Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek – Art Museum, Copenhagen (must see)

The New Carlsberg Glyptotheque (Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek), commonly known simply as The Glyptotheque (Glyptoteket), is the sculpture museum that features the private art collection of Carl Jacobsen (1842–1914), the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries.

The museum contains over 10,000 artworks spanning ancient Mediterranean cultures and modern European art, including the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's sculptures outside France. It also boasts numerous paintings by French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists (such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, etc.), as well as Danish Golden Age artists, complete with the extensive collections of Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Egyptian antiquities.

Carl Jacobsen, a dedicated art collector, amassed a wealth of antique, French, and Danish sculptures during his life, which were initially displayed in his private villa's winter garden in 1882. As the collection outgrew its space, in 1888, Jacobsen donated all of it to the Danish State and the City of Copenhagen, contingent on them providing a suitable exhibition facility. A new location was chosen near Tivoli Gardens and opened on May 1, 1897.

Celebrated for its architectural elegance, the building harmoniously blends art with its structure. Featuring the historicist Dahlerup Wing with its Venetian Renaissance style and the neo-classical Kampmann Wing, it also includes a connecting Winter Garden and the minimalist Henning Larsen Wing, used for prestigious events.

What is more, the museum's wings are built around a very soothing, Victorian-style garden, rich with greenery and sculpture, under a translucent glass dome. If you can afford some extra time, it's always a nice place to relax for a while and enjoy coffee or lunch – especially in the winter, as you can be in nature and enjoy the warmth.

The Glyptotek Auditorium regularly hosts classical concerts featuring notable artists, as well as other cultural events including poetry readings and debates. Known for its excellent acoustics, the venue also accommodates rehearsals and performances by musical ensembles.

Why You Should Visit:
To enjoy a surprisingly good collection in a gorgeously modified setting (the open rooftop affords great views of the city!), plus the magnificent palm garden with many benches, ponds, a delicious café, and some horticultural wonders.

Tip:
Pick up a floor plan as you enter to help navigate the somewhat confusing layout. Take breaks to go through one wing at a time. You will need breaks, as the place is huge in an unexpected way.
Keep in mind that Tuesdays are free, so perhaps you could go multiple times to make sure you see it all.
The on-site classical music concerts are frequently free too, so try to catch one.