Amaliehaven is one of Copenhagen's most beautiful and best-kept parks, laid out towards the inner harbour just east of Amalienborg Palace. The garden was inaugurated in 1983 as a gift to the city from the A.P. Møller Foundation and was designed by the Belgian landscape architect Jean Delogne. With its clearly geometric layout, clipped beech hedges, pergolas and lime trees, the park forms a calm, formal setting that elegantly links the royal palace square with the water. Its centrepiece is a large fountain with bronze columns created by the Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, whose modern forms provide an intriguing contrast to the historic surroundings. In summer, roses and perennials bloom in the symmetrical beds, and their scent and colour make the garden a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike. From the quayside promenade there is a remarkable view across the harbour to the Opera House on Holmen on the opposite bank, and the axis between the Marble Church, Amalienborg and the Opera is beautifully emphasised by the garden's position. Amaliehaven is a popular breathing space in the middle of the city, where you can sit on a bench, enjoy the water and watch the passing ships. Its location makes it a natural stop on a walk along the waterfront or when visiting Amalienborg and the changing of the royal guard. The park is open to the public and free to visit, appearing year-round as a well-tended green oasis. Despite its central position, the garden offers a surprising sense of calm, where the splash of the fountain and the view over the open water create a relaxed atmosphere. Amaliehaven elegantly combines classical garden art, modern sculpture and a maritime setting, making it a must for anyone exploring royal Copenhagen and its historic quarters.
