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The King's Garden
Copenhagen's Oldest Royal Garden & Hans Christian Andersen's Fairytale Escape
Discover The King's Garden
Honestly, the first time you walk into The King's Garden, you might think you've stepped into a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. I arrived on a May morning, the air filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and delicate rose perfume. Sunlight filtered through the linden branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and the cube-shaped hedges stood like green building blocks, neatly lined along the avenue. Walking down the linden avenue, you can see the copper-green spire of Rosenborg Castle glinting in the sun from afar. The moat water is crystal clear, with several white swans swimming leisurely, occasionally dipping their heads to preen their feathers. The lawns are already busy: people spread checkered blankets for picnics, others lie in the sun, and a few children chase butterflies, their laughter as clear as wind chimes. What touches me most about The King's Garden is its unpretentious warmth. There are no stern guards, no expensive tickets. You can just sit on any bench, watch the clouds drift by, and listen to the wind rustle through the leaves.
Visit Tips
- Recommended to visit before 9 AM or after 4 PM to avoid tour groups
- The King's Garden is free; Rosenborg Castle requires admission
- Roses bloom in summer; June-August is the best viewing period
- Bring your own food for a relaxing picnic on the lawn
Highlights
- Denmark's oldest royal garden with 400 years of history
- Rosenborg Castle & Royal Treasury
- Nordic Renaissance landscape masterpiece
- Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale inspiration
About The King's Garden
Basic Information
Official Name
Kongens Have (The King's Garden)
Attraction Type
Royal Garden, Historic Park, Urban Recreation Area
Country
Denmark
City
Copenhagen
Google Rating
4.6/5 (13,430)
Phone
+45 33 95 42 00
Address
Øster Voldgade 4A, 1307 København, Denmark
Opening Hours
Summer (Apr 1 - Sep 30)
6:00-22:00
Winter (Oct 1 - Mar 31)
7:00-20:00
Christmas (Dec 24-25)
10:00-18:00
Rosenborg Castle
10:00-17:00 (closed Mondays, open Mondays Jun-Aug)
Recommended to visit before 9 AM or after 4 PM for soft light and fewer crowds
Ticket Prices
The King's Garden
Free admission, no ticket required
Rosenborg Castle (including Royal Treasury)
Copenhagen Card
~399 DKK/24 hours, includes free entry to Rosenborg Castle and public transport
How to Get Here
Metro (Most Recommended)
Take Metro Line M2 from Terminal 3 (T3) of the airport, directly to Nørreport Station (approx. 15 minutes). Exit 5 and walk 5 minutes to the main entrance. Ticket: 36 DKK (3-zone ticket), operates 24/7.
Train
Take the DSB regional train from the underground train station at T3, directly to Copenhagen Central Station in 13 minutes. Walk 10 minutes or transfer to bus 1A/2A. Ticket: 36 DKK.
Bus 5C
Take bus 5C from the bus stop outside T3, directly to Nørreport Station in approx. 35 minutes, then walk 5 minutes. Ticket: 36 DKK.
Taxi
Journey time: approx. 20-25 minutes. Cost: 250-300 DKK during the day, 300-350 DKK at night/weekends. Credit cards accepted.
Rideshare
Use Uber or Bolt apps to book a ride. Prices are about 20% lower than taxis, approx. 200-280 DKK.
Cycling
Copenhagen is bike-friendly, multiple bike parking spots near the garden, ~30 DKK/hour for single ride.
From Copenhagen Airport
Take Metro Line M2 directly to Nørreport Station (approx. 15 minutes), or take the regional train or bus 5C. The metro is the fastest option.
From Copenhagen Central Station
Take Metro Line 2 or 6 to Nørreport Station, walk 5 minutes from the exit.
From Nyhavn
15-minute walk north along Gothersgade Street, enjoy colorful historic houses along the way.
The Charm of The King's Garden
400 Years of Royal History
This garden full of laughter today has over 400 years of royal history. In 1606, the ambitious Danish King Christian IV ordered its construction. Originally, it was just a royal hunting ground and vegetable garden, providing fresh produce for the palace. In 1634, Rosenborg Castle was built in the center of the garden, making it the royal summer residence, accessible only to nobles and the royal family. At the end of the 18th century, with the spread of democratic ideas, The King's Garden opened to the public, becoming Copenhagen's first public park. In the 19th century, the garden underwent major renovations, adding a rose garden, sculptures and avenues, forming the layout we see today.
