Bakken (Dyrehavsbakken)

A historic playground in an ancient deer forest

Bakken, officially Dyrehavsbakken, sits in the southern edge of Dyrehaven, the royal deer park just north of Copenhagen. It first emerged in the late 16th century, when city dwellers flocked here for the clean spring water and fresh air, and entertainers soon followed with simple games and shows. Over centuries the grounds shifted from royal hunting preserve to public pleasure garden, slowly evolving into a fully fledged amusement park. Today Bakken proudly claims the title of the world’s oldest operating amusement park, yet it feels far from a museum piece. Strolling under tall beech trees into a car-free maze of alleys, you move from forest quiet to carnival bustle in a few steps, with the calls of game stalls mingling with birdsong and, in the background, the distant bellow of Dyrehaven’s deer.

Classic rides and modern thrills side by side

Rides are Bakken’s heartbeat, and there are more than thirty of them catering to every appetite for adrenaline. The star is the wooden roller coaster from 1932, all rattling timber, tight turns and swooping drops that deliver a distinctly old-school thrill. Around it spin carousels, log flumes, bumper cars, dark rides and drop towers, plus gentler children’s attractions like mini trains and small Ferris wheels. Instead of a single gate fee, admission to the park is free and you pay per ride or opt for a wristband that unlocks most attractions for a fixed price. This makes it easy to tailor a visit: you can go all in on high-speed coasters, or simply wander, trying the occasional ride between long pauses at a café terrace.

Cabarets, clowns and late-night music

Beyond the rides, Bakken leans into theatrical entertainment. Bakkens Hvile, a storied music hall, keeps cabaret traditions alive with song, costume and humour, while the Circus Revue brings variety acts and comedy to the stage in summer. The park’s white-faced mascot, Pjerrot the clown, has been entertaining children here for more than two centuries and still performs daily shows. As evening draws in, music spills from pubs and open-air stages, giving parts of the park a decidedly grown-up, convivial feel. You can move from family-friendly zones to lively bars within a few minutes’ walk, choosing between quiet corners and louder stretches where locals linger over cold beers well into a Nordic summer dusk.

Woodland backdrop and roaming deer

What truly sets Bakken apart is its setting. Step a little beyond the last game stall and you are back among Dyrehaven’s broad paths, meadows and stands of old oak and beech. Herds of deer graze in the clearings, occasionally wandering close enough to glimpse beyond the fence lines. The contrast between neon-lit rides and tranquil, historic woodland makes it easy to turn a day at Bakken into a full nature-and-fun outing. Because cars are kept outside the main area, the interior feels compact and walkable, though the ground can be uneven and gently sloped in places. On busy summer days, the forest offers an immediate escape: a few minutes’ stroll delivers birdsong, filtered green light and the sense that the city is far away.

Food, atmosphere and seasonal magic

Scattered between rides are dozens of eateries, from traditional Danish restaurants serving hearty classics to fast-food counters with hot dogs, fries and ice cream. Outdoor seating dominates, with terraces that double as people-watching spots along the main pedestrian lanes. Stands selling sweets, waffles and soft-serve help keep the park firmly anchored in summer-holiday nostalgia. Bakken’s season typically runs from late March into early autumn, with special openings for harvest celebrations and Christmas. Harvest events bring hay-bale mazes and Halloween touches, while winter openings transform the park into a tangle of lights, trees and festive décor. Whether you come for vintage thrills, evening music or a family day wrapped in forest air, Bakken offers a slice of Danish leisure culture that feels both timeless and very much alive.