must-visit in CopenhagenCastle & Fortress

Rosenborg Castle

📍 Rosenborg Slot, Grønne Bro, Østervold, Indre By, København, Københavns Kommune, Region Hovedstaden, 1123, Danmark

1 photos

4.5/ 5.0

★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location: Denmark, Copenhagen
Category: Castle & Fortress
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-17:00; 09:00 opening 27 Jun-30 Aug; closed Mondays 2 Nov-23 Dec (other days 10:00-16:00); closed 24-25 Dec
Ticket Price: Adult: Free · Adults DKK 140 online / 150 at the door; students DKK 100; under-18s free but need a timed ticket. Treasury included.
Address: Rosenborg Slot, Grønne Bro, Østervold, Indre By, København, Københavns Kommune, Region Hovedstaden, 1123, Danmark
Coordinates: 55.6857, 12.5774

Introduction

Rosenborg Castle is a red-brick Renaissance palace in central Copenhagen, begun by Christian IV in 1606 as a summer house and expanded into its present form by the 1630s; the king died here in 1648. It served as a royal residence until about 1710 and opened as a museum in 1838. Upstairs, twenty-four rooms are arranged chronologically from the early 1600s to the early 1900s, with furniture, tapestries and portraits largely left in place; Christian IV's Winter Room keeps its original 1620 oak panelling and painted ceiling, while the Long Hall holds the coronation throne of narwhal tusk - once believed to be unicorn horn - guarded by three life-size silver lions. In the basement treasury lie the Danish Crown Jewels and regalia, including Christian IV's crown of 1596 and the 15th-century Oldenburg Horn - the only crown jewels in the world both on public display and still used in royal ceremony. The castle is ringed by the King's Garden, laid out in 1606 as Denmark's oldest royal garden, with rose beds and avenues free to enter.

✨ Highlights

Danish Crown Jewels

The basement treasury holds Christian IV's crown of 1596 and the regalia - the only crown jewels in the world both on public display and still used in royal ceremony.

Narwhal-tusk throne

The coronation throne in the Long Hall is made of narwhal tusk, once believed to be unicorn horn, guarded by three life-size silver lions.

The King's Garden

Laid out by Christian IV in 1606 as Denmark's oldest royal garden, with rose beds and lime avenues, free to enter.

Christian IV

The king who began the summer house in 1606 died here in 1648; his Winter Room keeps its original 1620 oak panelling and painted ceiling.

Twenty-four period rooms

Arranged chronologically from the 1600s to the 1900s, with furniture, tapestries and portraits largely left in place.

Red-brick Renaissance

A Dutch Renaissance brick facade with copper-clad spires and stepped gables, ringed by a moat and flower beds that mirror beautifully.

🛈 Practical Info

→Booking：Timed entry in ten-minute slots that often sell out in peak season - book online. Copenhagen Card holders cannot book a slot online and must take whatever remains at the desk.

→Time needed：1.5-2 hours for the castle and treasury; half a day with the garden.

→Pass option：The Royal Palace Pass at DKK 345 covers Rosenborg, Amalienborg and Christiansborg over three days - ideal for a royal day.

→Worth it?：Yes - the treasury holds Denmark's weightiest royal collection and the only crown jewels still in ceremonial use; even without entering, the free garden and exterior justify a stop.

→Watch out：No food or drink inside; bags are limited to 15x23x15 cm and larger ones must go in free lockers. The 400-year-old building has no lift and narrow stairs; wheelchairs reach the ground floor and treasury only.

→Opening Hours：Daily 10:00-17:00; 09:00 opening 27 Jun-30 Aug; closed Mondays 2 Nov-23 Dec (other days 10:00-16:00); closed 24-25 Dec

→Transportation：About a 5-minute walk (200 m) from Nørreport metro/S-train station, or 10 minutes from Kongens Nytorv.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Free

Adults DKK 140 online / 150 at the door; students DKK 100; under-18s free but need a timed ticket. Treasury included.

💡 Tips

• The treasury is in the basement - see the jewels first, then climb to the Long Hall for the smoothest route.

• The coronation throne is narwhal tusk, once believed to be unicorn horn, with three silver lions standing guard.

• The King's Garden is free, roses peak in summer, and locals picnic here in the afternoon.

• The Royal Palace Pass (DKK 345) covers Rosenborg, Amalienborg and Christiansborg within three days.

• Bags are capped at 15x23x15 cm; larger ones go in free lockers. No food or drink inside.

• Shoot the castle reflected in the moat from the south bridge, best in early morning or late light.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Rosenborg Castle?

Daily 10:00-17:00; 09:00 opening 27 Jun-30 Aug; closed Mondays 2 Nov-23 Dec (other days 10:00-16:00); closed 24-25 Dec

How much is the admission for Rosenborg Castle?

Adult: Free; Adults DKK 140 online / 150 at the door; students DKK 100; under-18s free but need a timed ticket. Treasury included.

Any practical tips for visiting Rosenborg Castle?

The treasury is in the basement - see the jewels first, then climb to the Long Hall for the smoothest route. The coronation throne is narwhal tusk, once believed to be unicorn horn, with three silver lions standing guard.