When most people think of Copenhagen, they think of the old docks. They imagine pastel-coloured buildings lined up along the waterfront, with cute cafés and plenty of tourists. Whilst the waterfront is lovely (easily one of the prettiest places in the city), some tourists completely miss another grand highlight. Visiting Tivoli Gardens isn’t just an experience; it’s a rite of passage for any new explorer to this city.
If you’re after a old-style theme park, which is reasonably-priced and oozes Danish charm, all the whilst being bucket-loads of fun, then visiting Tivoli Gardens will be a highlight when you visit Copenhagen. This quick guide is to help you plan your visit to this historic and cultural landmark. Enjoy.
Visiting Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen | Your Quick Guide
One of the highlights of visiting Copenhagen back in April 2026 was taking a trip to the wonderful Tivoli Gardens. This famous amusement park and pleasure garden was opened over 150 years ago in August 1843 and is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world! Over the years it has not only become a national treasure but also an international attraction. Danish fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen visited many times, as did Walt Disney and many other celebrities, all of whom fell in love with the gardens. This really doesn’t surprise me at all – each time I visit I feel exactly the same.
Getting to the Tivoli Gardens
Visiting Tivoli Gardens really couldn’t be easier. The location of the theme park is rather central and you’ll find the main entrance on Vesterbrogade. This is one of the main roads in the city and you’ll likely be staying somewhere along it, especially if you’re treating yourself to the stylish NH Grand Joanne or Coco Hotel.
If you’re staying in the Old Town, perhaps near the docks, then it is a short walk. From experience, this typically takes around 10-15 minutes depending on your pace. There are also excellent public transport links throughout the city.
Opening Times and Tickets
The Tivoli Gardens are open until a surprisingly late time. If you didn’t know, a big attraction here are the lights which are switched on in the evening. There are also concerts and performances which run here throughout the year. In my opinion, the lights are incredible and bring an entirely new dimension to the place. It really adds to the historic charm and sets it apart from other theme parks you might have visited before.
Tivoli opens at 11:00am most days, but the closing time varies. This is because of the events which run throughout the park and the seasons. Typically though, the park closes between 22:00 and 23:00pm, with some special days being as late as midnight. You can find more information on the opening hours page on the Tivoli website.
When I think of theme parks, I also think of excessive prices. Anyone who has been to Universal in Disney in the USA will know exactly what I mean. However, visiting the Tivoli Gardens is incredibly refreshing from a budget point of view. Firstly, you have different options. If you want to just walk around, see the lights and gardens, but not go on any rides, then you can get a cheaper pass for 150 DKK (about £17.40). If you want to go on the rides, then you can pick up a ride pass for an extra 299 DKK. However, I would recommend buying the entrance and ride pass bundle online for 389 DKK to save you some cash.
Top Tip: If you live near the Tivoli Gardens, be sure to purchase the Tivoli Pass for 449 DKK. This means that you get unlimited entrance to the gardens.
The Gardens
Visiting the Tivoli Gardens by themselves is just as incredible as going on the rides. The range of plants that you see, along with all the birds which call them their home, is incredible. In the early spring, you’ll see tulip and daffodil varieties across the lawn, adding a vivid splash of colour to the park. Each season has its own stars and there is never a bad time to visit; even winter has plants which are surprisingly colourful.
Aside from the plants, there are some resident animals which call the gardens their home. I must have seen at least 3 peacocks at the park, along with an incredible number of waterfowl and songbirds.
Perhaps my favourite thing though is how everything pieces together. There’s a real Victorian charm in the park and they’ve kept their historic links. Even the gardens look straight from this era. What’s rather clever though is that they’ve managed to weave this through a surprisingly large number of biomes. There’s a Japanese pagoda, a Chinese-themed garden and area, as well as a large building which looks straight out of India and a magic carpet ride. Even if you aren’t into the rides, walking around the Tivoli Gardens can be just as much fun.
The Rides
I’ve never been an adrenaline junkie. In fact, if I go to the massive theme parks in the world I usually steer-clear of the giant roller coasters and the swings.
If you’re a bit like me, the Tivoli Gardens are still a heap-load of fun. There are no super-scary rides, but they’re still lots of fun. I found that I enjoyed going on all of them and the pace was actually perfect. The Star Flyer, one of the tallest swings in the world, has to be a must-do in Tivoli. It is arguably the scariest ride in the park, but it gives you some of the best views in the city. With the Tivoli Gardens being so central, you’ll easily see the best parts of the city from 80m up in the air.
Food and Drink
The Tivoli Gardens are jam-packed with restaurants and cafés, including some well-known Danish chains like Gasoline Grill.
The variety is arguably some of the best in the city and, whilst Copenhagen ranks amongst the most expensive places in Europe, I found that the restaurants here weren’t too pricey. There are places to go if you want a more formal, sit-down meal, and there are places to grab a quick snack. There is also a giant Tivoli Food Hall, which is filled with lots of tasty treats.
If you’re planning on visiting Tivoli, I would 100% suggest eating here. I promise that it is not like other theme parks where you feel incredibly ripped-off for what you get. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that it is cheaper than eating out somewhere touristy in Copenhagen. Trust me.
Final Thoughts | Visiting Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is one of my favourite theme parks in the world. What I love most is the charm which comes with it, especially the old-world vibe and the gorgeous lights. Whether you are in to rides, historic places, or just lovely outdoor spaces, I promise you that this will be a highlight of your time in Copenhagen.
3 comments
When I was in Copenhagen in mid-March, Tiovli was still closed for the winter season. I walked past it numerous times and wondered what it was like from the inside. I’m afraid of heights, too, and don’t like roller coasters, but I’d definitely love to experience Tivoli someday! Looks like you had a lovely time.
Ahh it looks amazing! I can’t wait to visit
So pretty! I’ll be visiting later this year – can’t wait!!