Kongens Nytorv is Copenhagen’s largest square and royal centerpiece, founded in 1670 by King Christian V. This guide covers its history, architecture, transport links, and what to actually do there as an expat.
Why Kongens Nytorv Still Matters in Modern Copenhagen
I have lived in Denmark long enough to stop romanticizing tourist hotspots. Yet Kongens Nytorv still gets me every time I cross it. The square sits where medieval Copenhagen ended and the Baroque royal city began.
Locals call it “Kongens” and treat it as the unofficial pivot of the city. From here, Strøget shoots west, Nyhavn opens east, and Bredgade leads north into Frederiksstaden. It is, geographically and politically, the hinge of central Copenhagen.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Founded: 1670, under King Christian V
- Size: roughly 26,000 square meters, the largest square in the city
- Centerpiece: equestrian statue of Christian V, unveiled in 1688
- Metro: served by M1, M2, M3, and M4 lines
- Major landmarks: Royal Danish Theatre, Charlottenborg, Hotel d’Angleterre, Magasin du Nord
- Last major renovation: reopened in 2019 after Cityringen Metro construction
The History of Kongens Nytorv: From City Wall to Royal Showpiece
Before 1670, this area sat just outside Copenhagen’s eastern rampart. The land was muddy, partly used as a refuse dump, and called Hallandsås. King Christian V cleared it and ordered a grand new square in the French style.
The model was Paris. Christian V had admired the Place des Vosges and the new royal squares of Louis XIV. He wanted Copenhagen to look like a serious European capital, not a fortress town.
The Equestrian Statue and Krinsen
At the center stands the equestrian statue of Christian V, unveiled in 1688. The original was cast in lead by French sculptor Abraham-César Lamoureux. The lead horse slowly buckled under its own weight for centuries.
By 1946, a bronze replica by Einar Utzon-Frank replaced it. The statue sits inside Krinsen, the circular garden of lime trees that defines the square’s geometry. Every June, newly graduated Danish students still dance around the statue wearing their white caps. It is one of the most charming local traditions you can witness as an expat.
The Metro That Almost Broke the Square
For nearly a decade, Kongens Nytorv was a construction pit. The Cityringen Metro line, opened in 2019, required digging up the entire square. Trees were removed, the statue was crated, and Copenhageners grumbled for years.
The reopening restored Krinsen with new lime trees and a redesigned surface. As reported by Visit Copenhagen, the square now functions as a multi-line interchange while keeping its 17th century footprint. It is a quietly impressive feat of Danish urban design.
The Architecture Around Kongens Nytorv
If you stand by the statue and turn slowly in a circle, you see four centuries of Danish architecture. This is not an exaggeration. The buildings ringing Kongens Nytorv are a working syllabus in Copenhagen design history.
Charlottenborg Palace
Built between 1672 and 1683 for Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, Charlottenborg is the oldest building on the square. It became the home of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1754. Today it hosts Kunsthal Charlottenborg, one of the largest contemporary art spaces in Northern Europe.
I duck inside whenever I pass. The shows are uneven, but entry is cheap and the courtyard is one of the best hidden corners in central Copenhagen.
The Royal Danish Theatre
Det Kongelige Teater, the Royal Danish Theatre, was built between 1872 and 1874. Architects Vilhelm Dahlerup and Ove Petersen designed it in a neo-Renaissance style. Statues of playwrights Ludvig Holberg and Adam Oehlenschläger flank the entrance.
This is still the main stage for Danish ballet, opera, and drama. Tickets for the Old Stage often start under 200 DKK if you book ahead. The full programme is on kglteater.dk.
Hotel d’Angleterre
Hotel d’Angleterre traces its origins to 1755, making it one of the oldest luxury hotels in Europe. The current white facade is from 1875. Every winter it lights up with one of Copenhagen’s most photographed Christmas displays.
You do not need to be a guest to enjoy it. Walking past at dusk in December is free, and the lobby bar welcomes anyone who can afford a cocktail.
Magasin du Nord
On the south side stands Magasin du Nord, Denmark’s largest department store. The company began in 1868, and the current building opened in 1894. It still anchors the shopping in Copenhagen scene.
