By Monika
Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen: Essential Insider Tips for Your Visit.
Tivoli Gardens is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic landmarks and a must-visit for travelers of all ages. It’s the second-oldest amusement park in the world, yet it still feels fresh, magical, and full of surprises.
From its vintage rides and beautifully landscaped gardens to live performances and dazzling light displays, there’s so much more to Tivoli than a typical “amusement park” label may suggest.
But before you go, there are a few things worth knowing that can make your visit more enjoyable, and even a little more magical.
Huge thanks to my daughter, Emilia, for sharing her experience at the park and her best tips with you, so you can easily plan your visit and make the most of your day at Tivoli!
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- Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen: Essential Insider Tips for Your Visit.
What are Tivoli Gardens?
Established in 1843, it is the second-oldest amusement park in the world!
It can definitely be described as “vintage” as the rides are scattered among beautifully maintained gardens by Tivoli Lake, with peacocks walking around freely and storybook-like alleys leading from one attraction to another.
Fun facts: Tivoli is said to have been an inspiration for the storyline of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Nightingale” and for Walt Disney’s vision of Disneyland.
How to get to Tivoli Gardens?
Tivoli Amusement Park is located in the heart of Copenhagen and is easily accessible by car, public transportation, on foot or by bike.
For reference – from Kongens Nytorv (a central square near Nyhavn), it’s a 5-minute car ride, a 10-minute metro ride to the Rådhuspladsen or København H stop, or a 20-minute walk.
Tivoli Gardens tickets
There are 3 types of tickets to Tivoli and a few convenient ways to purchase them.
You can buy just the entry ticket, which gives you access to the park area, most shows and performances (more about Tivoli attractions in just a little bit!) and the Food Hall but NOT RIDES.
You can also buy individual ride tickets, a separate unlimited rides pass or the admission + unlimited rides combo pass.
Good to know: if you have a Copenhagen Card, your public transportation fares and admission to the park are included. The rides are NOT!
So which option should you choose?
Well, if you’re not a rides person, the general admission ticket should be enough, but if you think you’ll go on more than just a couple of rides, the unlimited rides wristband may be a better value than purchasing individual tickets.
At the time of writing this post, individual kiddie ride tickets cost 50 DKK (just under $8), other rides cost 60-90 DKK ($10-15). Unlimited pass price is equivalent to about 4 rides, depending on the season, so your choice of the entry pass should be based on the number of rides you’re planning to go on.
Admission + rides combo pass seems to provide the best value.
The easiest way is to purchase admission and ride tickets online, but you can also get them at the gate or by using the self-service kiosks.
Helpful hint: you can leave and re-enter Tivoli throughout the day, as long as you get your hand stamped before exiting the park.
Things to do in Tivoli Gardens
Rides
There are about 30 different rides in Tivoli, ranging from small kiddie rides and carousels to the Ferris Wheel and a couple of rollercoasters.
The most famous ride of the park is the classic wooden Rutschebanen (translating simply to “The Roller Coaster”). Built in 1914 it is believed to be the oldest operating wooden roller coaster in the world.
If you’re looking for a little more adrenaline, try the Demon, the Star Flyer or the Milky Way, but otherwise you’ll find more moderate and family-friendly rides.
Emilia’s favorites: the Roller Coaster, the Mine and the Tik Tak.
She also really enjoyed The Flying Trunk – a pleasant, mild ride, taking you through different rooms depicting some of Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous fairytales.
Emilia’s tip: skip the Star Flyer if you have a fear of heights!
Check Tivoli’s official website for more detailed ride descriptions.
Insider tip:
Download the Tivoli Gardens App (from an app store or by scanning a barcode on the paper map you get at the entrance) on your phone, and you’ll be able to easily navigate the park, buy ride tickets, book a table at a restaurant, but most importantly, you’ll be able to download your ride souvenir photos for FREE!
Just scan the barcode of your photo displayed on the kiosk screen near each ride and it will be saved in the app. You have 7 days to transfer it to your photos. Don’t miss it!
Live performances and music
There are many performances in various places of the park throughout the day. Most are included in the general admissions fee, but some require additional tickets.
