Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg stands on Slotsholmen, the islet where Bishop Absalon built the first castle in 1167. Three palaces have burned or been replaced on the spot, and the present one dates from 1928. The royal reception rooms are open when not in use, hung with the modern tapestries given to the monarch for a birthday; the foundations of the earlier castles survive in a lit undercroft below the courtyard; and the tower, the tallest in the city, is free to climb.

What you actually see

• The royal reception rooms - the grand halls used by the monarch, with the tapestries of Danish history.
• The tower - the free climb to the highest viewpoint in the city.
• The ruins beneath - the excavated remains of the earlier castles.
• The stables and carriage rooms - the royal stables, still working, in the older wing.

When to go

Year-round; a fully indoor set of sights good in any weather. The free tower and its restaurant are a fine clear-day stop. Some rooms close for official use.

Honest expectations

The various parts, royal rooms, ruins, stables, tower, are separate visits, some ticketed, some free, so plan what you want. Rooms can close for state functions. The free tower is one of the city's best-value viewpoints.

Nearby

The old stock exchange, the Thorvaldsen museum and the canals are around; Nyhavn is a short walk.