The Ultimate Guide to Tivoli Gardens
For those who love exploring new destinations filled with history, culture, and entertainment, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen is an unmissable experience.
If it was good enough for Walt Disney, it was good enough for us.
What we did at the weekend:
Visited Tivoli Gardens
Location: Copenhagen
Our rating: 8/10
First Impressions of Tivoli Gardens
Fairy lights draped across tree-lined paths, the smell sugar in the air, a cheerful brass band playing, and laughter echoing off ornate pavilions.
Welcome to Tivoli Gardens in the heart of Copenhagen.
It’s a magical mash-up of vintage charm, modern thrills, and more hygge than you can shake a Danish at.
The Second Oldest Theme Park in the World
Open since 1843, Tivoli Gardens is the second-oldest in the world.
It’s a place where history hums in the background while you’re dangling 60 meters in the air on a ride.
Tivoli is very easy on the eyes too. The architecture is a glorious, eclectic mix.
There’s Moorish fantasy in the Nimb Hotel, Chinese lanterns lining walkways, and Renaissance gardens scattered about.
Somehow, it works perfectly.
Everything is beautifully maintained, charmingly nostalgic, and totally Instagram-worthy.
Hans Christian Andersen vibes?
Absolutely. The fairy tale writer was a regular here, and you can feel that whimsy everywhere you turn.
Tivoli Gardens Was the Inspiration for Disneyland
The park has inspired attractions worldwide, including Disneyland.
Quick fun fact: Walt Disney visited Tivoli Gardens in the 1950s and was so impressed, he used it as inspiration for Disneyland.
The cleanliness, layout, and fairytale aesthetic?
All directly influenced by Tivoli Gardens.
And, once you’ve been to both theme parks, you can absolutely see resemblances.
The History of Tivoli Gardens
Before diving into all the must-see attractions at Tivoli Gardens, let’s take a (very) quick stroll down history lane.
Tivoli Gardens was founded by Georg Carstensen, who convinced the King of Denmark that “when the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics.”
Sounds a good plan.
We can honestly say that we never think about politics when we’re at a theme park.
Anyway, there’s a statue of Georg in honour of his founding of the park – we’ve included a pic here!
His vision of a beautifully designed escape filled with gardens, entertainment, and dazzling lights remains at the heart of Tivoli Gardens appeal today.
Timeless Charm of Tivoli
Over the years, the park has evolved to stay relevant while preserving its timeless charm.
What’s really impressive is that Tivoli Gardens has survived everything. Fires. Wars. Economic crises. Even a Nazi occupation.
And yet, it has never lost its charm.
Instead, it’s grown more magical over time—refurbished and reimagined while never losing sight of its roots.
What Rides do they Have at Tivoli Gardens?
In terms of rides and attractions, Tivoli Gardens has plenty to offer.
Here are some top rides that should be on your itinerary:
The Roller Coaster (Rutschebanen)
The OG.
One of the world’s oldest wooden roller coasters, Rutschebanen has been operating since 1914.
If you’re on the lookout, it’s the one that goes through the snow capped mountain.
Unlike modern high-tech coasters, this ride has a brakeman on board, manually controlling the speed for a unique, vintage experience.
It is a proper old school bone-rattler and little like a runaway mine train.
The Star Flyer (Himmelskibet)
It’s the tall yellow one with swinging chairs.
This towering ride takes you up 80 meters (262 feet) into the air, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the city.
As you gently spin at high altitude, you’ll get a thrilling mix of serenity and terror, especially on a breezy day.
It’s surprisingly peaceful once you’re up there, but getting to that point is an adrenaline rush!
The Demon (Dæmonen)
It’s the big red one with lots of loops.
You can experience The Demon with VR goggles, adding a fire-breathing dragon and temple adventure to the mix.
The Demon at Tivoli Gardens is a compact but intense roller coaster that features three inversions, including a vertical loop and two corkscrews.
It reaches speeds of up to 48 mph, all packed into a ride that lasts less than a minute.
You’ll find The Demon in the China area of the park.
Fatamorgana
Another tall, eye-catching ride.
Standing 45 metres up, this tower ride offers two different ride experiences in one.
On the family friendly side, you’ll spin around in fun animal-shaped gondolas with a smooth, scenic rotation that gives you amazing views of the park.
On the wild ride, people sit outward-facing, feet dangling, while being spun around the tower—pulling up to 2.5Gs! .
Fatamorgana is the only ride of its kind in the world and blends creativity with excitement in true Tivoli Gardens unique style.
The Ferris Wheel
Because it’s not all about thrill rides.
The Ferris Wheel at Tivoli Gardens is a charming, family-friendly ride that offers a gentle break from the high-speed thrills.
