Amalienborg Palace
Royal Residence & Changing of the Guard
Overview
Palaces in Copenhagen
Copenhagen's palaces and royal buildings at a glance – from the royal residence Amalienborg with its Changing of the Guard to the parliament palace Christiansborg and Rosenborg with the Crown Jewels.
Rosenborg Castle
Renaissance castle with the Danish Crown Jewels
Christiansborg Palace
Seat of government & royal reception rooms
Kastellet
Star fortress from 1664 with ramparts and a windmill
Børsen
Old stock exchange with the dragon-tail spire
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Contents
Copenhagen is a royal city, and its palaces still sit at the centre of monarchy and politics today. Three of them are genuine royal palaces, plus a star fortress and the old merchants' exchange – all within walking distance of each other in the historic centre, so you can combine them in a single day.
The five buildings at a glance
The royal residence is Amalienborg Palace, four rococo mansions around an octagonal square. The palace square and the daily Changing of the Guard at 12:00 are free to visit; you only pay to enter the museum in Christian VIII's Palace. The seat of parliament (Folketing), government and the Supreme Court is Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen – with royal reception rooms, ruins and the 106-metre tower, Copenhagen's tallest, which you can reach by lift for free. The Danish Crown Jewels and a Renaissance garden await you at Rosenborg Castle, set in the park Kongens Have.
Strictly speaking, only these three are genuine royal palaces. This guide also includes the star-shaped fortress Kastellet – a barracks still in active use, whose ramparts are freely open to walk – and the old Børsen stock exchange, known for its iconic dragon-tail spire. Børsen has been a reconstruction site since the major fire on 16 April 2024 and cannot be visited inside; only its free visitor centre is open. For now, it's more of a photo stop and a piece of history than a regular visit.
Prices, the Slotspas and planning your visit
Three of the five sites are free of charge: the Amalienborg palace square with its Changing of the Guard, the grounds of Kastellet (summer 6:00–22:00, winter 6:00–20:00) and Christiansborg's tower. Kongens Have, the park around Rosenborg, and the Børsen visitor centre are also free. You pay to enter the Amalienborg Museum (125 DKK online, 135 DKK at the door), Rosenborg (140 DKK online, 150 DKK at the door) and the Christiansborg combination ticket (215 DKK). Entry is free for under-18s everywhere, though a free ticket is still required.
If you want to see all three interiors, the Slotspas is the cheaper option: 345 DKK, valid for 72 hours, covering Rosenborg, the Amalienborg Museum and Christiansborg – against 480 DKK bought separately, that's a saving of around 135 DKK. It's worth starting at Rosenborg right when it opens (tickets are for a fixed 10-minute time slot and often sell out in high season), then strolling through Kongens Have and heading over to Amalienborg by around 11:30 for the Changing of the Guard at 12:00. In the afternoon there's time for Slotsholmen with Christiansborg and the Børsen façade next door, finishing with Kastellet in the north, near The Little Mermaid. Allow around 6 to 8 hours for all five sites.
Frequently asked questions
Which palaces in Copenhagen are free to visit?+
The Amalienborg palace square, including the Changing of the Guard at 12:00, the grounds of Kastellet (summer 6:00–22:00, winter 6:00–20:00) and Christiansborg's 106-metre tower are all open to the public free of charge. Kongens Have, the park surrounding Rosenborg, and the Børsen visitor centre are free too. You only pay to enter the interiors of Rosenborg and Christiansborg and the Amalienborg Museum.
Which Copenhagen palace should you prioritise if time is short?+
If you only have time for one, make it Rosenborg: it's the only royal palace fully open as a museum, and its treasury holds the Danish Crown Jewels. It works well as a first stop right at opening time, followed by the Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg at 12:00.
How many palaces does Copenhagen have, and how do they connect?+
This guide covers five royal buildings: the three true palaces – Amalienborg, Christiansborg and Rosenborg – plus the star fortress Kastellet and the old stock exchange Børsen. All are within walking distance of each other in the historic centre and can be combined in a single day – allow around 6 to 8 hours.
Is the Slotspas worth it for the palaces?+
If you want to see the interiors of Rosenborg, the Amalienborg Museum and Christiansborg, the Slotspas is the cheaper route: 345 DKK, valid for 72 hours. Bought separately, the three tickets cost 480 DKK – a saving of around 135 DKK. If you're also planning to use public transport and visit other museums, the Copenhagen Card can work out better instead.
Can you visit the inside of Børsen in Copenhagen?+
No, not the building itself. Since the major fire on 16 April 2024, Børsen has been a reconstruction site and is closed to visitors. Only a free visitor centre at the site is open (Mon–Fri 14:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 11:00–16:00). Official sources have not yet confirmed a reopening date.