The extensively renovated and extended museum is a vibrant cultural centre, offering a broad spectrum of exhibitions and activities.

The permanent collections cover more than 10,000 years of history in cultures world wide, from Danish prehistory to the Egyptians. The museum is also home to the largest and oldest collection of Inuit treasures in the world.

The various temporary exhibitions focus upon a number of different periods and themes and small-scale exhibitions take place throughout the year in the museum's foyer and exhibition halls. There is even a children's museum, where the little ones can sail a Viking ship, sit in a classroom from 100 years ago, experience life with North Africa's nomads and visit a medieval castle.