Architecture & Garden Features
Based on geometrically symmetrical Baroque layout, blended with the wild charm of English natural gardens. Features cube-shaped linden hedges, winding moats, seasonal flower beds, and the central Rosenborg Castle. Combines Nordic Renaissance and Baroque garden styles, with later Romantic additions. Features clean, elegant lines and natural color harmony. The garden houses numerous 19th-century sculptures, and the rose garden boasts over 100 rose varieties that bloom in summer, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere.
Cultural Significance
Transformed from an exclusive royal hunting ground and vegetable garden to a shared public space, it inspired writers like Hans Christian Andersen, who often walked here and wrote many fairy tales. Today it is the heart of Copenhagen's daily life, hosting picnics, walks, concerts and cultural events, embodying Denmark's "hygge" philosophy. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, turning the garden into a pink sea; in summer, roses bloom and fill the air with fragrance; in autumn, the leaves turn golden and cover the paths; in winter, snow covers everything, creating an icy fairytale.
Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is the most striking building in the garden center, built in 1634 as the summer palace of King Christian IV of Denmark. Today, the castle houses the Danish Crown Jewels, the famous Amber Room, and portraits of past monarchs. Rosenborg Castle is open 10:00-17:00 (closed Mondays, open Mondays Jun-Aug). Admission: 140 DKK adults, 70 DKK students, free under 17. We recommend allowing 1-2 hours for your visit.
Recommended Route
Recommended to visit around 9 AM. Start from the main entrance, walk down the linden avenue to Rosenborg Castle, visit the rose garden, then walk along the moat to feed swans, and finally have a picnic on the lawn. The whole tour takes about 2-3 hours, add 1-2 hours if visiting Rosenborg Castle.
Exit Nørreport Station through Exit 5, cross the street and enter the main entrance of The King's Garden. The first thing you'll see is the neatly trimmed linden avenue
Walk down the linden avenue, and in the middle of the avenue you'll see the bronze statue of Christian IV, the builder of The King's Garden
Continue forward to the square in front of Rosenborg Castle, which is the best spot to take a full view of the castle
Enter the rose garden from the left side of the square, admire over 100 different varieties of roses. June-August is the best viewing period
Walk around to the back of Rosenborg Castle and stroll along the moat, where you can see swans and ducks. Remember to bring some bread crumbs to feed them
Walk to the children's playground in the northeast corner of the garden, which has vintage wooden play equipment, perfect for families with kids
Find a sunny lawn, spread a blanket, and enjoy a leisurely picnic
Finally, exit through the west gate of the garden, and walk 5 minutes to the Round Tower to continue your Copenhagen tour
Photo Spots
Center of Linden Avenue
Use a wide-angle lens to capture the depth, the light and shadow effect through the leaves is excellent
In front of Rosenborg Castle Moat
Capture the reflection of Rosenborg Castle in the water, the reflection is clearest in the early morning and evening
Rose Garden Arch
Stand under the arch of the rose garden, with blooming roses in the foreground and Rosenborg Castle in the background
Cherry Blossom Avenue
From late April to early May every year, the cherry blossom avenue on the west side of the garden is in full bloom, the best spot for cherry blossom photos
Lawn Picnic Scene
Capture the warm picnic scene with Rosenborg Castle in the background, perfect for families and couples
Photo Gallery
The King's Garden Through the Seasons
国王花园全景
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罗森堡宫与护城河
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椴树大道
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玫瑰园
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护城河天鹅
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春日樱花
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夏日中花园
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秋色落叶
Visitor Reviews
Visitor feedback can be viewed via Google Maps (external link).
Absolutely magical! Like stepping into a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. The roses were in full bloom, filling the air with their perfume, and the swans gliding gracefully on the moat - everything was perfect.
A free royal garden - Danes really know how to enjoy life! Find a sunny afternoon, spread out a picnic on the grass, and just relax. It's the perfect way to spend time.
Rosenborg Castle is well worth visiting - the crown jewels and Amber Room are impressive. I'd recommend buying the Copenhagen Card to save money and get around easily.
The winter King's Garden has its own charm - quiet and peaceful. The moat had a thin layer of ice, but the swans were still swimming. So romantic!