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I’ve heard Tivoli called everything from a tourist trap to an overpriced amusement park.
After visiting four times — in sunshine, pouring rain, and during the magical Christmas season — I actually think that’s missing the point.
If you’re expecting Europe’s biggest rollercoasters, you’ll probably leave disappointed.
But if you’re looking for atmosphere, gardens, live music, beautiful restaurants and one of the most charming evenings you can spend in Copenhagen, I’d absolutely recommend it — even if you don’t go on a single ride.
🥳 TESTED TOP PICKS FOR COPENHAGEN
🚤 Top Repeat Activity: Stromma Canal Tour: I’ve done this tour more than 4 times now, and every time I see something different to excite me. Of the 4 times, I’ve only had a subpar guide once. It is also only $24 and has multiple departure times throughout the day. Just dress warm in the winter!
- 🚲 Fun to do: 3 Hour City Highlights Bike Tour: Even though I am scared of biking, this tour is the best way to explore the city.
- 📲 Best eSIM: You’ll need an eSIM to stay connected to the internet. I’ve tested several options. Airalo is one of the cheapest usually.
- 🥐 Best Meal: I always look forward to eating at Fleisch (smørrebrød), Andersen & Maillard is a standout option for coffee and pastries, and I’ve eaten more Gasoline Grill burgers than I’m willing to admit (even though the Tivoli location is a miss due to price and increased wait times)
👉 I regularly update these guides, so you are working with up to date recommendations, prices and locations. This article was last updated July 2026.
PROS & CONS
👍 Pros
- You appreciate beautiful gardens
- You enjoy old amusement parks
- You’re visiting in the evening
- You like fancy food and drinks
- You’re visiting during Halloween or Christmas
RECOMMENDATIONS
👎 Cons
- You’re only interested in thrill rides
- You’re on an extremely tight budget
- You’ve only got one day in Copenhagen and don’t care about the atmosphere
History
Before we get into why people come here, it’s worth touching on the history of this park. Tivoli first opened in 1843, making it the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world. The first is also in Denmark, by the way (Bakken, just north of the city).
The park has always had some kind of guest loyalty or subscription system. The earliest pass option was priced for a single gentleman, or a gentleman plus 1 lady, or plus 2 ladies. Oh, the drama!
In 1887, Tivoli Lake — yes, it’s manmade — was formed from parts of the city’s old defensive moat.
A big part of the park’s history is also how it inspired Walt Disney. He’s said to have visited in 1951, where he took extensive notes on the layout and family-friendly atmosphere, which he later sought to recreate with Disneyland.
To this day, Tivoli is known for the same things Walt Disney admired: clean, orderly, and universally appealing to families, kids and adults alike.
Another fun fact, for anyone who enjoys politics: the pitch the park’s founder, Georg Carstensen, gave to convince King Christian VIII to approve the park was, “When people are amused, they do not think about politics.” A fact that remains true to this day.
Tickets
Rides can be bought individually, which honestly doesn’t make a lot of sense money-wise — single ride tickets run about 50-90 DKK each, depending on the ride.
Here’s the fuller breakdown for 2026:
- Entrance only: from 150-170 DKK (price varies by date and season) — gets you into the gardens, concerts, and free performances, but not the rides. Children 3-7 pay half price, and kids under 3 get in free with a paying adult.
- Ride Pass (Turpas): an add-on wristband for unlimited rides, starting from 299 DKK on top of entrance.
- Entrance + Ride Pass combo package: the better-value option if you’re planning to ride more than 2-3 times — pricing varies by date, but online sellers list it around $65-75 USD per adult for weekend access.
My tip: if you’re only doing a couple of rides, buying single-ride tickets works out fine. But once you’re eyeing 3+ rides, the combo Entrance + Ride Pass almost always pays for itself.
The price is also different if you visit before 18:00 PM or after. Obviously after is more pretty especially in the summer or winter.
👉 Price is dynamic – Buy entry ticket only through Get Your Guide starting from $28
- Copenhagen: Tivoli Gardens Entry Ticket from $28
- Copenhagen: Tivoli Gardens Entry & Unlimited Rides from $60
Tivoli Ride Reviews
There are 29 rides in the park, and yes, even though this is a review for adults, that doesn’t mean we skip the rides. Since I usually visit with a group of young students, I need to know what to expect, so I’ve done these rides in every way possible — solo, and surrounded by screaming teenagers.
- The Demon — A three-inversion coaster and one of the park’s biggest thrills. You can’t take your bag on, but security here has never given me any trouble. Still one of the most adrenaline-heavy rides in the park.
- The Golden Tower — A 63m freefall tower, one of the tallest rides here. Only lasts about 30 seconds, but the sunset views from the top make it worth the nerves.
- Milky Way Express — Marketed as the “easier” train ride, but it moves faster than expected and loops around three times, which tends to leave me a little dizzy.
- The Mine — Probably the most fun with a group — you get a laser gun and compete to hit the most targets. Note: this one closes fairly often in recent years for maintenance.
- Star Flyer — Tivoli’s highest ride at 80m, essentially a giant swing carousel. Between the height and the length of the ride, I’d actually call this scarier than the Demon. The Swing Carousel nearby is a gentler, kid-friendly alternative.
- Tik Tak — Dizzying for a lot of people, but genuinely my favorite ride here. You spin fast inside a giant ticking clock.
- Aquila — Easy to miss on your first visit, but now one of my favorites. You soar as a giant eagle above the park, rotating on your own axis, which gives it a falling sensation.
- Fatamorgana — This one tricked me — I expected slow and easy. You’re taken up high with two options: the caged animals twirl, while the open, rounded option spins you like a magic carpet. Very dizzy by the end either way.
