Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens, opened in 1843 in the heart of Copenhagen, is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, a magical blend of manicured gardens, fairy-tale pavilions, thousands of lights and old and new rides. Its charm reputedly inspired Walt Disney, and at dusk, lit up and reflected in its lake, it is pure enchantment.

Background

Tivoli has been open since 15 August 1843, and among amusement parks still running only Dyrehavsbakken in Klampenborg is older. Its founder, Georg Carstensen, obtained a five-year charter from King Christian VIII, who let him use roughly 15 acres outside Vesterport, the West Gate, for a yearly rent. Until the 1850s the park lay outside the city. Hans Christian Lumbye led its music from 1843 to 1872, and in 1874 the Chinese-style Pantomimeteatret replaced an older, smaller theatre. The wooden coaster Rutschebanen, built in 1914, is also called Bjergbanen, the Mountain Coaster. In 2024 the park drew 4.25 million visitors, the most of any amusement park in Scandinavia.

Source: Wikipedia, "Tivoli Gardens"

Highlights

• The illuminated gardens - the thousands of lights and fairy-tale pavilions at dusk.
• The historic rides - the 1914 wooden rollercoaster and the old carousels.
• The lake and concerts - the reflecting lake and the open-air music.
• The Christmas market - the celebrated festive season in winter.

When to go

The summer season and evenings, when the lights come alive; the Halloween and Christmas seasons transform it too. It closes between seasons, so check the calendar.

Practical notes

It is seasonal, closed for stretches of the year, so check it is open. Entry plus rides adds up, and it is busy on fine evenings and holidays. Its magic is the atmosphere, gardens and lights as much as the rides.

Nearby

Copenhagen central station, the city hall and the shopping streets are right beside it.

Key facts