Back to museums

ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art

ArchitectureArtOpen until 9pmFrom £150Ishøj Station (S-train A, E)

ARKEN opened in 1996 in a deconstructivist, ship-inspired building by Søren Robert Lund, set in the dunes of Ishøj Beach Park south-west of Copenhagen. Its collection of Danish and international contemporary art includes works by Damien Hirst, Olafur Eliasson, Ai Weiwei, Mona Hatoum and Elmgreen & Dragset. Big rotating exhibitions fill the long Art Axis, and the surrounding coastal landscape doubles as a free sculpture park.

What's On

Now
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Skovvej 100, 2635 Ishøj, Denmark

Nearest station: Ishøj Station (S-train A, E), Ishøj Strand ARKEN (light rail)

Show on map

Hours

Autumn holidays 12–18 October

MonClosed
Tue11:00–17:00
Wed11:00–17:00
ThuToday11:00–21:00
Fri11:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

From £150

Students DKK 130; groups of 10+ DKK 135 each; under 18s, disability companions and Club ARKEN members free

Nearby

Visitor Information

How much does ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art cost?
Standard adult admission to ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art is £150. Students DKK 130; groups of 10+ DKK 135 each; under 18s, disability companions and Club ARKEN members free. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art?
ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art is open Tue, Wed, Fri 11:00-17:00; Thu 11:00-21:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00; closed Mon. Autumn holidays 12-18 Oct 2026 open daily from 10:00 (Thu to 21:00). Closed 24, 25, 31 Dec 2026 and 1 Jan 2027; open 10:00-17:00 on 28-30 Dec 2026.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art?
ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art is located at Skovvej 100, 2635 Ishøj, Denmark, in the Ishøj area of Copenhagen. The nearest stations are Ishøj Station (S-train A, E), Ishøj Strand ARKEN (light rail).
What can I see at ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art?
A ship-like modern art museum on the Ishøj beach dunes, with bold contemporary shows and a sculpture park by the sea. Current highlights include Sculpture Park, ANIMOID – Ann Lislegaard, The Garbage Man – Thomas Dambo.
Do I need to book ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Henry Kellner / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)