Top 10 Castles to visit in Denmark

Top 10 Castles to visit in Denmark

Denmark is a breathtaking country in Europe made up of many islands. It is loved for its beautiful landscapes, historic castles, and for being very green.  The castles in Denmark are a sight to behold, and they attract millions of tourists from across the world each year. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark has the largest number of castles each more amazing than the last. Every castle you visit has its own charm and tells the ancient history, tradition and culture of this great country.

1. The Egeskov Castle

Egeskov castle By Malene Thyssen Wikimedia Commons

The Egeskov Castle stands on the landscape of the beautiful Southern Funen. It is one of the most famous castles In Europe as it is the most preserved moat castle in Europe. The interior of the castle takes you back in time. It has about 2000 windows panes. The First Floor displays the ancient Hunting Room where  some of the oldest trophies won hunting games can be seen. 

2. Voergaard Castle 

Voergaard Castle by Kai Sender Wikkimedia Commons

Voergaard Castle is a magnificent historic castle found in the north-western part of Denmark. Chenu-Lafitte was the daughter of Jules-Émile Péan, one of the great French surgeons of the 19th century, and owned an extensive art collection which originated both from her father and deceased husband. Her impressive  art collection that is open to the public at the castle. View the spectacular interiors with art by Raphael, Rubens and El Greco. Napoleon’s dinner service collection is also found in this castle.

3. Koldinghus Castle

Koldinghus Castle by Szilas Wikimedia Commons

Koldinghus Castle is another outstanding castle in Denmark. From 1715 to 1723 King Frederik IV transformed the castle into a Baroque palace, but in 1808 it was destroyed by a fire, caused by Spanish members of the auxiliary corps led by the French Marshall Bernadotte. The restoration began in 1890, and after 100 years, the latest phase by the architects Inger and Johannes Exner, Koldinghus presents a unique and very attractive mixture of ancient walls and contemporary architecture. Every  inch of the castle has a tale to tell and every moment spent there is unforgettable. Extravagant jewelry from the 13th century until the modern era is in display at this castle for your viewing. 

4. Amalienborg

Queen’s palace Amalienborg By Jebulon Wikimedia Commons

Amalienborg is the major work of Danish architecture designed by the architect Nicolai Eigtved in the starting of 1750. This palace was originally built as the residence for four famous aristocrats but today it is the home of the Danish royal family. It is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It consists of four identical classical palace façades with rococo interiors around an octagonal courtyard.  The rooms of the king and queen are preserved exactly as they lived in them over 150 years ago.

5. Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg Castle By Casper Moller Wikimedia Commons

The Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark is situated in the Hillerod.  The spectacular castle was built by the Danish king Christian IV. It was built as a royal residence for King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway in the early 17th century, replacing an older castle acquired by Frederick II and becoming the largest Renaissance residence in Scandinavia. The rooms are highly decorated with paintings, furniture, portraits, and other exquisite art invite  visitors to go through the Danish history and culture from the late Middle Ages to the present. 

6. Kronborg

Kronborg by Artico2 Wikimedia Commons

Kronborg is a castle and stronghold in the town of Helsingør, Denmark.  William Shakespeare immortalized the castle as he referred to it as Elsinore in his play Hamlet. Kronborg is one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe and has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list. 

7. Nyborg Castle

Nyborg Castle By Erik Cleves Kristensen Wikimedia Commons

The Nyborg Castle is located on the Danish island of Funen. It is  a restored medieval castle that shows off Danish history. It was here that King Eric V Klipping signed Denmark’s first constitution in 1282. The castle was also the venue for the Danehof, the country’s first parliament.  It has the Danehof Hall which was the Danish Parliament in the 15th century. In 2009, a museum was constructed inside the castle and it displays the cultural heritage of Denmark.

8. Fredensborg Castle

FREDENSBORG CASTLE By Mechanical Curator collection, Wikimedia Commons

Often called Denmark’s Versailles, the famed Fredensborg Castle was built in the elegant Baroque style and was named by King Frederik IV. Literally meaning “The Place Of Peace”, the castle owes its title to the fact that the king was at peace during those times, and that he wished to celebrate the end of the Great Northern War of 1722 that had been raging on their land for long.

9.Marselisborg Palace

Marselisborg Wikimedia Commons

On the outskirts of Denmark’s second largest city, Aarhus, lies Marselisborg Palace which functions as the summer and Christmas residence of the Royal Family. When the Royal Family is not in residence, you can stroll through the Palace grounds and enjoy the Queen’s rose garden. The Palace was designed by architect Hack Kampmann and built in 1899-1902 on the land of the old Marselisborg Manor. It was presented as a gift from the people of Denmark to the Royal family, on the occasion of the wedding of prince Christian and Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

10. Gråsten Palace

Grååsten Slot By Erik Christensen Wikimedia Commons

Located in Gråsten in the Jutland region of southern Denmark, stands the Gråsten Palace. It is known for being the summer residence of the Danish Royal Family. The main house has a modern, all-white façade, with Venetian doors opening onto sweeping, manicured lawns and gravel walkways. The property includes a huge stables court, manicured lawns, and gravel walkways. The palace grounds themselves boast of breathtaking gardens.