Ripleys Believe It or Not! began in the 1910s as a newspaper cartoon by Robert Ripley, who travelled the world collecting the strange, the extreme and the hard to believe. The cartoon grew into a collection, and the collection grew into a worldwide chain of odditoriums, with a Copenhagen branch that gives the city a family attraction you can enjoy whatever the weather. Inside you find a mix of artefacts, models, illusions and hands-on galleries organised around themes of the unusual, the record-breaking and the downright bizarre, with plenty of things to touch, climb through, photograph and puzzle over. It is the kind of museum where the fun is in the surprise, so there is no need to follow a fixed route and no need for any background knowledge. Most visitors need roughly an hour or two, and the visit suits groups with a mix of ages because everyone can go at their own pace and stop at what interests them. The entry ticket is sold as a straightforward single admission, and Ripleys also sells a combination fun pass that bundles several attractions, which can be worth a look if you plan several indoor activities. Because the attraction is indoors, it is a reliable plan B for a wet or very cold Copenhagen day, and it pairs easily with a walk through the old town. Exact opening hours, the address and any age guidance are shown when you book, and they can change by season, so check when you book.
The Ripleys formula has been refined over a century: take the genuinely unusual, present it with showmanship, and let visitors decide whether they believe it. Expect galleries that mix real artefacts with clever staging, from natural oddities and cultural curiosities to feats of human skill and strength. Many rooms are built for photographs, with optical tricks and oversized props, so bring a charged phone. The tone is playful rather than scholarly, which makes it a good fit for restless children and teenagers who might not last an hour in a conventional museum.
To get the most out of it, go at an unhurried pace and read the short captions, because the stories behind the exhibits are half the entertainment. Interactive spots can be busy at weekends and during school holidays, so a weekday morning or an early afternoon is calmer. Check the age guidance and any accessibility notes on the booking page before you go, especially for pushchairs or visitors with limited mobility, and allow time at the end for the shop.
Who it suits
Families, groups of friends and curious travellers who like quirky attractions, and anyone who needs a dry indoor activity in a city where the weather changes quickly. It is a lighter, more entertaining choice than the big national museums, so use it as a change of pace between heavier sightseeing days. If you want something that mixes learning and play for younger children, the Experimentarium is the stronger science option, while Ripleys is the better choice for pure fun and photographs.
What to expect
The experience
An indoor odditorium of curiosities, illusions and interactive galleries from the Ripleys collection, entered with a single admission ticket.
Best time
A wet or cold day, or a weekday morning when it is quieter than at weekends and in school holidays.
How long
One to two hours at your own pace.
Tips
Bring a charged phone for the photo-friendly rooms. Check opening hours and age guidance when you book. Look at the fun pass if you plan several indoor attractions.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and groups who want an easy, entertaining indoor activity.
- Families
- A good fit for school-age children and teenagers, with plenty to touch, climb and photograph.
- Couples
- A light, playful change of pace rather than a romantic stop.
- Pair with
- A walk through the old town, lunch nearby, or an evening in Tivoli.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
What is Ripleys Believe It or Not?+
A chain of odditoriums built around the collection of Robert Ripley, who gathered strange and extraordinary things from around the world. The Copenhagen branch mixes artefacts, illusions and interactive galleries.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, it is designed for mixed ages and works well for school-age children and teenagers. Check the age guidance when you book.
How long should I allow?+
Most visitors spend about one to two hours.
Is it indoors?+
Yes, so it is a dependable choice on a rainy or very cold day.
Where do I find opening hours and the address?+
They are shown when you book and can change by season, so check when you book.
