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Tivoli Gardens

Historic pleasure gardens, glowing lights and classic rides woven into one magical amusement park in the very heart of Copenhagen.

4.5

Tivoli Gardens is Copenhagen’s enchanting 19th‑century amusement park, a storybook mix of historic rides, lush flowerbeds, lantern‑lit paths and ornate pavilions right beside the Central Station. Open in distinct seasons – from balmy summer evenings to pumpkin‑filled Halloween and glittering Christmas markets – it blends roller coasters, classic gardens, concerts, theatres and over 30 eateries. You can come for adrenaline, romance, or simply to wander the lakeside paths and watch the lights shimmer after dark.

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-11 pm
  • Tuesday 11 am-11 pm
  • Wednesday 11 am-11 pm
  • Thursday 11 am-11 pm
  • Friday 11 am-12 am
  • Saturday 11 am-12 am
  • Sunday 11 am-11 pm

Local tips

  • Plan to arrive mid‑afternoon and stay through dusk so you experience both the flower-filled gardens by daylight and Tivoli’s famous illuminations after dark.
  • Consider buying entrance and ride access separately if some in your group prefer gardens and shows while others focus on coasters; it can be better value than all‑in passes.
  • Summer Fridays and Saturdays are busy with concerts and fireworks; for shorter ride queues, choose a weekday outside major Danish school holidays.
  • Make time for the historic Rutschebanen wooden roller coaster and a performance at the Pantomime Theatre to get a sense of Tivoli’s 19th‑century roots.
  • Book tables at sit‑down restaurants in advance during Halloween and Christmas seasons, when evening dining slots around the lake fill quickly.
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Getting There

  • Train and short walk

    From Copenhagen Central Station, Tivoli Gardens is directly opposite the station complex and reached on foot in about 5–10 minutes depending on which platform you arrive at. All regional, intercity and S‑train lines serving central Copenhagen stop here, and trains typically run every few minutes on the main S‑train corridors and several times an hour on regional routes. A standard single ticket within the central Copenhagen zones usually costs around 24–36 DKK; many visitors use a city travel card that covers both public transport and Tivoli entry.

  • Metro and walk

    If you arrive by metro, ride any line serving the Kongens Nytorv or Nørreport hubs and change to the line toward København H or Rådhuspladsen, depending on current routing; the metro journey from these hubs to the central area typically takes 3–8 minutes. From Rådhuspladsen Metro Station, it is roughly a 10–15 minute level walk along broad pavements to the Tivoli entrance on Vesterbrogade. A single metro ticket in the relevant city zones costs roughly 24–36 DKK, and lifts and escalators make this option convenient if you have luggage or a stroller.

  • City bus

    Several city bus routes run along or near Vesterbrogade and the City Hall Square, stopping within a 5–10 minute walk of Tivoli Gardens. Buses are frequent on these central corridors, often every 5–10 minutes during the day and early evening, with reduced service later at night. Travel times from nearby districts such as Vesterbro, Østerbro or Nørrebro are usually 10–25 minutes depending on traffic. Use the same zoned ticketing system as trains and metro, with single rides costing in the region of 24–36 DKK.

  • Bicycle

    Copenhagen’s cycle lanes make biking to Tivoli a practical option from most inner-city neighbourhoods, generally taking 10–20 minutes from areas like Østerbro, Nørrebro or Islands Brygge at a relaxed pace. You can use your own bike or a city bike-share system, which typically charges either a small unlock fee plus a per-minute rate or a flat fee for a set period. Dedicated cycle lanes run along the main approach streets, but be aware that bike parking around Tivoli’s perimeter can be busy in the evenings and during peak seasons, so allow time to find a legal rack.

Tivoli Gardens location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Clear Skies
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  • Weather icon Hot Weather
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  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about Tivoli Gardens

Fairytale Gardens in the Heart of Copenhagen

Tivoli Gardens feels like stepping through a portal in the middle of the city. Founded in 1843 just outside Copenhagen’s old ramparts, it was conceived as a pleasure garden where orchestras played, paths wound between lakes and flowerbeds, and ornate pavilions glowed with thousands of tiny bulbs. Today the city has grown around it, but once you pass the gates the traffic fades and you are surrounded by music, foliage and the soft clatter of rides. The park is compact yet surprisingly layered. Lakeside promenades are edged with willows and fountains, while formal beds are planted in bold seasonal displays. By day you notice the flower colours and neatly trimmed hedges; by evening, Tivoli’s signature illumination takes over as tens of thousands of lamps outline buildings, bridges and trees, casting everything in a warm, nostalgic glow.

From Wooden Roller Coaster to High-Flying Thrills

Tivoli is celebrated for its blend of old-world charm and modern thrills. The 1914 wooden roller coaster, Rutschebanen, still runs with a brakeman on board, a living piece of engineering history that rumbles through artificial mountains. Nearby, sleek steel coasters like The Demon loop and twist above pathways, while the Star Flyer swings rise high over the rooftops with broad views across central Copenhagen. Not every ride is about adrenaline. Classic carousels, family-friendly trains, bumper cars and gentler towers cater to younger visitors and anyone who prefers a slower pace. Game stalls with ring tosses and shooting galleries add a carnival note, their prizes hanging in bright clusters that you can spot from across the park.

Seasonal Magic: Summer, Halloween and Christmas

Tivoli does not simply change its hours with the calendar; it reinvents itself several times a year. Summer brings long evenings when you can ride coasters in the lingering light, then linger over drinks on a terrace while live music drifts from the open-air stage. Saturday night fireworks splash colour over the lake, reflected in rows of lanterns and the illuminated facades. In autumn the atmosphere shifts to whimsical spookiness. The Halloween season dresses the gardens in pumpkins, straw bales and witches, with haunted houses and themed decorations threaded through the existing architecture. When winter comes, Tivoli becomes a Christmas tale: snow-dusted trees, wooden stalls selling seasonal treats, and warm light spilling from restaurants around the central lake. Each season has its own programme of events, creating reasons to return.

Culture, Concerts and Theatrical Traditions

Beyond the rides, Tivoli has long been a cultural stage. The Moorish-inspired Nimb complex, glass-fronted concert hall and the historic Glass Hall Theatre host everything from classical performances to musicals and special events. On summer Fridays, the Open-Air Stage turns into a concert arena, with crowds gathering on the lawn for rock and pop acts under the sky. One of the park’s most distinctive features is the Pantomime Theatre, an open-air stage with a colourful peacock tail backdrop. Here, traditional pantomime and ballet performances continue a more than century-old tradition of masked characters, live music and wordless storytelling that has become part of Copenhagen’s cultural fabric.

Dining, Strolling and Practical Experience

Food is woven into the Tivoli experience. More than 30 eateries range from quick snacks and ice creams to white-tablecloth restaurants, many with terraces overlooking gardens or the central lake. It is common to spend several hours here: alternating between rides, a leisurely meal, and relaxed wandering along the paths to watch the shifting light and reflections. The park is mostly level and easy to navigate, with seating dotted along the main routes and quieter corners tucked away from the biggest rides. Entry is ticketed, with ride passes sold separately, so you can choose whether to focus on gardens and culture or pack the day with attractions. However you spend your time, Tivoli’s strength lies in how seamlessly it combines amusement-park energy with the mood of a historic pleasure garden.

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