Check details and daily schedules here.
Shopping
And it’s not souvenir shops! You can also find unique jewelry, accessories and even the Lego store here!
What about food in Tivoli Gardens?
You won’t be hungry in Tivoli! There are almost just as many places to eat as there are rides!
From upscale restaurants to burgers at the Gasoline Grill, delicious coffee and pastries at Cakenhagen, smoothies at Joe & The Juice and dishes from all over the world at the Tivoli Food Hall.
Helpful hint: Tivoli Food Hall is also accessible from outside of the park, so if that’s where you’re headed to eat, make sure you get your hand stamped before you enter, so you can return to the park (it’s considered to be outside of the park)
Best time to visit Tivoli Gardens
The main thing to remember is that Tivoli is a seasonal amusement park.
It is usually open from mid-April to mid-September for all the rides, performances and events of the summer season.
However, the park also opens for a limited time around Halloween, Easter and other holidays, and at Christmastime (from mid-November to early January), it turns into an enchanting Christmas Market, which Copenhagen is well known for.
In the summer season, the park is typically open from 11 am to 11 pm, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Good to know: in the evenings, Tivoli is illuminated with hundreds of lights, which makes all the rides even more fun! There are also nightly 10-minute light shows on the lake, so if you can, plan on staying in Tivoli after dark.
How long to spend at Tivoli Gardens?
You can easily spend the entire day in the park, enjoying the rides multiple times, watching performances, strolling the gardens and sampling delicious food.
That’s what my daughter did when she visited recently – she thoroughly enjoyed almost 9 hours in Tivoli, especially the park at nighttime, glowing with lights.
However, you can spend just a few hours (3-5) walking around Tivoli and going on a few rides.
There are many ways to enjoy this magical place, so even a couple of hours is worth it.
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Is Tivoli worth visiting?
Since Tivoli is not your typical amusement park, in my opinion, it belongs on every visitor’s Copenhagen itinerary.
It’s a true cultural treasure and a magical fusion of fun and history in a beautiful vintage setting that has a lot to offer beyond the rides.
Where to stay near Tivoli Gardens?
For a truly magical experience, you can stay in Nimb Hotel, right inside the park!
Tivoli Hotel and Villa Copenhagen are also great choices, located just outside the park.
You can also choose any hotel in the center of Copenhagen, for easy access and a short metro ride to the park.
FAQ:
Yes. Tivoli offers accessible entrances, FREE wheelchair rentals with advanced booking, and accessible restrooms. Many restaurants and pathways, and even some rides are wheelchair friendly. It’s best to check accessibility details on Tivoli’s official site before your visit.
Definitely! Tivoli is more than just rides – it’s known for its magical atmosphere, concerts, seasonal events, and fine dining. Many couples and adult travelers visit to enjoy the gardens, cultural performances, and evening light shows.
Yes! You can buy a simple admission ticket that doesn’t include rides. Many visitors come just for the gardens, dining, and live performances, or to just accompany other family members or friends but don’t want to go on rides. It’s still worth it – it’s a magical place.
Yes. Simply get your hand stamped at the exit near the Food Hall, and you can return later the same day. The only time when re-entry is not possible is during special events.
Admission is reasonable compared to major theme parks, especially for visitors from the US, however rides and food can still add up. The unlimited ride wristband is the best value if you plan to go on several rides. For food, there are both budget-friendly options and fine dining, so costs will vary depending on your choices.
Are you ready to plan your trip? Check out what else you can see in Copenhagen and how you can see the best attractions even if you only have one day in the city!
Do you have more time to spend in Copenhagen? Check out this 2-4 flexible and easy-to-follow Copenhagen itinerary to plan a longer trip!
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👉 To learn about my trusted travel planning resources that help me (and will help you too!) plan trips easily and save money, read this guide: How to Plan a Trip to Europe: My Favorite Travel Resources Revealed.
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About Monika
An avid traveler and a passionate trip planner, mildly obsessed with being organized and prepared 🙂
Well aware of how precious travel time is, I’m here to share my experience and help you get the most out of your vacation time.
“Taking the hassle out of trip planning”