The Gardens
For a lot of people, visiting Tivoli actually has nothing to do with the rides. You come to walk around the lake, explore the gardens, and look at the flowers. You can easily spend an hour just wandering the park, or peeking into each garden and the little shops tucked around it.
Good to Know
The maps don’t help a ton — you’ll want to use the brochure, since there aren’t many maps posted inside the park either. If you’re travelling as a family, it’s worth picking a noticeable meeting spot in case you get separated. My go-to is the large lawn in front of the stage, since everyone can find it easily.
Families are well accommodated throughout the park, from stroller access to dealing with fussy kids who need a hand on the rides — there are plenty of helpful staff around to troubleshoot.
The Food
The food at Tivoli tends to get described as either bad or horrible. Honestly, it depends a lot on where you go…
And since I’ve visited quite a few times, I don’t think the food is horrible at all. Just overpriced.
My first tip: step outside Tivoli for a meal. How? There’s an adjoining food court called the Tivoli Food Hall, which is accessible to both park visitors and people who aren’t visiting the park at all. Just make sure you get a stamp on your way out so you can get back in.
The food court has some genuinely great options I’ve tried:
- Cocks & Cows — well-sized burgers and fries
- Chicks by Chicks and Olioli — great for poke bowls on a warmer spring or summer day
Inside the park, you’ll find plenty of street food and sit-down restaurants. I’ve never understood the appeal of sitting down at an understandably overpriced restaurant, so that’s not one of my recommendations. But I’ve always made time for Cakenhagen on every single visit — delightful little cakes and drinks, and even when it’s busy, the staff are consistently friendly. I especially love it in winter, when everything feels extra cozy. Their tea selection is great too. It’s a bit pricey, as you’d expect.
Cakenhagen also sits right next to the Tivoli Gift Shop, where I always find something new and interesting — great for small gifts to bring back home.
On the other side of the park, near the lake, Søcafeen is one of the few places that’s consistently well-rated and it’s easy to see why, it’s just so cute.
The lake view, with the ship right in front, doesn’t hurt either. Portions are generally big, but expect to pay around $50 per person.
If you want something quicker inside the park, two options I love:
- Original Shawarma — 100-200 DKK per person
- Gasoline Grill — the famous burger spot. It often has huge queues, and I’ll still wait for it every time, because I just love their burgers.
Weather
While we all want nice weather when we visit a place, I don’t think the weather should stop you from visiting.
This is Scandinavia after all.
Personally, I’ve been to Tivoli four times between December and June, and the weather has ranged from cold, rainy and windy to sunny and warm.
Spring and summer days are a joy of course, you can properly enjoy the gardens and the lake, or just sit on the grass. But there’s a lot to be said for winter visits too. Unless the weather turns dangerously windy, the rides still run, and the park is far less busy.
If you don’t mind a bit of cold or drizzle, it’s a much more pleasant experience without the crowds.
Christmas at Tivoli
Oh, the big one. A lot of people come to Tivoli specifically for Christmas. The grounds burst with festive stalls, and a lot of the shops shift to accommodate the seasonal crowd. It can get busy enough that it’s genuinely harder to see where you’re going, and the smell of street food everywhere makes it impossible to say no.
I loved visiting Tivoli at Christmas. Even though the main square with the stalls was packed, the area around the lake and the children’s rides at the back of the park stayed fairly quiet — enough to find a spot (if you don’t mind the cold) and just sit on a bench, taking in the lights and the atmosphere.
It’s a genuinely special experience.
Last Thoughts
I have no hesitation recommending Tivoli Gardens, whether you’re visiting with kids or without. The experience adapts to whatever you need, and you can always add the ride package ticket afterward if you change your mind. At around €28, it’s like getting entry into a botanical garden, with a lake, beautiful decorations, and curated entertainment layered on top. It’s hard to fully explain, but once you’re inside, you genuinely forget you’re in the middle of a city center.
Have more questions about Copenhagen?
Here are some more guides to help you plan your trip:
- Is the Copenhagen Card Worth It or Overpriced? (2026 Honest Review)
- Copenhagen in 24 Hours: Everything You Can Do
- CityHub Copenhagen Review: The Budget Hotel That Doesn’t Feel Cheap
- How to Get from the Airport to the City Center in Denmark
- Where to Stay in Copenhagen: A Neighborhood Guide After 7+ Visits
Short on time? Top Denmark recommendations
📲 Best eSIM for Denmark: The easiest way to stay connected in Denmark is with an eSIM you install before departure. I’ve tested several options. Airalo is one of the cheapest usually.
🚖 Airport Tip: The fastest way to head into the city from CPH airport is with the train but metro also works depending on where you’re heading.
🚲 Best THINGS TO DO: Denmark has a ton of interesting activities, both as a country but also within Copenhagen.
These are my favorite tested options in various spots around the country:
- Billund: 1-Day Ticket to LEGOLAND® with All Rides Access – $72
- Combine with visit to LEGOHOUSE – from $44
- Copenhagen: Kronborg, Frederiksborg Castle and Roskilde Tour – $211 (full day tour)
- Visit the Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church – FREE
- Take a ferry to Samsø island, one of my favorite spots in Denmark.
And some more options for Copenhagen specifically:
- 3-hour Copenhagen City Highlights Bike Tour $55
- 🔥(MUST) Classic Canal Tour with Guide – $33
- Copenhagen: Tivoli Gardens Entry Ticket & Ride Pass – $76
- CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear – $57 (much harder than it looks!)
- Den Blå Planet (National Aquarium of Denmark) – from $33
Copenhagen: Danish Architecture Center Entrance Ticket $19 (save your souvenir shopping time for here)
