The palace tower is the tallest in the city, with a view over rooftops, canals and spires. Entry is free after a security check; confirm hours on christiansborg.dk.
The tower of Christiansborg Palace stands on the island of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark, and at about 106 metres it is the tallest tower in the city. It rises above the seat of the Danish Parliament and offers an observation deck with a panoramic view across rooftops, canals and the spires of the old town, including Vor Frelsers Kirke, Marmorkirken and the Black Diamond below. Entry to the tower has traditionally been free after a security check, though opening hours change, so current details should be confirmed on christiansborg.dk. The frame from the deck is a layered cityscape: the palace's own copper roofs in the foreground, the harbour and Christianshavn to the south-east, and the old town to the north. The best light is mid-afternoon on a clear day, when the sun gives definition to the buildings and visibility is longest; April to October offers the most reliable conditions, while winter brings crisp low light but earlier closing. The observation deck is enclosed by glass, so reflections are the main challenge. Pressing the lens against the pane, using a lens hood or a dark cloth and shooting at a slight angle reduces glare. Crowds are moderate, and lines at the security check can form on busy summer afternoons; the deck itself is not large, so positions along the glass can be shared. Tripods are not practical or normally permitted indoors, so handheld shooting with a fast shutter is the norm. Drones are not allowed over the palace and Slotsholmen, which are protected government areas near controlled airspace. Restrooms are available in the tower building or the palace complex, and a restaurant sits at the top. A wide-angle zoom and a standard zoom between them cover both the panorama and details of the spires.
| Best time | Mid-afternoon |
|---|---|
| Best season | April-October |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Christiansborg Slotsplads 1, 1218 København K |
Shooting notes
- Equipment
- Wide-angle and standard zoom, lens hood
Location
Christiansborg Slotsplads 1, 1218 København K
55.6761, 12.5800 View on map
Highlights
- Tallest tower in the city with a panoramic deck
- Rooftops, canals and spires of the old town
- View over the harbour toward Christianshavn
- Free entry after a security check, subject to current hours
Tips for visiting
- Press the lens to the glass and use a lens hood to cut reflections.
- Go in mid-afternoon on a clear day for the best visibility.
- Confirm hours and entry rules on christiansborg.dk before going.
- Allow time for the security check on busy summer afternoons.
- Shoot handheld; tripods are not practical on the deck.
When to visit
Mid-afternoon on a clear day between April and October gives the best visibility. Midweek visits avoid the longest security lines.
Accessibility
A lift serves the tower, so the observation deck is reachable without climbing stairs. Check the palace's website for current access arrangements.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Christiansborg tower free to enter?
Entry has been free after a security check, but conditions can change. Visitors should confirm hours and rules on christiansborg.dk.
How can glass reflections be avoided?
Press the lens against the pane, use a lens hood or dark cloth, and shoot at a slight angle to the glass.
Is a tripod allowed?
Tripods are not practical on the deck and are generally not allowed indoors, so handheld shooting is expected.
What lens suits the view?
A wide-angle zoom covers the panorama and a standard zoom picks out the spires and individual buildings.