In Copenhagen ZOO, you can meet more than 4,000 fascinating animals and travel between continents in just one day.
Get familiar with the iconic giant pandas while dining in the state of the art Panda House. Experience unforgettable close encounters with polar bears and see the world from a giraffe’s perspective at the savannah. Discover lots of animal facts and enjoy a meal from the grand selection of food stalls. Please visit the Zoo's website to learn about feeding-times, new animals-babies and the daily programme.
Architecture at Copenhagen Zoo
The animals aren't the only thing to marvel at in the zoo. The zoo is also home to some architectural delights, not least the panda habitat designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, and the elephant house, designed by Norman Foster. Architecture fans might also enjoy looking at the Hippopotamus House, which opened in 2007 with walls patterned like a hippo's skin, and the Arctic Ring, which allows you to see the polar bears swimming under water.
Restaurants in Copenhagen Zoo
At Bistro Panpan, you can enjoy French dishes with an Asian twist at the Panda House. At Cakes & Dreams, you can enjoy delicious pastries. Spisehuset FOLK is a cozy and traditional restaurant serving classic, Danish food such as open sandwiches. All around the Zoo, there are snack stalls and stands where you can buy hot and cold drinks and ice creams.
A world to explore awaits.
ZOO is filled with explorations every day 365 days a year.
Please be aware that opening hours may change rapidly - we recommend checking the ZOO's website before going
Cisternerne
Art gallery, water reservoir and urban dripstone cave
The subterranean space beneath the green lawns of Søndermarken Park works as a breathtaking stage for contemporary art installations. The cold, humid and dark old water reservoir might remind you of long-forgotten cathedrals and gloomy catacombs – it is sparsely illuminated, and the atmosphere evokes fascination and enchantment in both children and adults.
Every year Cisternerne invite an internationally recognized artist or architect to create an exhibition particularly to this underground space – an exhibition in large scale that interacts with and emphasizes the unique architecture, climate, atmosphere and history of Cisternerne.
March 17th to November 30th 2024: Start Again the Lament by Taryn Simon
Cisternerne presents an extensive sound installation by artist Taryn Simon. Building everlasting recitations of loss, Start Again the Lament explores how we mourn individually and collectively, considering the anatomy of grief and who we choose to guide us through it.
In the act of lament, discontent is publicly performed. Professional mourners are granted the authority and solicited by the bereaved to occupy, negotiate, and shape their loss.
In a relentless replay, the lamentations of professional mourners are broadcast into the reverberating space of Cisternerne. These sonic rituals of grief include northern Albanian laments, which seek to excavate ‘uncried words’; Wayuu laments, which safeguard the soul’s passage to the Milky Way; Greek Epirotic laments, which bind the story of a life with its afterlife; and Yazidi laments, which trace a topography of displacement and exile. Cisternerne becomes an instrument echoing recitations of loss with a reverberation of 17 seconds.
Related Attractions
Start your exploration of Copenhagen at Danish Architecture Center (DAC). From the spectacular modern home in BLOX on Copenhagen’s waterfront, the international cultural attraction presents exhibitions, guided tours and events on historic icons and new highlights in Danish architecture and design for both children and adults. You can also shop new designs, art and books in the DAC Design Shop or enjoy coffee in the DAC Café with a view of Copenhagen harbor.
Architecture exhibitions with leading Danish and international profiles
Get inspired by the biggest stars in architecture and design. DAC showcase changing exhibitions on the most creative and talked-about Danish studios, including BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) and Olafur Eliasson; works from historic masterminds such as Arne Jacobsen; and new trends in housing and daily life.
Current exhibitions (dac.dk):
So Danish!
Explore the new permanent exhibition - So Danish! - that covers the history and development of Danish Architecture all the way from the Vikings up until modern days. See how architecture ahas shaped the development of the Danish society and learn about how architecture can help create a sustainable future.
Chaning Our Footprint, 17.11.23 - 26.5.24
How do we succeed in creating a sustainable transition of architecture? Explore materials and methods of the future which can help pave the way for building on the planet’s terms.
Guided tours
Get the close-up experience of Copenhagen’s architecture with their expert guides. Discover the masterpieces and the city’s hidden gems – from Nyhavn to the 8 House and bicycle bridges to harbor baths. DAC offer tours every week. Tour ticket gives free access to DAC exhibitions within 24 hours of the tour.
Kids and families
Architecture is for kids too! On weekends and holidays, they invite you and your kids to family workshops. You can build, draw and design with help from our DAC learning team. Try the thrilling DAC Slide, enjoy the outdoor playground and end the day with family-friendly food in the DAC Café.
DAC Café
In DAC Café, you experience Copenhagen anew – high above Copenhagen’s vibrant city life and harbour. Have a break on one of our rooftop terraces and enjoy tasteful Nordic dishes, refreshments or a good cup of coffee.
