Amalienborg Palace

Home of the Danish royals

Amalienborg has been the Danish royal family's residence in the capital since 1794 and is regarded as one of Europe's most important rococo ensembles. Four near-identical palaces surround an octagonal square, with an equestrian statue of King Frederik V at its centre. The complex takes its name from an earlier palace built for Queen Sophie Amalie. Amalienborg sits in the elegant Frederiksstaden district of Indre By (the city centre), just a few minutes' walk from Nyhavn.

The changing of the guard at noon

The daily highlight is the changing of the Royal Life Guard (Den Kongelige Livgarde) at exactly 12:00 on the palace square — free, and no ticket required. From around 11:30, the soldiers in their blue uniforms and bearskin caps march from their barracks near Rosenborg Castle across the city to Amalienborg.

Whether the guard marches with music depends on who is currently in residence:

• Kongevagt — when King Frederik is at home, the full military band accompanies the march.
• Løjtnantsvagt — for other members of the royal family in residence, only flutes and drums play.
• Palævagt — when no one is in residence, the guard marches without music.

One reliable clue: if the flag is flying over the palace, the monarch is at home. If you want a spot at the front, get there well before 12:00 — the square fills up around midday.

The Amalienborg Museum

One of the four palaces, Christian VIII's Palace, houses the Amalienborg Museum, run by Den Kongelige Samling (the Royal Danish Collection). The entrance is through the gate on Frederiksgade. Inside you'll find royal halls and private rooms once used by earlier monarchs, rich in history and everyday detail, with an audio guide filling in the background. The other three palaces remain lived in and are closed to visitors. Allow 45 to 90 minutes for the visit.

Good to know:

• Photography with a handheld camera is allowed; tripods and monopods are not.
• Tickets are available online in advance or at the museum box office — buying online saves 10 DKK per ticket.
• The Copenhagen Card is accepted; show your QR code at the museum shop to collect a free ticket.
• Under-18s go free, but still need a ticket.

An axis with a view

The square opens onto a striking sightline: on one side rises the dome of the Marble Church, and on the other you look out over the harbour towards the modern opera house. Both are close by — the Marble Church stands directly on the axis, barely two minutes away. From here it's only a short walk further to the green ramparts of Kastellet and The Little Mermaid.

Getting there & practical tips

The nearest metro station is Marmorkirken (Marble Church), a short walk from the palace. The museum has no dedicated parking. The palace square and the changing of the guard are free to visit at any time; admission is charged only for the museum.

The best plan is to time your visit around the changing of the guard: arrive around 11:30, watch the march-in at 12:00, then visit the museum or the Marble Church afterwards. For bundling admissions, see the guide to the Copenhagen Card; Amalienborg is also one of the city's must-see attractions.