Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Copenhagen: Tickets, Hours & Must-See Highlights

If you’re planning a culture day in the Danish capital, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Copenhagen is one of the smartest “one-stop” picks: ancient civilizations, French masters, Danish Golden Age art, and a palm-filled Winter Garden that feels like a mini vacation inside the city. This guide covers what to see, how to plan your time, and the practical details (tickets, hours, transport) so you can visit smoothly.

Quick facts before you go 📍

• Address: Dantes Plads 7, 1556 Copenhagen
• Time needed: ⏱️ 2–3 hours (highlights), 4+ hours (deep dive)
• Best vibe: 🌿 Winter Garden + Café Picnic break (more on that below)
• Late opening: ✅ Thursdays (open until 9 PM)

Why Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Copenhagen is special (and what it actually is) 🏛️

The museum was founded by brewer and art patron Carl Jacobsen (Carlsberg) and opened to the public in 1897—which helps explain why the place feels both grand and deeply personal, like a collector’s dream scaled up into a public palace of art.

What makes it stand out in Copenhagen isn’t just the breadth of the collection, but the way the building becomes part of the experience—especially when you step into the Winter Garden: palms, soft light, and a calm pause between galleries.

What to see inside (a practical “don’t-miss” route) ✅

1) Start with the Winter Garden 🌿

Even if you’re “not an art museum person,” begin here. It sets the tone and gives you an instant mental reset after city walking.

Look for: “The Water Mother,” a sculpture created specifically for the museum by Danish sculptor Kai Nielsen, placed at the center of the Winter Garden pool.

2) Pick one track: Ancient world OR 19th-century art (then add the other if time allows)

The museum’s identity is basically two powerful halves:

• Archaeological/ancient collections (including ancient Mediterranean cultures)
• Modern collections with strong Danish and French art of the 19th century (and beyond), often highlighted in visitor-facing descriptions of the museum.

If you have 2–3 hours, choose one “track” as your main plan and treat the other as a bonus.

3) Build in a café pause (seriously) ☕

Café Picnic is part of the Glyptotek experience for many visitors because it looks directly onto the Winter Garden. It’s known for light lunches, desserts, coffee, and other drinks.

Suggested itineraries ⏱️

The “best of” 2-hour visit

1. Winter Garden + Water Mother (10–15 min)
2. One major gallery run (60–75 min)
3. Café Picnic break (20–30 min)
4. One “wild card” wing (15–25 min)

The 3–4 hour art lover visit

• Winter Garden + café + both major tracks, plus time for reading labels and slower looking.

How to get to Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Copenhagen 🚇🚌🚶‍♂️

On foot (easiest in central Copenhagen) 👟

The museum is a 5–10 minute walk from Copenhagen Central Station and about 5 minutes from City Hall Square.

By Metro 🚇

A very practical strategy is:

• Metro to Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) station (served by M3 and M4)
• Walk ~5 minutes from City Hall Square to the museum

By train 🚆

If you arrive at Copenhagen Central Station, you can simply walk (5–10 minutes).

By bus/taxi 🚕

If the weather is rough (wind + rain happens), a short taxi ride from the central area is a comfortable option. For public transport planning, locals commonly use Rejseplanen (Denmark’s journey planner) to pick the best route in real time.

Hours / Operating times ⏰

Here are the standard weekly opening hours (always double-check around holidays):

Pro move: Thursday evening is a great time to visit if you want a calmer feel (and more flexibility after daytime sightseeing).

Tickets / prices / cards 💳

Standard ticket prices (and the online discount)

Buying online gives a 10% discount and helps you skip the line at the ticket counter.

Free admission day ⚠️

From the museum’s own visitor notes: the last Wednesday of each month has free admission, and it can get crowded—so consider visiting on another day if you want a quieter experience.

Copenhagen Card ✅

The museum lists Copenhagen Card as providing free admission. (Rules can change, so confirm when you plan your day.)

Comfort & accessibility notes ♿👶

Accessibility

The museum notes it’s an old, listed building, so it isn’t “optimally appointed” for wheelchair users, but there is access to several exhibitions via handicap lift or normal lift.

Visiting with a baby / stroller

The museum states that visitors generally may not use their own prams or pushchairs inside; you can borrow a pushchair (free) at the cloakroom/ticket area, and prams may need to be parked outside (with a lock provided).

Tips & common mistakes (save your trip) ⚠️✅

• Mistake: Going on the free-admission Wednesday and expecting it to be quiet.
  ✅ If you want calm galleries, pick another day or go early.
• Mistake: Not using Thursday late opening.
  ✅ Thursday evenings are perfect for museum + dinner plans.
• Mistake: Rushing past the Winter Garden.
  ✅ Treat it as a planned “pause” point—your attention span will thank you.
• Mistake: Skipping the café until you’re exhausted.
  ✅ Take a break before you’re tired—Café Picnic is literally designed for it.
• Mistake: Not checking for temporary closures/holiday hours.
  ✅ The museum posts special/holiday hours and occasional gallery closures on its official hours page.

FAQ

Is Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Copenhagen free?
Children under 18 are free, and there is also a free-admission day (last Wednesday each month). Otherwise, standard admission applies.

How much is an adult ticket?
Standard adult ticket is DKK 150, or DKK 135 online.

What are the opening hours?
Closed Mondays. Most days 10:00–17:00, with Thursday open until 21:00.

Is it close to the city center?
Yes—about 5–10 minutes’ walk from Copenhagen Central Station and ~5 minutes from City Hall Square.

Can I reach it easily by metro?
A convenient approach is metro to Rådhuspladsen (M3/M4) and then a short walk from City Hall Square.

Is it wheelchair accessible?
The museum notes it’s a listed historic building (not fully optimal), but several exhibitions are accessible via lifts.

Conclusion

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Copenhagen is one of those rare museums that works for almost everyone: history lovers, art fans, architecture nerds, and even travelers who just want a beautiful, quiet space in the middle of the city. Plan around the opening hours (especially Thursday evenings), use the online ticket discount, and don’t treat the Winter Garden as “just a hallway”—it’s the heart of the visit.