Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen (2026): Tickets, Hours & Best Rides

‍TLDR: Tivoli Gardens is a world-famous 19th-century amusement park easily accessible via Copenhagen Central Station. It offers historic rides, beautiful gardens, and dining options. Open seasonally requires an entry ticket, ride passes sold separately.

Tivoli Gardens is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world and Copenhagen's most visited attraction. Located right next to the Central Station, this 1843 landmark inspired Walt Disney with its mix of historic architecture, lush gardens, and thrilling rides.

This guide covers essential visitor tips, ticket options, opening hours, and must-see attractions - if you're looking to go even deeper, I recommend the official Tivoli tour which will take you through its unique story and its special place in Danish culture.

What is the story behind Tivoli?

Tivoli Gardens, often simply referred to as 'Tivoli', is both one of the most popular Copenhagen attractions, but also a living piece of Copenhagen's history and cultural fabric. This go-to amusement park was conceived by Georg Carstensen in 1843, hardly a common sight back in the day! He persuaded King Christian VIII to grant him the land by arguing that "when the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics."

With its charming blend of exotic architecture, historic rides, performances, and beautiful landscaping, Tivoli immediately captured the imaginations of Copenhagen's citizens - and hasn't let go ever since!

What are the top things to do in Tivoli Gardens?

You can easily spend a full day exploring the park. Highlights include:

• Rutschebanen: One of the world's oldest wooden roller coasters (1914), still operated by a brakeman.
• The Star Flyer: A 80 meters tall swing ride offering panoramic views of Copenhagen.
• Nimb Hotel: A stunning Moorish-style palace with luxury dining and facade illumination.
• Pantomime Theatre: Historic open-air theater featuring traditional commedia dell'arte shows.
• Friday Rock (Fredagsrock): Weekly open-air concerts held during the summer season.

Is it free to walk around Tivoli?

While Tivoli Gardens is not entirely free to get in, once you're inside, you're free to stroll and marvel at its captivating allure to your heart's content. The entry fee grants you access to the park and the many events and concerts that take place there. If you wish to try the rides, this requires an additional fee. For a good value option, the official Tivoli tour with included entry is a good option.

Entrance to Tivoli requires a ticket. You can choose between:

• Entrance Only: Grants access to the gardens, concerts, and free performances (from 150 DKK, children 3-7 pay half).
• Ride Pass (Turpas): An add-on wristband allowing unlimited access to all rides (starts at 299 DKK).
• Tivoli Package: Combined entrance and ride pass for a full day of fun.
• Note: Prices vary by season.

Check the official site for current rates.

How long to spend at Tivoli Gardens?

Given Tivoli's extensive list of attractions, you can easily spend half a day or even a full day there. Factor in time to ride the classics like the Rutschebanen roller coaster or the taller-than-tall Star Flyer, alongside breaks to enjoy a bite to eat, soak up the beautifully themed gardens, and maybe see a show. If you're a fan of theme parks, Tivoli offers enough to keep you entertained for days on end! The self-guided audio walk from Tivoli will allow you to see the entire garden and soak in the many untold stories in about 2 hours.

How to get to Tivoli Gardens?

Tivoli is located in the heart of Copenhagen.

• By Train: The main entrance on Vesterbrogade is just a 2-minute walk across the street from Copenhagen Central Station (København H).
• By Metro: Take line M3 or M4 to København H which is only a 3-minute walk away
• By Bus: Numerous bus lines including 2A, 5C, 250S stop right outside the gardens.

How old is Tivoli?

Opening its gates for the first time in 1843, Tivoli is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world. Yes, you read that right! And through the years, it has not only stood the test of time but has continued to evolve while keeping its historic charm intact - a testament to how loved Tivoli is by locals and tourists alike.

In fact, the oldest amusement park in the world is also located in Denmark, just outside of Copenhagen and right next to Hermitage where you can experience deer and royal history. The oldest amusement park in the world is called Bakken. And the best part; entrance is free!

From the iconic Golden Tower that offers stunning views over Copenhagen, the nostalgia-induced Pantomime Theatre, to mouth-watering international cuisine served in traditional-style food pavilions, Tivoli blends the new and the old seamlessly. Little wonder that this nearly 200-year-old park played a role in inspiring none other than Walt Disney himself

Does Tivoli have an audio guide?

Yes, Tivoli has an official audio guide that teaches you about its unique history and place in both Copenhagen and Denmark's history – from the eccentric founder, Georg Carstensen, who promised the King a place where people would forget all about politics, to the grim Nazi attacks during WW2 and much more.

‍It's available right here on StoryHunt as part of our partnership with Tivoli.

Is Tivoli Gardens worth visiting??

Absolutely. There's a reason why Tivoli is consistently ranked among Copenhagen's top sights.

Between the old-world charm of its original 19th-century buildings and rides, and the non-stop fun and excitement at every corner, Tivoli guarantees a captivating experience for both history buffs and thrill-seekers alike.

What else can I do in Copenhagen?

After experiencing the thrill of your life, you're perfectly positioned to dive into more of Copenhagen's inner city - you can read our full guide to the top attractions in Indre By here.

• Vibrant Nyhavn, with its colorful houses and historic ships, is just a short, delightful walk away – you can almost smell the salty air as you approach.
• Consider taking a canal tour; it offers a unique, watery perspective of the city's landmarks, letting you see Copenhagen from a different angle.
• You can also stroll down Strøget, one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets, offering endless shopping opportunities, charming cafes, and impromptu street performances.
• Walk over to Amalienborg Palace, the winter residence of the Danish Royal Family, and admire the stunning Marble Church nearby.
• For panoramic city views, you could climb the historic Round Tower.

To truly get an overview of Indre By - both its top attractions and hidden gems - use the StoryHunt app, which acts as your personal guide with audio stories, enhancing every step of your journey. Download StoryHunt for Android and iOS here.