Changing of the guard at Amalienborg: times, where to stand and what to do next

The big changing of the guard at Amalienborg is every day at 12:00, all year round, and it is free. The new guard marches from the barracks by Rosenborg Castle at around 11:30, and the ceremony on the palace square can last up to 45 minutes. If you would rather avoid the crowd, come for one of the smaller changes instead: they take place every other hour from 12:00. For the big one, arrive 15 to 20 minutes early and stand along the edge of the square.

We pass Amalienborg with our guests almost every day, so this is what we would tell a friend who is visiting.

At a glance

• Big ceremony Every day at 12:00, all year round
• Smaller changes Every other hour from 12:00, so also at 14:00, 16:00 and onwards
• How long The big ceremony can last up to 45 minutes
• The march Leaves the barracks at Gothersgade 100, by Rosenborg Castle, at around 11:30
• Price Free. No ticket and no booking
• Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before noon for a spot at the edge
• Fewer people Pick one of the smaller changes

Times can change on royal occasions, so check the Royal House's website on the day.

When is the changing of the guard?

The big ceremony is every day at 12:00. That is the one with the march through the city, and the one most visitors plan their day around.

It is not the only one, though. Smaller changes of the guard take place every other hour from 12:00. They are shorter and calmer, and they are a really good choice if you would rather avoid the big crowd at noon.

The big ceremony at noon

The new guard sets off from the Royal Life Guards' barracks at Gothersgade 100, right by Rosenborg Castle, at around 11:30 and marches through the streets of Copenhagen to Amalienborg (VisitDenmark). At 12:00 they march onto the palace square, and the old and new guard take over from each other in front of the palaces.

Give it time. The big changing of the guard can last up to 45 minutes, so do not plan anything tight straight after it.

When the King is at home

When the King is staying at Amalienborg, the ceremony is bigger and often comes with the guards' band, which makes the march even more of a show.

The smaller changes: our tip if you want to avoid the crowd

At noon, the square fills up quickly, especially in summer. The smaller changes every other hour from 12:00 are a calmer and more personal way to see the guards at work. There is no march through the city, but you still see the new shift relieve the old one in front of the palaces.

With fewer people around, it is much easier to find a good spot, take photos without a wall of phones in front of you and actually follow what is happening at the sentry boxes. If you are travelling with children, or you simply do not enjoy crowds, this is the one we would pick.

Where should I stand?

• Come early for noon. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the big ceremony. The best spots along the edge of the square go first.
• Stay at the edge. Stand along the edge of the square, not in the middle. The guards need the open space.
• Mind the distance. Keep at least 1.5 metres from the palace buildings and do not sit on the stairs. Those are the official viewing rules (VisitDenmark).
• Keep the path clear. Never step into the way of the marching guards.
• Watch the sentry boxes. The actual change happens at the sentry boxes in front of the palaces.
• Photos of the march? Find a spot along the route from Rosenborg instead, and walk with the crowd to Amalienborg.

Good to know

• The guards are on duty. Do not touch them or stand in front of them.
• Cobblestones. The square is paved with cobblestones, so comfortable shoes help.
• The palaces. Amalienborg is four identical palaces around an octagonal square, with the equestrian statue of King Frederik V in the middle. It has been the royal family's residence since 1794.

What we'd skip

• A paid tour only for the guard. The ceremony is free and easy to find on your own. A tour only makes sense if you also want the rest of the city with it.
• A tight plan straight after noon. With up to 45 minutes on the square, the big ceremony can easily run to 12:45.

What to see around Amalienborg

Amalienborg lies in Frederiksstaden, one of the most elegant parts of the city. Right behind the palaces stands the Marble Church, officially Frederik's Church, with one of the largest domes in Europe, inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It was completed in 1894, after more than 150 years of building.

From the palace square you look straight across the harbour to the Opera House. Nyhavn, with its colourful 17th-century houses, is a short walk to the south, and Kastellet, one of the best-preserved star fortresses in Northern Europe, is a short walk to the north, with the Little Mermaid just beyond it.

The perfect pair: the guard at noon, then Highlights & Hidden Gems at 13:00

This is a plan we love. Watch the big changing of the guard at 12:00, then walk a few minutes to the Marble Church, where our Highlights & Hidden Gems tour starts at 13:00. We meet on street level at the Marmorkirken metro station, between the two sets of stairs down to the metro. Even if the ceremony runs to 12:45, there is time to get there and meet us ten minutes before we start.

In two hours, we walk about 3.5 km through old Copenhagen: the colourful row houses of Nyboder, Rosenborg Castle and the King's Garden, the Round Tower, the square of Gråbrødretorv and the narrow streets most visitors never find, before we end in Nyhavn. The group is at most 12 guests, and the 13:00 tour does not run every day, so check the dates in the tour's calendar.

Walk it with a local

Every departure of our Walk & Canal tour sees the changing of the guard:

• 9:00: ends at Amalienborg just as the big ceremony begins at 12:00.
• 9:30: sees the big ceremony at noon, then ends in Nyhavn.
• 11:00 and 13:00: end at Amalienborg with one of the smaller changes.
• 11:30 and 13:30: see a smaller change, then end in Nyhavn.

Along the way: Tivoli, Christiansborg, about 25 minutes on the public canal ferry, Kastellet and the Little Mermaid.

Sources

• The Royal House (kongehuset.dk): changes to the times on royal occasions.
• VisitDenmark, Changing of the Royal Guards: the march from Rosenborg and the official viewing rules.
• Departure times, meeting point, route and group size: our own tour pages, checked October 2026.
• #1 tour operator in Copenhagen: Tripadvisor, Tours & Activities in Copenhagen, #1 of 494 (October 2026).