Frederiksberg is a charming and historic city district in Copenhagen featuring the most lovely gardens (Frederiksberg Gardens). The area has a rich cultural life, municipality status, and a city hall, although surrounded by neighbourhoods belonging to the Municipality of Copenhagen.

What particularly contributes to the attractiveness of Frederiksberg Gardens and the area today is the short distance to the city’s wealth of attractions such as museums, theatres and plentiful shopping opportunities.

Restaurant Promenaden, Frederiksberg Allé | Photo: Travel In Culture

In the mid-18th century, Frederiksberg developed into an attractive entertainment district, filled with theatres and other intriguing diversion options.

One of the central streets is Frederiksberg Allé, the impressive broad tree-lined avenue with two double rows of linden trees, connecting Vesterbrogade and Frederiksberg Runddel, as well as leading to the lovely Frederiksberg Palace and Gardens.

Frederiksberg Runddel | Photo: Travel In Culture

What is the history of Frederiksberg Palace and Gardens? Frederiksberg Allé was constructed in 1704 as the King’s majestic private road, which he would use to access his summer residence, Frederiksberg Palace. With inspiration from French city architecture, Frederiksberg Allé was projected to enable the King to arrive at his new property from Copenhagen city through the old western city gate, Vesterport. This brand new avenue was soon known as the King’s New Road, replacing the King’s old road, Gammel Kongevej.

The castle was established on the grounds previously owned by Dutch farmers, where they had had their base until 1697, when a devastating fire ravaged and left the settlement uninhabitable.

Frederiksberg Palace and Gardens | Photo: Travel In Culture

King Frederik IV now seized the opportunity to erect a new summer residence with extensive adjoining Baroque gardens, the Frederiksberg Gardens, in the soft hills here. In 1703, the palace was completed, a year before the inauguration of the road.

The palace park was designed and laid out over 30 years in the baroque style that was trending at the time. Today, there are still visible traces of the old baroque garden and the romantic landscape garden, which, in particular, was appreciated by King Frederik VI. He would sail on the canals and socialise with the citizens strolling in the gardens.

Frederiksberg Have Copenhagen / Frederiksberg Gardens | Photo: Travel In Culture

Still today, Frederiksberg Garden is among the largest and most enticing green spaces in Copenhagen, with a canal system and exotic trees and bushes, popular with all ages for an outing or a picnic, locals and tourists alike. A boat service operates frequently and allows visitors to explore and experience Frederiksberg Park in Copenhagen from the canal side.

Frederiksberg Gardens | Photo: Travel In Culture

Frederiksberg Gardens | Photo: Travel In Culture

Several cultural events take place in this Copenhagen oasis throughout the year. Inside the garden, the Chinese Pavilion, a perfect Royal teahouse dating from 1799, is on a small island.

Frederik VI at the park entrance, Frederiksberg Garden Copenhagen | Photo: Travel In Culture

Frederiksberg Gardens | Photo: Travel In Culture

Today, Frederiksberg Runddel features a statue of Frederik VI at the park entrance. In this way, he still greets the people visiting his much-cherished gardens. Other interesting places around the square include the Royal Horticultural Society (Haveselskabets Have) and the Storm P. Museum, a biographical museum dedicated to the Danish humorist and multi-faceted artist Robert Storm Petersen, in public known as Storm P. The museum includes his paintings, other talented works, and a quaint collection of smoking pipes.

The Royal Horticultural Society | Photo: Travel In Culture

The Storm P. Museum, Frederiksberg Copenhagen | Photo: Travel In Culture

Only a stone’s throw away from Frederiksberg Gardens, sightseeing options are Copenhagen Zoo, founded in 1859, and the adjoining scenic park, Søndermarken, from the 1730s. It was originally the extension of Frederiksberg Gardens, used by Frederik VI as his private hunting grounds. Søndermarken features several fascinating constructions, such as the Chinese Pavilion, the Hermit’s Hut, the Cordwood Grotto and the Spring Grotto.

Another interesting site to visit here is the Cisterns, a large underground facility which used to be the former water tank of both Carlsberg Brewery and the Municipality.

At Frederiksberg, a considerable number of historic buildings and entertainment establishments have seen the light of day throughout the last centuries. Sommerro, Sans Souci, Alléenberg, Valhalla, the Schweizer Pavillon and Sommerlyst, a beloved pleasure garden from 1834 with Ferris wheels and a merry-go-round, as well as a Moorish attraction and entertainment complex, Alhambra, founded by Georg Carstensen, who was also Tivoli’s creator.

Betty Nansen Theatre | Photo: Travel In Culture

Moreover, several concert halls and theatres appeared, among these Odeon from 1857, the later Frederiksberg Entertainment Theatre. The theatres actually remained at Frederiksberg, and Frederiksberg Entertainment Theatre was acquired by the actress Betty Nansen from 1917 until 1943, and therefore named after her as Betty Nansen Theatre. Another theatre which entered the cultural scene was the ABC Theatre. Also, Aveny-T popped up in the old main building belonging to Sommerlyst.

Frederiksberg Allé, Walk of Fame | Photo: Travel In Culture

Frederiksberg Walk of Fame with portraits of Danish actors | Photo: Travel In Culture

Today, you can do the Walk of Fame along Frederiksberg Allé, where several more recent Danish actors are depicted on the pavement. It is a historic stroll down the fine old street with the cream of the crop of centuries-old residential buildings, still used for apartments or stylish restaurants, cafés and upmarket boutiques.

Monument to the former Institut Jeanne d’Arc | Photo: Travel In Culture

A true tragedy in Copenhagen was the bombing of the French Catholic School, the Institut Jeanne d’Arc, in 1945. It was an accident during the British air raids on 21 March 1945, which had the Shell House as the intended target. Eighty-six pupils lost their lives. When strolling down Frederiksberg Allé, you will pass the monument to the former French school.

Would you like to get inspiration for 3 days in Copenhagen? Then read Nyhavn, Tivoli & Rosenborg Castle – Copenhagen in 3 Days

Read next: The Carlsberg Elephants in Copenhagen and Why Visit the Historic Tivoli Gardens?

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