Rosenborg Castle
A fairy‑tale Renaissance castle in Copenhagen’s King’s Garden, where intimate royal interiors and the Danish crown jewels reveal 400 years of monarchy in one place.
Set amid Copenhagen’s leafy King’s Garden, Rosenborg Castle is a beautifully preserved Dutch Renaissance palace built by King Christian IV in the early 17th century. Once a royal summer residence, it now houses the Danish crown jewels and 400 years of royal treasures, from glittering regalia in the vaults to richly furnished rooms, tapestries and portraits that trace the story of Denmark’s monarchy in an intimate, atmospheric setting.
A brief summary to Rosenborg Castle
- Øster Voldgade 4A, Copenhagen, København K, 1350, DK
- +4533153286
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
- Mid ranged
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-4 pm
- Thursday 10 am-4 pm
- Friday 10 am-4 pm
- Saturday 10 am-4 pm
- Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Aim for a morning time slot to avoid the busiest hours and give yourself at least 90 minutes to see both the castle rooms and the Treasury at a comfortable pace.
- Backpacks and larger bags are not allowed inside the castle rooms; use the onsite lockers and carry valuables in a small bag or pockets instead.
- Spend time in the Knights’ Hall and the Treasury vaults; these two areas showcase the coronation thrones, silver lions and crown jewels that define Rosenborg’s character.
- Combine your visit with a relaxed stroll or picnic in the surrounding King’s Garden to enjoy classic Copenhagen park life with castle views.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drinking Water
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Metro and short walk from central Copenhagen
From Nørreport Station, which is served by the M1, M2, M3 and M4 metro lines as well as S-trains, it typically takes 3–5 minutes on foot through the park area to reach Rosenborg Castle. A standard two-zone metro ticket within Copenhagen usually costs around 20–25 DKK and trains run every few minutes throughout the day. The route from the station is level and paved, suitable for most visitors, though it can be crowded at peak commuting times.
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City bus connection
Several city bus lines stop along Øster Voldgade and Gothersgade near the King’s Garden, from where the walk to the castle entrance is about 5–10 minutes through park paths. Single bus tickets within the central zones generally cost 20–25 DKK when bought from machines or apps. Buses run frequently during the day, but evening and weekend services may be less frequent, so checking departure times in advance is helpful.
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Bicycle from within Copenhagen
Cycling to Rosenborg Castle is a popular option thanks to Copenhagen’s extensive bike lanes. From the Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) area, the ride is usually 10–15 minutes along dedicated cycle tracks. Expect to pay around 100–150 DKK per day for a standard rental bike from many city shops or app-based schemes. Bike racks are available near the edges of the King’s Garden, but cycling is restricted inside the garden itself, so you will need to walk the final short stretch.
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Taxi within the city centre
A taxi from central locations such as the main railway station to Rosenborg Castle typically takes 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic. Daytime fares within the inner city often fall in the range of 120–180 DKK, with higher prices in the evening or on weekends. Taxis can drop passengers near the garden entrances, but vehicles are not allowed directly into the park, so a brief walk on flat surfaces is still required.
