Balkehuset
1 / 10

Bakkehuset

4.3
·288 reviews·Frederiksberg, Denmark

A preserved 1820s home and garden, once a salon for Denmark's Golden Age intellectuals.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer visitors, more peaceful

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Balkehuset

Bakkehuset

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer visitors, more peaceful

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A preserved 1820s home and garden, once a salon for Denmark's Golden Age intellectuals.

4.3
(288 reviews)

"The garden is absolutely lovely and it's free."

Vertical photo
TIP

Garden is Free! :seedling:

Enjoy the beautiful grounds without an entry fee. Perfect for a relaxing stroll or a quiet moment.

Museum Visit is Brief :stopwatch:

Expect to spend about 20-30 minutes inside the museum. Consider if the admission fee is worth it for you.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Golden Age Salon

The Golden Age Salon

Yellow Corner Room

Experience the heart of 19th-century Danish intellectual life where literary giants gathered.

Kamma Rahbek's Artistic Boxes

Kamma Rahbek's Artistic Boxes

Museum Exhibition

Admire the delicate and charming cardboard boxes created by Kamma Rahbek, a glimpse into bourgeois hobbies.

The Tranquil Garden

The Tranquil Garden

Outdoor Grounds

Wander through the peaceful gardens, an oasis of nature that inspired the intellectuals who lived here.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Timing is Key for a Peaceful Visit

Bakkehuset is a small museum, and visits can be brief. To truly appreciate its historical charm and avoid crowds, consider visiting during weekdays outside of peak tourist hours. The garden offers a tranquil escape, even if the museum itself is a quick tour.

Garden Access vs. Museum Entry

While the historic house museum has an admission fee, the beautiful garden is free to explore. If you're on a budget or short on time, enjoying the serene grounds is a great option. Check opening hours for both the house and the conservatory cafe.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer visitors, more peaceful
Crowd
Low
When
Late spring/early summer
Why
Gardens in full bloom
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Advice on good places to propose to my girlfriend in Copenhagen (End March)

Garden is Free! :seedling:

Enjoy the beautiful grounds without an entry fee. Perfect for a relaxing stroll or a quiet moment.

Museum Visit is Brief :stopwatch:

Expect to spend about 20-30 minutes inside the museum. Consider if the admission fee is worth it for you.

reddit.com

Proposal locations in Copenhagen? I am planning to ask my girlfriend to marry me in a few weeks and have never been to Copenhagen. Where would be a cool spot?

reddit.com

Advice for a Proposal in December

Informative Booklet Provided :book:

Grab the booklet at the desk for detailed explanations of exhibits without disturbing the historical feel.

Friendly & Helpful Staff :smiley:

The staff are noted for being informative and welcoming, enhancing the visitor experience.

Tips

from all over the internet

Garden is Free! :seedling:

Enjoy the beautiful grounds without an entry fee. Perfect for a relaxing stroll or a quiet moment.

Museum Visit is Brief :stopwatch:

Expect to spend about 20-30 minutes inside the museum. Consider if the admission fee is worth it for you.

Informative Booklet Provided :book:

Grab the booklet at the desk for detailed explanations of exhibits without disturbing the historical feel.

Friendly & Helpful Staff :smiley:

The staff are noted for being informative and welcoming, enhancing the visitor experience.

What Travellers Say

4.3
(288 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find Bakkehuset to be a charming historical house with a lovely, free garden. While the museum interior is appreciated for its authentic 1820s decor and glimpse into intellectual gatherings, some find the admission fee a bit steep for the short duration of the visit. The friendly staff and informative booklets are consistently praised.

"Bakkehuset is a home from the 17th century which has been restored to its 1820s decor. It was the home of an author and his wife, and served as a gathering spot for the leading intellectual lights of the day. Although the neighborhood it’s in is now very built up and trendy (it’s the former meat packing district), at the time it was the country all around. Appreciating nature was a big part of these intellectuals perspective so the wife made gardens, paths, and a pond. I always enjoy going to houses of any era but this was a little sparse - even reading every sign I was done in 20 minutes. They have a conservatory with a cafe (closed for a private function when I was there but it looked nice.)"

Victoria Ruehl

"Garden is very nice and it's free. The museum interior costs money and doesn't have anything interesting"

Kent Wang

"Worth a visit 💫 Bakkehuset means the house on the hill, because in the 18th century it was located on a hill in the middle of the countryside. Today it is the oldest house in Frederiksberg and a small oasis in the middle of the city. Bakkehuset is an authentic Golden Age home and in Kamma and Knud Lyne Rahbeks time (1802-30) the house was one of the important literary gathering-places in the 19th century. The salon culture unfolded around the tea table in the yellow corner room. A short film about H.C.Andersens relation to the Rahbek family visualizes the way of life of the 19th century. Really lovely is the collection of the small artistic cardboard boxes that Kamma Rahbek created herself - a common hobby of the bourgeoisie around 1800. At the museum cash desk you get a booklet with the explanations of the exhibited objects – so as not to disturb the historical impression of the house. Staff was really friendly, informative and helpful."

Maja Jacobsen

What People Like

Beautiful and free garden
Authentic historical decor
Friendly and informative staff

What People Dislike

Museum admission fee
Short museum visit duration

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Bakkehuset is located in Frederiksberg, an easily accessible part of Copenhagen. You can reach it via public transport, with several bus lines stopping nearby. It's also a pleasant walk or bike ride from many central areas, fitting into the city's active lifestyle.

Yes, Bakkehuset is well-served by public transport. Several bus routes stop within a short walking distance, making it convenient to reach from various parts of Copenhagen. Check local transport apps for the most up-to-date routes and schedules.

