Frederiksberg Gardens: History, Highlights & Travel Tips
For centuries, Frederiksberg Gardens have been a favorite escape for both Copenhageners and visitors, and we quickly understood why. As we waddled through the park, we fell in love with its calm and peaceful atmosphere. The wide green lawns, shady paths, and quiet lakes made it the perfect place to slow down. Many locals bring picnic baskets and stretch out on the grass, and it’s easy to see how you could spend hours here just relaxing. What makes it even more special is that at the northern end of the gardens, you’ll find Copenhagen Zoo, blending nature and wildlife into one unforgettable stop. We combined our visit to the zoo, and it was perfect. Read the full blog post to learn more about our waddle through Frederiksberg Gardens and why it’s one of Copenhagen’s most peaceful escapes.
How to Get to Frederiksberg Gardens
📍 Address: Frederiksberg Runddel, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
Frederiksberg Gardens are right in the heart of the Frederiksberg district, and getting there couldn’t be easier. We arrived by metro and had just a short waddle from the station to the park entrance. You can also hop on one of the city buses that stop nearby or, if you’re feeling local, grab a bike and ride straight to the gardens along Copenhagen’s bike-friendly streets. Driving is possible too, but parking is limited, so we’d definitely recommend taking public transport or simply walking for a more relaxed visit.
There are two metro stations nearby from which you have to waddle a little bit. One is Fasanvej St., where the green M1 and yellow M2 go. We also got off at the station. A little further down the same lines, stop at Frederiksberg’s stop.
Or there are buses you can take, depending on where you want to get off. For example, you can get off at Frederiksberg Bredegade (Smallegade) bus stop. Check out lines 9A, 31, or 72.
It depends on which side you want to enter the gardens.
You can also take a bus to the front of Copenhagen Zoo, which is adjacent to the gardens.
Opening Hours & Admission
- Opening Hours. Frederiksberg Gardens are open daily from 06:00, with closing times varying by season. Depending on the time of year, the gardens close anywhere between 17:00 and 22:00, so you can enjoy anything from an early morning stroll to a golden-hour waddle in the evening.
- Admission. One of the best things about Frederiksberg Gardens is that entry is entirely free. You can wander through the grounds, relax on the lawns, or enjoy the peaceful lakes without any cost, making it one of the most accessible and inviting spots in Copenhagen.
A Little Bit of History of Frederiksberg Gardens
- The gardens were originally landscaped during the reign of King Frederik IV (1699–1730) as part of his new summer retreat on the high grounds of Valby Hill.
- The king loved the gardens so much that he often sailed along the canals and personally greeted subjects who came to visit.
- Inspired by the grand gardens of Italy and France, the park featured a Baroque style characterized by straight avenues, trimmed hedges, and symmetry.
- In the 1790s, as fashions changed, the park was redesigned into a more natural English landscape garden, with winding paths, open lawns, and romantic views.
- Access was limited initially: the general public could enter, but sailors, dogs, people in poor clothing, or those carrying large bundles were turned away by guards at the single entrance.
- In 1865, access became completely unrestricted, and Frederiksberg Gardens evolved into one of Copenhagen’s most beloved public parks.
Why Is Frederiksberg Not Part of Copenhagen?
Even though Frederiksberg sits right in the middle of Copenhagen and feels like part of the city, it’s actually its own municipality. This goes back to history: Frederiksberg grew around Frederiksberg Palace in the 18th century and developed as an independent town, separate from Copenhagen. When Copenhagen expanded, it surrounded Frederiksberg on all sides, but Frederiksberg kept its own local government, mayor, and administration.
Today, Frederiksberg is often called an “enclave city” because it’s completely surrounded by Copenhagen but not officially part of it. For visitors, though, there’s no border to worry about; you can seamlessly waddle between Copenhagen and Frederiksberg without even noticing you’ve crossed into a new municipality.
Waddling around Frederiksberg Gardens
The gardens truly have so much to offer, with their rich fauna and flora creating an atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression. We waddled through them on our way to Copenhagen Zoo and enjoyed every single moment spent in this peaceful green oasis.
One of the highlights we encountered was the Chinese Bridge, which, although closed during our visit, still looked beautiful with its intricate design. The bridge leads to the Chinese Summerhouse, completed in 1803, which sits on a small artificial island in the middle of the lake. The summerhouse is decorated with charming Chinese-inspired details, making it one of the most picturesque spots in the gardens. Even if you can’t step inside, it’s worth pausing to admire this historic gem.
