The Green Fortification Belt
In the mid-19th century, Copenhagen decommissioned the zigzagging earthworks and moats that had shielded the medieval core. Rather than selling this defensive ring to private real estate developers, the municipal government transformed the ramparts into a connected succession of public parks: Tivoli Gardens, Ørstedsparken, Botanisk Have, Østre Anlæg, and the star-shaped Kastellet.
Except for commercial amusement enclosures like Tivoli, every single one of these historic green spaces is open to the public free of charge, offering tranquil lakes, mature beech groves, and landscaped hills right in the urban center.
A widespread misconception among tourists is that Copenhagen's Botanical Garden (Botanisk Have) requires an admission fee.
Always Free (0 DKK): The entire 10-hectare outdoor botanical garden, including the rock gardens with alpine specimens, the historic rhododendron collection, the surrounding duck lakes, and the outdoor terraces. You may walk through during opening hours freely.
Paid Admission: A combined ticket is required only if you decide to step inside the historic 1874 Victorian Palm House (Palmehuset) and the enclosed tropical Butterfly House. If you remain on the exterior gravel paths, admission is 100% free.
Core Free Parks to Visit
1. Kongens Have (The King's Garden)
Established by King Christian IV in the early 1600s adjacent to Rosenborg Castle, Kongens Have is Denmark's oldest royal park. Drawing millions of visitors annually, its defining features are the famous tree-lined lime avenues known as the Cavalier Path (Kavalergangen) and the Lady's Path (Damegangen), terminating at a statue of Hans Christian Andersen.
On summer weekends, locals spread picnic rugs across the lawns facing the Dutch Renaissance silhouette of Rosenborg. Entering the park grounds is completely free; only visiting the treasury inside Rosenborg Castle requires an entry ticket.
2. Kastellet (The Citadel)
Constructed between 1626 and 1664, Kastellet is one of Northern Europe's best-preserved star-shaped fortresses. Shaped as a five-pointed pentagram with fortified bastions, outer moats, and a working 19th-century Dutch windmill (Kastelsmøllen), it remains an active military site where Danish soldiers stand guard.
Despite its active status, the ramparts and gravel trails are completely open to civilian joggers, walkers, and travelers from 06:00 to sunset every day with zero entrance fee. Walking the high rampart trail provides sweeping views over Copenhagen harbor, the Langelinie cruise piers, and the classic red timber barracks of the garrison.
3. Østre Anlæg
Tucked behind the National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst), Østre Anlæg is often bypassed by tour buses, making it one of the calmest sanctuaries in the central district. It preserves the jagged profile of three former bastions and a deep moat lake where swans breed.
Visitor Guide & Regulations
| Park Sanctuary | Opening Hours | Dogs Allowed | Picnicking / Alcohol | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kongens Have | 07:00 – Sunset (Varies) | On leash on paved paths | Permitted on lawns | Rosenborg views, rose garden |
| Botanisk Have | 08:30 – 18:00 (Summer) | No (Strict rule) | Paths only; no blankets | 27,000 plant species, lakes |
| Kastellet | 06:00 – 22:00 | On leash only | Benches only, no fires | Moat ramparts, historic windmill |
| Ørstedsparken | Open 24 Hours | On leash | Permitted everywhere | Iron bridges, classical bronzes |
Practical Tips for Budget Garden Walks
To make the most of your walking route without spending on transportation or guided tours:
- The Green Chain Route: You can walk continuously from Nørreport Station through the Botanical Garden, cross the street into Kongens Have, exit the northeastern gate into Østre Anlæg, and proceed past the Russian Orthodox Church directly onto the ramparts of Kastellet—a 4-kilometer scenic walk with 0 DKK spent.
- Public Clean Restrooms: Free, well-maintained municipal toilets are available inside Kongens Have (near the Hercules Pavilion) and near the southern entrance of Kastellet.
- Bicycle Rules: While bicycles are welcomed along designated thoroughfares in Kastellet and Fælledparken, cycling is strictly prohibited inside Kongens Have and Botanisk Have to protect pedestrians and sensitive flora. Ample bike parking racks are installed outside every gate.