Expats often discover Magasin while hunting for winter boots or a decent duvet. The basement food hall is genuinely good. The fashion floors are pricey but reliable for quality basics.
Thott’s Mansion and Hviids Vinstue
On the north side, Thott’s Mansion (Thotts Palæ) has housed the French Embassy since 1930. It was built in the 1680s for naval hero Niels Juel. Around the corner, Hviids Vinstue has poured wine since 1723.
Hviids is reportedly Hans Christian Andersen’s favourite haunt during his Copenhagen years. The interior has barely changed. Order a glass of port, sit in the back, and you are essentially in 19th century Denmark.
How to Get to Kongens Nytorv
Kongens Nytorv is one of the easiest places in the city to reach. The Metro station underneath connects four lines, which is rare even in Copenhagen. Buses, bikes, and harbour ferries all stop within minutes.
By Metro and Bus
The M1 and M2 lines connect Kongens Nytorv to the airport in about 15 minutes. The M3 Cityringen and M4 lines loop around the inner city. For full route info, see our Copenhagen public transport guide.
City buses 1A, 23, and 26 also stop here. A single Zone 1-2 ticket costs 24 DKK as of 2025. The Rejsekort travel card remains the cheapest option for residents.
By Bike or on Foot
Most Copenhageners arrive by bike. Bike racks line the square’s perimeter, although they fill up fast in summer. If you want to learn the local rules, our cycling in Copenhagen guide covers them in detail.
Walking is honestly the best approach. From Rådhuspladsen, it takes about 15 minutes along Strøget. The route is flat, paved, and lined with shops.
What to Do at Kongens Nytorv Year Round
The square changes character with the seasons. Summer brings outdoor cafés, buskers, and graduating students. Winter brings the ice rink at Hotel d’Angleterre and the smell of gløgg.
Summer: Cafés, Statues, and Student Caps
From May to September, the chairs come out. Café Victor and the terraces along Lille Kongensgade fill with afternoon drinkers. Krinsen becomes a picnic spot for office workers.
If you visit in late June, expect to see white-capped students in open trucks. They drive around the city honking horns and stop at Kongens Nytorv to dance around the king. It is loud, joyful, and very Danish.
Winter: Ice Skating and Christmas Lights
From late November through February, an outdoor ice rink runs in front of Hotel d’Angleterre. Skate rental costs around 75 DKK. The rink stays open into the evening with floodlights and Christmas music.
The Christmas market on the square itself is smaller than the one at Tivoli. Locals often prefer it for exactly that reason. For more ideas, see our list of 25 things to do in Copenhagen.
Photography and Quiet Mornings
The best light hits the square around 8 AM in summer and 10 AM in winter. The statue catches a long shadow across Krinsen. Tourists have not yet arrived from Nyhavn.
Charlottenborg’s facade and the Royal Theatre both work as backdrops. For more locations, check our guide to top photography spots in Copenhagen.
Eating and Drinking Around Kongens Nytorv
The square sits at the centre of one of Copenhagen’s denser restaurant clusters. Prices skew higher than in Nørrebro or Vesterbro. Quality is generally solid.
Classic Danish
For smørrebrød, try Restaurant Palægade on Palægade, two minutes north. The herring board is honest and well priced for the area. Hviids Vinstue serves simple lunch plates in a setting unchanged since the 18th century.
Hotel d’Angleterre’s restaurant Marchal holds a Michelin star. Afternoon tea at the hotel runs around 595 DKK per person. For pastries on the cheaper end, try the bakeries we list in best bakeries in Copenhagen.
International and Casual
Magasin du Nord’s basement food hall is a quick lunch option. You can get sushi, salads, and decent coffee without paying tourist prices. The hall closes at 8 PM most evenings.
For drinks later, Nyhavn is two minutes away. After midnight, head into the bars off Gothersgade for a taste of Copenhagen nightlife. Just expect to pay 80 DKK and up for a beer near the square.
