Copenhagen Castles You’ve Got to See
The people of Copenhagen in Denmark are known to be some of the happiest in the world, and the city was previously voted the Green Capital of the Year back in 2014.
This sustainable city encourages its people to commute by bike and is even aiming to be the first CO2-neutral capital city in the whole world! It is also a great destination for foodies since it is home to 15 Michelin-starred restaurants as well as lots of great coffee shops.
Aside from being eco-friendly and having great dining opportunities, the streets between the canals of Denmark’s capital hold lots of historical treasures and landmarks to visit. You might be surprised by how many castles are hidden around the city and you’ve just got to see them yourself while you are in town!
You will want to be able to explore these incredible fortresses without any restrictions, so store your bags at Copenhagen luggage storage locker while you are on the go.
Rosenborg Castle
Those who want to visit the best of Copenhagen’s palaces will definitely want to stop by Rosenborg Castle since it is home to the Crown Jewels! This fortress dates back to the 17th century when it was built by Christian IV, one of the best-known Scandinavian kings, and it was sometimes used for royal hunts as well as a private retreat for royalty.
Inside, you will find intricately decorated rooms in a Dutch Renaissance style and some really impressive decor, like life-sized statues of lions in the Knight’s Hall. Outside on the palace grounds, you can wander through the Rosenborg Castle Garden, which is actually the oldest royal garden in all of Denmark since they were made before the castle itself!
The gardens are beautiful and you will see sculptures and statues placed throughout it, including one designed to look like Hans Christian Anderson, the Danish writer.
Kronborg Castle
A little way outside of Copenhagen is Kronborg Castle. This amazing structure earned its fame after being used as the setting in Shakespeare’s Hamlet! It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and should definitely make your list of palaces to visit while in Copenhagen.
The Renaissance fortress had an important role in the history of the area since, thanks to its location by the coast, it was used to watch over and control the entrance of boats to the Baltic Sea.
The interior of the building holds what was once the biggest ballroom of its time, and it is still as stunning as back when it was built in 1582. The walls hold artworks from various famous artists, and as you walk along the marble floors make sure that you look up to see the 7 huge chandeliers!
Stop by to get a tour of the premises, and if you happen to be visiting in the summertime you can go on the Hamlet Live tour where you will meet some characters from the play as you explore the palace.
Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace is one of the most popular castles in Copenhagen and it is still used by the Royal Family for special events, although they do not live here anymore since a series of fires caused them to move in the 17th century.
The elegant palace has a stunning oval Throne Room, Royal Reception Rooms with artworks, an incredible Library, a Royal Kitchen, and a fancy Great Hall lined with the Queen’s tapestries.
After you’ve finished exploring the castle you can move on to the Royal Stables, and if you head underground you can see the ruins of Bishop Absalon’s Castle that occupied the space back in 1167. Make sure that you climb the Christiansborg Palace Tower to see some panoramic views of the area! Christiansborg Palace is located in central Copenhagen and is easy to get to.
Amalienborg Palace
After leaving their residence at Christiansborg Palace, the Royal Family found their new home at Amalienborg Palace. This grand castle can be more difficult to visit because access is somewhat restricted, but one of the main highlights is watching the changing of the Royal Guard which happens every day at noon.
There is still lots to see in the areas that are open to the public and you can get a bit of an insight into what the life of a royal was like throughout the centuries. The estate is actually made of four buildings placed around a courtyard but you won’t be able to visit all of them.
However, feel free to step inside the Amalienborg Museum where you can walk through lavishly decorated rooms including the Dining Room, Flora Danica Room, and, most of the time, the Great Hall. Just a short walk away you will find the Amaliehaven garden which features a big fountain, perfectly maintained hedges, and some pretty views of the water.
Frederiksborg Castle
If you are even a little bit familiar with the fortresses of Copenhagen, chances are that you’ve heard of Frederiksborg Castle. It is one of Denmark’s more famous castles and was used a few times as a royal residence during the 17th century. Christian IV also used this castle, although in 1859 a fire damaged much of the property.
The palace that you see now had to be partially rebuilt, and today it is the venue for the National Museum of Denmark!
During your visit to the palace consider joining in for a free guided tour of the premises. They will bring you to the Great Hall, the Chapel, and other rooms where you can admire decorative art, portraits of royalty, and intricate furniture fit for a king.
Outside, you can wander through an amazing landscaped garden that is home to beautiful flowers and monograms constructed out of boxwood plants. You might also come across the little Bath House Castle.
The Amazing Palaces of Copenhagen
Being home to one of the oldest monarchies in the world, you will be impressed by how many castles are still standing in Copenhagen today.
Touring through the halls and grounds of these ancient fortresses will be magical, and it can be really amazing to see how these structures have survived the test of time. If you use just a bit of imagination you can feel like royalty once you step foot inside these historical palaces!