Maja Kronhøj Philip, CPH Museums and Attractions
October 8th, 2016

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Royals, revelry and Rodin at palaces and museums during the holidays (photo: Thorkild Jensen)

Whispering breezes, reddening leaves and shortening queues make autumn the ideal season to experience Copenhagen.

With the last lashings of warm weather behind us, it’s time to kiss summer goodbye and embrace autumn’s cosiness.

And what better way to spend it than in one of the many exciting museums in and near Copenhagen?

Gather your family and use the autumn break to explore the abundance of cultural activities for all ages.

Find more information at cphmuseums.com.

The path to gold

Oct 15-23, open Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, closed Mon; Christiansborg Palace, Prins Jørgens Gård, Cph K; adults 50kr, under-18s: 45kr, under-4s free adm; christiansborg.dk

Don’t miss this chance to join a treasure hunt for curious kids and young hearts.

The year was 1667 when the prominent Italian alchemist Burrhi visited Frederik III at the old Copenhagen castle. Frederik was dreaming about pure gold, but there was one big problem. Burrhi’s recipe for gold was written in codes – and parts of it had gone missing.

So grab your map and help Frederik decrypt the recipe on a genuine treasure hunt through the corridors below Christiansborg Palace.

In addition, there will also be dramatised tales about Christian VII, tours around the royal stables and lots more.

Tracking the royals

Oct 15-23; Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerød; Oct 10-18, open Mon-Sun 10:00-17:00, tours at 11:00 & 14:30; adults 75kr, under-15s 20kr, under-6s free adm; dnm.dk

Frederiksborg Castle has taken its inspiration for its autumn theme from the royals. Danish kings and queens during the 17th century provide the framework for the visit.

In the audience room, children can experience how it was to visit an absolute monarch. At first, there will be instructions on how to behave – and then they will have the chance to meet the king himself.

When visiting Frederiksborg Castle, it is worth visiting its beautiful garden. Bring your lunch or a good book – on this occasion, perhaps it would be in order to read a bit about Christian VII in Per Olov Enquist’s Livlægens Besøg (The Visit of the Royal Physician)?

Visit a historical market
Oct 16-23, activities 11:00-15:00 (museum open Tue-Sun 10:00-16:00); Open Air Museum, Kongevejen 100, Lyngby; free adm; en.natmus.dk/museums/the-open-air-museum

It’s not really autumn without a visit to the historical market at the Open Air Museum as they always like to celebrate embracing the reddish season! Over children’s half-term, the place will be filled with impersonators, pickpockets, hillbillies, clowns, barrel organ players and jugglers frequenting a funfare complete with a wheel of fortune, carousel and a whole lot more!

Should you get hungry, then visit the food tent to sample gingerbread, crispy waffles, delicious sausages and the famous ‘smørrebrød’ open sandwich. The full program for the half-term holiday will be available nearer the time.

Water, colour and movement
Oct 15-23; National Gallery of Denmark (SMK), Sølvgade 48-50, Cph K; open Tue-Sun 11:30-16:30; 30kr plus daily admission, over-30s: 110kr, under-30s: 85kr; smk.dk/en; recommended age: 3+

Grab the pallete! This holiday you are painting – with brushes, water guns and soap bubbles. SMK’s workshop for children is truly bringing colours to life, taking its roots in the seasonal exhibition Volatile moments – Drawing by Auguste Rodin.

Let yourself and your children be inspired by Rodin’s immortalised moments of models in motion and try afterwards to make your own drawings with water and colours. SMK’s house artist will help and guide you through the process.

For more inspiration from the museums, visit Copenhagen Museums & Attraction at cphmuseums.com