What to See Near Kongens Nytorv
One reason Kongens Nytorv works as a base is that almost every major sight is walkable. I have done a full day of Copenhagen sightseeing without leaving a 1 km radius. It is the most efficient starting point in the city.
- Nyhavn: the famous coloured houses, 2 minutes east
- Amalienborg Palace: the royal residence, 8 minutes north
- The Marble Church: 10 minutes north, free entry
- Rosenborg Castle and Kongens Have: 10 minutes northwest
- Strøget: shopping street stretching to Rådhuspladsen
- Christiansborg Palace: the Danish parliament, 12 minutes south
For a structured route, see our one day in Copenhagen itinerary. If you want context, the guided tours in Copenhagen guide compares the main options.
An Expat’s Honest Take on Kongens Nytorv
I will be direct. Kongens Nytorv is grand, but it is not cozy. It is too big and too windy to invite lingering, and chain stores have crept in around the edges.
What it does have is gravity. Every major Danish moment, from royal weddings to football celebrations, eventually passes through this square. As noted by historical records, it has been the city’s ceremonial heart for over 350 years.
For expats, Kongens Nytorv is also useful in mundane ways. The Metro is reliable. Magasin sells everything you forgot to buy. The Royal Library annex and the Danish monarchy footprint give the area a civic seriousness that suburbs lack.
Visit on a weekday morning if you want the architecture. Visit on a June evening if you want the people. Either way, you will understand Copenhagen better afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kongens Nytorv
What does Kongens Nytorv mean in English?
Kongens Nytorv translates to “The King’s New Square.” It was named after King Christian V, who founded the square in 1670. The name distinguished it from Gammeltorv, the older “Old Square” inside the medieval city walls.
When was Kongens Nytorv built?
Kongens Nytorv was founded in 1670 by King Christian V. The square was completed in stages, with most of the surrounding palaces built between 1670 and 1700. The equestrian statue of Christian V at its centre was unveiled in 1688.
How do I get to Kongens Nytorv from Copenhagen Airport?
Take the M2 Metro from Copenhagen Airport directly to Kongens Nytorv station. The journey takes about 15 minutes and a ticket costs 36 DKK. Trains run every 4 to 6 minutes during the day and every 15 to 20 minutes at night.
Is Kongens Nytorv free to visit?
Yes, Kongens Nytorv is a public square with free entry at all hours. Walking around the square, viewing the statue, and photographing the architecture cost nothing. Individual attractions such as Kunsthal Charlottenborg and Magasin du Nord have their own admission policies.
What is the equestrian statue at Kongens Nytorv?
The statue depicts King Christian V on horseback, designed by French sculptor Abraham-César Lamoureux. It was unveiled in 1688 and was originally cast in lead. A bronze replica by Einar Utzon-Frank replaced the deteriorated original in 1946.
What is Krinsen at Kongens Nytorv?
Krinsen is the circular garden of lime trees that surrounds the equestrian statue. It dates from the 18th century and was replanted in 2019 after the Metro construction. Newly graduated Danish students traditionally dance around Krinsen in June while wearing their white student caps.
Which Metro lines stop at Kongens Nytorv?
All four Copenhagen Metro lines stop at Kongens Nytorv station: M1, M2, M3, and M4. This makes it one of the best-connected stations in the city. The Cityringen lines M3 and M4 opened to passengers in 2019 after years of construction.
What is the best time to visit Kongens Nytorv?
For atmosphere, visit in late June for graduating students or in December for Christmas lights and the ice rink. For photos, arrive early in the morning before the crowds. For shopping and dining, weekday afternoons are calmer than weekends.
Is Kongens Nytorv worth visiting for expats living in Denmark?
Yes, even for long term residents. The square serves as the city’s main interchange and hosts most major civic events. Many practical errands, from department store shopping to Metro transfers, happen here regardless of where you live in the capital.
What attractions are within walking distance of Kongens Nytorv?
Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, the Marble Church, Rosenborg Castle, Strøget, and Christiansborg Palace are all within a 15 minute walk. The Royal Danish Theatre and Kunsthal Charlottenborg sit directly on the square itself. The harbour, with ferry connections to Refshaleøen, is two minutes away.
