Looking for something a bit different to do in Copenhagen? Tired of stuffy museums? Here is something for you!
When I first arrived in Copenhagen, one of the first things I wanted to do was to see what museums there were in the city. I soon discovered that there was a whole museum dedicated just to Barbies – so of course, I had to go check it out.
(Note: skip down to the video at the bottom of this post if you’d like to see it in action!)
Copenhagen’s Barbie museum opened in 1994 and is run by the sweetest elderly lady, Lene Darlie Pedersen, who gives you your own personal guided tour around the museum. This lady knows her Barbies! Located in the north-west part of Copenhagen, it’s a good stop to include in your itinerary if you happen to be in neighbouring Frederiksberg or Nørrebro (the museum is kind of sandwiched between the two neighborhoods, easily accessible by bus or bike).
Lene has around 3,000 Barbies in her collection, with a particular speciality in vintage Barbies. She began collecting them as a personal, private collector decades ago; she actually initially didn’t have much interest in them, because she had been too old when Barbie was launched in Denmark to own any of her own as a child and therefore had no sentimental connection to them. In fact, Lene told me that in the beginning days of collecting, she didn’t even like how Barbie looked! She found the doll to be quite ugly.
Well, fast forward to today and it’s clear her first impression of Barbie has done a complete 180. Lene’s personal collection eventually outgrew her apartment space so she moved the whole collection to its present day location. Lene is a total treasure trove of all things Barbie, full of historical knowledge not just of the doll herself but also Mattel and pretty much anything Barbie’s ever been involved with!
For the hardcore Barbie collectors out there: Lene even has several Bild Lilli dolls in the collection, which was a German doll that inspired Barbie. She also has a whole room filled with vintage Barbies from the 1950s – 70s. It was incredible to see.
Even if you’re not a die-hard Barbie fan, it’s still a worthy visit. The museum is like a maze, stretching on for way longer than it looks when you first step through the door. Further – especially for a 90s kid like me – it was so much fun having my memory jogged over Barbies I’d completely forgotten I’d ever owned. It was like stepping into a time capsule of my childhood.
Visits are by appointment only, which you can arrange by emailing Lene directly on lene@barbiemuseum.dk. If you stop by, tell her the Canadian girl sent you!
INFORMATION
Website: www.barbiemuseum.dk
Map Link: Here
Address: Vibevej 52, 2400 København NV
Opening Hours: By appointment only
Price: 30 DKK pp
