Background

Tivoli Gardens

One of the world’s oldest amusement parks, Tivoli Gardens mixes historic rides, lush landscaping and seasonal magic in the very heart of Copenhagen.

4.5

Right in the heart of Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens blends 19th‑century charm with modern thrills. Opened in 1843 and often cited as inspiration for Walt Disney, this historic amusement park wraps wooden roller coasters, lofty swing rides and concert stages in a tapestry of flowerbeds, lakes and lanterns. Seasonal openings for summer, Halloween and Christmas keep the park reinventing itself with concerts, fireworks, markets and elaborate decorations, all framed by restaurants, cafes and cozy corners that invite you to linger.

A brief summary to Tivoli Gardens

  • Vesterbrogade 3, København V, København V, 1630, DK
  • +4533151001
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 3.5 to 8 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 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

Local tips

  • Plan at least 4–6 hours if you want a mix of rides, gardens and a show; evenings are especially atmospheric once thousands of lights come on.
  • Check seasonal opening periods and event schedules in advance, as summer, Halloween and Christmas all have distinct decorations and programmes.
  • Consider a combined entrance and ride pass if you plan to try many attractions; otherwise, pay‑per‑ride can be economical for a gentler visit.
  • Dress in layers and bring a light rain jacket—Copenhagen weather can change quickly, and many rides and stages are outdoors.
  • If you’re sensitive to crowds, aim for weekdays outside public holidays and arrive early afternoon before the evening surge.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Train and walk from Copenhagen Central Station

    From anywhere in the Copenhagen region, take an intercity, regional or S‑train to Copenhagen Central Station, which is a major hub with frequent services throughout the day. From the station’s main concourse, allow about 5–10 minutes to walk on mostly flat, paved surfaces to Tivoli’s main entrance. Standard single tickets within the city zones typically cost around 24–36 DKK depending on distance. Trains run early until late, but late‑night frequencies decrease, especially on weekends after midnight.

  • City metro and transfer to Tivoli area

    If you are staying along the M1, M2, M3 or M4 metro lines, ride the metro to either Kongens Nytorv or Nørreport and transfer to an S‑train toward Copenhagen Central Station. The combined metro and S‑train trip usually takes 10–20 minutes within the central zones, plus a short 5–10 minute walk on even terrain to Tivoli. A standard 2–3 zone ticket for metro and train is usually in the range of 24–36 DKK and validates for 60–90 minutes, allowing easy transfers without extra cost.

  • City bus to Tivoli vicinity

    Several city bus routes stop near Tivoli Gardens and the Central Station area, making them a convenient option if you prefer to remain at street level. Travel times within central Copenhagen are usually 10–25 minutes depending on traffic and starting point. Expect to pay roughly 24–30 DKK for a short city bus ride within a few zones. Modern low‑floor buses make boarding easy, but be aware that services may run less frequently late at night and on certain holidays.

  • Cycling through central Copenhagen

    Copenhagen is highly bike‑friendly, and Tivoli lies along well‑marked cycle routes close to the city centre. From nearby districts such as Vesterbro, Nørrebro or Østerbro, cycling time is typically 10–20 minutes on segregated bike lanes. You can use a rented city bike or standard rental from local shops, usually costing about 100–150 DKK for a full day. Expect busy bike traffic at peak commuting hours and remember that you must park in designated bike racks outside the park entrances.

Tivoli Gardens location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Windy Conditions
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

Unlock the Best of Tivoli Gardens

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Tivoli Gardens

A historic playground in the heart of Copenhagen

Tivoli Gardens sits just beyond the bustle of Copenhagen Central Station, yet stepping through its gates feels like entering a different century. Founded in 1843, it is one of the world’s oldest operating amusement parks, built at a time when pleasure gardens mixed promenades, music and mechanical rides. Today, historic pavilions, lakes and winding paths still structure the park, lending it a storybook atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly intimate for such a central attraction. The park’s architecture is delightfully eclectic. A Moorish‑inspired palace façade glows with thousands of bulbs at night, wooden buildings lean into Nordic romance, and ornate gateways frame views across flower beds and fountains. By day, you notice the careful planting; by night, strings of lights reflected in the water turn Tivoli into a softly illuminated city within the city.

Rides that span from wooden classics to sky‑high swings

Tivoli’s ride lineup ranges from gentle carousels to full‑throttle thrill machines, all tucked between gardens and stages rather than isolated in a concrete expanse. One of its icons is the early‑20th‑century wooden roller coaster, still controlled by a brakeman in each train, which rattles through artificial mountains with far more charm than high‑tech sheen. Nearby, modern steel coasters spiral overhead, offering sharper drops and inversions. For views rather than adrenaline, the towering swing ride lifts you high above the rooftops of Copenhagen, spinning slowly as the city’s spires, harbor and parks spread out below. Families find plenty of smaller rides clustered in themed zones, where younger children can stick to mini‑trains, boats and story‑inspired attractions while older siblings chase the park’s bigger thrills.

Gardens, atmosphere and the art of lingering

Despite its rides, Tivoli still feels foremost like a garden. Pathways curve around lawns edged with tulips and roses in summer, while quiet benches overlook ponds dotted with ducks and small boats. The landscaping changes with the seasons: fresh spring blooms give way to dense summer color, then to autumn leaves and finally to winter evergreens, making the park as much a place for a stroll as for rides. Music and performance are woven into the daily soundtrack. An open‑air stage anchors large concerts, while smaller venues host everything from classical ensembles to jazz. The historic pantomime theatre, with its colorful peacock‑feather curtain, presents ballet and traditional commedia dell’arte shows, continuing a performing arts tradition that predates many of the rides.

Seasonal transformations: summer lights, pumpkins and Christmas magic

Tivoli does not remain static throughout the year. A long summer season fills the air with the sounds of open‑air concerts, fireworks on select evenings and late‑night laughter as the rides run under a canopy of lights. Halloween brings another personality: pumpkins line paths, straw bales and themed props appear, and haunted attractions add a playful chill to the park’s familiar layout. In the lead‑up to Christmas, Tivoli transforms again into a dense cluster of stalls, evergreens and snow‑dusted decorations. Wooden huts sell seasonal treats, hot drinks and gifts, while the gardens are dressed with glowing ornaments and illuminated trees. Each season layers its own color palette and small details onto the underlying garden, encouraging repeat visits at different times of year.

Dining, concerts and ways to shape your visit

Food plays a central role in the Tivoli experience. Within the grounds you find everything from traditional Danish dishes and smørrebrød to international cuisine, casual burger joints and ice‑cream stands. Many restaurants offer terrace seating where you can watch passing crowds, fireworks or reflections on the lake while you dine. A visit can be tailored to mood and budget. Some guests simply enter to wander, enjoy the gardens and catch live performances, while others add ride passes for a full amusement‑park day. Evenings are especially atmospheric, making it easy to spend several hours drifting from rides to food stalls to stages. Whether you come for gentle gardens, historic theatre, modern concerts or adrenaline, Tivoli ties these strands together into one compact, evocative city landmark.

Busiest months of the year

Busiest hours of the day

Popular Experiences near Tivoli Gardens

Popular Hotels near Tivoli Gardens

Select Currency