Top Rated Attractions in Copenhagen

The Black Diamond, simply known as "The Diamond," is an extension of the Royal Library, designed in a modern architectural style, smooth as a mirror, by the architect firm Schmidt, Hammer and Lassen. The main entrance to the Royal Library is from Søren Kierkegaards Square, and you'll find the ticket office as well as restrooms, the cloakroom and a bookshop here. The entrance to Restaurant Søren K is from the vestibule. The entrance to the Queen's Auditorium is from Christians Brygge 9. This hall is hired out for different arrangements of rhythmic and classical music, as well as for some lectures and conferences. Tickets for the musical arrangements can be bought at the ticket office.

Founded in 1958, Louisiana is one of Denmark's greatest museum of modern art. The museum is the annex of an old villa, located in the middle of a magnificent park which stretches down to Oresund. In the park, you'll find sculptures by Henry Moore, Calder, Max Ernst, Arp and Debuffet. Inside lies a fine collection of sculptures by Giacometti. Also view exhibitions by Van Gogh, Monet, Magritte, Chagall, Matisse, Warhol and Hopper. The museum contains a concert hall and an excellent restaurant boasting beautiful views of Oresund.

This grandiose building was erected in 1889-96 after plans drawn by Wilhelm Dahlerup in Italian Renaissance style. In autumn 1998, an extension was opened that gave the National Gallery of Denmark the facelift it needed. The architects were Anna Maria Indrio. This deeply original new building was constructed in the park behind the original building and is connected to it by a glass-covered walkway, the so-called Street of Sculptures. The street stretches along the full length of the museum, and within it concerts and dance performances are held. The museum contains collections of art dating from the 12th Century. Among the older European and Danish collections, feast your eyes on paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, Breugel, Rubens, Frans Hals and Rembrandt. The modern collection comprises work by Picasso, Braque, Leger, Modigliani and Emil Nolde. Danish painters are richly represented, and you can enjoy the styles of Oluf Hst, Edward Weihe, Olaf Rude and Harald Giersing. Entrance to the permanent collections is free, but special exhibits require a modest entry fee.

Opened in 1996, Vega consists of two state-of-the-art concert halls: Store Vega, a larger venue accommodating 1500, and Lille Vega, a smaller venue for 500 that belts out live acts on a regular basis, in addition to a stylish bar and a lounge. Vega attracts a range of pop, rock and techno bands from Denmark and abroad. Please confirm specific events schedules and nightclub timings on the website.

Cinemateket is in the heart of Copenhagen, between Kongens Nytorv and Nørreport Station, and is part of the Danish Film Institute. The architecturally interesting building contains two cinema theaters, a library, a videoteque, a bookshop and a café, all in a fashionable atmosphere. The repertoire varies with different themes each month; almost all genres are represented at some time throughout the year. Each film is screened twice or thrice a month, and the prices are relatively low per ticket. Some short flicks and children's films are free, but you normally have to order the tickets in advance. Cinemateket is the only cinema in Copenhagen with such a varied repertoire, and is an especially fun place to bring children on a rainy day.

Flanked by the Kastellet and the harbor on either sides, the Gefion fountain is a splendid bronze landmark that regales visitors with stories of a mythical past. The dramatic sculpture was designed by Anders Bundgaard between 1897 and 1899, and is one of the largest monuments to grace the streets of Copenhagen. The fountain features the Norse goddess Gefjun at the rein of a yoke of oxen. If the original Norse saga is to be believed, the four oxen were actually the goddess' sons, who helped her plough the island of Zealand from Sweden. The water spurting out of the oxen's nostrils symbolizes the strength that was put into their work. While the fountain glistens in the sunlight during the day, at nightfall it takes on a turquoise hue that further enhances the mystical nature of the monument.