Skip-the-line available Christiansborg or Amalienborg: which palace should you visit?
The palace of state ceremony against the palace where the royal family lives.
Copenhagen's two royal palaces tell two halves of the same story. Christiansborg is where the monarchy meets the state: the Throne Room balcony, the Great Hall where the King hosts gala banquets, and the Parliament next door. Amalienborg is where the royal family lives, four rococo palaces around an octagonal square. They are linked by a fire: when the first Christiansborg burnt in 1794, the royal family moved to Amalienborg.
What Christiansborg gives you
Four sites on one ticket: the Royal Reception Rooms with the Throne Room and the Great Hall, the Royal Kitchen, the Ruins of Bishop Absalon's castle of 1167, and the Royal Stables with the royal horses and coaches.
It is a big, varied day of three to four hours, and it is about ceremony and power. This is the building that holds the Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office and the Supreme Court, and it is where new monarchs are proclaimed.
What Amalienborg gives you
The Amalienborg Museum is in Christian VIII's Palace, one of the four palaces that make up the royal family's residence in Copenhagen. It shows the private rooms and daily life of recent generations of the royal family.
Outside, the octagonal square with its equestrian statue of Frederik V is free to walk through, and the Royal Life Guards stand watch at the palaces. It is a more intimate, domestic visit than Christiansborg.
How to choose
Choose Christiansborg if you want grand state rooms, medieval history underground and horses, or if you are travelling with children who will enjoy the Kitchen and the Stables. Choose Amalienborg if you are more interested in the royal family as people.
If you have time for both, and for Rosenborg Castle too, the Royal Palace Pass covers all three. It starts with a booked slot at Rosenborg and then gives you 72 hours for Amalienborg and every Christiansborg visitor site.
Seeing both in one day
The two palaces are about 20 minutes apart on foot. A practical order is Christiansborg's Reception Rooms in the morning, lunch, the Royal Stables after 13:30, then Amalienborg later in the afternoon.
Both palaces are working royal buildings, and the operator notes that sites can close for official events. Check the week's hours for your dates before you commit to a tight plan.
Frequently asked
Which palace does the royal family live in?
Amalienborg. Christiansborg is used by the monarch for audiences, banquets and state visits, but it has never been the King's home in its present form.
Can I see both on one ticket?
Yes, with the Royal Palace Pass, which also includes Rosenborg Castle. It starts with a booked Rosenborg slot, then 72 hours for the other two.
Which is better with children?
Christiansborg, for most families: the horses at the Royal Stables, the copper kitchen and the underground ruins hold children's attention well.