SMK

Denmark's national gallery

The Statens Museum for Kunst, almost always known simply as SMK, is Denmark's national gallery and the country's largest art museum. The collection traces back to the art holdings of the Danish kings and now belongs to the Danish state. It spans roughly seven centuries – from early European painting to international contemporary art. The building sits in Østre Anlæg park in Indre By (the city centre), diagonally across from Rosenborg Castle and within walking distance of the Botanical Garden.

What to expect

The core of the collection is Danish and Nordic art from 1750 to 1900, above all the Golden Age with painters such as C.W. Eckersberg, L.A. Ring and the quiet interior painter Vilhelm Hammershøi. Unusually strong for a Danish museum is the French department: early modernist works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and André Derain hang here in unusual depth.

If you're after older art, SMK also holds European painting from 1300 to 1800, with names such as Lucas Cranach and Andrea Mantegna. Contemporary art of the 20th and 21st centuries is covered too, including works by Per Kirkeby and Danh Vo. Around five temporary exhibitions run each year, so it's worth checking the current programme before you visit.

Families, café and shop

SMK is a museum worth lingering in. Families will find workshops and a drawing room where kids can get creative, plus guided tours and activities. The museum café serves organic, seasonal food, cakes and light lunches, and the shop stocks art books and design objects. The café and shop are accessible without a ticket during opening hours – handy if you just want a break in the park.

Visiting & practicalities

Allow two to three hours; seeing the whole museum in a single visit is a tall order. It's quietest on weekday mornings, and Wednesdays stay open until 20:00.

• Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00, Wednesdays until 20:00; closed on Mondays.
• Adults pay 140 DKK, 18 to 27 year-olds 95 DKK, under-18s go free.
• The Parkmuseerne combi-ticket (245 DKK, valid for a year) covers several museums in the area, including Rosenborg.
• Admission is included with the Copenhagen Card.
• Several times a year, SMK Fridays offer free evening admission; dates are posted on the official website.

Getting there & combining your visit

The museum is about a ten-minute walk from Nørreport station, the central hub for metro, S-train and buses. There's no dedicated car park. The adjoining Østre Anlæg park, along with the nearby Botanical Garden and Kongens Have, are free to enter and make a good place to pause.

A visit combines well with Rosenborg Castle directly across the way – both are covered by the Parkmuseerne ticket. Just a few steps away is the intimate Hirschsprung Collection, with more Golden Age art. SMK ranks among Copenhagen's top attractions.