Rosenborg Castle location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Rosenborg Castle
A royal dream in red brick and green copper
Rosenborg Castle began life in the early 1600s as King Christian IV’s beloved summer retreat just outside Copenhagen’s old ramparts. Conceived as a pleasure palace in the Dutch Renaissance style, it grew in several stages from a modest country house into the tall, turreted castle you see today, completed in the 1620s and 1630s. Its red brick walls, sandstone ornamentation and copper spires give it a fairy‑tale silhouette that still rises unexpectedly from the surrounding lawns and tree‑lined paths. Christian IV, one of Denmark’s most influential kings, poured his taste and ambition into Rosenborg. He used it not only as a residence but as a stage for courtly life, diplomatic receptions and festivities. Even after new palaces eclipsed it, Rosenborg remained closely tied to the royal family’s story, serving as a refuge in times of crisis and later as a carefully curated repository of dynastic memory.Inside the time capsule of Danish monarchy
Stepping through the entrance, you move chronologically through interiors arranged to evoke successive reigns from the late 16th to the 19th century. The lower floors are more intimate, with panelled rooms, tiled stoves and small cabinets where kings wrote letters, plotted policies and escaped the formality of court. Christian IV’s own chambers, including his bedchamber, are preserved with an immediacy that makes it easy to imagine the monarch spending his final days here in 1648. As you climb the narrow staircases, the rooms become grander. Portraits, gilded furniture and intricate stucco ceilings chart the rise of absolute monarchy and the shifting fashions of European courts. Each room is densely furnished, so the castle feels less like an empty shell and more like a lived‑in home, frozen at different moments in time. Decorative arts – porcelain, glass, silver, textiles – appear not as isolated objects but as part of a wider royal lifestyle.The Knights’ Hall and its silver guardians
At the very top, the Long Hall, or Knights’ Hall, stretches the full length of the castle under an elaborate stucco ceiling. This ceremonial space once hosted court festivities and later coronation dinners. Today, it is dominated by the coronation thrones, dramatically fashioned to resemble narwhal tusks, and flanked by three life‑size silver lions poised as if ready to spring into action. Around the hall, tapestries depict Denmark’s 17th‑century conflicts, particularly with Sweden, turning the walls into a woven chronicle of victories and political aspirations. Marble busts, baroque furniture and arrangements of weapons underline the dual themes of splendour and power. The hall’s theatrical atmosphere contrasts with the more personal rooms below, giving a sense of how monarchs balanced public image and private life.Treasures in the vaults below
Beneath the castle, in heavily secured vaults, lies the Treasury, home to the Danish crown jewels and royal regalia. Here, crowns from different reigns sit under controlled lighting, their gold settings dense with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. These pieces are not relics of a lost era; they are still worn by the reigning monarch on certain state occasions, keeping Rosenborg actively connected to the modern monarchy. Alongside the crowns you find sceptres, orbs, ceremonial swords and orders of chivalry, each with its own place in the ritual choreography of kingship. Display cases also hold lavish jewellery sets and objects of personal luxury, from snuffboxes to ornate tableware. The contrast between the dim, cool vaults and the glittering contents heightens the sense of entering a hidden, almost secret dimension of royal power.A castle framed by Copenhagen’s oldest royal garden
Rosenborg stands within the King’s Garden, Denmark’s oldest royal garden, laid out in the Renaissance and later reshaped with more informal lawns, tree avenues and flowerbeds. The castle’s façades are constantly framed by greenery: in spring, blooming beds and fresh leaves; in summer, picnics and people stretched out on the grass; in autumn, carpets of copper‑coloured foliage. The garden softens the castle’s austere lines and underlines its original purpose as a pleasure retreat. From various angles you can see the towers reflected in ponds, or catch glimpses of the city skyline beyond the trees, a reminder of how Copenhagen has grown around this once rural refuge.Experiencing Rosenborg today
Today, Rosenborg functions as a museum within a functioning royal context, overseen by the Royal Danish Collection. A visit usually unfolds over an hour or two, moving from sunlit upper halls to more shadowy side rooms and down into the cool vaults. The atmosphere encourages lingering: reading the details on portraits, tracing motifs on carved furniture or comparing the changing tastes from reign to reign. Outside, you can pause in the King’s Garden to reflect on the layers of history you have just walked through. Nearby barracks house the Royal Life Guards, whose presence emphasises the castle’s continued symbolic importance. Rosenborg manages to feel both intimate and grand, combining the romance of a storybook castle with the documentary depth of a carefully preserved royal archive.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Essential places to dine
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Restaurant Grønnegade
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Restaurant Sole D’Italia - København
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Fjällräven
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Souvenir Gifts shop
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Romantic
- Relaxing
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunrise Spots
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
