Royal Palaces and Castles In and Around Copenhagen: The Complete 2026 Guide

TLDR: Copenhagen has many royal palaces within walking distance of each other – Amalienborg, Christiansborg, Rosenborg, and Frederiksberg Palace – and within an hour by train you can reach Kronborg, Fredensborg, and Frederiksborg.

Denmark is one of Europe's oldest monarchies, and you can feel it in the city's streets. From baroque squares to Renaissance fortress castles, royal buildings are an inseparable part of Copenhagen's identity.

This guide gives you an overview of the seven most visited – what they contain, what they cost, and who should make the trip.

You can also watch the video to experience all the palaces and castles and decide which ones to visit.

Amalienborg – The living royal residence

Amalienborg is the winter residence of the Danish Royal Family and the only one of the major palaces where the royal family still lives. The complex consists of four identical Rococo palaces arranged around an octagonal courtyard, with a bronze equestrian statue of Frederik V at its center and the Marble Church as a dramatic backdrop.

It is free to walk across the square and watch the daily Changing of the Guard, which arrives from Rosenborg Castle at noon. The palace is the ideal starting point for a waterfront walk toward Kastellet and the Little Mermaid.

Best for: Everyone – especially those who want to combine a historical experience with a lovely harbour promenade.

Christiansborg – The center of power

Christiansborg is the only place in the world where all three branches of government are housed under one roof: the Parliament (Folketing), the Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court.

The palace on the island of Slotsholmen is also the royal family's official venue for state functions, and visitors have access to the royal reception rooms, the palace kitchens, the ruins of Bishop Absalon's 12th-century castle – and the Tower, which is Copenhagen's highest viewpoint and completely free to enter.

Best for: History enthusiasts and anyone who wants to understand how Danish democracy and the monarchy are intertwined.

Rosenborg Castle – Where the crown jewels lie

Rosenborg is the most picturesque of the city's palaces – a red-brick Renaissance castle set in the middle of the King's Garden, built by Christian IV in the early 1600s.

Inside you will find 400 years of Danish royal history: well-preserved royal chambers, Venetian glass, wax figures of former monarchs, and – in a specially secured vault in the basement – the Danish Crown Jewels, which are still used at royal ceremonies today.

Best for: Anyone with an interest in royal splendor and Danish history. Allow 1–1.5 hours.

Frederiksberg Palace – The overlooked baroque gem

Frederiksberg Palace sits on a hilltop in the middle of Frederiksberg Gardens and is one of the finest Baroque complexes in Denmark.

The palace, built for Frederik IV in the early 18th century, is still used by the Danish military and is only open to the public on guided summer tours. The surrounding gardens, however, are always open and free – and they are spectacular.

Best for: A relaxed afternoon visit with a stroll through the gardens, ideally combined with a trip to Copenhagen Zoo just next door.

Kronborg – Hamlet's castle

Kronborg is located in Helsingør, about an hour by train from Copenhagen, and is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Northern Europe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is internationally best known as the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet – even though the playwright never set foot here.

Down in the casemates sleeps the legendary warrior Holger the Dane, who according to legend will wake when Denmark is in need.

Trains from Copenhagen Central Station depart every 20 minutes.

Best for: Day trips, history enthusiasts, and families with children who enjoy dark dungeons and great halls.

Fredensborg Palace – The royal spring and autumn retreat

Fredensborg is the royal family's preferred residence in spring and autumn and is often considered the most intimate and personal of the royal homes. The palace and its large Baroque garden by Lake Esrum are open to visitors during the summer, while the garden remains open year round.

It is a peaceful and beautiful place that sits conveniently between Frederiksborg in Hillerød and Kronborg in Helsingør along the same North Zealand coastal rail line.

Best for: Those who want a royal atmosphere without the crowds of the major tourist palaces. Particularly beautiful in spring.

Frederiksborg Castle – Denmark's most magnificent castle

Frederiksborg in Hillerød is the most majestic of all the North Zealand castles – a red-brick Renaissance castle built by Christian IV in the early 1600s, reflected in a castle lake with fountains and Baroque gardens. Today it houses the Museum of National History, with portraits and exhibitions covering 600 years of Danish history.

The train journey from Copenhagen takes around 35 minutes to Hillerød, and it is a 15-minute walk from the station along the lake.

Best for: Families and anyone with a love of architecture and nature. A full day is not too much.

How to plan your visitin Copenhagen?

If you want to see all city palaces, you can easily cover Amalienborg, Christiansborg, and Rosenborg in a single day on foot or by bike. Frederiksberg requires a short metro or bus ride.

The three North Zealand castles – Kronborg, Fredensborg, and Frederiksborg – are best visited as day trips and can be combined on the so-called North Zealand coastal rail route.

Download StoryHunt for audio guides and an interactive map to help you navigate between the city's royal landmarks and discover the stories behind the facades.