Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is famous as the happiest city in the world. Known worldwide for its sustainable lifestyle, the city offers an eclectic mix of breathtaking architecture, ancient monarchy dating back to the era of Vikings, and a unique culture boosted by a stable economy. Apart from the rich history and cultural heritage, the city’s fine-dining scene offering the most delicious Nordic cuisine is sure to captivate you. A bike tour or a canal tour are some of the unique ways to explore the principal attractions of the city. Among myriad other entertainments, there are numerous fascinating museums in Copenhagen, that offer a glimpse into the art and culture of the city. Many of these museums offer free entrance and present wonderful opportunities to soak up the beauty of art, sculpture, and history of Denmark, while some are truly offbeat finds that enrich your knowledge. Visit the best entry-free museums in Copenhagen, Denmark.
1. DieselHouse

Constructed in 1932 to house the then biggest diesel engine of the world, a colossal Burmeister & Wain (B&W) diesel engine, DieselHouse presents an interactive display of the diesel engine’s history. The museum houses items from the 60-year-old B&W Museum that closed operations in 2006. The exhibition brings the story of the diesel engine alive through audiovisual aids and merges with the tales of Copenhagen’s power supply and the historical development of the B&W motor factory. It sheds light on diesel technology worldwide and entrance is free.
DieselHouse
Address: Energiporten 8, 2450 København SV, Denmark
Website: DieselHouse
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 4pm; 1st & 3rd Sun: 10am - 1:30pm (closed on Mon & Sat)
Price: Free
2. Banking and Savings Bank Museum

The museum exhibits artefacts from the 19th century related to banking and presents a picture of the Danish banking system practised in the 1800s. You can get a concise idea about how the financial system in Denmark worked in the 19th century and how banking rose to prominence. The exhibition also acquaints you to one of the leading personalities of the Danish economy, C. F. Tietgen. The museum also displays a huge collection of engravings and ancient maps from Copenhagen and Christianshavn and also features a fully equipped bank branch operational from the 1900s.
Banking and Savings Bank Museum
Address: Overgaden Neden Vandet 11, 1414 København
Website: Banking and Savings Bank Museum
Opening hours: Wed: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed from Mon - Tue & Thu - Sat)
Price: Free; special tour for associations (maximum 25 persons): 110 USD
3. Enigma (Museum for Post, Tele, and Communication)
Denmark’s museum of post and telecommunication initially exhibited a collection of stamps and objects collected by Jens Wilken Mørch, a former Head Postmaster of Copenhagen. Later it housed objects related to telecommunications. Currently, Enigma acts as a combination of a museum, a post office, a design shop, and a cafe. Kids have a field day at Enigma, playing with robots, dressing up in old uniforms, and designing on their own.
Enigma
Address: Øster Allé 1, 2100 København Ø, Denmark
Website: Enigma
Opening hours: Mon - Wed, Fri: 10am - 6pm; Thu: 10am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 4pm
Price: Free
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4. The David Collection

Displaying the magnificent collection of private art curator C. L. David, the museum offers a notable exhibition of applied and fine arts. The museum houses one of the largest collections of Islamic art belonging to the period between the 8th to 19th centuries. Other wondrous exhibits include 18th-century European arts and specimens from the Golden Age as well as the early modern period of Denmark. Chippendale furniture by the famous cabinetmaker David Roentgen, tin-glazed faience and porcelain artwork, silverware, and sculpture form part of the gorgeous collection.
The David Collection
Address: Kronprinsessegade 30, 1306 København, Denmark
Website: The David Collection
Opening hours: Tue, Thu - Sun: 10am - 5pm; Wed: 10am - 9am (closed on Mon)
Price: Free admission; Guided tours of 15 persons: 95 USD
Museums that are free on certain days
5. Museum of Copenhagen (Wed)

If you want to find out details about Copenhagen, this is the ideal place. Located in a charming building with historical significance, the museum introduces you to the notable events of the capital of Denmark. Starting right from the age of the Vikings–displaying their arts, culture, and economy–through the disastrous incidences like the plague, bombings, and fires, to Freetown Christiana of modern times, the museum documents it all. You can also explore the entire city through an interactive model.
Museum of Copenhagen
Address: Stormgade 18, 1555 København V, Denmark
Website: Museum of Copenhagen
Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 9am - 6pm; Thu: 9am - 9pm
Price: 13 USD (adults); free (under 18); 10% discount (groups of 10 people or more); entry is free on Wednesdays
6. Thorvaldsens Museum (Wed)

The museum showcases the artwork of the celebrated Danish Neoclassicistic sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. Apart from the exhibits, the very architecture of the building housing the museum, inspired by ancient Greece, captivates the audience. The artist is laid in eternal rest in the inner courtyard that is painted with colourful Egyptian motifs. The ceilings of the rooms are decorated in the grotesque style. Marble and plaster sculptures by Thorvaldsen are displayed inside, along with artefacts from the personal collection of the artist, including antiques, prints, and paintings from around the world. His personal belongings are also preserved in the museum.
Thorvaldsens Museum
Address: Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2, 1213 København K, Denmark
Website: Thorvaldsens Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 10am - 5pm; Fri - Sun: 10am - 5pm; Thu: 10am - 9pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 13 USD (adults); free (under 18); entry is free Wednesdays
7. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (Tue)

Founded in 1888 by Carl Jacobsen, a scion of the notable Carlsberg beer dynasty, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is divided into two parts. The Department of Antiquities hosts the largest collection of antiquities in Scandinavia. The collection takes you on a journey down 3,500 years of history and art of Egypt, Rome, Greece, and the Etruscan civilization. The Modern Department comprises of an elegant exhibition of Danish and French paintings and sculpture belonging to the 19th and the 20th centuries. Some of the most notable ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean art are also displayed here. You can get enthralled by French Impressionism and spectacular works of Rodin, Gauguin, and Degas in this section of the museum.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Address: Dantes Plads 7, 1556 København, Denmark
Website: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 10am - 5pm; Fri - Sun: 10am - 5pm; Thu: 10am - 9pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 17 USD (adults); 15 USD (groups of 10 or more); free (under 18); 12 USD (students under 27 with valid IDs); entry is free on Tuesdays
Travel through history and enrich your mind with arresting artwork
From distinctively uncommon exhibits like diesel engines, the banking system, and posts, to some of the most astonishing artwork, the museums of Copenhagen have much to offer. The free entry is an added incentive to immerse yourself into this history, culture, and art of Denmark and familiarize yourself with Copenhagen better. Visit the free museums in Copenhagen and have a lovely time in the middle of the singular displays that bring the history of Copenhagen to life.
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