DAYS
6
TOUR CODE
MOCO-27
COST
£2745
DAYS
6
TOUR CODE
MOCO-27
COST
£2745
Denmark’s vibrant capital hosts an abundance of art and architectural institutions celebrating modern Scandinavian art and design. On our brand new tour we will take in a variety of famous and lesser-known sites showcasing this wonderful facet of the nation's art history in depth.
Overview
As Europe emerged from the interwar period, a new and radical objective began to drive developments in art and design. Relinquishing ornamentation in favour of form, the newfound philosophy of Functionalism championed design as a means to improve people's lives. In Denmark, this sentiment along with developments in technology gave way to the Danish Design movement, a deeply fascinating aspect of social and artistic history.
Our tour situates this spirit of modernity in Denmark’s capital, beginning with a walking tour exploring Copenhagen's architectural and historical landscape, taking in landmarks such as the Amalienborg Palace, official winter residence of the Danish Royal Family; the Parliament building; and the striking, modernist Royal Library Building – known as the Black Diamond. Another key site that introduces us to the architectural history of Copenhagen is the City Hall, which displays the National Romantic style, and derives elements of its appearance from medieval Sienese structures.
Progressing into the modern age, the central focus of our tour, we will visit the renowned SAS Hotel designed by Arne Jacobsen, an integral figure in the history of Scandinavian modern design. Opening in 1960, the precision and minimalism of the edifice symbolised a newfound outlook on life in an era of burgeoning prosperity and international travel. Its sleek façade is devoid of ornamentation, and instead appears ‘in flux’ as its reflective glass finish mirrors the sky’s ever-changing qualities.
Inspired by the geometric and reduced forms of German Bauhaus, Jacobsen embarked on a fruitful project designing an estate north of Copenhagen, beginning with the Bellevue Beach Baths in 1932 and later constructing apartment blocks and the futuristic Skovshoved Filling Station. All composed of brick, with a white-washed finish, these structures champion the modern design belief that ‘form follows function’, and take on smoothed and irregular shapes to accommodate views of the sea and integrate the natural environment into daily living.
Grundtvig’s Kirke, named after the Danish philosopher, pastor and hymn writer N F S Grundtvig, is a rare example of modernism converging with an ecclesiastical Gothic sensibility. The ribbed vaulted ceiling retains a feeling of tradition, yet with its entirely brick construction there is an unmistakable singularity to the church, especially considering its west façade where the pyramidic arrangement of columns evokes the image of a church organ.
To complement our explorations of modern design, we will embark on a series of trips to galleries including the iconic Statens Museum for Kunst to view works of European modern art as well as sublime paintings of the Danish golden age. Ordrupgaard art museum contains further works of Danish art as well as pieces by the French Impressionists, alongside Finn Juhl’s House which resides in the grounds. Completed in 1942, this gem of modern design includes an abundance of Juhl’s original designs that championed furniture as living sculpture, human-centric forms that maximise comfort as well as integrating art and nature into architecture to create a ‘total work of art’.
Further modern and contemporary art by an array of international artists is on display at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, extending into the grounds where a diversity of sculptures reside in conversation with the glittering seafront.
Our tour draws to a close with a visit to the Royal Danish Opera House, designed by Henning Larsen to create a social and organic atmosphere, as well as the Designmuseum Danmark, which showcases an extensive collection of Danish furniture alongside global applied arts from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Tour Director
Joshua White
Our Tour Director, Joshua White, BA, MPhil, earned his degrees from Oxford University, Christie’s Education and the University of Glasgow. He has extensive experience lecturing on modern and contemporary art including at Christie’s Education for over 18 years, where he was director of ‘The London Art Course’. Joshua has experience of the art market, specialising in 20th century photography, and is the founder and presenter of The Art Channel, an online project documenting and interpreting modern and contemporary art exhibitions in commercial galleries and public institutions. On television and radio, Joshua has been a guest contributor to Channel 5’s Great Paintings of the World, BBC Radio 4’s Behind The Scenes and BBC Radio 3’s Turning Picasso, and he has written exhibition catalogues and been published by the BBC, The Financial Times, Christie’s Magazine and Flash Art.
- ACE customer on a 2026 tour
Our Accommodation
We will stay throughout at the four-star 71 Nyhavn Hotel, a smart and comfortable establishment that has been converted from an old warehouse, and which enjoys a central position on the waterfront.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London Heathrow 1255 on British Airways, arriving Copenhagen 1555. Transfer to 71 Nyhavn Hotel for five nights. Welcome and introduction.
Day 2
Morning walking tour of civic monuments including Amalienborg Palace, Parliament building and Royal Library, also known as the Black Diamond (exteriors). Visits to Copenhagen City Hall (National Romantic style containing Jens Olsen’s astronomical clock) and SAS Hotel (designed by Arne Jacobsen).
Day 3
Visit to Grundtvig’s Kirke (stunning modernist church with expressionist brickwork) and Bellavista estate (buildings designed by Arne Jacobsen including apartment complexes, Bellevue Theatre and Skovshoved Filling Station). Afternoon visit to Ordrupgaard (art museum with Danish and French Impressionist paintings) and Finn Juhl’s House (original mid-century design and furnishings – subject to confirmation). Free evening.
Day 4
Visits to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (international assemblage and sculpture garden) and Statens Museum for Kunst (magnificent collections including paintings of the Danish Golden Age). Free evening.
Day 5
Morning visit to the Royal Danish Opera House (modernist building designed by Henning Larsen) followed by Designmuseum Danmark (comprehensive displays showcasing Danish design). Free afternoon for independent exploration.
Day 6
Depart Copenhagen 1055, arriving Heathrow 1200.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
A high level of fitness is required for this tour as it involves a large amount of city-based walking and standing at sites, where there are not always opportunities to sit down. There will be a short boat trip (approximately 10 minutes) to the Royal Danish Opera House on Day 5, so participants must be comfortable embarking and disembarking the vessel. Participants must meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Flight Information
For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £190.
Cost Details
Modern Art & Design in Copenhagen: Functionalism, Innovation & Harmony
April 12 - 17, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing an executive twin or double bedded room, five breakfasts, three dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, executive double room for single use supplement £595.
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