Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark

Amalienborg Palace stands in the Frederiksstaden district of central Copenhagen, Denmark, arranged around an octagonal courtyard close to the harbour. It is roughly a 10-minute walk from Kongens Nytorv Metro station and sits within easy reach of Nyhavn and the Marble Church (Frederik’s Church), which lines up directly with the palace square. The cobbled square itself is a public space that can be entered free of charge at any time, while the Amalienborg Museum inside one of the palaces charges admission. Several city buses serve the area, and harbour walks from the Little Mermaid lead naturally toward the palace.

What Makes Amalienborg Famous

The complex consists of four near-identical 18th-century rococo palaces facing a central square, where an equestrian statue of King Frederik V from 1771 takes pride of place. It became the royal family’s residence after a fire destroyed Christiansborg Palace in 1794, and it remains the official home of the Danish monarch today. The most celebrated daily event is the changing of the Royal Life Guard, which takes place at noon. The guards march from their barracks near Rosenborg Castle through the streets of the city to Amalienborg, and the ceremony is free to watch from the square.

What to See and Ticket Information

The Amalienborg Museum, located in Christian VIII’s Palace, offers a look at the private interiors of recent Danish kings and queens and an exhibition on the monarchy’s traditions today. Admission applies for adults, while children under 18 enter free, and the museum is included free of charge with the Copenhagen Card. Visitors who plan to tour several royal sites can buy the combined Royal Palace Pass, which covers Amalienborg, Rosenborg Castle, and Christiansborg Palace for around 345 DKK and is valid over three days. When standing on the square to watch the guards, it is important to keep to the marked green areas so as not to obstruct the marching soldiers.