Christiansborg Palace

Fitting Christiansborg Palace into a trip requires simple, strategic planning. The palace sits at the heart of Copenhagen’s main waterways, making arrival easy from just about anywhere in the city. While lines tend to form during midsummer and school holidays, the quieter hours reward early risers and off-peak explorers. Most of the main sights require separate tickets, so budgeting both money and time will help. And while parts of the palace brim with visitors, secret corners often shelter in relative calm.

• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings in spring or early autumn offer fewer crowds and softer light. For dramatic photos, try late afternoon.
• How to get there: Take the Metro to Gammel Strand or Kongens Nytorv, or walk ten minutes from Copenhagen Central Station. Bike and bus routes pass close by.
• Accessibility: Wide ramps and elevators lead to most public areas. Families with strollers or visitors with mobility needs usually find navigating straightforward, though some heritage zones have uneven stones or steps.
• Average visit duration: Three hours covers main highlights; true history buffs may want twice as long.

Crystalline ballrooms. Echoing ruins. Whispered secrets of political power. Christiansborg Palace unfolds in stages, from the dazzle of royal halls to the cool, quiet corners where Danish history still lingers. Don’t miss these essential experiences:

• The Royal Reception Rooms: Glass, gold, and woven tapestries frame these halls, still used for major state ceremonies. The Queen’s Throne Room glitters with history (and selfie potential).
• The Tower: Copenhagen’s highest view comes free—skyline and sea weave together from the open deck. Go early or late for the clearest city panoramas.
• The Royal Stables: Gentle horses and antique carriages appeal to all ages. Timed visits can catch the stables’ residents preparing for a parade.
• The Ruins beneath Christiansborg: Stroll underground to see remnants from castles past. Older children enjoy the eerie lighting and tales of medieval kings.
• The Palace Chapel: Soaring columns and natural light create a place for reflection. On some Sundays, live concerts fill the air.
• Hidden gardens and courtyard nooks: Wander outside the main wings—fountains, flowerbeds, and quiet benches reward those who explore beyond the headline attractions.
• Photo-worthy moments: The reflective moat, lantern-lit archways, and giant stone lions at the entrance draw cameras all day long.
• Cultural facts: Christiansborg uniquely houses all three branches of Denmark’s government—Parliament, Supreme Court, and royal reception rooms—in one living complex. No other European palace does the same.