Experiences
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen: seasons, rides and hotels by the gardens
Thousands of lights in the trees, a roller coaster from 1914 and mulled wine under the Christmas trees. How to get the most out of Tivoli Gardens, when to go and where to stay.
It is eight in the evening, and the lights come on in the trees one by one. There is a smell of roasted almonds, an orchestra plays somewhere, and from the Rutschebanen you hear screams and laughter. Tivoli is not an amusement park like any other. It is a garden in the middle of the city, and it has been the heart of Copenhagen since 1843.
Here is everything you need to plan your visit, from the seasons and rides to the hotels right by the entrance.
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Tivoli’s three seasons
Summer (April to September): flowers, concerts and Friday Rock on the lawn. The park stays open late into the evening.
Halloween (October): thousands of pumpkins, ghosts and autumn colours. Popular with families during the half-term break.
Christmas (mid November to early January): a Christmas market, Christmas trees and lights across the gardens. One of Europe’s most famous festive atmospheres.
Tivoli closes between seasons, so check the opening times before you travel.
Book the experience: See activities in Copenhagen
What not to miss at Tivoli
The Rutschebanen
The Rutschebanen is a wooden roller coaster from 1914, and one of the few in the world where a brakeman still rides on the train. It is not the fastest, but it has the most soul.
The Pantomime Theatre and the lawn
The Pantomime Theatre with its Chinese stage shows classic pantomime in summer. Concerts are held on the lawn, and on summer Fridays Friday Rock is free for everyone with an entry ticket.
Food and drink
Tivoli has everything from hot dog stands to Michelin-starred restaurants. Nimb, the Moorish-style palace inside the gardens, houses both a hotel and restaurants.
Where to stay near Tivoli
Tivoli is right next to Copenhagen Central Station, so everything nearby is easy to reach from both the train and the airport.
Nimb Hotel
Nimb Hotel lights up Tivoli in the evening.
Nimb Hotel
Nimb sits inside Tivoli itself, in the Moorish-inspired palace from 1909. Rooms overlook the gardens, and you can walk straight into the park. The hotel has two restaurants and two bars, and guests praise the staff.
Book your stay: See rooms at Nimb Hotel
Villa Copenhagen
The glass courtyard at Villa Copenhagen.
Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen occupies the former main post office next to Central Station, a stone’s throw from Tivoli. It has a rooftop pool and a grand glass courtyard.
Book your stay: See rooms at Villa Copenhagen
Tivoli Hotel
Tivoli Hotel sits by the harbour, a short distance from Tivoli and Fisketorvet. It is a large, family-friendly hotel with several restaurants and bars, and the breakfast is much praised.
Book your stay: See rooms at Tivoli Hotel
Hotel Alexandra
Hotel Alexandra on H.C. Andersens Boulevard.
Hotel Alexandra
Hotel Alexandra is a design hotel filled with Danish furniture classics, a few minutes’ walk from Tivoli and City Hall Square.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Alexandra
When is the best time to visit Tivoli?
The evenings are magical in every season, when the lights come on. Christmas is the most popular, and December weekends are busy. Come on a weekday to avoid queues, and buy tickets online.
Tivoli Gardens FAQ
When is Tivoli open?
Tivoli has three seasons: summer from April to September, Halloween in October and Christmas from mid November to early January. The park is closed between seasons.
How old is Tivoli Gardens?
Tivoli opened in 1843 and is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world still in operation.
Where is Tivoli Gardens?
In the centre of Copenhagen, right next to Central Station and City Hall Square.
Do you need a ride pass at Tivoli?
You can buy an entry ticket and pay per ride, or buy a ride pass if you plan to ride a lot. For families, a ride pass often pays off.
Which hotels are closest to Tivoli?
Nimb Hotel is inside Tivoli. Villa Copenhagen and Hotel Alexandra are a few minutes’ walk away, and Tivoli Hotel is close by on the harbour.