoli.

One exhibit that I found interesting is an illustration that shows how the research team recreated the original color and fully reconstructed the beautiful Palmyra based on the evidence left on the sculpture. First, the team reconstructed the missing parts such as the nose and the left hand, then, the jewelry, clothes, and headgear. While it may not be an accurate depiction of its original color, the team did technical analyses and comparisons with the other Palmyrene sculptures and archaeological finds to make their best shot.

Among the sculptures, one of the best features of Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is the Winter Garden which makes it so distinguishable and different from other museums. The palm trees were originally grown in the childhood home of Carl Jacobsen, the founder of Carlsberg, making them 140 years old. It is the museum’s green oasis between the Dahlerup and Kampmann Buildings with comfortable and warming daylight. Sculptures are on display among palm trees, ponds, fountains, and benches; as if I just walked from Denmark to Southern Greece. It is a great place for families with children to explore the garden, soak in the artistic atmosphere, and paint a beautiful picture. Going outside, the sculpture garden extends to the back with beautiful flowers in summer, where you will also find another of Rodin’s famous artwork, “The Thinker”. 

Plan ahead: the Glyptotek is preparing one of the largest restoration projects in Danish museum history, and it will close to the public for several years while the work is done. It’s open as normal for now – check the Glyptotek’s website for the latest dates before your trip.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

My rating: ★★★★★ + 1 bonus star – my favourite!

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a 15-minute walk from Humlebæk station about 40 kilometers away from Copenhagen’s city center. The waterside art museum & sculpture park is not exactly in the city but it’s a leading international art museum that earns its place as the top attraction in Denmark – because the site brilliantly combined art, nature, and architecture in a total experience that attracts guests from all over the world all year-round. Louisiana is included in the Copenhagen Card Discover – entry and the train to Humlebæk – but not in Hop.

Why is it called Louisiana? The site got its name from the three wives of the owner of the property, Alexander Brun, who all called Louise. In 1958, Knud W. Jensen, the later owner of the site, turned it into an art museum, by remodeling some features with architect Vilhelm Wohlert and Jørgen Bo. 

Louisiana is for sure my favourite art museum on the list, which is why I’m giving it a bonus sixth star – here’s why. I think it deserves an independent post about this museum, as it has so much to see and do. 

First, the museum offers both indoor and outdoor experiences. Louisiana has an outdoor sculpture garden that offers panoramic views of the Sound and an impressive large sculpture collection. The Reclining Figure by Henry Moore is the most eye-catching piece, standing right at the edge of the slope in front of the water. Other sculptures are works collected from all over the world, including Queen of Spades by Isamu Noguchi (Japan), the Gate in the Gorge by Richard Serra (USA), and Personnage by Joan Miró (Spain). These sculptures are placed in different ways so that they could be viewed from within the museum, in a dedicated area in the yard, or walking down to the seaside. 

Secondly, the genre is diverse. Louisiana has a number of exhibition halls that are connected by glass corridors (which was the original idea by the architects), featuring a number of permanent collections (like the Giacometti Hall and the Jorn Room), and temporary exhibitions of great interest. The permanent artworks date from World War II to the present day, as you may find a lot of great names like Andy Warhol, Alberto Giacometti, Auguste Rodin, David Hockney, Pablo Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein, and more.

To me, I found a themed exhibition of Lauren Greenfield, an American documentary photographer, really interesting because she showcased photography with a sharp and focused theme, accompanied by a well-written commentary. She explored topics like shopping, children’s pageant, plastic surgery, aging, extravagant lifestyles of rich people, and more. Another interesting artwork was created by Ann Veronica Janssens, a Belgian artist. The artwork is a giant box that guests could walk in, it uses a fog machine to create a visual experience with lighting and blue, red, and yellow films; I could only see shades of solid colors in the fog but nothing else. Don’t miss out on Gerhard Richter’s colorful painting in the corridor of the museum while you are heading to the cafe! 

Lastly, the museum has great facilities and programs. Louisiana stays open late on weekday evenings – even in winter – so you have more time here than at most museums. Opening hours change, so check Louisiana’s website before you go.

I recommend going there in the afternoon, having a walk in the park with the sunlight, and then moving indoors to see the many galleries.

For dinner, take a break at the Cafe and try their buffet dinner. The food was nice and it has a view of the sea as well. The museum has a sizable souvenir store, with a vibrant cultural center and art programs.

Which Card Covers Which Museum?

Copenhagen Card FAQ

What is the difference between Copenhagen Card Discover and Hop?

Discover includes 80+ attractions plus unlimited public transport in the Capital Region, including the airport. Hop includes 40+ city-centre attractions and Stromma hop-on hop-off buses, but no regular public transport.

Is the Louisiana Museum included in the Copenhagen Card?

Yes, with the Discover card – it covers entry and the train to Humlebæk. Louisiana isn’t included in the Hop card.

Is the Copenhagen Card worth it for museums?

It’s worth it if you plan two or three paid sights a day and use public transport, especially for day trips to Louisiana or Elsinore. Use the official savings calculator to check your own plan.

Does the Copenhagen Card include Malmö?

No. The Discover card covers the Capital Region of Denmark (zones 1–99), which doesn’t include Malmö in Sweden.

More Copenhagen Guides

• The best activities in Copenhagen
• The 5 best castles around Copenhagen
• A day trip to Elsinore (and Louisiana on the way)
• Love art museums? See my Vienna Pass art guide and Helsinki art city guide.

Which Copenhagen museum is your favourite? Tell me in the comments – and if you’ve used the Discover or Hop card, let me know whether it paid off for you!

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