Amaliehaven

A waterfront garden between palace and harbor

Amaliehaven occupies a narrow strip between the royal residence of Amalienborg and the open waters of Copenhagen Harbor, forming a green hinge between stately squares and the working waterfront. Conceived in the early 1980s on the site of the former Larsen’s Plads shipyard, it was presented to the city in 1983 by the A.P. Møller Foundation, transforming an industrial quay into a formal public garden. Despite its modest size, the garden plays a key role in the grand urban axis that runs from the Marble Church, through Amalienborg’s octagonal square, and onward across the water to the modern opera house. Standing here, you are literally on that line, with palace façades, church dome, and harbor views all aligned in a single composition.

Symmetry, sculpture, and the language of design

Belgian landscape architect Jean Delogne designed Amaliehaven as a rigorously symmetrical space, using straight paths, clipped hedges, and terraced levels to create a sense of order and calm. The garden is organized around a large circular fountain, its stone surfaces and steps arranged in clean geometric patterns that feel almost architectural. Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro added four striking bronze columns, rising like modern obelisks around the fountain. Their textured surfaces catch the light and provide a sculptural counterpoint to the smooth stone and trimmed greenery. Together, the water, stone, and bronze create a composed, almost theatrical stage at the heart of the park.

A sheltered oasis in the middle of the city

Low walls and dense hedging enclose much of Amaliehaven, screening out street noise and harbor winds. Inside, the atmosphere shifts from urban bustle to something more contemplative: the soundscape is dominated by splashing water, wind in the trees, and the occasional call of a gull. Planting is deliberately lush within the strict framework of the design. In spring, Japanese cherry trees burst into blossom, forming pale pink clouds that contrast with the rectilinear layout. Through the warmer months, flower beds provide layers of color and scent along the paths and seating areas, softening the geometry and giving the garden a distinctly human scale.

Harbor vistas and royal backdrops

While the garden feels sheltered, it opens dramatically toward the harbor. From the waterfront edge you can look across to the sculptural bulk of the Copenhagen Opera House and watch harbor traffic glide past. Turn around, and the façades of Amalienborg Palace rise above the greenery, with the dome of Frederiks Kirke crowning the skyline beyond. This combination of intimate garden rooms and long, ceremonial vistas is part of the site’s charm. You can sit quietly on a bench among flowers, then walk a few steps to take in one of Copenhagen’s most iconic urban perspectives, where royal architecture and contemporary waterfront design share the same frame.

A place to pause between nearby highlights

Amaliehaven is open at all hours and free to enter, which makes it a natural pause point when exploring Frederiksstaden, the palace square, or the nearby harbor promenades. Paths are flat and well maintained, inviting slow circuits around the fountain or a brief stroll as you cross between the waterfront and the city. Recent renovations have refreshed the stonework, lighting, and fountain technology, ensuring the garden retains the crisp look of its original 1980s design. Whether you visit early in the morning for soft light and quiet, or later in the day when the harbor feels more lively, the garden offers an easy, low-effort way to experience Copenhagen’s blend of royal history, modern design, and everyday outdoor life.