Charlottenborg Palace

An Art Academy and Exhibition Hall in One Palace

Charlottenborg Palace stands on the north side of Kongens Nytorv, with its rear facing the colourful harbour canal Nyhavn. The Baroque town palace has been home to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts since 1754 – so it isn't a palace museum, but an active art school. The part open to the public is Kunsthal Charlottenborg, one of Copenhagen's largest exhibition halls for contemporary art.

So if you go in, you won't find grand historic staterooms, but changing art exhibitions in the palace's tall halls. The address is Nyhavn 2; the entrance is on Kongens Nytorv.

From Mistress's Garden to Academy Seat

The site originally belonged to a pleasure and kitchen garden that King Christian IV had given to a mistress. Under Christian V, a three-storey town palace in Danish Baroque style was built here between 1672 and 1683, first as Gyldenløve's Palace for a half-brother of the king. It was part of Christian's plan to surround the grand new square of Kongens Nytorv with stately mansions.

In 1699, Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel, the widow of Christian V, bought the palace, had it extended and gave it her name – Charlottenborg. She lived there until her death in 1714. Four decades later, in 1754, the building passed to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, which still occupies it today.

What to Expect

Kunsthal Charlottenborg shows only temporary exhibitions of contemporary art – there's no permanent collection. The programme ranges from international solo shows to the academy's annual graduation exhibition. What's on depends on the exhibition calendar, and between exhibitions the hall is sometimes closed entirely for installation and de-installation work.

• In early summer 2026, the academy's graduation show "Afgang 2026" and an exhibition by Małgorzata Mirga-Tas are on display.
• The rooms are spread over three floors, connected by a lift.
• Honest take: this place is worth it if you like contemporary art. If you're after historic palace rooms or a classic collection, look elsewhere – Christiansborg or Rosenborg Castle are better suited.

Admission, Hours and Tickets

Admission costs 90 DKK for adults aged 16 and over, 50 DKK for students; children under 16 go free (correct as of 2026). An annual pass costs 250 DKK. Admission is free on Wednesdays from 17:00 and with the Copenhagen Card; Politiken Plus members get 20% off. Group tours cost from 450 DKK (school classes) plus admission.

• Tuesday to Friday the hall is open 11:00–19:00, Saturday and Sunday 11:00–17:00, and it's closed on Mondays.
• In summer (roughly late June to early August) it opens daily 11:00–19:00.
• It's closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and on 1 January.

Plan on 1 to 1.5 hours for a visit. It's quietest on weekdays at opening, late morning – or on Wednesdays from 17:00, when admission is free anyway. Before you go, it's worth checking the official site, since the hall closes between exhibitions.

Getting There & Nearby Sights

The Kongens Nytorv metro station, right outside the palace, is served by all four lines M1 to M4 – the only interchange between all four lines. Buses 23 and 26 and harbour bus 991/992 also stop nearby. Kunsthal Charlottenborg is accessible: automatic entrance door, a lift to all floors, an accessible toilet, and wheelchairs to borrow.

Charlottenborg sits right in the heart of historic Indre By (Copenhagen's old town) and combines well with other sights: Nyhavn begins just behind the palace, the broad square of Kongens Nytorv with the Royal Theatre lies in front of it, and the shopping street Strøget runs into the square. If you want to see more art, pair the Kunsthal with SMK (National Gallery of Denmark) or the Designmuseum Danmark.

For further planning, see the overview of Copenhagen's top attractions and the guide to the Copenhagen Card.