Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen is the home of the Danish royal family: four near-identical rococo palaces facing an octagonal square close to the harbour. They were built in the 18th century for noble families and became the royal residence after a fire destroyed Christiansborg Palace in 1794. The royal family still uses it as its winter residence, which makes it one of the easiest royal sights to see on foot.

The story behind it

The palaces were part of Frederiksstaden, a new district planned in the mid-18th century under King Frederik V. The architect Nicolai Eigtved designed the four mansions, and they were meant for noble families rather than for the crown. That changed in 1794, when fire destroyed Christiansborg Palace, the royal seat at the time. The royal family moved to Amalienborg, and the palaces have served the monarchy ever since.

At the centre of the square stands an equestrian statue of Frederik V, the king who set the whole district in motion. The Royal Life Guard keeps watch here, and the changing of the guard, when the guard marches through the city between Rosenborg Castle and Amalienborg, is a favourite with visitors.

What to look for

• The symmetry of the four matching facades, which is best appreciated from the middle of the square, where each palace mirrors the one opposite.
• The equestrian statue of Frederik V in the centre of the square, a good spot to stop and take in the whole ensemble.
• The Danish flag on the palace, which is traditionally a sign that the monarch is in residence.
• The long view along the axis of the square, with the dome of the Marble Church in one direction and the harbour and the Opera House in the other.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the square and its surroundings, and more if you want to go into the museum rooms. Check current opening hours before you go.
• The square itself is a public space you can walk across, while the royal rooms open to visitors are inside the palace museum.
• Check the current schedule for the changing of the guard, and arrive a little early if you want a good view. Mornings outside that time are usually calmer for photos.
• The Marble Church, the waterfront gardens and Nyhavn are all a short walk away, so the palace fits easily into a wider stroll.

See it on a quest

Magical Copenhagen: Little Mermaid brings you to Amalienborg on foot as one stop of a longer route through the city. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle in what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.

The Conspiracy in the Royal District, Copenhagen suits this spot well, since the palace sits at the heart of the royal district. You walk from place to place, hear the story of each one, and solve a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.

Time Travelers Cronophone in Copenhagen is a self-guided route you can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join. Amalienborg is one of the places you reach on foot, and the app tells you about it before you take on the puzzle. One ticket covers the whole group.