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Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen: tickets, seasons and best rides

Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen: tickets, seasons and best rides

Tivoli Gardens has been operating since 1843. It is the second oldest amusement park in the world (as of 09/2026, Tivoli Gardens). Outside, you are greeted by an ordinary city square, but inside you will find gardens, wooden roller coasters, and hundreds of lights.

The park in the center of Copenhagen is not open year-round. In winter, it hosts a Christmas market known throughout Denmark.

Park admission and rides are paid for separately, so it is easy to overpay at the ticket office. Below are answers: which tickets to choose, when to visit, and how many hours to allow for your visit.

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Illuminated carousel in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

What Tivoli Gardens is

💡 In short:

  • Tivoli is located in the center of Copenhagen, near the main train station and City Hall Square.
  • Admission and rides are paid for separately.
  • Check season dates in the Tivoli calendar.

There are no concrete walls here: the rides stand among well-kept gardens by a lake.

Peacocks stroll along the paths between flower beds, and themed lanes lead from one carousel to another. You walk through the park as if through a garden, not a typical amusement park.

Entrance to Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen© Elgaard · CC BY-SAPhoto: Elgaard, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

The park inspired Hans Christian Andersen to write the fairy tale "The Nightingale" and later gave Walt Disney the idea for his first park. The old pavilions and quiet alleys are a reminder of this history.

The main entrance to Tivoli is at Vesterbrogade 3, a block from City Hall Square.

How to get to Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli is located opposite Copenhagen Central Station (København H) and City Hall Square, Rådhuspladsen. The Rådhuspladsen metro station (lines M3 and M4) is a couple of minutes' walk away.

From Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn, it is about a 20-minute walk on the map. By metro, you will get to Rådhuspladsen faster than by taxi in traffic.

Spring tulips and carousel in Tivoli

If you arrive in Copenhagen by train or bus, it is worth comparing tickets in advance: trains to Copenhagen on Trip.com. Once you exit at København H, look for signs to Tivoli on the station side.

A bike in Copenhagen is often faster than a car. Parking in the center is paid and tight, so take the metro or a bike.

Tickets and opening hours

At Tivoli, the entrance ticket and the ride ticket are sold separately. The entrance gives you access to the gardens, the Food Hall, the shops, and most shows, but rides are not included.

Rides are purchased individually or with an unlimited Ride Pass. The entrance + Ride Pass combo is cheaper than buying everything separately, so first figure out how many rides you want to go on.

Entrance prices depend on the date and entry time. On quiet days the ticket is cheaper, so check the calendar on the official website in advance (as of 09/2026, shop.tivoli.dk). A purchased ticket is non-refundable, but the visit date can be changed once.

With the Copenhagen Card, park entry and city transport are included, while rides must be paid for separately. Get the card if you plan to visit several more museums on the same trip.

Entrance tickets and the Ride Pass are easy to buy online before your trip: Tivoli Gardens tickets on GetYourGuide.

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What to do at Tivoli Gardens

The park has several dozen attractions, from children's carousels to roller coasters and a Ferris wheel. Decide in advance what interests you so you do not spend the whole day standing in lines.

Most of the buildings are arranged in a circle around the lake, so you can walk through the park in one relaxed loop and not miss anything.

Rides

Rutschebanen opened in 1914 and is the oldest operating wooden roller coaster in Europe (as of 09/2026, official Tivoli website). At the top, a brakeman slows the car down, so the ride is gentle but still loud.

Rutschebanen wooden roller coaster with sign© K56e51g · CC BY-SAPhoto: K56e51g, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

For adrenaline, head to Demon, Star Flyer, and Milky Way. Star Flyer lifts you high above the rooftops, so if you are afraid of heights, it is better to skip this ride.

Family rides here are gentle. The Flying Trunk takes you through rooms with scenes from Andersen's fairy tales, and The Mine and Tik Tak will appeal to younger children.

Inside The Flying Trunk, you pass through one hall after another, and familiar stories come to life on every wall. It is a calm ride, and you will not need a break afterward.

The Tivoli Gardens app has a park map, ticket sales for rides, and restaurant table reservations. A full description of all the coasters is available on the rides page.

Shops

The shops at Tivoli are not limited to souvenirs. Here you will find jewelry, accessories, and an official Lego store.

