The Zoological Museum in Copenhagen closed its doors in 2022, but its 14 million specimens are not lost. They are moving into a brand new Natural History Museum of Denmark, set to reopen inside the Botanical Garden.
I have lived in Copenhagen long enough to remember weekends queuing for the Whale Hall. The Zoological Museum on Universitetsparken was a rainy-day institution for expats with kids. Then, in January 2022, it shut for good, and the city felt slightly emptier.
The good news: the collection is not gone. It is being reborn in central Copenhagen, inside a new museum complex worth roughly one billion kroner. Below is what I have learned about the closure, the move, and what you can still see today.
What Was The Zoological Museum?
The Zoological Museum, known locally as Zoologisk Museum, was founded in 1862. It belonged to the Natural History Museum of Denmark, part of the University of Copenhagen. For 60 years, it sat in a brutalist block at Universitetsparken 15.
The museum was famous for one thing above all: scale. It held more than 14 million zoological specimens, one of Scandinavia’s largest collections. Per the University of Copenhagen, these range from microscopic insects to a 20-metre fin whale.
A Short History of the Collections
The roots of the collection go back to the 17th century. Danish royal cabinets of curiosities formed the seed of what became a modern zoology museum. Specimens collected on Danish expeditions to the Arctic and Greenland filled out the halls.
By the 20th century, the museum was an active research hub. Scientists used the specimens to study evolution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. That work continues today, even with the public galleries shut.
Why The Zoological Museum Closed in 2022
The closure was not a budget cut or scandal. It was a planned move. The Danish government and the University of Copenhagen committed to merging Denmark’s natural science collections under one roof.
As reported by Statens Naturhistoriske Museum, the old Zoological Museum building was outdated. It could not handle the climate control modern conservation demands. So they built a successor next door to the Botanical Garden.
The New Natural History Museum of Denmark
The new museum is rising at Øster Voldgade in central Copenhagen. It will combine the old Zoological Museum, the Geological Museum, and the Botanical Garden’s collections. Architects Lundgaard & Tranberg and Claus Pryds designed a building partly buried below ground.
The original opening was promised for 2023. As is the Danish way with big public builds, the timeline has slipped. According to official museum updates, the new museum is now expected to open in stages over the coming years.
The Whale Hall and Other Iconic Exhibits
If you ever visited Zoologisk Museum, you remember the Whale Hall. A massive fin whale skeleton hung from the ceiling, alongside a sperm whale and a narwhal. It was the kind of room that silenced even loud children.
The polar bear dioramas were equally legendary. They tied directly to Denmark’s Arctic exploration history in Greenland and beyond. Many specimens were collected during 19th and 20th-century scientific voyages.
Specimens You Could Once See
- Fin whale skeleton: roughly 20 metres long, suspended in the main hall.
- Polar bears: mounted in dramatic Arctic scenes.
- Greenland shark: one of the world’s longest-lived vertebrates.
- Extinct species: including the great auk and Tasmanian tiger.
- Mammoth tusks: from Ice Age finds in Northern Europe.
- Insect collections: millions of pinned beetles and butterflies.
Some of these are in storage. Others are travelling to temporary exhibitions across Denmark. The full collection will reappear only when the new building opens.
Where to See The Zoological Museum’s Collection Now
This is the question I get most from newly arrived expats. The short answer: the public exhibits are paused, but pieces of the collection are visible elsewhere. The team behind the Natural History Museum of Denmark has been running pop-ups.
Many specimens are stored in research facilities. Visiting scholars can request access. Casual visitors should keep an eye on the official museum website for special openings and lectures.
Nearby Alternatives in Copenhagen
If you came for the animals, you have options. Copenhagen Zoo in Frederiksberg remains one of Europe’s best, with live tigers, elephants, and pandas. The Aquarium Den Blå Planet in Kastrup is another strong pick for families.
For history and science enthusiasts, the Geological Museum is also closed during the merge. Until the new museum opens, the Botanical Garden’s Palm House is the most atmospheric science stop in the city centre.
The Zoological Museum: Location and Getting There
The old building at Universitetsparken 15, 2100 København Ø is closed. Do not show up expecting to enter. I have watched confused tourists stand outside the locked doors more than once.
The new Natural History Museum of Denmark sits inside the Botanical Garden. The main entrance will be at Øster Voldgade 5-7, near Nørreport Station. That is a five-minute walk from Copenhagen’s main public transport hub.
Public Transport Tips
Take the Metro to Nørreport. Buses 6A, 23, 184, and 185 also stop nearby. Cyclists can use the dedicated lanes along Øster Voldgade, then lock up at the racks by the Garden’s gates.
