Tivoli Gardens
Copenhagen’s storybook amusement park, where vintage roller coasters, glowing gardens and seasonal magic turn a city-center evening into pure escapism.
A historic playground in Copenhagen’s heart
Tivoli Gardens is woven into the very fabric of Copenhagen, occupying a prime spot just across from the Central Station. Opened in 1843, it is one of the world’s oldest amusement parks and has long been a showcase for Danish flair for design, performance and understated romance. Behind the gate you move from city bustle into a carefully composed world of lakes, flower beds, winding paths and pavilions that feel part pleasure garden, part fairground. The park’s layout still reflects its 19th‑century origins: curving avenues, intimate corners, ornate façades and a central lake framed by restaurants and terraces. Grand entrances and archways hint at Moorish, oriental and Nordic inspirations, giving Tivoli a slightly fantastical, timeless character that has famously inspired other parks around the world.Rides that span a century of thrills
Tivoli’s attractions range from gentle carousels for small children to full‑on adrenaline rides that swing high above the rooftops. The star of the historic line‑up is Rutschebanen, a wooden roller coaster from 1914 that still uses an onboard brakeman to control its speed, making it one of the last of its kind. Close by, high‑tech coasters like The Demon deliver loops, drops and bursts of speed with dramatic lighting after dark. You will also find soaring swing rides with city panoramas, bumper cars, classic Ferris wheels and themed areas designed just for younger visitors. Between rides, game stalls line the walkways with ring tosses, shooting galleries and prize wheels, adding to the traditional funfair energy without overwhelming the park’s garden feel.Gardens, lakes and evening illuminations
Despite its reputation for rides, Tivoli is at least as much a landscaped garden. Seasonal planting fills beds with tulips and spring blooms at Easter, lush greenery in summer, warm oranges for Halloween and frosted evergreens at Christmas. Small fountains, rockeries and quiet benches by the lake offer breathing space amid the excitement. As daylight fades, Tivoli’s personality changes. Thousands of colored bulbs, lanterns and illuminated façades reflect in the water, giving the gardens a theatrical, slightly nostalgic glow. On selected evenings, fireworks explode above the park, echoed by the cheers from rides and concert stages. Simply walking the paths at night, with the scent of popcorn and roasted nuts in the air, is one of the classic Tivoli experiences.Stages, stories and seasonal magic
Performance has always been central to Tivoli. The open‑air stage hosts summer concerts, from rock and pop to orchestral nights, while the elegant Concert Hall and Glass Hall present everything from classical music to musicals and guest performances throughout the year. The open‑air Pantomime Theatre, with its peacock‑feather curtain, continues the tradition of wordless commedia dell’arte ballet that has entertained generations. Across the calendar, Tivoli reinvents itself. Summer brings long evenings, Friday rock concerts and Saturday fireworks. Halloween cloaks the park in pumpkins, witches and misty lighting, while Christmas transforms it into a winter fairy‑tale of market stalls, decorated trees and snowy scenes. Shorter themed openings at Easter and other holidays add yet more reasons to return.Eating, lingering and making a day of it
Food is part of Tivoli’s charm. Around the lake and along the main avenues you will find everything from traditional Danish open sandwiches and ice cream kiosks to upscale dining rooms and cozy cafés. Many visitors treat Tivoli as an extended lunch or dinner setting, punctuating meals with a ride or a show. You can choose to focus on gardens and performances with a simple entrance ticket or add a ride pass for unlimited access to the attractions. Either way, most travelers find a half‑day quickly stretches into an evening as they slow down to enjoy the details: the glow of lanterns over the water, music drifting from a distant stage and the sense of being in a pocket universe in the middle of the city.Local tips
- Plan at least one visit that spans late afternoon into evening so you can see the flower-filled gardens in daylight and then experience Tivoli’s famous lights and illuminations after dark.
- If you’re planning to ride several attractions, a ride pass usually offers better value than individual tickets, especially in summer when you’re likely to stay for concerts and fireworks.
- Check the seasonal calendar before your trip; opening dates and themes shift between Easter, summer, Halloween and Christmas, and some events or performances require separate tickets.
- For a quieter experience, aim for weekdays outside major holidays; evenings can be lively, particularly during Friday rock concerts and nights with scheduled fireworks.
- Dress in layers and bring a light waterproof jacket—Copenhagen’s weather changes quickly, and you may feel cooler on high or fast rides even on a mild day.
A brief summary to Tivoli Gardens
- Vesterbrogade 3, København V, København V, 1630, DK
- +4533151001
- Visit website
- Monday 11 am-10 pm
- Tuesday 11 am-10 pm
- Wednesday 11 am-10 pm
- Thursday 11 am-10 pm
- Friday 11 am-12 am
- Saturday 11 am-12 am
- Sunday 11 am-10 pm
Getting There
-
Train and walking
From anywhere in the Copenhagen region, take an S-train or regional train to Copenhagen Central Station. Tivoli’s main entrance is directly opposite the station on Vesterbrogade, and the walk from the platforms to the gate takes about 5–10 minutes through level, paved areas suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Standard single tickets within greater Copenhagen typically cost 24–36 DKK depending on zones, and trains run every few minutes during the day and evening.
-
Metro and walking
Take the M3 or M4 metro line to Copenhagen Central Station metro stop. From the underground platforms, follow signs to the main station hall; once outside, Tivoli is across the street and reached in roughly 5–8 minutes on foot along wide sidewalks. A metro ticket within the city center usually costs around 24–30 DKK, and services operate frequently from early morning until late at night.
-
City bus
Several city bus lines stop along H.C. Andersens Boulevard and Vesterbrogade near Tivoli, with journey times of about 10–25 minutes from inner neighborhoods depending on traffic. Buses use the same zone-based tickets as trains and metro, generally 24–36 DKK for central journeys. Most buses are low-floor and accessible, but at busy times they can be crowded, especially during summer evenings and Christmas season.
-
Taxi or rideshare
Taxis in central Copenhagen can drop you near Tivoli’s main entrance on Vesterbrogade in around 5–15 minutes from most central hotels, depending on traffic. A typical daytime fare from inner-city areas ranges from roughly 80–180 DKK, with higher prices at night and on weekends. Set-down points are close to the gates but be aware that traffic and event days may cause short delays around the park.