Live music and shows

During the day and in the evening, concerts, theater, and pantomime take place on the park's stages. Most shows are included in the entrance ticket, while some require a separate ticket.

Check the daily schedule on the official website. In the evening, a light show is held on the lake.

Food at Tivoli Gardens

You won't go hungry at Tivoli. There are almost as many food spots as rides: from Gasoline Grill burgers to Cakenhagen pastries and Joe & The Juice smoothies.

Tivoli Food Hall brings together cuisines from different countries. It is also open from the street side.

Tables at popular restaurants in the evening are best booked in advance, especially on weekends and during the Halloween season.

Best time to visit

Tivoli operates seasonally. The 2026 summer season runs from April 7 to September 20, then Halloween starts from October 2 to November 1, and from November 13 the park turns into a Christmas market until January 3 (as of 09/2026, tivoli.dk).

During the season, the park is open from morning until late evening, with longer hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Come after lunch: you will catch the sunset, the first lights, and the evening show on the lake.

In the evenings, Tivoli glows with hundreds of lamps, and the rides look completely different. If you have time to spare, plan to stay in the park after dark.

In winter the season is short, but that is when Tivoli turns into a Christmas market with garlands and festive pavilions. If you want to see the park at its most illuminated, pick a December evening.

Festive lights and pond in Tivoli© Maria Eklind · CC BY-SAPhoto: Maria Eklind, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

How much time you need at Tivoli

It is easy to spend a whole day at Tivoli. You ride, watch performances, stroll through the gardens, and have dinner.

If you are short on time, a few hours are enough for a walk and a couple of rides. Even a short visit is worth it, but in that case get a basic entrance ticket without the unlimited Ride Pass.

If you are visiting with children, allow more time for queues and food breaks.

Lit ride tower in Tivoli Gardens at night© Susanne Nilsson · CC BY-SAPhoto: Susanne Nilsson, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Stay connected on your trip: compare eSIMs for Denmark. Roaming and taxis cost more than local mobile internet.

Is Tivoli Gardens worth visiting

Tivoli is not just an amusement park, but gardens, music, and history in one place. That is why the park is on almost every Copenhagen visitor's list.

We recommend setting aside a separate evening for Tivoli, not half an hour between museums. That way you will see the park both in daylight and in evening lighting.

Where to stay near Tivoli Gardens

Inside the park stands Nimb Hotel, right by the rides. Nearby, by the station, are Tivoli Hotel and Villa Copenhagen.

Hotels in central Copenhagen are convenient because you can walk to Tivoli or take the metro one stop. Compare hotels near Tivoli on Trip.com.

If a relaxed breakfast without rushing matters to you, look for a hotel in the Rådhuspladsen area.

Nimb Hotel with green dome and fountain in Tivoli, Copenhagen© Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is Tivoli Gardens accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes. Tivoli has accessible entrances, free wheelchair rental with advance booking, and accessible restrooms. Many restaurants, paths, and some rides are wheelchair-friendly. Check the details on the official website before your visit.

Is Tivoli interesting for adults without kids?

Yes. Tivoli is not just rides: concerts, theater performances, seasonal events, and good food. Many couples and adult travelers come for the gardens, the music, and the evening show on the lake. An evening like this easily replaces a regular walk around the city.

Can you visit Tivoli without going on rides?

Yes. You can buy a basic entrance ticket without rides and simply stroll through the gardens, eat, and watch performances. Many guests come just for the atmosphere or to keep loved ones company on the rides. A visit like this is well worth it.

Can you leave and come back the same day?

Yes. Get a hand stamp at the exit near the Food Hall, and you can return later the same day. The only exception is special events when re-entry is closed. The stamp is free at the exit, so don't throw away your ticket too early.

Is Tivoli Gardens expensive?

Admission is comparable to major parks, but rides and food add up quickly. The unlimited Ride Pass pays off if you plan to do several rides in a row. For food, there are both budget options and restaurants, so the final amount depends on you.

In short: what to book

If you're going for one day, get your entrance ticket and unlimited Ride Pass online in advance.

If you're planning several museums during your trip, compare the Copenhagen Card and calculate whether it pays off.

If you're staying overnight, look at hotels near the central station so you can walk to Tivoli.

Check your season dates and buy a ticket for the day you need in advance: tickets and Ride Pass on GetYourGuide.