Amalienborg is the official residence of the Danish royal family, set at the heart of the Frederiksstaden district in Copenhagen. It is made up of four palaces with near-identical façades arranged around an octagonal courtyard, at the centre of which stands a grand equestrian statue of King Frederik V. Built in the 1750s, the palaces were originally home to four noble families; after Christiansborg Palace was destroyed by fire in 1794, the royal family purchased them and moved in. Successive monarchs have lived here ever since, including today's King Frederik X and Queen Mary.
The complex is best known to visitors for the changing of the guard, which takes place on the square every day at 12 noon. Inside Christian VIII's Palace, the Amalienborg Museum presents royal interiors and personal objects spanning the last 150 years of the monarchy. Admission to the museum is 125 DKK, and free for under-18s, while watching the guard costs nothing.
A local tip: if the royal standard is flying above a palace, the monarch is in residence. It is a ten-minute walk from Kongens Nytorv metro station, and the striking Marble Church stands just behind the square.
A local's tip
If the flag is flying on the roof, the Queen is home. Walk to the Marble Church just behind.
Getting there
Metro to Kongens Nytorv, then 10 minutes walk.
Best time to visit
Arrive before 12 noon to see the changing of the guard. Best from April to October.
Accessibility
The square is accessible. The museum has limited accessibility.
