Amalienborg Palace

Four near-identical palace buildings face each other around a grand octagonal square, with a statue of a king on horseback in the middle. This is the winter home of the Danish royal family, and when they are in residence you will see a flag flying and the guard changing. Part of the complex is open as a museum showing royal rooms of earlier eras. The square also offers a lovely axis of views toward the harbour on one side and the dome of a marble church on the other.

Talking points

• The four palaces were originally built for noble families in the 18th century.
• A flag on the roof signals that the monarch is in residence.
• The guard changes at midday in a short, free ceremony.