Copenhagen truly feels like stepping into a fairytale. From royal residences to grand castles surrounded by water, there’s no shortage of incredible places to explore. What I love most is how easy it is to visit them, some are right in the city, while others make for the perfect day trip using public transportation.

Below are the gorgeous castles and palaces I visited on my trip to Copenhagen, plus a bonus church that you definitely shouldn’t skip. I’ll also go into logistics later to help you plan your own castle-hopping adventure.

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Christiansborg Palace

This palace is the only building in the world that houses all three branches of government, which is pretty cool on its own. It’s also still used by the Danish royal family, so it feels more like a working building than just a historic site. You can explore the Great Hall, the Royal Reception Rooms, and the tower which is free and has some of the best views in Copenhagen. It’s located right in the city center, making it a super easy stop. You can tour different sections separately, so it’s really flexible depending on how much time you have. Honestly, it’s the perfect first palace to visit.

Amalienborg Palace

This is the definition of a classic European palace square. It’s home to the Danish royal family and is made up of four identical palace buildings facing a central square. One of the highlights here is the changing of the guard, which is definitely worth timing your visit around. You can also check out the Amalienborg Museum to learn more about the royal family. The whole area just feels elegant and peaceful, especially compared to some busier parts of the city.  Standing in the square, you really get that ‘I’m in Europe’ moment, it just feels iconic.

Bonus Stop: Frederik’s Church (The Marble Church)

This church is right next to Amalienborg, so it’s an easy (and very worth it) addition to your visit. It’s known for having one of the most beautiful domes in Scandinavia, and even though it’s a quick stop, it really leaves an impression. This is a perfect photo spot, especially if you line it up with the palace for that dreamy Copenhagen shot. “I didn’t expect to be as impressed as I was, but it ended up being one of my favorite quick stops.

Rosenborg Castle

This gorgeous castle houses the Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia, which is reason enough to visit. Inside, you’ll find ornate rooms and a grand hall with incredibly detailed ceilings. This was my second favorite castle I visited. It feels very “royal” in the traditional sense, and you can really see how the monarchy lived. The gardens around the castle are also a great place to relax for a bit, especially if you need a break from sightseeing. It’s one of those places where you keep looking up because every ceiling is more detailed than the last.

Frederiksborg Castle (Day Trip)

This castle is about an hour from Copenhagen and easy to reach by public transportation, which makes it a perfect day trip. It is hands down the most fairytale-looking castle I’ve ever visited. It’s surrounded by lakes and beautiful gardens, and the setting alone makes it worth the trip. Inside, it’s incredibly ornate with elaborate décor throughout. One of my favorite details was all the family crests on the walls. I could have stood there admiring them forever. This was my favorite castle overall and absolutely worth the extra travel. If you’re only going to day trip to one castle, make it this one!

Kronborg Castle (Day Trip)

This castle is known as Hamlet’s castle from Hamlet and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Compared to the others, it has a much darker, more fortress-like vibe, which makes it feel completely different from the rest. Exploring it almost feels a little eerie in the best way. You can walk through the grand halls, explore underground casemates, and even see across the water to Sweden.I highly recommend pairing this with Frederiksborg Castle for a day trip—it makes for a full (but amazing) day. It feels less like a palace and more like a true fortress, which adds a whole different layer to your trip.

Suggested Itinerary: Visiting All the Castles

Day 1: Copenhagen City Castles

• Start at Christiansborg Palace
  
• Walk or bike to Rosenborg Castle
  
• Head to Amalienborg Palace
  
• Stop at Frederik’s Church right after
  

Tip: Everything is fairly close, so you can walk or bike between stops.

Day 2: Day Trip to Frederiksborg + Kronborg

• Take the train from Copenhagen to Hillerød (Frederiksborg Castle)
  
• Explore the castle and gardens (plan ~2–3 hours)
  
• Take a train to Helsingør (Kronborg Castle)
  
• Explore Kronborg (~2 hours)
  
• Return to Copenhagen in the evening
  

Tip: Trains are super easy to navigate, and this route is very doable in one day. However if you would prefer transportation by car or a tour guide there are guided tours like this tour that goes to both castles, a cathedral and the Viking Ship Museum.

Check out my full 5 Day Copenhagen Itinerary: Castles, Canals & Must-See Spots

Tips for Visiting

• The Copenhagen Card can save you money if you plan to visit multiple sites (I did and it was worth it.)
• Check opening hours ahead of time (they can vary by season)
• Go early in the day to avoid crowds
• Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be doing a lot of walking

If you’re visiting Copenhagen, the castles and palaces are something you absolutely can’t miss. Each one offers something completely different, from working government buildings to royal residences to full-on fairytale castles.

What I loved most is how easy it is to experience all of them, whether you’re staying in the city or venturing out on a day trip. Frederiksborg felt like stepping into a storybook, while Kronborg added a darker, more dramatic side to the experience.

If you’re short on time, you can easily see a few in a day, but if you can, I definitely recommend setting aside time to visit them all. It’s one of the best ways to experience Denmark’s history, culture, and architecture all in one trip.