My all time favorite Danish castle is Egeskov Slot which is included in this list. I love its towering height, manicured grounds, multiple towers and how grand it is. The Danes were not slouches when it came to building magnificent castles, palaces and manor houses.
1. Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark
The Amalienborg consists of four identical classical palace façades in rococo style. The four palaces are Christian VII’s Palace, Christian VIII’s Palace, Frederick VIII’s Palace and Christian IX’s Palace, with a purpose to serve as the home of the Danish royal family. It was originally built for four noble families, but it was bought by the royal family when the Christiansborg Palace was burned. This elegant and intricately detailed structure, characterized by its ornate design and artistic flair, has since become the home of the Danish royal family. Today, the Danish Royal Family proudly owns and resides in this historical masterpiece, maintaining its legacy as a symbol of Denmark’s royal heritage.
2. Augustenborg Palace in Sønderborg, Denmark
The Augustenborg Palace located in Sønderborg Municipality is a Rococo-style palace built between 1660 and 1664 by Ernst Günther, the first Duke of Augustenborg. The Duke named the palace after his wife, Princess Augusta von Glücksburg. When the last duke left Augustenborg in 1848, it was turned into military hospital and barracks, then into a psychiatric hospital for over 75 years. Today it currently serves as the office of the agricultural authorities.
3. Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark
Christiansborg Palace is the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Danish Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court of Denmark. It is located in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the only building in the world that houses all three of a country’s branches of government, the executive power, the legislative power, and the judicial power. It was constructed following the Baroque, Neoclassicism, Neo-baroque architecture. The architects who lead the construction were Elias David Häusser, Christian Frederik Hansen, Thorvald Jørgensen.
4. The Commander’s House in Copenhagen, Denmark
The Commander’s House is located inside the best-preserved star fortresses in Northern Europe known as Kastellet, which was built in 30th of October, 1664. The Commander’s House served as the residence of the commander of Kastellet and was built in 1725 following the Baroque style architecture by architect and primary builder Elias Häuser.
5. Egeskov Slot Castle in Funen, Denmark
The Egeskov Slot is a romantic moated castle with one of the most beautiful gardens in Denmark. It was built in the 16th century in Renaissance style by Frands Brockenhuus but was altered during the 19th century by Helgo Zettervall, a Swedish architect adding a Gothic exterior. Today, it serves as the home of multiple museums and is open to the public.
6. Hermitage Hunting Lodge in Dyrehaven, Denmark
The Hermitage Hunting Lodge was built by architect Lauritz de Thurah in Baroque style from 1734 to 1736 for Christian VI of Denmark. Its main purpose is to serve as host for royal banquets and was never intended for residence. Today, the Agency for Palaces & Cultural Properties run the castle and is open to the public.
7. Fredensborg Palace in Fredensborg, Denmark
Located in Fredensborg, Denmark, the Fredensborg Palace is the Danish Royal Family’s spring and autumn residence and the most used. Architect Johan Cornelius Krieger, royal gardener to the court at Rosenborg Castle was the one who built the French-inspired baroque palace, following the order of King Frederick IV. This beautiful palace was built 1720 to 1753.
8. The Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød, Denmark
The Frederiksborg Castle was built for King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway in the early 17th century as his royal residence in Hillerød, Denmark. It replaced the older castle acquired by Frederick II and becoming the largest Renaissance residence in Scandinavia. In 1859, the castle suffered serious damage due to a massive fire and was rebuilt thanks to public support and to brewer J. C. Jacobsen. The restoration was completed in 1882 and was reopened to the public as the Danish Museum of National History.
9. Graasten Castle in Gråsten, Denmark
Best known for being the summer residence of the Danish Royal Family, the Gråsten Palace located in Gråsten in the Jutland region of southern Denmark originated from a hunting and leisure castle built in the midst of the 16th century. In 1842 the main building was added alongside the castle church.
10. Hermitage Hunting Lodge in Dyrehaven, Denmark
The Hermitage Hunting Lodge was built by architect Lauritz de Thurah in Baroque style from 1734 to 1736 for Christian VI of Denmark. Its main purpose is to serve as host for royal banquets and was never intended for residence. Today, the Agency for Palaces & Cultural Properties run the castle and is open to the public.
11. Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, Denmark
The Kronborg is a castle and stronghold built in the 1420s by the Danish king, Eric of Pomerania. A powerful fortress, it was known worldwide from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but this castle was destroyed by a fire in 1629 and was rebuilt by King Christian IV. In the near end of the 18th century, the castle ceased to be a royal residence and was converted into the Royal Danish Army’s barracks. It was then renovated again in 1923 after the Army left and was opened to the public soon after.
12. The Nyborg Slot in Nyborg, Denmark
The Nyborg Slot is a historic medieval castle where King Eric V Klipping signed Denmark’s first constitution in 1282 and was also the venue for the Danehof, the country’s first parliament. It was originally built in the 12th century but underwent major modifications during the following centuries. It was then seriously damaged during the Dano-Swedish War in 1657–58 and was restored from 1917 to 1923 by Mogens Clemmensen before it became a museum.
13. Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark
Located in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Rosenborg Castle was originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606 and is an example of Christian IV’s many architectural projects. The construction followed the Renaissance style led by architects Bertel Lange and Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger.
14. Sorgenfri Palace in Lyngby-Taarbæk, Denmark
Located at the site of a medieval settlement, the Sorgenfri Palace is a royal residence of the Danish monarch, located in Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality. It was built in the 18th century following the Baroque and Neoclassical style architecture. During the Second World War, the royal family stayed at the palace. Currently, the palace’s park is open to the public.
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