Kastellet

Archaeological Site Star-shaped 17th-century fortress and Copenhagen green space

A well‑preserved 17th‑century star‑shaped citadel in Copenhagen, Kastellet offers brick ramparts, a central church and a windmill; visitors stroll the ramparts, attend occasional military ceremonies and enjoy nearby waterfronts.

Main image

Kastellet is a star-shaped fortress and public park on the harbor front of Copenhagen, Denmark, notable for its intact bastioned layout and defensive earthworks. The site dates in its present form to the 17th century and has been maintained as both a military site and public green space.

Visitors encounter moat-lined ramparts, gates, walking paths and historic buildings, including a windmill and former barracks. Kastellet remains a functioning military area in part, but most of the grounds are open to the public and used for walks, ceremonies and historical interpretation.

Kastellet lies on the northern edge of Copenhagen’s historic centre, a short walk from the waterfront and other central attractions, and offers views across the harbor and toward the city.

  • 17th-century origin: Originally constructed and remodeled in stages from the 17th century, the fortress retains a classic star-shaped bastion layout and is one of Northern Europe's best-preserved examples of this type.

What to See #

  • The Citadel ramparts: A well-preserved star-shaped citadel with moats, ramparts and gates that now functions as a public park and historical site within Copenhagen's waterfront area.
  • Kastellet windmill and buildings: A Dutch-style windmill located on the ramparts and maintained as a historic structure; the area also includes military buildings and barracks from later periods.
Kastellet
Kastellet (The Citadel), 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
55.6916, 12.5936
Grounds open daily (public park)
Free (grounds)

How to Get to Kastellet #

Kastellet is the star‑shaped fortress in central Copenhagen. The site is about a 5-10 minute walk from Østerport Station (served by S‑trains and regional trains) and a 15-20 minute walk from Copenhagen Central Station. It’s also within easy walking distance of Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv; several city buses and the Metro at nearby stations serve the area.

Tips for Visiting Kastellet #

  • Enter from the Langelinie/Little Mermaid side to combine both attractions and begin the rampart walk; early weekday mornings are especially peaceful for strolling the star-shaped fortifications.
  • Bear in mind Kastellet is an active military area with some restricted buildings-stick to marked public paths, and check opening times if you want to see the interior structures or the windmill.

Best Time to Visit Kastellet #

Visit from late spring to early autumn (May-August) for the mildest weather and longest daylight; summer is busiest.

Late spring / early summer
May-June · 10-20°C
Pleasant, mild weather for walking the ramparts and enjoying views across Copenhagen; moderate crowd levels.
Summer
July-August · 15-22°C
Warmest and busiest time - popular with tourists, long daylight hours and many outdoor events.
Autumn / winter
September-March · 0-10°C
Cooler, windier and darker; fewer tourists so the site is quieter, but dress warmly and expect possible rain or wind.

Weather & Climate near Kastellet #

Climate

Kastellet's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -1°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (604 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 38 Good
Best Time to Visit
MayJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
-12°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.6h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
14.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
12° 19°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
17.1h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 21°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 21°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 65 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 17°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
12°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
8.1h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.9h daylight

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