A visit to this comprehensive museum is the quickest way to learn the fascinating history of Copenhagen.
The official museum of Copenhagen takes you on a fascinating journey from 12th-century Denmark to today. A visit to the City Museum is a great way to begin your stay in Copenhagen the collections will help you understand many of the city’s attractions before you go looking for them.
Housed in the former mansion of the Royal Copenhagen Shooting Society, the building itself is notable for its 17th-century architecture. The shooting range outside the museum is now a small park.
Collections range from historical to contemporary, but all are focused on educating visitors on the unique culture that has developed within the city. Copenhageners cherish their old Scandinavian traditions as much as they do their modern European outlook.
Discover Copenhagen’s origins as a small fishing town in 1167. As you walk through the chronologically structured museum you will see the history of the city unfolding before your eyes. A 25-minute photographic slideshow shows the changes in the city by year and helps explain why it looks how it does today.
The collections cover royal history, the wars fought with Sweden and Norway, and the city’s strong culture of academia, writing and design. See rare photographs of the city throughout the exhibitions, along with films, artifacts and interactive and digital displays. Try to join one of the workshops that are regularly held here to entertain and educate both adults and children.
The contemporary exhibition is a great way to discover the youth culture that is so active in Copenhagen today. Discover hidden secrets of developing neighborhoods such as Nørrebro, find out why its citizens are so environmentally aware and see how immigrants have contributed to the cosmopolitan feel of the city.
The Copenhagen City Museum is located west of the city center and can be reached on foot in about 10 minutes from the central train station. There is limited street parking for a fee in the wider area. The museum is open daily and there is a small admission fee for adults. On Fridays, entry is free for everyone.
