Copenhagen Opera House 🇩🇰

Located on Dokøen (Dock Island) on Copenhagen's Inner Harbour, the Copenhagen Opera House (Operaen) stands as Denmark's national opera house and one of the world's most modern performance venues. Positioned directly opposite Amalienborg Palace, you can stand in the main entrance and look across the water aligned with the palace and the Marble Church. As you step into the foyer, you will discover Sicilian Perlatino marble floors, a stained maple wood auditorium wall affectionately known as "the pumpkin," and three striking spherical glass chandeliers created by artist Olafur Eliasson.

The main auditorium seats between 1,492 and 1,703 guests on smoked oak floors beneath a ceiling gilded with about 105,000 sheets of almost pure gold leaf. Beyond the primary stage, you can explore Takkelloftet, an intimate black-box experimental theatre featuring Jura Gelb limestone wall plates that make music when tapped. Guided tours cover most of the building, including backstage areas.

From its historical oak-tree access bridges to the dramatic design story between architect Henning Larsen and donor Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, visiting this 14-floor architectural marvel offers you a fascinating look at Danish culture.

What to see at Copenhagen Opera House

• Foyer chandeliers designed by Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson
• Main auditorium ceiling decorated with roughly 105,000 sheets of gold leaf
• Experimental Takkelloftet stage with musical Jura Gelb limestone wall plates
• Direct sightline across the harbour to Amalienborg Palace and the Marble Church

Visiting tips

Take a Copenhagen Harbour Bus (Route 901, 902, or 903) or Bus 9A directly to the Opera for convenient travel across the water.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime for tours

How to get there & what’s nearby

Copenhagen Opera House is easy to reach on Copenhagen’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Tivoli Gardens and Christiansborg Palace. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Copenhagen travel guide.