Top Rated Attractions in Copenhagen

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.

Teatermuseet i Hofteatret is an enticing museum that hosts a huge collection of artifacts, photographs, drawings, paintings, engravings, costumes, set models and other exhibits that reveal history of theater in the region. A visit to the museum is an amazing way to find out how theater, music, ballets and other cultural activities developed in the country.

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.

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.

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.

Located on Kongens Nytorv, the Royal Danish Theater was built by architect Wilhelm Dallerup in 1874. The building is especially impressive at night when crowds flock to the theater in evening dress. Home of the Royal Theater Company, the Royal Ballet and the Opera, the theater has two stages: Gamle Scene (old stage) and Ny Scene (new stage). Gamle Scene has a magnificent auditorium. The ceiling is decorated with Constantin Hansen's Nine Muses. Sculptures of two of Denmark's most famous playwrights decorate the entrance: Ludvig Holberg (1684-1754) was sculpted by T. Stein in 1875 and Adam Oehlenschläger (1799-1850) made by H.W. Bissen in 1861. In 1929-31 the Ny Scene was built in a separate building, the controversial, art deco Strekassen. The ticket office is open from 1p to 8p, Monday to Saturday. Leftover tickets are sold at half price from 5p on the evening of the performance.