Image by Heidi Peng | Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Unbeknownst to many tourists, Copenhagen, or should I say Denmark as a whole, is ripe with museums dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of art. And one of Denmark’s most beloved museums provides a perfect escape from the city. Just an hour-long train ride north of Copenhagen, you can visit the breathtakingly beautiful Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk.

The museum features an extensive collection of contemporary and modern art, with work by internationally renowned artists like Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama. But even more impressive than the art curation is the land the museum sits on as well as the building’s inventive architecture. This expansive museum, constructed in a somewhat horseshoe fashion, is nestled in nature; a pond rests at the heart of the property, a lush garden and forest flank the museum’s southside, and just east of the museum is the Nivå Bugt, where one can enjoy a leisurely stroll on the beach or even a cool dip in the water.

Louisiana also houses a quaint shop and an upscale cafe & restaurant with a lovely view of the water, and as you walk around the museum’s lawn, you can look at the many unique sculptures, plant life and installations on display. Louisiana is open until 10 PM on weekdays, with most crowds dying down around 4 PM. Tickets cost around 125 DKK or $17, and you can expect to spend at least four hours touring the museum and sculpture park.

I highly recommend visiting the museum at least once if you’re a lover of art, nature or culture.

But rest assured, there are also many spots to visit within the city of Copenhagen, including the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Nationalmuseet (National Museum) and Den Blå Planet (National Aquarium).

The Glyptotek is just a few minutes from Tivoli and Copenhagen Central Station, and it’s another one of my personal favorites. This vertically constructed museum houses a massive variety of Danish and French art from the 19th century, along with pieces from Ancient Egypt and Greece. Additionally, within the museum rests a private, tropical garden where you can catch a glimpse of sculptures from every era. I’d also suggest going on a Tuesday when the museum is free to the public!

Image by Heidi Peng | Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Now if you’re more of a history buff than art connoisseur, the Nationalmuseet might be the perfect place for you. Denmark’s National Museum delves into the rich history of Vikings, with an interactive exhibition, and explores the traditions of various cultures in Europe as well as of the East. Adult tickets for this museum are 110 DKK.

My last recommended stop is the Den Blå Planet, or Denmark’s National Aquarium. The aquarium rests south of the city in Kastrup and takes about 30-minutes by metro. The most popular feature of the aquarium is, to no surprise, the otters, but you can also catch a glimpse of a mermaid show depending on which day you choose to visit. The aquarium (as well as every other museum I’ve highlighted) features information in both English and Danish, and tickets are around 185 DKK.

Once you’re done visiting the aquarium, you can also visit Amager Strandpark, a long stretch of beach just a few minutes north. Ultimately, there’s no shortage of museums to visit, whether it’s on a bright and sunny day or a cold and rainy one. I highly encourage you visit at least one of these museums or even look into the many more I didn’t get the chance to mention here. (p.s. Copenhagen’s weather is known to be a bit unpredictable so always pack an umbrella)