These are the top art museums to visit in Copenhagen. I’ve listed them in priority order to help you decide which ones to visit with limited time or money! Note that these museums are closed on Mondays.
SMK is the National Gallery of Denmark and the largest art museum in the country. It holds more than 200,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings from Denmark and abroad, dating from the 14th century to the present. The museum is home to much of Denmark’s artistic heritage, especially from the Golden Age of Danish art (1800–1864). SMK also has a rich collection of 20th-century European art, including 25 works by Henri Matisse (French) and a large Emil Nolde (German) collection.
Recommendation: If you only visit one art museum in Copenhagen, make it this one.
The Davids Collection is housed in an exquisitely preserved and decorated historical building. It has one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the Western world, from Spain to India across the 7th to the 19th century. The museum also has a notable selection of older European and modern Danish art. Aside from the worthwhile permanent collection, the museum hosts excellent exhibitions.
Recommendation: If you have time for a second art museum, visit the Davids Collection. It’s free and conveniently located next to Rosenborg Castle and the King’s Garden, two top sights in Copenhagen.
The Glyptotek contains over 10,000 works of art and archaeological objects, primarily from Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as 19th-century Danish and French art. The museum’s collection features Egyptian mummies, a dizzying amount of Greek and Roman sculptures, French impressionist paintings, and more than 40 works by Gauguin. The Glyptotek has a rooftop terrace and a sunny plant-filled atrium with a cafe. The building itself is a work of art, with intricate carvings and paintings on the ceilings.
Recommendation: At $23 for full-priced admission, I wouldn’t visit the Glyptotek with limited time. While the museum has some great art, it doesn’t always do it justice with its layout. For example, there are at least six back-to-back rooms filled with sculptures, which are hard to take in and appreciate en masse.
Thorvaldsens Museum houses the sculptures, personal belongings, and art collection of renowned Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. His final resting place is in the courtyard. The building’s classical design and beautifully painted and carved ceilings are some of the museum’s best features. While I didn’t use the audio guide, people recommend it to hear the stories behind Thorvaldsens’ sculptures.
Recommendation: I wouldn’t pay $17 for this museum or prioritize it with limited time. But if you’re visiting Christiansborg Palace next door, can enter for free, and have the time, then it’s lovely to stroll through.
The Hirschsprung Collection showcases Danish art from the 19th century, including major works by the Golden Age artists CW Eckersberg and Christen Købke, the Skagen painters PS Krøyer and Anna Ancher, and the symbolists LA Ring and Vilhelm Hammershøi. A large portion of the museum’s space is dedicated to temporary exhibitions. I enjoyed the exhibition I saw in 2025 highlighting Skagen painter Viggo Johansen thanks to the informative descriptions about each piece’s meaning and cultural significance.
Recommendation: This is a small museum I wouldn’t recommend to the average person, especially one with limited time in Copenhagen. It’s best for art enthusiasts or locals interested in the current exhibition.
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