The National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet) is the country's largest museum of cultural history, housed in a historic building just off the Strøget shopping street in central Copenhagen. Its collections span the histories of Danish and foreign cultures alike, with exhibits gathered from around the world — from Greenland to South America.
The permanent displays cover some 14,000 years of Danish history, from the reindeer hunters of the last Ice Age through the Viking Age to the religious art of the Middle Ages, when the Church shaped much of Danish life. Highlights include the Bronze Age Sun Chariot and an extensive coin collection, ranging from Viking-era Danish coins to coinage from ancient Rome and Greece. The museum's work also covers archaeology, ethnology, ethnography and the safeguarding of the Danefæ, Denmark's national treasures, and it supports research in Greenland through its SILA centre.
Entry to the permanent collections is free. The museum is open daily except Monday, and the hands-on Children's Museum in the basement makes it an easy choice for families. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. It is a five-minute walk from City Hall Square.
A local's tip
The Children's Museum in the basement is perfect for families. Free guided tours on selected days.
Getting there
Bus to National Museum or walk from City Hall Square (5 min).
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings for fewer visitors.
Accessibility
Fully accessible with elevators and ramps. Wheelchairs available for loan.
