Home to one of the oldest monarchies in the world with a history tracing back to the Viking Age. History is everywhere in Copenhagen where cobblestone streets, palaces and royal artefacts make for a beautiful backdrop to the modern life lived by the Copenhageners of today.
Denmark: Hovedstaden – Copenhagen – Rosenborg Castle
About the Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg was originally built in 1606-1607 during the Renaissance period as a summerhouse by order of Christian IV, who was renowned for his colourful character. Rosenborg was used as a royal residence until around 1710 when Christian IV’s great-grandchild Frederik IV gave it up in favour of other, more up-to-date summer residences. Instead, he had the palace made into the home of the royal collections.
The State Rooms
As soon as you step inside the desire for pomp and pageantry is clear to see. The decorations were garish and almost overpowering. After a few minutes of walking around, we began to feel a degree of sensory overload. In palaces and castles of this era the rooms are usually fairly small and dark, as they have smaller windows. Many of the rooms were decorated with wooden panels that contained portraits of the Royal Family and courtiers.
One room that did amuse us was Christian IVs toilet which was just off of one of the salons which was covered in blue and white tiles which were put there when Frederik IV had Rosenborg refurbished in 1705. The original tiles were Dutch and were delivered in 1706; some of them are still on the walls. Later – in the 19th century – they were supplemented with tiles originally made in 1736 for the Hermitage Palace in a factory in Store Kongensgade. Another of the ground floor rooms which had some ‘interesting’ designs was the Marble Room, which had a very monochromatic colour scheme compared to the other rooms. Although this is called the Marble Room it does not have any real marble but has imitation marble which was in fashion at the time and more expensive.
Planning your visit to Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is located in the King’s Gardens 200 meters from Nørreport Station.
Entrance at Øster Voldgade 4a.
Rosenborg Castle and The Amalienborg Museum is only a 10 minute walk from each other.
Trains Nørreport
S – tog, Metro, Regionaltog
Busses Nørreport
14, 184, 185, 5C, 6A, 15E, 150S, 350S
The best time to visit Copenhagen
Reflecting its geographical position in Northern Europe, the city of Copenhagen aligns near-perfect with the Cfb Köppen climate classification, which implies a Marine west coast climate with warm summers. This designation characterizes areas where moderate temperatures prevail throughout the year, with no month dipping below -3°C (26.6°F), to balance the warmest month sitting below 22°C (71.6°F).
The best time to visit Copenhagen
The finest time to visit Copenhagen would be between May and August. This period boasts the highest average temperatures, from 15.5°C (59.9°F) to 21°C (69.8°F), alongside appreciable hours of daylight, from 16.3 hours in May to 16.9 hours in July. These months also provide suitable conditions for outdoor pursuits with relative humidity averaging 72-73% and the sea temperature comfortably exceeding 14.9°C (58.8°F). Even though June and July are admittedly on the wetter end of the spectrum, with rainfall measures of 50mm (1.97″) and 51mm (2.01″), it is counterbalanced with longer daylight hours and higher temperatures.
The worst time to visit Copenhagen
The least attractive time to visit Copenhagen is arguably the winter months, from December to February. During this phase, the city grapples with bitter cold temperatures, plummeting between -1.7°C (28.9°F) and 2.8°C (37°F). Adding to the chilly conditions, Copenhagen sees decreased daylight hours, from 7.1 hours in December to 9.6 hours in February, and an increase in snowfall days with 5.9 in December and 4.4 in January. Moreover, the harsh marine influence is felt with sea temperatures dropping to as low as 2.3°C (36.1°F) in February.
Where to stay in Copenhagen
Indre By (Inner City)
Indre By is the historic and tourist heart of the city (with prices to match), and it’s a great place to stay. Nyhavn’s colourful harbour is an inevitable first stop; then take in the National Museum and its Viking treasures, the refreshed Designmuseum Danmark, and Glyptoteket, a museum of marble sculptures with a divine winter garden. With the culture box ticked, you can relax at one of the area’s harbourside bars, including Apollo Bar, a chic spot in the Charlottenborg Art Gallery, Ruby, one of the city’s coolest cocktail bars, and wine bar Ved Stranden. You’re spoilt for choice in terms of restaurants too: Høst and Vækst offer a taste of Nordic cuisine, or dine at Selma for one of the most beautiful sandwiches of your life.
