SMK – The National Gallery of Denmark
SMK - The National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst) is Denmark’s largest art museum, featuring outstanding collections of Danish and international art from the past seven centuries. SMK is located just off of Copenhagen's Nørreport station. Here you can experience special exhibitions, the royal collections, guided tours, performances, art talks, concerts, workshops and much more.
At the SMK you can enjoy the grand masters of art history along with cutting-edge contemporary artists and the rising stars of the art scene. No other museum in Denmark shows such a rich and varied selection of art – from the European classics of the Renaissance to the overwhelming diversity of modern and contemporary art. Here you will find gems by artists such as Mantegna, Nolde, Anna Ancher, Derain, Rubens, Matisse, Hammershøi, Munch, Abramovic, Danh Vo and Elmgreen & Dragset.
SMK is especially famous for its beautiful collection of Danish Golden Age art, the country’s most comprehensive collection of Danish contemporary art – and one of the world’s best Matisse collections.
Photo: Den Sorte Diamant
Photo: Malthe Ivarsson
Photo: Den Sorte Diamant
Photo: Malthe Ivarsson
Photo: Malthe Ivarsson
Photo: Den Sorte Diamant
Photo: Den Sorte Diamant
Photo: Den Sorte Diamant
Photo: Den Sorte Diamant
Photo: Den Sorte Diamant
Photo: Den Sorte Diamant
The Black Diamond
On the edge of Copenhagen Harbour sits The Black Diamond as a beacon of culture. The Black Diamond is Royal Danish Library's cultural centre in Copenhagen with lots of exhibitions all year round.
Storytelling, sensuous experiences and unique objects set the mind in motion when visiting exhibitions in The Black Diamond. With cultural heritage as an inexhaustible reservoir, everything from Søren Kierkegaard to contemporary art is staged, with particular emphasis on literature and photography.
Exhibition 2026
The World around Us – Permanent Exhibition
In The Black Diamond's new collection exhibition, we turn our gaze towards the landscape and everything that surrounds us. The exhibition takes us on a journey through the last 200 years of photographic history and focuses on how we have depicted and understood land and city through photography – from the romantic landscape photography of the 19th century to the Industrialisation's enthusiasm for cities and buildings to the climate challenges of today.
Treasures in the Royal Danish Library – Permanent Exhibition
An exhibition with library's most precious, beautiful, significant, and valuable treasures. From the oldest of manuscripts to the Internet's ever increasing digital cultural heritage. Explore gems from the collections of science, philosophy, cartography, music, and much more – or take a peek into the lives of a number of prominent Danes by reading Søren Kierkegaard's letter to his fiancé, Karen Blixen's own manuscript, or Hans Christian Andersen's diary. Permanent exhibition.
Danish Press Photo of the Year – 2025 07.03.25 – 09.08.25
Danish Press Photo of the Year presents the dramatic, funny, and memorable moments from 2025 – captured by Danish press photographers. Each year the competition awards the best shots in categories such as News Photo of the Year, Portrait of the Year, Sports Photo of the Year and, last but not least, Press Photographe, and Press Photo of the Year.
Jytte Rex – Dreams and Furious Laughter – 20.3.26-09.08.26
In Jytte Rex’s art, images, words, and film meet in a weave of connections – between people, times, and media. For more than six decades, she has worked across art forms, creating existentially focused works that revolve around the relationship between humans and the world and between inner and outer life. The photographic medium is a recurring element in Jytte Rex’s practice. She describes it as subjecting photography to a form of vandalism. She breaks with photography’s cool documentarism and creates a connection to other times, to the world's changeability, and to human inner life. Materials and motifs are worked in layers upon layers, generating new layers of meaning and impression.
Jytte Rex is part of the feminist avant-garde art of the 1960s and 1970s, and occupies a distinctive position with her poetic and labyrinthine expression. Jytte Rex – The Dream and the Furious Laughter opens up a universe where stories, longings, and sensations merge, and where the works invite us to open our eyes to the mystery of the world.
Photography Now! 07.03.25 – 09.08.25
With Photography Now!, Royal Danish Library focuses on photography in contemporary art today. The exhibition is a collectively curated show created in collaboration with five Danish galleries. The approach to the photographic medium changes from decade to decade in our fast, image-generated society. The photographers offer different perspectives on the world we live in. The starting point of the exhibition is that five galleries select a number of artists whose practice is characterized by a thoughtful approach to photography. The exhibition can thereby serve as a broad introduction to photography in contemporary art today – and perhaps also as an indication of where we are headed.
Friday, January 23rd, open from 10:00 to 16:00
Special feature on Sundays and public holidays
Visit The Old Reading Room
The atmospheric reading room in the original part of Royal Danish Library on Slotsholmen in Copenhagen is called The Old Reading Room. The reading room has remained virtually original since its inauguration in 1906 and is a true architectural gem. On Sundays, anyone interested can visit the reading room and experience its very special atmosphere. Visit to The Old Reading Room is included in the exhibition ticket and with a Copenhagen Card.
