The David Collection

C. L. David was a lawyer who collected privately and left his house and holdings as a public foundation, and the result is one of the quieter pleasures of Copenhagen: a nineteenth-century townhouse facing the King's Garden, entered free, holding a collection of Islamic art that is among the most important in northern Europe. It runs from Spain to India across thirteen centuries, with ceramics, glass, metalwork, carpets, ivories, jewellery, weapons and an outstanding group of illuminated manuscripts and calligraphy, arranged both by region and by material across several floors. Two smaller collections sit alongside: European eighteenth-century decorative art and furniture in the founder's own rooms, and Danish early modern art. The lighting and labelling are unusually good.

What you actually see

• Islamic art from Spain to India - thirteen centuries across several floors.
• Illuminated manuscripts - calligraphy and painting of the first rank.
• The founder's European rooms - eighteenth-century furniture in situ.
• A free museum - no charge at any time.

When to go

Year round. Two hours. Closed Mondays. It is rarely crowded, and because it is free you can come twice. The King's Garden opposite is a good pairing in summer.

Honest expectations

It is spread over several floors of a townhouse with stairs and small rooms, which limits accessibility. The Islamic collection is dense and rewards slow looking rather than a quick pass. There is no cafe. Bags must be left at the entrance.

Nearby

Rosenborg Castle and the King's Garden face it; Designmuseum Danmark is a short walk.