DAC Design Shop
DAC Design Shop is your destination for design and architecture in Copenhagen. Explore a hand-picked selection of new Danish design. DAC offer everything from jewelry, watches and fashion to books, prints and designs for children. All objects in the store are carefully selected with a focus on sustainability and innovation. The range and decor are a holistic experience that constantly changes every time you visit us. The DAC Design Shop is the perfect place to find great gifts for your loved ones or for yourself.
With a unique location in Copenhagen’s historic centre, near tourist attractions, the harbour boats, design companies and galleries, Designmuseum Danmark is a working archive and the entrance to Denmark as a design destination.
Experience one of the world’s largest collections of Danish design, counting works by Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjærholm, Verner Panton and Hans Wegner. In addition, the collections cover applied art and design from Art Nouveau to contemporary Danish design and include glass, ceramics, fashion, textile and poster art.
The museum, situated right next to Amalienborg, is one of the finest examples of rococo architecture in Copenhagen. It offers thematic design exhibitions, special events, guided tours and workshops.
Visitors are also invited to explore our beautiful garden, the café with indoor and outdoor service, the museum shop, and library.
Special exhibitions:
Rocks of Greenland: 21.7.23-31.3.24
Join us on a journey to the depths of Greenland's underground, where gold and rubies sparkle. The exhibition ROCKS OF GREENLAND – KALAALLIT NUNAAT ROCKS invites the audience on a fascinating journey of the precious materials - from their extraction in the mines to their shimmering display as jewelry or artworks in the exhibition.
PROUD, 5.10.23-26.5.24
Join fashion designer Nicholas Nybro on a design adventure across Denmark, from Amager to Ærø and from Hirtshals to Højer, resulting in 21 vibrant, diverse, and modern folk and regional costumes.
The Future is Present, 19.6.22-31.12.24
Currently, designers around the world are working on solving some of our global challenges. Thinking radically and creatively, allowing themselves to be guided by both reason and emotion.
Akut, series
Welcome to an exhibition about what is happening on the design scene right now. AKUT showcases everything from trends and tendencies to design, which address current issues and provide new perspectives on design and crafts.
Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art is a must see in Copenhagen for anyone interested in art and architecture.
Den Frie is closed between exhibitions. Please check the website before going.
Den Frie was founded by artists in 1898 and is one of the oldest venues for contemporary art in Denmark. It is in itself a unique and very beautiful wooden building designed by famous artist J.F. Willumsen.
Den Frie’s fundamental aim is to present the very latest in contemporary art. We host exhibitions by national and international artists, all of which address current issues. The extensive programme of exhibitions and events are evidence of Den Frie’s role as an active platform for living art and
art production, and the commitment to contribute to contemporary existence.
With its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, Den Frie is also a popular meeting place for artists, students, tourists and the many locals who pass by. As a visitor you’ll feel welcome and enjoy having your interest in contemporary art stimulated, whether you’re an art connoisseur or a beginner. On top of which the architecture alone is well worth a visit.
Den Frie also houses the café, Polykrom, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or a well-made cup of coffee.
Exhibitions:
Marie Lund & Rosalind Nashashibi: O Rose, 10.2.24-7.4.24
O Rose is a collective exhibition, which grew out of a collegial relation and friendship between Danish sculptor Marie Lund and British-Palestinian filmmaker and painter Rosalind Nashashibi. The two artists work in different media and with different aesthetics. But there turns out to be methodological overlaps in the way they conceive their works and in the way their works open up to and absorb the lived life in which they are created.
The conversation between the two artists takes its starting point in Rosalind Nashashibi’s film Denim Sky. In this domestic sci-fi film, Rosalind Nashashibi explores ways of forming a community around her single parent family through, amongst other means, journeys into space and non-linear time. With this film in mind, Marie Lund created a new series of sculptures, Daily, which, through repetition and variations, similarly collapses the expectation of a linear time. Made from residual materials, paper pulp and rubber granules, the sculptures – in their own way – also speak of fragility and strength.
Laugh and get wiser!
At STORM you are given an entertaining insight into the importance of Danish humour and satire –historically and today.
We offer humorous and entertaining stories from our much loved cultural heritage. From artists of the past like Storm P., Liva Weel and Dirch Passer to present day artists like Roald Als, Casper Christensen and Lisbeth Dahl.
Humorous and satirical art gives not only an entertaining perspective on Denmark’s history from the Constitution Act of 1849 to today, but also a picture of humour and satire as a core element in the Danish national character.
Whether they are unfolded on a stage, on paper, on a screen or among us in daily life, humour and satire occupy a central place in the danish self-understanding.
Humour can be a quiet chuckle at seeing one’s own fallibility reflected and caricatured on a stage or in a cartoon, or it can dent the image of the powers that be. Humour can puncture pomposity and be a vent that makes the difficult easier to deal with. Humour and satire can get us to laugh together and question rigidly established norms and ideas.
