The palace church features a unique collection of 80 painted votive ships suspended from the ceiling.
King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid were famously fond of the palace, establishing the tradition of it being the family's summer gathering spot.
The palace grounds were once part of a much larger estate that included significant agricultural and forest land.
During the summer, the Royal Life Guards provide a changing of the guard ceremony when the royal family is in residence.
The current palace layout is the result of multiple reconstructions rather than a single unified 18th-century plan.
Gråsten Palace serves as the summer residence for the Danish Royal Family in Southern Jutland. The current 18th-century structure was largely rebuilt in the mid-18th century, though only the palace church and the chancellery building remain from that period. The main building underwent a significant reconstruction in 1842. The palace is renowned for its extensive, manicured gardens and English-style parkland open to the public. The palace church survived a devastating fire in 1757 that destroyed much of the original residence. The site is a primary location for the annual royal summer photo call. Its design reflects the transition from baroque to classicist architectural influences common in the region during the 1700s. The property overlooks the waters of Nybøl Nor. It remains an active royal residence, which limits public access to the palace interiors.
The view of the palace facade from the entrance of the palace gardens.
Check the official royal website to see if the family is in residence, as this impacts access to the palace courtyard.
The gardens are expansive; wear comfortable walking shoes to explore the woodland paths and lake views.
Visit the palace church, which is the only part of the original baroque complex still intact.
Do not expect to tour the interior of the main palace building, as it is a private residence.
The palace gardens are open year-round, but access to the palace courtyard is restricted when the royal family is in residence.
Respect all signage indicating private royal areas; stay on designated paths in the gardens.
