Visit the David collection in Copenhagen
- 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Private tour
- Free for children under 15
An English-language guided tour of the David Collection (permanent collection) in Copenhagen, led by an art historian. A gem of Danish cultural patronage, it is one of the most important collections in the Western world.
All our guided tours are PRIVATE and led by professional guides with a passion for history, gastronomy, literature and more.
In the heart of Copenhagen, a former private mansion houses, among other treasures, one of Europe’s finest collections of Islamic art: the David Collection.
The collection is a true jewel of Danish cultural philanthropy. L.C. David was not only a prominent lawyer and talented investor, but also a passionate art collector. Born into the Copenhagen bourgeoisie in 1878, Louis Christian David purchased this house — situated just opposite Rosenborg Castle — in 1917.
Since his death in 1960, the museum has been managed by the David Foundation and today houses three distinct collections under one roof, all originally started by David himself.
FLOORS 1 & 2
The first and second floors hold the European collection, featuring a rich selection of 18th and 19th century artworks: fine furniture, French and German porcelain, Danish faience and silverware, as well as Danish, Dutch, and French paintings.
FLOOR 2
Also on the second floor is the Danish collection, comprising a small but significant group of paintings, sculptures, and ceramics by Danish artists from around 1880 to 1950. The collection includes works by Theodor Philipsen, J.F. Willumsen, L.A. Ring, and Vilhelm Hammershøi. Unlike the other two collections, almost all of the Danish artworks were acquired personally by C.L. David.
FLOORS 3 & 4
The third and fourth floors are home to the Islamic collection, which is now the museum’s most prominent.
This remarkable museum, often overlooked by tourists, traces the history of Islam, which emerged in the 7th century along the caravan routes that brought silk, spices, and myrrh to the West.
In less than a century, the religion preached by the Prophet Muhammad spread from the Atlantic to the edges of the Orient, following in the wake of Arab horsemen. Across this vast expanse, rival dynasties emerged, whose princely patronage gave rise to precious, refined art — a reflection of the richness and diversity of Islamic cultures.
This exceptionally comprehensive collection covers the entire classical Islamic world, from Spain in the west to India in the east, spanning from the 7th to the 19th century. All forms of decorative arts are represented. The Islamic collection is unique in Denmark and is one of the top ten most important Islamic art collections in the Western world.
Through this visit to the David Collection in Copenhagen, we invite you to explore these singular artistic expressions and reflect on the theme of representation in art.
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