Special Exhibitions (frederiksbergmuseerne.dk):
The censored exhibition on censorship, 18.11.23-20.10.24
Satire is one of the most censored art forms. Throughout centuries, churches and states have criminalized and condemned satire, and even today, various actors attempt to stifle satire. This could be terrorists threatening satirists or social media platforms that exclude them.
It is often said that censorship makes satire less daring and lively, as many are likely to hold back if they risk losing their job, freedom or even their life. However, The Censored Exhibition on Censorship shows that censorship has not only intimidated but also inspired satirists. It has led them to invent new symbols and new ways to circumvent and ridicule censorship.
The exhibition showcases works that have come into existence solely because there have been – and still are – actors trying to silence satirists. It provides a rare insight into how satirists have viewed censorship as a creative challenge rather than a straitjacket since the beginning of the 19th century.
Step into the Danish Golden Age Bakkehuset was an essential meeting place in the Danish Golden Age, hosted by Kamma and Knud Lyne Rahbek and frequently visited by Hans Christian Andersen, Oehlenschläger, H.C. Ørsted and other poets, scientists and opinion formers of the romantic period.
Today, Bakkehuset is buzzing with art and culture. The historic house and its surrounding gardens provide an authentic insight into the way of life in the early 19th century, its atmosphere and style. A visit to Bakkehuset is a visceral experience of one of the most central periods in Danish cultural history; the period that would become known as the Golden Age.
Hans Christian Andersen visited Bakkehuset as a young man and here he found inspiration and support to become a writer. His famous tales work as inspiration for creative activities in the cozy family area, Eventyrakademiet (the Fairytale Academy)
Experience the newly renovated romantic garden around Bakkehuset. You can enjoy coffee and historical food in the orangery, beautifully situated in the middle of the blossoming garden.
The café is set in the historical garden and serves traditional open sandwiches.
North Atlantic House is an art center where you can encounter North Atlantic art and culture. Here, people and artists from Iceland, Greenland, The Faroe Islands, Denmark - and the rest of the world - meet and inspire one another.
A visit to North Atlantic House is guaranteed to expand your horizon and stir your senses. You will find two exhibition rooms in which you can get a taste of North Atlantic culture through changing exhibitions, that shed light on the art scene of each of the three countries, in turn.
Furthermore, on specific days and evenings, you can experience everything from concerts, movies, presentations and events.
Explore North Atlantic art and culture in the beautiful warehouse from the 1700s. Built in 1767, North Atlantic House was the port for maritime traffic between Denmark and the North Atlantic for over 200 years.
Special Exhibitions (nordatlantens.dk):
GROUP PORTRAIT OF THE SELF, Hallgrímur Helgason; 10.2.24-26.5.24
In the exhibition Group Portrait of the Self, Icelandic painter Hallgrímur Helgason shows a series of works that put a new spin on the classic self-portrait.
For the past three years, Helgason has worked with the self-portrait as a way of portraying the many different voices or characters we may all find our minds populated by these days. There are people talking in there, and they do not always agree.
Here they stand side by side: the slow one, the brave one, the creative one, the livid one, the one who would rather have stayed in bed. Each portrait contains between six and sixteen figures, brought together like rock bands assembled by the brain’s crossed wires. Hallgrímur Helgason’s style is energetic, overwhelming, eclectic, fantastical, satirical and quite literally colourful.
The second half of the exhibition consists of works on paper from the 4Faced series. These fierce, imaginary portraits all contain four faces, visualising the multi-communicating human being that present-day society seems to demand. As Helgason himself puts it, it takes eight eyes to function in today’s world.
Hallgrímur Helgason (b. 1959) is perhaps best known in Denmark as a much-loved writer (60 Kilos of Sunshine being the latest published in Danish in 2021). But he began his artistic career as a visual artist and has maintained an active dual practice throughout. Focusing on new paintings and works on paper, the exhibition at the North Atlantic House is the first major presentation of Helgason in Denmark.
Authentic surroundings
These days, other ports serve the North Atlantic market, and the historic warehouse is now a thriving cultural centre, dedicated to the art and culture of Denmark’s former North Atlantic colonies Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland.
North Atlantic artists are often inspired by the landscapes, light, and nature sounds of their region, which lends a fiercely visual, bodily, and musical quality to their art.
The rustic, maritime spirit of the old warehouse with its raw plank floors and exposed rafter ceilings offers a unique and beautiful contrast to the artworks on the display.
Nordic food
Visit the cultural centre to get your own first-hand impression of this intriguing harbour front area. The North Atlantic House is open all year round and offers a lovely café where you can enjoy a good glass of wine or a cup of coffee.
On the Nordatlantens Brygge Harbour Front you will find the Faroese and Greenlandic Representations, the Icelandic Embassy, and the culinary treasures of Restaurant Barr.