It’s not the tallest attraction in the park, but it provides lovely views over Tivoli’s gardens and rooftops.
This is especially magical when the park is lit up at night.
It’s perfect for couples, kids, or anyone who prefers a slower pace but still wants that classic amusement park experience.
The Dragon Boat Rides
The Dragon Boats at Tivoli Gardens offer a tranquil escape from the park’s more adrenaline-pumping attractions.
Gliding smoothly across Tivoli Lake, these charming, dragon-shaped boats provide a leisurely way to soak in the park’s picturesque scenery.
Designed for all ages, the Dragon Boats are especially popular with families.
The boats are also wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can partake in this serene experience.
What Else is There to do at Tivoli Gardens?
The Gardens
It’s not just about the rides at Tivoli Gardens.
What sets Tivoli apart from other amusement parks is that it’s also a lush, peaceful garden.
Need a break from the thrills?
Just take a wander.
There are serene ponds, flower-lined walkways, and even peacocks strolling about.
The landscaping is impeccable, and it’s genuinely relaxing to sit with a coffee and just soak it all in.
Live Entertainment
Tivoli Gardens is also all about the arts.
There’s live music every day—sometimes classical concerts at the open-air concert hall, other times Danish pop or jazz in the beer gardens.
The Tivoli Youth Guard, in their red uniforms and bearskin hats, march through the park playing brass instruments, and they’re honestly brilliant.
There’s also a full-on theatre, hosting pantomimes, ballet, and comedy. In summer, it’s buzzing with performers and festival vibes.
Seasonal Events at Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens changes with the seasons, offering different experiences throughout the year.
Spring & Summer: The gardens are in full bloom, and live concerts, open-air performances, and fireworks displays make it a lively and captivating destination.
Halloween: Tivoli is transformed with spooky decorations, eerie performances, and an autumnal charm that adds a unique twist to the park. They use over 20,000 pumpkins to decorate the park during Halloween!
Christmas: If you love winter magic, the Tivoli Christmas Market is a must-visit, offering festive lights, cozy stalls, and traditional seasonal treats.
Are There Any Restaurants in Tivoli Gardens?
Yes of course!
There are LOADS of places to grab food and snacks here.
It’s not just your typical theme park food, Tivoli Gardens boasts some of the best dining spots in Copenhagen.
Whether you’re after traditional Danish cuisine or modern gastronomic experiences, you’ll find it here.
Here are a few:
Nimb Brasserie – Located in the luxurious Nimb Hotel, this elegant restaurant offers gourmet Scandinavian cuisine with a stunning view of the park.
Mikkeller Færgekroen– We at here and it was really good! Originally established in 1934 as part of Tivoli’s Fisherman’s Village, Færgekroen has long been cherished for its traditional Danish inn ambiance and lakeside setting.
Grøften – One of Tivoli’s oldest restaurants, offering classic Danish dishes in a cozy, rustic environment.
Vaffelbageriet – A great stop for dessert lovers, serving famous Danish waffles topped with ice cream and other delicious toppings.
How Much Does Tivoli Gardens Cost?
Tivoli Gardens offers several ticket options, making it accessible for different travel budgets.
The Standard Entrance Ticket: Approximately 170-190 DKK (approx £18 – £21) per person (but this option does not include the rides).
Unlimited Ride Pass: Costs 349 DKK (£40) per person (includes access to all rides).
You can buy your tickets through Get Your Guide for a Single Ticket here and an Unlimited Ticket here.*
You actually save a little on the price at the moment booking the Unlimited Ride Pass here.*
We think Tivoli Gardens offers good value for money, especially when you compare with some of the other theme parks around the world.
We’re looking at you Disney.
*Full disclosure, if you book through Get Your Guide, we’ll receive a small commission which helps with the upkeep of the website.
Our Tips for Visiting Tivoli Gardens
- Go early if you want to ride everything—some lines get long.
- Stay late for the lights. Seriously. The nighttime glow is breathtaking.
- Buy the Unlimited Ride ticket. Trust us, you’ll want to go again (and again).
- Look out for concerts—some of Denmark’s top artists play here.
- Check the seasonal schedule if you’re visiting near a holiday.
- Book in advance online to beat the lines.
- Make sure your phone is charged up to capture all those Instagram shots.
What We Thought of Tivoli Gardens
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who loves exploring new places, Tivoli offers an experience that stands out among global travel destinations.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Copenhagen—don’t skip Tivoli Gardens!
Thank you for Reading our Tivoli Gardens Blog
As always, thank you for reading this Tivoli Gardens blog post. If you want to check out pictures from our trip to Copenhagen, drop by the gallery page here.
We have many more adventures and weekend ideas, you can find them in our blog section – so do take a look.
Ciao for now!