If you drive, parking around Nørreport is brutal and expensive. I would skip it entirely. Read my full Copenhagen cycling guide before you decide.
Why The Zoological Museum Matters to Expats
Living in Denmark long enough, you notice the country takes nature seriously. That includes both its Arctic research and its everyday biodiversity. The Zoological Museum was the public face of that quiet obsession.
For families, it was an affordable Saturday outing. For expats studying Danish, it was a low-pressure place to read bilingual labels. I learned more vocabulary from those panels than from any podcast.
An Honest Take on the Closure
Losing the old museum stings. Denmark is small, and Copenhagen loses cultural assets reluctantly. But the new building, once finished, should be worth the wait.
The Danish appetite for delays is, frankly, generous. Anyone who has dealt with apartment renovation timelines in Copenhagen knows the pattern. The museum will open. Just not on the date they first promised.
What to Expect From the New Museum
The new Natural History Museum is roughly 25,000 square metres. According to the project’s architects, most of the building sits underground to protect the Botanical Garden’s heritage views. Above ground, the design echoes the existing greenhouses.
Highlights will reportedly include a relaunched Whale Hall, an evolution gallery, and immersive climate exhibits. As stated by Realdania, the philanthropic foundation co-funding the project, the goal is a museum on par with London’s Natural History Museum or Berlin’s Museum für Naturkunde.
Ticket Prices and Hours: What We Know
Pricing has not been finalised. Based on the old Zoological Museum’s rates, expect adult tickets around 95 to 110 DKK. Children under 18 will likely enter free, as is standard at Danish state museums.
Opening hours will probably mirror other Copenhagen museums: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00. Closed Mondays. Check our Natural History Museum guide for live updates.
The Zoological Museum vs Copenhagen Zoo
Expats often confuse the two. They are completely different institutions. The Zoological Museum displays preserved specimens for scientific study. Copenhagen Zoo displays live animals for entertainment and breeding programmes.
If your kids want to see real lions and pandas, go to the Zoo. If they want to stand under a real whale skeleton, you will have to wait for the new museum to open. Both have their place.
Quick Comparison
- Zoological Museum: closed; specimens, research, education.
- Copenhagen Zoo: open; live animals, Frederiksberg location.
- Den Blå Planet: open; aquarium near the airport.
- Experimentarium: open; interactive science museum in Hellerup.
Behind the Scenes: Research at The Zoological Museum
The collection has never stopped working. University of Copenhagen researchers still use the specimens daily. Recent studies cover everything from whale conservation to insect decline in Danish farmland.
The museum holds DNA samples from extinct species, including the great auk. These specimens feed into international climate and biodiversity studies. As noted by Nature, natural history collections globally are seeing renewed scientific value in the age of genomics.
FAQs About The Zoological Museum
Is The Zoological Museum still open?
No. The Zoological Museum closed permanently in January 2022. Its collection is being relocated to the new Natural History Museum of Denmark in central Copenhagen. The new venue will open in stages over the coming years.
Where was The Zoological Museum located?
The original museum was at Universitetsparken 15, 2100 København Ø, near Fælledparken. The new Natural History Museum of Denmark will sit inside the Botanical Garden at Øster Voldgade 5-7, near Nørreport Station.
How many specimens did The Zoological Museum hold?
The collection holds over 14 million zoological specimens. These include mammals, birds, fish, insects, and marine invertebrates. It is one of the largest natural history collections in Scandinavia, dating back to 1862.
What happened to the famous Whale Hall?
The whale skeletons were carefully dismantled and put into storage. They are scheduled to feature in the new museum’s central exhibition spaces. A reborn Whale Hall is one of the most anticipated parts of the new building.
Can I still see any of the collection now?
Some specimens appear in temporary exhibitions and pop-ups across Denmark. Check the official Natural History Museum of Denmark website for current displays. Researchers can also request study access through the University of Copenhagen.
Is the new museum free for children?
Pricing has not been confirmed. Most Danish state museums offer free entry for children under 18. Expect that policy to continue at the new Natural History Museum of Denmark when it opens.
What are the best alternatives while the museum is closed?
For live animals, visit Copenhagen Zoo in Frederiksberg or Den Blå Planet aquarium in Kastrup. For science exhibits, try Experimentarium in Hellerup. For botanical wonders, the Botanical Garden’s Palm House remains open.
Final Thoughts on The Zoological Museum
The Zoological Museum’s closure marks the end of one era and the start of another. Denmark is investing seriously in its natural science heritage. The new Natural History Museum of Denmark could become a true world-class institution.
For now, expats and visitors will have to be patient. I will be one of the first through the doors when they finally open. Until then, the Botanical Garden, Copenhagen Zoo, and Copenhagen’s other museums will keep us busy.
