The King's Garden, Copenhagen, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The King's Garden (Kongens Have) is a royal park in the centre of Copenhagen, laid out in 1606 as part of the setting of Rosenborg Castle. Today it is a green, tree-lined space where locals picnic, read and meet friends, which makes it one of the easiest places in the city to slow down.

The story behind it

The garden dates to 1606 and was part of the original design of Rosenborg Castle, the royal summer residence built in the reign of Christian IV. It began as a private royal garden, and over the centuries it opened up to become a public park, though traces of its royal past remain in its layout and in the castle beside it.

These days it works as a city living room. In summer, Copenhageners spread out on the lawns to enjoy an oasis in the middle of the city, and the park often hosts open-air performances.

What to look for

• Rosenborg Castle sits at the edge of the garden, and its Renaissance towers and gabled roofline make a good backdrop from the paths.
• The long, straight avenues and shaded walkways show how the garden was planned as a formal setting for the royal residence.
• The Hercules Pavilion in the park is a small decorative building worth a look as you wander between the lawns.
• The statue of Hans Christian Andersen, shown seated, is a favourite photo stop for visitors.

Tips for your visit

• Plan 30 to 60 minutes for a relaxed stroll, longer if you want to picnic or combine it with a visit to the castle.
• Late morning or a sunny afternoon in summer is the liveliest time, while early in the day is calmer and good for photographs.
• The garden is a public park you walk into freely, but check current opening hours for the gates and for Rosenborg Castle if you want to go inside.
• Nørreport station and the Torvehallerne food market are a short walk away, handy for buying lunch to eat on the grass.

See it on a quest

The King's Garden is one stop on Time Travelers Cronophone in Copenhagen, a self-guided walk with a time-travel theme. You reach the garden on foot as part of a longer route through the area, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. There is no guide and no group to join, and one ticket covers the whole group, so you can start whenever suits you.