Please note that only students and researchers have access to the library Monday to Saturday.
Related Attractions
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is located in the center of Copenhagen and the museum collection consists primarily of Danish and French art work of the 19th century and archaeological artefacts from ancient Egypt, the Greek and Roman impires, and from the Middle Eastern cultures.
Art and beer Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek was founded by the brewer, Carl Jacobsen (the founder of Carlsberg breweries), who was one of the great industrial magnates of the 19th century and the greatest art patron Denmark has seen. In 1888 Carl Jacobsen gave his art collection to the public and began the building of the Glyptoteket. Glyptoteket has been open to the public since 1897 and holds over 10,000 works, primarily divided between ancient antiquities and Danish and French sculpture and paintings from the 19th century.
The collection The collection of ancient sculptures includes an extensive collection of Ancient Greek and Roman portrait heads as well as a large collection of Palmyrene portraits. The modern part of the collection includes French sculptures from the 19th century – featuring a significant selection of works by Auguste Rodin – and French paintings from 1800 to 1950, with Impressionism and Paul Gauguin as the absolute stars, plus a collection of Danish Golden Age Art. The main proportion of the collection is part of the museum’s permanent exhibitions, though there are, also, temporary special exhibitions which help to develop a perspective on the museum’s collection with the aid of works on loan.
The Winter Garden, café and roof terraceUnwind from the daily grind at the café overlooking the beautiful and spacious Winter Garden. Picnic is open on the same days as the museum itself. They serve tasty light lunches, desserts, coffee and other beverages.
Visit the roof terrace of the Glyptotek and experience a beautiful view of Copenhagen and the city towers. Every summer, the museum café serves cold drinks, snacks, coffee and cake for you to enjoy in open air.
Danish Architecture Center
The Danish Architecture Center (DAC) is an international cultural hotspot that creates engaging experiences and sparks dialogue about architecture, design, and urban development. Through exhibitions, tours, events, learning activities, and networking, DAC welcomes both kids and adults to explore the world of architecture. You can also browse new design pieces, artwork, and books at the DAC Design Shop, or enjoy a cup of coffee with a stunning view of the harbor at the DAC Café. Located in the iconic BLOX building on Copenhagen’s inner harbor, DAC is a key part of the city’s vibrant Cultural District.Exhibitions Featuring Danish and International IconsExperience the latest trends and leading voices in architecture and design through DAC’s inspiring exhibitions. Recent highlights include explorations of Danish living, child-centered architecture, and solo shows with global icons like Dorte Mandrup and BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group.Current Exhibitions:Age of Nature until the 17th of May 2026The exhibition explores how architecture can create space for both humans and nature in a world facing biodiversity loss and climate challenges. It presents visionary ideas such as buildings that host plants and animals, and shows how technology and design can integrate architecture with nature. Age of Nature invites visitors to rethink our relationship with nature and imagine a future where architecture supports ecological balance and shared well-being.So Danish! – Denmark’s National Architecture GallerySo Danish! is Danish Architecture Center’s first permanent exhibition on Danish architecture. The exhibition unfolds the history of Danish architecture from the Viking Age to present day and gives you the opportunity to travel into the architecture and understand how absolutely vital it is to our democratic society.Explore the City with DAC ToursDiscover the city’s architecture up close with guided tours led by DAC’s expert storytellers. From architectural masterpieces and hidden gems to bike bridges and harbor baths, these tours run several times a week. And your tour ticket includes same-day admission to DAC!Architecture for All AgesArchitecture is for kids too! Every weekend and during select holidays, DAC offers open family workshops where you can build, draw, and create alongside friendly guides. Take a ride on the DAC Slide, explore the outdoor playground, and enjoy a relaxed family meal in the café.DAC CaféSee Copenhagen from above at the DAC Café, where city life meets sky-high views. Relax on one of three spacious rooftop terraces and enjoy Nordic-style dishes, a fresh cocktail, or simply a great cup of coffee.DAC Design ShopThe DAC Design Shop is your go-to destination for design lovers. Discover a curated collection of cutting-edge Danish design - everything from jewelry, watches, and fashion to books, prints, and design for kids. The shop assortment is guided by values of quality and innovation, with a selection that evolves regularly, offering something new each visit. It’s the perfect spot to treat yourself or find a meaningful gift.
Karen Blixen Museum Rungstedlund
A beautiful, short walk from Rungsted Kyst Station north of Copenhagen leads to the Karen Blixen Museum. A unique experience awaits in the beautiful, charming and authentic author's home surrounded by a bird sanctuary and situated just by the Sound.
Rungstedlund is one of the oldest existing properties on the coastal road Strandvejen and was Karen Blixen's home for most of her life. The author Karen Blixen, also known as Isak Dinesen, wrote herself into world literature with well-known works such as Out of Africa and Babette's Feast.
The living rooms at Rungstedlund stand as Karen Blixen left them, decorated in her unique style and with fresh, sumptuous flower arrangements inspired by her own bouquets. Experience changing exhibitions at the museum and explore Karen Blixen's outdoor natural gem, the Bird Sanctuary. There is always free access to the Bird Sanctuary, which was protected in 1958 and has since attracted nature- and bird enthusiasts of all age groups.
