Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke), Copenhagen
Copenhagen’s iconic spiral-towered church, blending daring Baroque architecture, a working parish interior, and a vertigo-tinged climb to sweeping city views.
Rising above the canals of Christianshavn, the Church of Our Saviour is one of Copenhagen’s most distinctive landmarks, famed for its black-and-gold Baroque spire wrapped in a dizzying external staircase. Consecrated in 1696, the church combines a richly decorated Dutch Baroque interior, complete with an elaborate organ and symbolic elephant motifs, with the thrill of climbing some 400 steps up the 90 m tower for sweeping 360° views over the city, harbour, and Øresund.
A brief summary to Church of Our Saviour
- Sankt Annæ Gade 29, Copenhagen, Indre By, 1416, DK
- +4541666357
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
- Budget
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Time your tower climb for clear, calm weather; the external staircase can close in strong wind or rain and feels much more comfortable with good visibility.
- Book tower tickets in advance for popular times, as access is capacity limited and lines can build due to the narrow staircase and one-way sections.
- Wear supportive shoes and keep hands free; the 400 steps include steep wooden stairs and exposed outdoor segments where a firm grip on the rail is reassuring.
- If you want quiet time in the nave, check service times and concerts beforehand, as sightseeing pauses during services and the mood shifts during musical events.
- Inside the church, look closely for carved elephants on the organ and furnishings—a nod to Denmark’s prestigious Order of the Elephant.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
- Trash Bins
Getting There
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Metro from central Copenhagen
From central Copenhagen, take the M1 or M2 metro line to Christianshavn Station, which usually takes about 5–8 minutes from Kongens Nytorv and runs every few minutes throughout the day. From the station, it is an additional 10–15 minutes of level walking through the district on paved streets, suitable for most visitors including those with strollers. A single metro ticket within the city zones typically costs around 20–30 DKK, or you can use a city travel card if you have one.
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City bus within Copenhagen
Several city bus routes serve the Christianshavn area from different parts of Copenhagen, with typical journey times of 10–20 minutes depending on traffic and starting point. Buses run frequently during the day and early evening but may be less frequent late at night and on weekends. Standard bus fares within the central zones are in the range of 20–30 DKK per adult, and tickets or travel cards are valid across buses, metro and trains.
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Cycling through the city
Cycling to the Church of Our Saviour is a classic Copenhagen experience, with dedicated bike lanes leading from most central neighbourhoods and typical travel times of 10–20 minutes from key central squares. The terrain is flat and well‑signed, but be prepared for busy commuter traffic at peak hours and follow local cycling norms. You can use your own bicycle or rent one from a bike-share or rental shop, where daily rates generally start from about 100–150 DKK.
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Walking from the historic centre
If you are staying in the historic centre, walking to Christianshavn offers a pleasant way to cross the harbour via pedestrian‑friendly bridges, with most central routes taking around 20–30 minutes at a relaxed pace. The route is on paved, mostly flat surfaces and is accessible for most people with moderate mobility, though those with limited stamina should allow extra time and consider a rest stop along the way.
Church of Our Saviour location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Windy Conditions
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Any Weather
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Cold Weather
Discover more about Church of Our Saviour
Baroque Beacon Above Christianshavn’s Canals
The Church of Our Saviour anchors the Christianshavn district with a bold Baroque silhouette that you can spot from across central Copenhagen. Conceived when the neighbourhood was laid out as a merchant’s town in the 17th century, the present church was begun in the 1680s and consecrated in 1696. It stands on ground reclaimed from the sea, its granite foundations supporting walls of red and yellow brick in a lively, irregular pattern. From the outside, the building’s Greek‑cross ground plan is crowned by pilasters and classical details that speak to Dutch Baroque influences. Yet your eye is inevitably drawn upwards, past the square tower base to the dark, gleaming spire and its spiralling band of gilt that has defined Copenhagen’s skyline for generations.The Legendary Spiral Tower and Open-Air Stairs
Work on the church’s tower continued into the 18th century, when architect Lauritz de Thurah designed the daring spiral that would make the building famous. Completed in the early 1750s, the tower rises to about 90 metres, topped by a gilded globe and a statue of Christ surveying the city. The ascent involves roughly 400 steps, with the last 150 wrapping around the outside of the spire. Climbing the tower is part architectural encounter, part mild adventure. Inside, narrow wooden stairways and low beams hint at the structure’s age. Emerging onto the external staircase, you step into the wind with only a relatively low gilded railing between you and the drop. On clear days, the reward is a sweeping 360° panorama: the copper roofs of the old city, the canals of Christianshavn, and, in the distance, the Øresund and its bridge toward Sweden.An Interior Rich in Symbolism and Craft
The church’s interior contrasts the airy thrill of the tower with a sense of grounded opulence. Light falls across dark wooden galleries, carved details, and a high Baroque altarpiece often referred to as a masterpiece of Danish church art. The composition focuses on the figure of Christ, framed by sculpted angels and dynamic drapery that draw your gaze toward the chancel. Along the nave, an extraordinary organ from around 1700 stretches across the west wall, its gilded façade supported by sculpted elephants. These animals reference Denmark’s Order of the Elephant, the country’s highest chivalric order, and appear dozens of times throughout the church as playful, symbolic details for visitors to discover. Frescoes and painted ceilings add further layers of colour and narrative, tying the interior firmly to its 17th‑century roots.Living Parish and Soundscape of Bells
Despite its fame as a viewpoint, the Church of Our Saviour remains an active parish at the heart of Christianshavn. Regular services, baptisms, and weddings fill the space with everyday life, and sightseeing pauses whenever worship is taking place, preserving the church’s primary role as a sacred space. High above, the tower houses a carillon of dozens of bells. Their melodies drift across the rooftops several times a day, creating a distinctive soundscape for the neighbourhood. Combined with the occasional organ concerts, this musical dimension reinforces the sense that the church is not just a historic monument but a living cultural presence.Planning Your Visit to Tower and Church
Entrance to the church itself is typically free, while access to the tower requires a paid ticket and is capacity controlled. The narrow stairs and exposed external section mean that tower access may close in high winds, heavy rain, or icy conditions. Those with vertigo or limited mobility may prefer to stay inside the main church, where there is still plenty to appreciate in the craftsmanship and atmosphere. The site rewards both quick visits and longer stays. Some visitors simply step inside for a quiet moment beneath the high ceiling, while others take time to study the altarpiece, spot the many elephant motifs, and then tackle the full climb. In any case, the combination of architectural drama, city views, and a still‑active parish makes the Church of Our Saviour one of Copenhagen’s most characterful landmarks.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Christiania
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Christianshavns Kanal
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Christianshavn
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Operaen
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Essential places to dine
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Cafe Wilder
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Restaurant Kanalen
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Kadeau
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Restaurant Barr
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No. 2
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à terre
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Khun Juk
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Skipperkroen
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Cap Horn
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King Hans Cellar
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Nyhavns Færgekro
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Llama
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Restaurant Maven
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Marchal
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Maritime Antiques &
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Magasin du Nord
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Welcome Giftshop & Souvenirs
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Zane
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Viking Souvenirs
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Bar Deco
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1105
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Ruby
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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Hive
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Mirror
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Mirage
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Tranquil
- Unique
- Fun-filled
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Sacred Sites
- Viewpoints
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
- Skyline
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Mindfulness
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly
