SMK

The National Gallery

Copenhagen City, Copenhagen, Denmark

+6

Tags

museum

art

art exhibition

national gallery

About

A celebrated cultural destination where centuries of artistic achievement meet contemporary creativity. Located in Copenhagen, the museum showcases one of Scandinavia’s most remarkable collections, inviting visitors to explore masterpieces spanning more than 700 years. Through inspiring exhibitions, immersive galleries, and engaging public programs, SMK delivers unforgettable art experiences for travelers, families, students, and passionate art enthusiasts alike.

As Denmark’s leading museum for visual art, SMK offers an exceptional journey through European, Danish, and international artistic heritage while embracing innovation, education, and cultural exchange. Home to an extensive collection of over 200,000 works, the museum presents rotating exhibitions alongside iconic permanent displays that encourage discovery with every visit. Its striking blend of historic architecture and modern design creates an inspiring setting where art, history, and creativity come together seamlessly. Beyond its galleries, SMK enriches the visitor experience through educational initiatives, digital access to its collections, special cultural events, and thought-provoking programs that foster meaningful connections with art. Whether exploring renowned masterpieces or discovering contemporary perspectives, guests can expect a dynamic museum experience that celebrates artistic excellence, cultural diversity, and lifelong learning in the heart of Copenhagen.

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Rating 4.6

6587 reviews

Michael Olivarius

Edited 8 months ago

A true cultural highlight in Copenhagen I visit SMK – The National Gallery of Denmark – quite often, both privately and when guiding guests through the city, and it never disappoints. The mix of classical masterpieces and bold contemporary art makes it one of the most inspiring museums in Copenhagen. The layout is airy and welcoming, and I always appreciate how well the museum connects historic Nordic art with modern expressions. If you’re interested in Danish artists such as Hammershøi or the Golden Age painters, this is the best place to experience them. The museum café is also worth a stop – it’s a peaceful spot overlooking the park, perfect for a break during your visit. My tip: arrive early and visit on a weekday if possible, as it’s a popular cultural attraction. Whether you're an art lover or simply curious about local culture, SMK offers a deep and beautifully curated insight into Denmark’s artistic heritage. Highly recommended.

Ady

7 months ago

If going to museums and admiring art is your thing I would definitely recommend going here! We went there during Michelangelo exhibition and I loved that. Every room in this museum is just really pretty.

E.Faria

6 months ago

Nice museum but check if all the exhibits are open before you go. When we went, the entire Matisse section was closed. Some beautiful and famous works. And a cool supplies room for people to use if they feel like creating their own work of art.

Conor Linacre

2 months ago

I visited on a Wednesday night and it was very quiet so we had the museum to ourselves which was good. Excellent collection of French, Nordic and modern art. It was clearly laid out. Very large museum so id recommend ample time for visiting.

Madeline C

a month ago

An impressive collection of paintings. Allot yourself at least 2 hours of time here. The bathrooms are in the basement and they are unisex. Lockers and coat hangers are also available for a fee.

Nil0

6 months ago

If you are into arts, this is a must spot in Copenhagen. It's quite large so buffer inn enough time. We went with 2 teenage girls and they found both the art and buildings interesting. Be smart and enjoy the view to the park for a well deserved break. We had some food there. Pasta was nothing particular, but the "bird in a bun" was an interesting taste.

Michelle Chen

Edited 3 months ago

A must-see when you're in Copenhagen. It’s a fantastic place to explore European art across different eras. I'd definitely recommend visiting on a Wednesday since they stay open until 8:00 PM—it's much more relaxed when you aren't rushing. Also, the café is great. I had a pasta with bread that was actually quite delicious.

David Puls

2 months ago

An enormous art museum covering the history of art, with many masterpieces through to the bizzare and strange modern Danish art. An incredible building and you will need some stamina to make it round. A nice cafe with extremely unusual dishes - which are rather like art themselves. Also a lovely park behind the museum.

Neeru Das

3 months ago

The National Gallery of Denmark (also known as 'SMK'), is the Danish national gallery, located in the center of Copenhagen. Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK), is the largest art museum in the country. The museum collects, registers, maintains, researches, and handles Danish plus foreign art, dating from the 14thC to the present. The original museum building was designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup and G. E. W. Moller and was built 1889–1896 in a Historicist Italian Renaissance revival style. The collections of the Danish National Gallery originated in the Art Chamber of the Danish monarchs. When the German Gerhard Morell became Keeper of Frederick V's Art Chamber in 1750, he had suggested that the king create a separate collection of paintings. To ensure that the collection was not inferior to those of other European royal houses and local counts, the king made large-scale purchases of Italian, Netherlandish and German paintings. In 1884 the castle burnt down, and till the reopening of the museum after 12 years, in 1896, that the art works had finally found a new home. Since then a great variety of purchases have been made. During the 19thC, the works were almost exclusively by Danish artists, thus the museum has an unrivaled collection of paintings from the Danish Golden Age. I wish we gad the oppurtunity of seeing the interiors in 2025 but other than missing the oppurtunity,, we had also missed the back of the museum, where a large modern extension designed by the architects Anna Maria Indrio and Mads Moller. The extension was erected in 1998 to house the extensive modern art collection. These two buildings are connected by a glass panelled 'Street of Sculptures' walkway and theatre, which stretches the entire length of the museum and looks out onto the Ostre Anaeg park. It seems, talks, concerts and installations are all held in this area.

Kiri Hawkins

2 months ago

Pretty quiet when I went, the museum itself is quite small - you could easily get around it within an hour or less. Some lovely paintings in here, and I noticed that, compared to other museums I have been in, there are a few paintings of animals. Which I love! Especially mentioning seeing a painted pigeon in a gallery for the first time. It was super relaxing to walk around, and the staff were very friendly :) Also worth noting the shop at the museum had a beautiful collection of things.