Copenhagen: Rosenborg Castle & Royal Palaces Walking Tour

Royal Treasures & Hidden Corners: A Walking Map of Copenhagen's Palaces

You walk with a professional guide through Copenhagen's royal history, starting at the Stone of Shame in Old Town and moving through the Round Tower, Rosenborg Castle (entry included), and Amalienborg Palace before ending at Nyhavn's waterfront. The guide handles the facts (Bishop Absalon, Tycho Brahe, the crown jewels), so you don't have to research beforehand. Bags must be stored in castle lockers. Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Round Tower10m
2. Rosenborg Castle1h · entry included
3. Amalienborg Palace10m
4. Nyhavn10m

Explore Copenhagen's historic sites and castle

• Visit Højbro Square and Bishop Absalon statue
• Walk along Strøget pedestrian street
• See Helligåndskirken church
• Explore Gråbrødetorv and Stone of Shame
• Stroll through Copenhagen’s Old Town
• Visit the Round Tower observatory
• Tour Rosenborg Castle and royal treasures
• View Marmorkirken Marble Church
• See Amalienborg Palace royal residence
• Pass by Royal Danish Theatre buildings
• End at Nyhavn waterfront and harbor

The experience

The Stone of Shame sits in a square most tourists walk past without noticing. It's tied to a 17th-century tragedy (the daughter of Christian IV, locked away for decades), and on this Copenhagen walking tour, your guide stops there and actually tells you why it matters. That's the difference between wandering and understanding. You'll start in Højbro Square, where an equestrian statue of Bishop Absalon watches over the spot where the city was founded, then move through Strøget, Copenhagen's longest pedestrian street at 1.11 kilometers, where street performers work the crowds and shops line both sides.

The route takes you through Old Town and past the Round Tower, built in the 1600s and still the oldest functioning observatory in Europe, though the guide will mention Tycho Brahe, the Danish astronomer whose model of the solar system was centuries ahead of its time. You'll see Helligåndskirken, one of Copenhagen's oldest churches from the 1200s, and the charming Gråbrødetorv square where the Stone of Shame's story unfolds. Then comes Rosenborg Castle itself, the summer residence Christian IV built, now holding Denmark's crown jewels: unusual because they're both museum pieces and actually worn by the royal family. Your guide has the entrance fee covered, so you walk straight in while others queue.

After Rosenborg, the tour moves to Amalienborg Palace, the official royal residence where King Frederik and Queen Mary live with their four children across from the former queen. The Marble Church rises nearby with its distinctive dome, and if you time it right on a Friday or Saturday, you might hear wedding bells. The walk ends at Nyhavn, the harbor-front row of colorful townhouses that was once a working port and now holds what locals call "the longest outdoor bar in Scandinavia": restaurants, cafés, and pubs open all hours. Hans Christian Andersen lived here once, and the light hits the water in a way that makes you understand why it's the postcard version of Copenhagen.

What’s included

• Professional guide throughout the tour.
• Rosenborg Castle entrance fee.
• visits to Højbro Square with the equestrian statue of Bishop Absalon.
• the Round Tower, Europe's oldest functioning observatory.
• Gråbrødetorv and the Stone of Shame.
• Helligåndskirken church.
• Amalienborg Palace, official residence of the Danish Royal Family.
• the Marble Church.
• and Nyhavn, the historic harbor-front district with its colorful townhouses and waterfront cafés.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00, 13:00 and 14:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Danish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by OURWAY Tours - Copenhagen

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want the story behind Copenhagen's royal sites without arranging your own route or researching beforehand: the guide connects the pieces, from Bishop Absalon to the crown jewels, so the city makes sense as you walk it.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Danish.

How long is the walking tour?

The itinerary covers multiple major sites across Copenhagen's center, but a specific duration is not listed. Plan for a half-day experience given the number of stops and castle entry.

Is Rosenborg Castle entry included?

Yes, the Rosenborg Castle entrance fee is included in the tour price.

What if Rosenborg Castle is closed?

If the castle is closed due to royal functions, the tour operator will substitute a visit to Christiansborg Palace instead.

Can I bring a bag into the castle?

No, bags are not permitted inside Rosenborg Castle. Lockers are available at the castle for storage.

Does the tour include Nyhavn?

Yes, the tour ends at Nyhavn, the colorful harbor-front area with restaurants and cafés.

What is the Stone of Shame?

It's a historic stone in Gråbrødetorv square connected to the story of Leonora Christina, daughter of Christian IV. The original is now at the Natural History Museum.

Will I see where the royal family lives?

Yes, you'll visit Amalienborg Palace, the official residence of the Danish Royal Family, where King Frederik and Queen Mary currently live.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness, as it involves walking through Copenhagen's center and climbing or navigating multiple sites.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes, the tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the season and weather forecast.