It’s hard to say what a backpacker is. Sometimes I do feel I’m a tourist who has a backpacker’s budget. Sometimes it’s hard not to skip the typical ‘tourist attraction’. But it’s free to watch change of guards… and since I had a good experience in Stockholm’s Change of Guards , I included Change of Guards in Copenhagen to my itinerary.
It’s a bad decision though.
The Change of Guard takes place at the square of Amalienborg at 12:00pm. Good thing about it is it’s free.
But other than that, there wasn’t anything spectacular. The guards walked from one place to here. They just walked around. No music. No horses. And maybe it’s because of the weather? Most tourists were shocked just like me, people were asking around ‘That’s it??” And people started to leave. I stayed till the end and nothing happened. Some guards came, some guards left. That was it.
So…. since it was really boring, my family decided to add a visit to Amalienborg to our itinerary. I didn’t manage to visit Christianborg on the day before, so it’d be nice to visit a palace today.
The statue of Frederik V, the founder of Amalienborg Palace
My #6 Attraction with Copenhagen Card
Amalienborg Palace is still being used as a royal palace.
Amalienborg is the winter home of the Danish royal family, and is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It consists of four identical classical palace façades with rococo interiors around an octagonal courtyard; in the centre of the square is a monumental equestrian statue of Amalienborg’s founder, King Frederick V.
Amalienborg was originally built for four noble families; however, when Christiansborg Palace burned on 26 February 1794, the royal family bought the palaces and moved in. Over the years various kings and their families have resided in the four different palaces. (Wikipedia)
My Experience
I didn’t know Amalienborg consists of 4 identical blocks. So…. I just used my instinct to pick a building… and bingo! The place is pretty tiny. You need to have a 10DKK coin to use the locker (you’ll get it back). I exchanged Danish Krones partially because I read it in advance about the locker situation. But honestly, besides this, I don’t think there’s a need to buy Danish Krones.
It’s less fancy than the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, but prettier than Rosenborg.
The ball room. The study room. And the Dining room.
I remember there was a room of the present Queen’s dresses (from her childhood). And you’d be given shoe covers for the exhibition on the second floor.
The ticket price is 90DKK but free with Copenhagen Card. The good thing about Copenhagen Card is that I pick whatever attraction I like, and I don’t need to worry about the cost. But the bad thing about it is that I felt ‘hurried’ all the time. For historical attractions, either you are equipped with historical background, or you must have a lot of time to read through the exhibition or take an audio tour. I didn’t have any. But still, I don’t think I missed out that much as I’m not a history fan. I generally just like the ‘feeling’ of visiting somewhere new.
Err.
Next to Amalienborg is the Marble Church (Frederik’s Church).
The Marble Church (Marmorkirken) for its rococo architecture, is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen, Denmark. The church forms the focal point of the Frederiksstaden district; it is located due west of Amalienborg Palace. Frederick’s Church has the largest church dome in Scandinavia with a span of 31m. The dome rests on 12 columns. The inspiration was probably St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. (Wikipedia)
The Marble Church is a free attraction. (But if you have to pay a fee for going upstairs)
The church was built in 1894. It’s a beautiful church.
It’s very pleasant to sit there and marvel at the interior. It’s super quiet here. And after standing in Change of Guards and visiting Amalienborg, it’s nice to sit here for a bit.
I didn’t plan for a visit to Amalienborg Palace or the Marble Church. But I actually like this church. It’s very beautiful.
So if you plan to see the Change of Guards, make a quick stop at this special church!
Traveling Mega
