Rosenborg Castle
Christian IV’s fairy-tale red-brick castle where Renaissance interiors, royal scandals and the glitter of Denmark’s Crown Jewels meet in the heart of Copenhagen.
Rising from Copenhagen’s King’s Garden in a flurry of red brick, turrets and spires, Rosenborg Castle is Christian IV’s fairy-tale Renaissance stronghold turned royal treasury. Inside, 400 years of Danish monarchy unfold in richly decorated chambers, from the intimate Winter Room to the grand Knights’ Hall with its coronation thrones and silver lions. Beneath the castle, vaults glitter with Denmark’s Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia, making this one of the city’s most compelling historic highlights.
A brief summary to Rosenborg Castle
- Øster Voldgade 4A, Copenhagen, København K, 1350, DK
- +4533153286
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Mid ranged
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Aim for morning entry to reduce waiting times, especially in summer, and see the Crown Jewels and Knights’ Hall before the largest crowds arrive.
- Allow extra time for the King’s Garden; combine an indoor castle visit with a relaxed stroll or picnic on the lawns around the fortress-like exterior.
- Travel light: large backpacks and bulky bags may need to be placed in lockers, and narrow staircases can be awkward with heavy items.
- Look out for seasonal opening-hour changes in autumn and winter, when the castle usually closes earlier and some days may be reduced or closed.
- Spend a moment in the Winter Room and the small private chambers; their dense detail and intimate scale reveal more about royal daily life than the grand halls.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
- Trash Bins
Getting There
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Metro from central Copenhagen
From central areas such as Kongens Nytorv, take metro line M1 or M2 to Nørreport Station; trains run every few minutes and the ride typically takes 2–4 minutes. A standard single-zone ticket costs around 20–25 DKK and is valid on metro, bus and local trains. From Nørreport it is about a 10-minute level walk through the city streets and park surroundings, generally suitable for most visitors with limited mobility.
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City bus within Copenhagen
Several city bus routes, including frequent trunk lines such as 6A, stop near the King’s Garden area around Øster Voldgade. Depending on your starting point in the inner city, the journey usually takes 10–20 minutes. A single ticket on the bus network costs roughly 20–25 DKK and can often be bought via ticket machines or travel apps. Buses are low-floor and typically offer easy access for wheelchairs and strollers.
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Bicycle from the inner city
Copenhagen’s extensive cycle lanes make biking to Rosenborg Castle straightforward. From most inner-city districts, the ride is around 10–20 minutes on largely flat terrain, and you can use shared city bikes or rentals priced roughly 80–150 DKK per day depending on provider. Bicycle parking is available around the King’s Garden, but bikes are not allowed inside the castle itself, so be prepared to lock yours outside.
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Walking from Strøget area
If you are already in the historic center around Strøget, plan on a pleasant 10–15 minute walk to the castle along busy shopping streets and then quieter park edges. The route is mostly flat with paved surfaces, suitable for most fitness levels, though cobblestones in parts of the old town may be uneven. Walking is free and allows you to combine the visit with other nearby sights in the inner city.
Rosenborg Castle location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Hot Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Rosenborg Castle
A Renaissance Dream in the King’s Garden
Built between 1606 and 1634 as King Christian IV’s pleasure palace, Rosenborg Castle sits like a storybook fortress amid the leafy lawns of the King’s Garden in central Copenhagen. The red-brick facades, copper-green spires and stepped gables are classic Dutch Renaissance, a style the king helped popularize across Denmark. Despite its compact footprint compared with Europe’s giant palaces, Rosenborg feels richly sculpted, every tower and dormer hinting at hidden rooms and royal intrigues. The surrounding garden, originally laid out as the king’s private grounds, now acts as a relaxed frame for the castle’s formal symmetry. Manicured lawns, tree-lined paths and seasonal flowerbeds soften the fortified outline, underscoring how this was always meant as a retreat as much as a symbol of power. In warm months, the contrast between quiet park life and the castle’s dramatic silhouette is one of Copenhagen’s most evocative city scenes.Inside the Private World of Christian IV
Step through the entrance and Rosenborg’s role as a royal residence comes into focus. This was Christian IV’s favorite home, and many rooms still echo his tastes and daily routines. The famed Winter Room, among the best-preserved spaces from the original castle, is dense with carved wood, painted ceilings and intricate details. A tiny writing closet tucked off the chamber hints at the king’s long nights spent drafting letters and plans in close, candlelit quarters. As you move up through the floors, the castle reveals itself as both museum and time capsule. Walls are crowded with royal portraits, fine tapestries and ornate furniture that trace shifting fashions and fortunes across centuries. Intimate spaces – a small bathroom, personal cabinets, collections of curiosities – suggest the quieter rhythms of court life behind the pageantry and ceremony.The Splendor of the Knights’ Hall
At the top of the castle, the long, high-ceilinged Knights’ Hall delivers the architectural climax. Running the length of the building, this great hall once hosted ceremonies and royal festivities. Today it is dominated by the coronation thrones: the king’s chair crafted from narwhal tusk with gilded figures, the queen’s throne shimmering in silver. At their feet, three life-size silver lions crouch on guard, a gleaming embodiment of royal authority. Tapestries along the walls depict battles between Denmark and Sweden, stitching political history into the decorative scheme. The combination of polished floors, mirrored surfaces and heavy textiles creates a theatrical atmosphere; even without a court in attendance, the room feels poised for a grand procession to sweep through at any moment.Crown Jewels Beneath the Castle
Below ground, the atmosphere changes as you descend into the treasury and vaults. Here, in cool, secure chambers, Denmark’s Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia are displayed in carefully lit cases. Crowns and garnitures set with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and pearls reveal the craftsmanship and symbolism invested in royal power. The emerald set, famed for the quality of its stones, is among the treasures that draw many to Rosenborg specifically. Alongside the jewels, ceremonial swords, regalia, and intricate objects in gold and enamel tell their own stories of coronations, processions and diplomatic display. Nearby collections of Venetian glass, Flora Danica porcelain and finely worked silver illustrate the international tastes of the Danish court and the global networks that supplied it.Stories, Portraits and Garden Interludes
Beyond the big set pieces, Rosenborg is rich in quieter narratives. Portraits of monarchs and courtiers line the walls, including figures tied to dramatic episodes in Danish history. Love affairs, power struggles and shifting alliances are all reflected in painted faces and carefully curated room sequences, allowing the castle to double as a visual chronicle of the Oldenburg and later royal lines. Once outside again, the King’s Garden offers a gentle decompression from the dense interiors. Locals use the lawns for picnics, reading and casual strolls, sharing the space with visitors emerging from the vaults of crown jewels. From almost any angle, views back toward the castle’s towers provide a final reminder of how Rosenborg combines fortress, palace, museum and city park centerpiece in one compact, memorable site.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Stork Fountain
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Amagertorv
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Jorcks Passage
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Church of Our Lady
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Explore Denmark's royal heritage at Rosenborg Castle, home to the crown jewels and set amidst the historic King's Garden in Copenhagen.
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Skaal
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Workers Museum
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Essential places to dine
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Alouette
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Selma
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Kokkeriet
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ARK
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Restaurant Grønnegade
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Restaurant Sole D’Italia - København
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l’Alsace
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Restaurant Rebel
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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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Time's Up Vintage
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Norse Projects
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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The Jane
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1105
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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Mini Bar
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Mirror
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Miami Bar
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Cosy Bar
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Dorsia
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Romantic
- Relaxing
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
- Heritage Neighborhoods
- Sacred Sites
- Art & Design
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
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Mindfulness
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