Another thing that surprised us on our waddle was the Pacifier Tree. It’s a tree covered in pacifiers, and we didn’t know what to think about it. It is clear it’s some tradition, and only later did we find out more.
The Pacifier Tree (or Suttetræet) is part of everyday life, and the one we saw at Frederiksberg Gardens on the northeast path is the “main” one. You can find Pacifier Trees also elsewhere, but this one is the only one marked on Google Maps.
To put it simply, this is the place where the pacifier is offered up to the tree. It is one of the first ritualized rites of passage for children in Denmark. The pacifiers are given to the tree at the moment when parents consider a child too old or overly dependent on the plastic nipple.
Many of the strings or bags of pacifiers have notes attached to them. “Dear Pacifiers, I love you, but now I’m a big girl.”
Each November, when the trees are prepared for winter, the gardeners strip the trees of a year’s worth of leaves.
Quick Facts About Frederiksberg Gardens
- Name: Frederiksberg Gardens (Frederiksberg Have)
- Location: Frederiksberg district, Copenhagen
- Area: About 64 hectares (158 acres), making it one of the largest green spaces in the city
- Founded: Landscaped during the reign of King Frederik IV in the early 1700s
- Style: Originally Baroque, later redesigned into an English landscape garden in the late 18th century
- Highlights to See:
- The Chinese Summerhouse (built in 1803, on its own island)
- The Chinese Bridge leading to the summerhouse
- Frederiksberg Palace, overlooking the park from the hilltop
- Canals and lakes are perfect for a relaxing walk or picnic
- Sweeping lawns and romantic tree-lined paths
- Direct access to Copenhagen Zoo at the northern end
Frederiksberg Palace
The Frederiksberg Palace is a Baroque residence atop Frederiksberg Hill. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century by King Frederik IV.
The palace was once a residence for the Royal Danish family and had its fair share of drama.
King Christian VII was born at the palace and lived there with his wife, Queen Caroline Mathilde, and her secret lover, Johan Friedrich Struensee. Caroline Mathilde’s famous marble bathroom can still be seen in the basement.
The royal family left Frederiksberg Palace in 1852 and has not lived there since.
Then, in 1869, the Royal Danish Army Officers Academy moved in and has remained there to this day.
To see the palace from the inside, you must book a tour.
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- Guided tours in Danish and English on the last Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. except in July and December.
- Group-guided tours are available all year, after 4 p.m., on weekdays.
If you’d like to add a little royal flair to your visit and pretend to be the king 😅, you can hop on a boat ride through the canals of Frederiksberg Gardens. Svendsen’s Boat Service (Svendsens Bådfart) has been operating here for generations, and they’ll do the rowing for you while you sit back, relax, and enjoy the views. The boat tours run all summer and are a wonderful way to see the gardens from a different perspective. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a small boat for a modest fee and row yourself, gliding past trees, lawns, and the Chinese Summerhouse in true storybook style.
The gardens are full of little surprises like this, and even though we didn’t manage to waddle through the entire park, every corner we explored felt like a hidden treasure. From shaded paths and scenic bridges to quiet lawns perfect for picnics, the half we saw was already enough to make us fall in love with Frederiksberg Gardens.
Facilities & Amenities
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- Walking paths & lawns – perfect for picnics, strolling, or just relaxing on the grass
- Canals & boat rentals – including Svendsen’s Boat Service for guided rowing tours in summer
- Playgrounds – family-friendly areas where kids can play and explore
- Cafés & kiosks – seasonal spots for snacks, drinks, and ice cream
- Restrooms – available near main entrances and popular areas of the park
- Benches & shaded areas – plenty of quiet corners to sit, read, or enjoy the scenery
- Scenic landmarks – the Chinese Summerhouse, Chinese Bridge, and Frederiksberg Palace overlooking the park
- Zoo access – direct entrance to Copenhagen Zoo at the northern end of the gardens
Our waddle through Frederiksberg Gardens turned out to be one of the chillest parts of our Copenhagen adventure. We originally came this way for the zoo, but the gardens completely stole the show. Wide lawns to flop on, shady paths to waddle down, and even boats where you can pretend to be royalty, what more could a penguin ask for?
By the time we left, we felt calm, happy, and just a little bit spoiled by how peaceful it all was. If you ever need a break from the busy city streets, grab your picnic basket (or fish snacks) and waddle your way here. Trust us. Even penguins know a good chill spot when they find one.
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