Copenhagen tours and tickets
Copenhagen needs less booking than most capitals. Tivoli and the palaces sell tickets at the door, and a canal tour can be bought at the quay. Book ahead for restaurants, Louisiana in summer and special events at Tivoli. Day trips to Louisiana, Kronborg and Malmö are easy by train, with no timed slots to chase.
Book these first
- Popular restaurants
- 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Tables for dinner fill up on weekends and in summer.
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
- a few days ahead. Timed tickets help at busy times, and the museum is a 35 minute train ride away.
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Churches and palaces
Rosenborg Castle
A Renaissance castle with the Crown Jewels in the basement and royal rooms upstairs, in a park near the center. Tickets are sold online and at the door, and a visit takes about an hour.
Which to pick. Buy online in July and August to skip the queue. Go at opening, and add the park for a break afterwards.
A day ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorChristiansborg Palace
The seat of parliament, with royal reception rooms, the ruins under the palace and a tower with a free view. Tickets cover the rooms and the ruins separately or together.
Which to pick. Choose the royal reception rooms and the tower, then the ruins if you like archaeology. The tower view is free.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorChurch of Our Saviour tower
A baroque church with an outside spiral staircase that climbs to the tip of the spire. The climb is narrow and open to the weather, and it closes in wet or icy conditions.
Which to pick. Go on a dry day, and buy the ticket on arrival. Avoid it if you dislike heights or tight stairs.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
National Museum of Denmark
A museum of Danish history from the Stone Age to the present, with Viking finds, a children's museum and exhibitions on world cultures. Tickets are sold at the door, and a visit takes two to three hours.
Which to pick. Buy at the door. A guided visit helps if you want the Viking rooms explained, but audio guides are enough.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorNy Carlsberg Glyptotek
A museum of ancient sculpture and French painting, with a winter garden under a glass dome. The Egyptian, Roman and Greek rooms are the main draw. It is free on Tuesdays.
Which to pick. Go on a wet afternoon. Buy at the door, and take the Tuesday free entry if it suits your plan.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Tivoli Gardens
An amusement park and garden in the center, with rides, music and light shows in the evening. Tickets cover entry, with rides bought separately or as a pass. It opens in spring and in the winter season.
Which to pick. Go in the late afternoon and stay for the lights. Buy online for peak summer and for the Christmas season.
A day or two ahead in peak seasonOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorGuided bike tour
A cycle tour of Nyhavn, the harbor, Christiania and the new waterfront areas, usually three hours. Bikes and helmets are provided, and the pace is easy.
Which to pick. Take one on your first day to learn the bike lanes. It suits anyone who plans to cycle alone later.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Canal tour
One-hour boat tours pass the Opera, Christiansborg, the Little Mermaid and the Nyhavn waterfront, with commentary. Boats leave from Nyhavn and Gammel Strand all day.
Which to pick. Take the hour-long tour for an overview, and sit on the left for the best views. Pay at the quay.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorHarbour kayak tour
Guided paddles on the harbor and canals for beginners, with life jackets and instructions. Trips last about two hours and run in the warmer months.
Which to pick. Choose it for a different angle on the city. Book a morning slot, when the water is calmer.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
A museum by the sea in Humlebæk, with modern art, a sculpture park and a café overlooking the sound. It is about 35 minutes north by train. Timed tickets are sold in summer.
Which to pick. Buy a ticket for the morning and allow half a day. Pick a clear day for the sculpture park.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorKronborg Castle, Helsingør
A Renaissance castle on the sound, the setting of Hamlet, about 45 minutes north by train. Tickets cover the rooms, the casemates and the ship museum on site.
Which to pick. Combine it with Louisiana on a single day by train. Buy at the gate, and allow two hours.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMalmö, Sweden
A city across the Øresund bridge, about 35 minutes by train, with an old town, a castle and a waterfront. Tickets are bought at the station, and you carry your passport or ID.
Which to pick. Go for an easy half day. Bring ID, and check the return trains if you stay late.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Copenhagen
- Copenhagen CardA pass for public transport and entry to dozens of sights and museums over a set number of days. It pays off with Rosenborg, Tivoli and a few museums, but not for one or two visits. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Copenhagen
Do I need to book Tivoli?
Not for entry, but buy online in July and August and around Christmas to skip the queue. Ride tickets are bought separately or as a pass, and the garden is lovely without rides.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it?
It is worth it if you plan to visit several sights, since entry adds up. For a few museums and plenty of walking, single tickets are cheaper.
Are canal tours worth it?
Yes, for an easy overview on your first day. An hour is enough, and tickets are sold at the quay. A kayak tour is more fun but needs a booking.
Do I need to book Louisiana?
In summer, yes, since timed tickets can sell out. Buy a few days ahead and take the morning slot, then stay for lunch at the café.
What is free in Copenhagen?
The tower at Christiansborg, the Glyptotek on Tuesdays, the Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, the parks and Christiania are free. Check each place for closing days before you go.
What can wait until I arrive?
Tivoli, Rosenborg, a canal tour and Kronborg can be bought the same day. Book restaurants, Louisiana in summer and any kayak tour a few days ahead.