Vesterbro
Copenhagen’s reformed red light district, Vesterbro is lively and central with plenty going on. Boutique hotels abound, including Grand Joanne, Coco and newcomer Hotel Bella Grande. The area’s Meatpacking District is a key foodie centre, an area still used by the food industry during the day, with bustling restaurants such as Paté Paté, Magasasa and Kødbyens Fiskebar and nightclubs including Jolene in the evening. Tip: Ismageriet, its newest ice cream parlour, is worth the trip. Tivoli Gardens sits between Vesterbro and Indre By and is the city’s amusement park, full of surprisingly good restaurants as well as rollercoasters, and is the area’s must-visit.
Nørrebro
One of Time Out’s former Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World, Nørrebro fuses urban cool with pop-up restaurants and bars, the city’s best nightlife, and unique shopping opportunities, particularly down the independent mecca Jægersborggade, with its consignment stores, coffee shops and fantastic off licence Den Sidste Dråbe. The dining scene changes fast in this part of town, but current hot picks would be Italian trattoria Paesano, and the Guldbergsgade triangle of bar Brus, pizza joint Bæst and another Italian, Mirabelle Spiseria. Look out too, for a rising trend in plant-based food, led by bistro Baka d’Busk.
Christianshavn
If you find somewhere to stay in grand old Christianshavn, book it fast! This desirable, central, history-rich neighbourhood is lined by marinas and canals, with cobbled streets, coloured buildings and an array of independent shops to trawl, Ganni Postmodern included. It’s also an easy walk from a few harbourside areas with limited accommodation options, namely Holmen, Refshaleøen and freetown Christiania. Take a dip at Islands Brygge swimming pool, stroll the new Opera Park gardens, or grab a Go Boat and explore the waterfront by solar-powered boat.
1. Luxury – Copenhagen Admiral Hotel
Set in a heritage-listed 1780s building, this waterfront hotel is next to Amalienborg Royal Palace and opposite Copenhagen Opera House. It offers a gourmet restaurant, breakfast buffet with organic foods, plus in-room tea/coffee facilities.
Two hundred-year-old Pomeranian pine beams, brickwork and archways add a distinct charm to Copenhagen Admiral. Most rooms include exposed wooden beams in their design. All rooms have a seating area, mini-bar and multi-channel TV.
The elegant, 5-star Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town – Destigo Hotels is located only 400 metres from the Main Market Square in Kraków. It offers stylish rooms with free internet, tea and coffee-making facilities and a minibar.
All rooms at the Francuski are decorated in Art Nouveau style with period details and furniture. Each comes with satellite TV and a bathroom with a bathtub or shower, toiletries and a hairdryer.
A buffet breakfast is served every morning in the hotel restaurant. The bar is a great place to relax with a drink. The hotel also has a restaurant serving French cuisine, as well as completely gluten-free dishes.
2. Mid-Range – Go Hotel Ansgar
This cozy hotel is just a 3 minute walk from Central Station and is found close to Copenhagen’s main street, Strøget. It offers a furnished courtyard and free Wi-Fi.
Housed in an impressive 1880s building, Go Hotel Ansgar today provides neatly presented guest rooms with modern comforts.
All rooms have a fresh bathroom with a shower, as well as a work desk and a flat-screen TV.
The fashionable Vesterbro quarter is on Ansgar’s doorstep and offers an excellent mix of shopping, restaurants, nightlife and cultural attractions.
3. Budget – Steel House Copenhagen
Steel House Copenhagen is a fresh and modern hostel, located 5 minutes’ walk from Tivoli Gardens and Copenhagen Central Station. It offers a café, bar and indoor pool. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Steel House offers private rooms and dormitory rooms. Dormitory rooms come with lockers and convenient power sockets by each bed, and has access to shared bathroom facilities. The private rooms has its own bathroom with a shower.
You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property. Guests can also make use of a shared kitchen, and rent a bicycle to explore Copenhagen.
More to Explore