In 2024, the BLIXEN Route opened - a 16 km certified hiking route marked with signs and audio stories along the way. The route is circular starts at the Karen Blixen Museum and is free of charge. Read more at Karen Blixen Museum — BLIXEN ROUTE Madam Carlsen's café, named after Karen Blixen's housekeeper, is a cozy meeting place offering beautiful views of both forest and sea and with a wonderful outdoor terrace. The café serves brunch, lunch and dinner as well as a good selection of delicious cakes, wine and coffee. It is recommended to book a table here.
Find inspiration in a wide selection of books in several languages and be tempted by unique art, fine textiles and quality products in the cozy museum shop.
Welcome to ENIGMA, Denmark’s vibrant hub for communication and media. Born from the old Post & Tele Museum, it now thrives in a historic post office in Østerbro.
ENIGMA is a treasure trove of Denmark’s communication history, housing the largest stamp collection and a significant specialist library. It’s a place where past, present, and future converge, offering a journey from the postal service’s inception in 1624 to today’s digital realities.
The museum houses four different exhibition and activity areas. Together they depict the Danish communication and media history from the establishment of the postal service in 1624, over mass communication in sound and images, to our time’s digital realities. Past, present, and future under the same roof.
The name ENIGMA, a Greek word meaning riddle, reflects the museums mission to help decipher the riddles of everyday communication. The museum even house the world’s oldest ENIGMA machine, a code device from World War II.
The exhibition, “Hello human - do you trust me?” invites you to explore the potentials and pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Would you trust a machine to write your love letter or talk to your doctor? Join us at ENIGMA, and you’ll leave with new insights and knowledge. The exhibition guides you through what artificial intelligence is and can be used for. You get the opportunity to participate actively and critically take a position on the potentials and dangers that arise in the use of artificial intelligence.
Bakkehuset is currently closed due to mold. They will not reopen until spring at the earliest.Step into the Danish Golden Age Bakkehuset was an essential meeting place in the Danish Golden Age, hosted by Kamma and Knud Lyne Rahbek and frequently visited by Hans Christian Andersen, Oehlenschläger, H.C. Ørsted and other poets, scientists and opinion formers of the romantic period.
Today, Bakkehuset is buzzing with art and culture. The historic house and its surrounding gardens provide an authentic insight into the way of life in the early 19th century, its unique atmosphere and style. A visit to Bakkehuset is a visceral experience of one of the most central periods in Danish cultural history; the period later known as the Golden Age.
Hans Christian Andersen visited Bakkehuset as a young man and here he found inspiration and support to become a writer. His famous tales servers as inspiration for creative activities in the cozy family area, Eventyrakademiet (the Fairytale Academy).
Experience the newly renovated romantic garden around Bakkehuset. You can enjoy coffee and historically inspired food in the orangery, beautifully situated in the middle of the blossoming garden.
The café is located in the historic garden and serves traditional open-faced sandwiches (Smørrebrød).
Our Saviour's is one of Denmark's most famous churches. Ever since the serpentine spire was inaugurated in 1752, is has been a popular passtime to climb the 400 steps to the top.
Please note: The entrance to the church is free of charge for all. If you wish to climb the tower you must book your visit in advance. Please choose the free 'Copenhagen Card' option here.
Every year, more than 200.000 people climb the stairway to the top where Our Saviour stands on his globe and overlooks the royal city of Copenhagen.
Our Savior's Church's iconic tower contains six large bells and a fantastic carillon which holds special meaning to Christianshavn. With as many as 48 bells, the carillon plays its delicate melodies over the neighbourhood daily.
On the last 150 external steps, you will, as far as the eye can see, experience one of the best views over Copenhagen with an overview of the city from every angle at 86 meters. This is not an ascent for the vertiginously challenged!
The large baroque church, consecrated in 1696, holds a magnificent organ from 1698 and a beautiful altar. Furthermore, the church has 40 elephants symbolising the absolute monarchy and the Order of the Elephant, the highest order in Denmark. Can you find all the elephants in the church?
Access to the tower is limited during crowded hours because of narrow stairs and pathways. Therefore, we recommend prior booking to avoid waiting time for purchasing tickets on-site and to reserve a spot in the tower at a preferred time.
The staff can require online booking upon arrival during busy hours if the tower has reached its maximum visitor capacity.
Please note that the church is closed for sightseeing during services and special events.
In the case of rain, snow or heavy wind, the tower closes temporarily for safety reasons.
Please note that the tower closes at 3:30PM on December 31st., and that it is completly closed on the 24th and 25th of December.
Opening Hours
01.01.2026 - 01.04.2026:Monday: 10:00 - 20:00
Tuesday: 10:00 - 20:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 20:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 15:30
Friday: 10:00 - 20:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
Location
Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1
1221 København K
https://www.kb.dk/arrangementer/udstillinger
Restaurant
Café
Wheelchair Accessible