Tivoli should be on your must-do list when you’re in Copenhagen. It is an amusement park located in the centre of the Copenhagen. It is a lot of fun and is the perfect way to spend part of a day in Copenhagen.
History of Tivoli
Tivoli is the second oldest amusement park in the world and was opened in 1843. It had 4.6 million visitors in 2017 and is the second most popular seasonal theme park in Europe (Europa-Park in Germany is the most popular).
In 1943, Nazi sympathizers burnt down portions of Tivoli including the concert hall. Temporary buildings were built, and the amusement park was up and running again in just a few short weeks.
Walt Disney visited Tivoli when he was planning and designing Disneyland. He loved Tivoli and was so inspired that you can see many similar attractions from Tivoli at Disneyland.
Getting There
From City Centre
If you are staying in the centre of Copenhagen, you will be able to walk to (and possible see) Tivoli from your hotel. It is centrally-located and is impossible to miss if you’re walking around the city centre.
Great Hotels in the City Centre
- Hotel CitizenM Copenhagen Radhusplasdsen
- Hotel Danmark (my personal favourite)
- Comfort Hotel Vesterbro
From Outside the City Centre
You can easily get to Tivoli from outside the city centre by taking the train to Copenhagen Central Station. When you get off the train, you will be able to see Tivoli. You just need to walk to the entrance, and you’re good to go!
Great Hotels Outside the City Centre
Opening Times
Tivoli has 3 different seasons: Winter, Summer, and Halloween.
- Winter: February 1 to February 24
- Summer: April 4 to September 22
- Halloween: October 11 to November 3
Each season has the same operating time:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 10pm
- Friday to Saturday: 11am to 11pm
Cost
- Adult Entrance Fee: $18USD
- Child (0-7) Entrance Fee: $8USD
- One Ride Ticket: $3.75USD
- Entrance and Unlimited Rides: $54.50USD
Rides cost anywhere between 1 and 3 tickets to ride, so you should purchase an unlimited ride pass if you want to go on multiple rides.
Things to do at Tivoli
Rides
Tivoli has a wide range of rides. There are kiddie rides all the way up to adult thrill rides, so everybody in your party will be able to find something they enjoy.
It is most well known for Rutschebanen. It is the oldest wooden rollercoaster in the world and was built in 1914. You board the train and ride through a mountain. There is a conductor onboard the train with you that has a brake s/he can use to control the speed of the train. It is a lot of fun and everybody should ride it at least once.
The Demon is one of the newest addition to Tivoli. It is a rollercoaster that has 3 loops and a few drops all in just over 60 seconds. It is the most thrilling ride in the park. There is the option to wear VR goggles while riding that amps up the thrill level even more.
To get a panoramic view of Copenhagen, you should ride The Star Flyer. It is a flying swing rides just like the ones found in nearly every other theme park, but it is special because you get an unbeatable view of Copenhagen from the sky. You should ride it at night for the best view.
You should not miss The Flying Trunk while at Tivoli. It is a slow-moving ride that takes you through Hans Christian Andersen’s story. It is 7 minutes long, but it is a lot of fun for anybody who grew up reading his work.
Other Attractions Not to Miss:
- The Ferris Wheel (a classic!)
- The Mine (a boat ride with a small drop)
- The Caravan (a rollercoaster for small children)
- Aquila (a ride that flips you upside down then back upright over and over)
- The Carousel (another classic)
- The Lighthouse (great for young children that like a bit of a thrill)
- Fantamorgana (a 3-in-1 ride that lets you choose your thrill experience)
Entertainment
Tivoli has a wide range of entertainment options. There are a number of shows each day, so you will be able to find a show that interests you.
The most iconic shows take place at The Pantomime Theatre. Here you can watch classic Italian pantomime shows that are led by a live pit orchestra. It is a unique show and is worth watching if you’re able to.
During special events and occasions, you are able to see The Tivoli Youth Guard. This band is made up of girls and boys aged 8-16 in uniforms that are similar to the Danish Royal Guard. The Youth Guard was founded in 1844, and the children in the guard represent Tivoli in any parades and local events.
If you’re lucky, you may be at Tivoli to attend a Fredagsrock concert. These concerts happen on select Friday nights during the summer season, and they are free to attend with the cost of admission. You should check Tivoli’s website to see if you’re in Copenhagen during a concert!
Paid Extras
You have the option to pay for additional activities at Tivoli that are not included in the price of admission.
You can pay $3.75USD to go to the aquarium. It opens at 12:30pm each day the park is open. The aquarium is small, but you are able to see many different fish species as well as a number of small aquatic animals such as octopi and moray eels.
There is an arcade that costs extra. You can play games and win prizes!
There is also a concert hall where you can pay to see various artists perform. This hall is used during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival as one of the main locations. The list of concerts and performers can be found on the Tivoli website.
Food
There are many restaurants in Tivoli; however, I recommend eating at a local restaurant before heading to the park. You will be able to get less expensive and better food that way.
If you get hungry when you’re in the park, there are a number of fast food and junk food options to choose from.
In general, the food at Tivoli isn’t the best. Since the park is in the middle of city centre, you will be able to find food outside the park that you will probably enjoy more.
Note: You are not able to leave and reenter Tivoli. Once you are inside the park, you must remain inside. If you leave, you will have to pay the entrance fee again if you want to go back to the park.
When is the Best Time to go to Tivoli?
The best time to go to Tivoli is during the week if you can. It is busiest on the weekend- especially in the evening.
Similarly, the summer is the busiest time of year. That is when Copenhagen sees the most tourists, and the weather is the nicest, which brings the locals to the park as well.
In the winter, there are a number of rides that are not operating due to the weather, so be sure to check to see what rides are closed before you go to the park. This way you will be able to avoid any disappointment if the ride you wanted to ride the most is closed.
How Long Do I Need in the Park?
If you are visiting Tivoli on a weekday during a less busy time of year (April, for example), you will be able to see and do everything in 4-5 hours. This means you could sightsee in the morning, have an early dinner, and then spend the rest of the evening in Tivoli. You won’t have more than a couple minutes of wait time during a slower time of year.
If you are going in the summer, you may want to spend a half day at the park. You will have longer wait times and more crowds in the summer months than in the Winter and Spring.
You will want to budget an extra hour or two if you are going on a Friday or Saturday night as lots of locals go to Tivoli during that time.
In Closing
Tivoli is a fun way to spend a few hours while in Copenhagen. It is incredibly easy to get to because it is located in the city centre, so you don’t have to worry about going a long distance to get there.
Tivoli is a historical park, and one any theme park enthusiast will love. It has a variety of rides that appeal to both old and young as well as thrill seekers. It is a special amusement park because it has kept its history intact by preserving its most iconic classic rides while adding new, modern attractions to attract new visitors.
You will be able to have unlimited fun if you purchase the ride pass, and I highly recommend you doing so. Buying tickets for each individual ride is not cost effective, and it limits the amount of fun you have. You will have made up the cost of your unlimited ride pass after riding 6 rides, and that is really easy to do.
I hope you have a great time at Tivoli! It is definitely one of the most fun things you can do on your Copenhagen vacation.