Absolutely! Copenhagen is a very bike-friendly city, and Bakkehuset is situated in an area where cycling is a great option. Walking is also enjoyable, allowing you to see more of the surrounding neighborhood.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

There is an admission fee for the museum interior, which is around 60 DKK. However, the garden is free to enter and explore, offering a lovely experience for those who prefer not to pay for the museum.

Information on specific discounts is not widely publicized, but it's always worth inquiring at the ticket desk or checking their official website for any potential offers or concessions.

Opening hours can vary, especially for the conservatory cafe which may close for private functions. It's best to check the official Bakkehuset website or their social media for the most current operating hours before your visit.

For general visits, booking tickets in advance is usually not required. However, if you are planning a group visit or attending a special event, it's advisable to contact Bakkehuset directly to confirm booking procedures.

🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience

A visit to the Bakkehuset museum interior is typically quite short, often completed within 20-30 minutes. The garden, however, can be enjoyed for as long as you like.

Inside Bakkehuset, you'll find rooms restored to their 1820s decor, showcasing the home of author Knud Lyne Rahbek and his wife Kamma. Highlights include the salon where intellectuals gathered and Kamma Rahbek's collection of artistic cardboard boxes.

Yes, the garden is frequently praised as 'absolutely lovely' and a 'small oasis in the middle of the city.' It's a beautiful and free space to relax and appreciate nature.

Yes, there is a conservatory with a cafe. However, it may be closed for private functions, so it's a good idea to check its availability if you plan to visit.

While Bakkehuset offers a glimpse into history, its small size and focus on historical decor might be more engaging for adults and older children interested in literature and history. The garden provides a more open space for younger visitors.

📸 📸 Photography

Photography rules inside historic houses can vary. It's best to check for signage upon arrival or ask staff if photography is permitted inside the museum rooms. Often, flash photography is restricted to protect the artifacts.

The charming garden offers many picturesque spots for photos, especially when in bloom. The exterior of the historic house itself also presents a lovely backdrop. Inside, the restored rooms offer a historical aesthetic, but check on photo permissions.

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Bakkehuset offers a unique historical experience, though its primary focus on literary salons might be more engaging for older children or those with a specific interest in history. The museum itself is small and visits are brief, so keeping younger children entertained might be a challenge. However, the free-to-enter garden is a definite plus, providing space for kids to move around and explore nature. Consider bringing a small picnic to enjoy in the garden, making it a more relaxed outing for the whole family.

💰 Budget Travelers

For budget-conscious travelers, Bakkehuset presents a great option. While the museum interior has a modest admission fee (around 60 DKK), the garden is completely free to access and explore. This allows visitors to experience the charm and historical ambiance of the property without significant cost. You can enjoy a peaceful walk, admire the grounds, and get a sense of the setting that inspired Danish intellectuals, all without spending a dime on the garden itself.

💍 Proposal & Romantic Getaways

Bakkehuset's tranquil garden offers a charming and relatively undiscovered setting for a romantic moment, perhaps even a proposal. As one Reddit user sought a 'little known beauty spot which will be amazing for a private moment,' Bakkehuset's garden fits this description perfectly. It provides a serene backdrop away from the typical tourist crowds, allowing for a more intimate and memorable experience. Combine a peaceful stroll through the gardens with a visit to the historic house for a cultured and romantic outing.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Intellectual Hub of the Golden Age

Bakkehuset, meaning 'the house on the hill,' was once a rural retreat but is now an urban oasis and the oldest house in Frederiksberg. During the Danish Golden Age (roughly the first half of the 19th century), it served as a vital literary and intellectual salon. Authors, artists, and thinkers of the era, including H.C. Andersen, frequently gathered here, drawn by the hospitality of its owners, Kamma and Knud Lyne Rahbek. The house preserves the atmosphere of this vibrant period, offering a tangible connection to Denmark's cultural heritage.

The salon culture thrived around the tea table in the distinctive yellow corner room. Visitors can imagine lively discussions and the exchange of ideas that shaped Danish arts and literature. A short film about H.C. Andersen's relationship with the Rahbek family further illuminates the daily life and social dynamics of the time. The museum's collection includes personal items and decor that reflect the tastes and hobbies of the bourgeoisie, such as Kamma Rahbek's own artistic creations.

While the museum interior is compact, the historical significance and the intimate glimpse into the lives of these prominent figures make it a worthwhile visit for history enthusiasts. The staff are noted for being friendly and informative, enhancing the understanding of the house's past and its inhabitants' contributions to Danish culture.

The Garden: A Haven of Nature and Inspiration

The gardens at Bakkehuset are a significant part of its historical appeal, reflecting the appreciation for nature that was central to the intellectuals who frequented the house. Kamma Rahbek, in particular, was instrumental in developing the grounds, creating paths, and a pond that transformed the surroundings into a place of beauty and contemplation. Today, the garden stands as a testament to this vision, offering a peaceful escape from the bustling city.

Visitors can wander through the well-maintained garden, enjoying the flora and the serene atmosphere. It's a place where one can easily imagine the conversations and reflections that took place centuries ago. The garden is not only a beautiful space but also a living piece of history, preserved to evoke the spirit of the Golden Age. It’s a popular spot for a quiet moment, and its accessibility makes it a delightful free attraction.

Unlike the museum, which has an admission fee and a shorter visiting time, the garden is open to all and can be enjoyed at leisure. It’s a perfect complement to a visit to the house, providing a broader context for the lives and inspirations of its famous residents. The garden's charm is particularly enhanced during the spring and summer months when it is in full bloom.

You may also like

1 of 2