When you search for what to do in Copenhagen in one day, a lot of websites mention Tivoli, as one of the top attractions in the Danish capital.
However, if you read any of my one-day Copenhagen tips, I don’t even bring up the famous gardens. But why is that? Is Tivoli important enough to include on a one-day visit to Copenhagen?
I figured I’d set this straight—and save you from a potential disappointment during your visit to Copenhagen. I also hope you’ll get a deeper understanding not only of what Tivoli is, but also of how easy it is to write something on a travel website that’s basically impossible to pull off in real life.
Tivoli Is Much More Than a Sight to Check Off
Yes, Tivoli is probably the most famous attraction in Copenhagen. And yes, it’s something you should definitely experience at least once.
But Tivoli is much more than just a sight you can stop by, “check off” and move on. It’s an amusement park, yes, but it’s also a surprisingly posh city garden, all in one, with a lot to see and do.
You can buy a ticket just to stroll around the park and not even try any of the rides. You’ll still have a great time here: wandering past the attractions, grabbing a drink or something to eat, and admiring the beautiful and constantly changing decorations.
And this brings us to the reason I would never include Tivoli in a one-day Copenhagen itinerary.
You simply can’t fit it in.
Just to walk around the park and soak up the atmosphere Tivoli offers, you need at least 3–4 hours. Ideally, you want to see it both in daylight and after dark. The light decorations in Tivoli Gardens are amazing—you don’t want to miss those.
Why 3-4 hours?
- Tivoli is big. You need time just to walk around and see everything.
- There are a lot of shops inside. Even if you don’t plan to spend more money here than the already pricey ticket, it’s worth at least taking a look at what these shops offer. Window-shopping isn’t just allowed here, but part of a good Tivoli day.
- There are so many details to enjoy inside Tivoli Gardens. They set up themed installations at different times of the year (Easter, Halloween, Christmas etc.), with literally tens of thousands of decorations.
- They have concerts, performances, and little events that will grab your attention and keep you there longer than you planned.
- You might want to have a cup of coffee, a drink, or grab some food while you’re thee.
- And since you’re in an amusement park, even if you don’t try the rides, you’re guaranteed to spend some time just watching them.
Tivoli Isn’t Open All Year Round
Another reason I wouldn’t include Tivoli in a one-day Copenhagen itinerary is that it isn’t open all year round. Tivoli operates in seasons (summer, Halloween, Christmas) and closes for weeks in between, so it’s definitely not a guaranteed, year-round attraction.
First, it’s closed during winter. For most of January, all of February, and much of March, Tivoli is usually closed between its Christmas and summer seasons—so if you visit around that time, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to go in.
Second, it also closes between themed seasons for a surprisingly long time. To prepare for Halloween or Christmas, Tivoli shuts down for weeks. You’ll understand this once you see how beautifully the gardens are decorated for these periods. But if you visit during the preparation period, you have no chance to enter the gardens.
The good news, though, is that Tivoli is open all summer, usually from mid-April to mid- or late September..
Check out the official website for opening days and hours.
Tivoli as an Evening Program
So if you want to include Tivoli Gardens on a one-day Copenhagen “things to do” list, the most realistic way is to visit in the evening. If you come around 6 or 7 pm, you still have time to enjoy it in daylight (not in winter), but also see the magnificent light decorations once it gets dark. Tivoli typically closes around 10 pm on weekdays and 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with longer hours on some special days—so you really can treat it as an evening program.
But for me, that’s not a true one-day adventure. If you spend the night in a city, that already makes it at least a two-day trip. That’s why I included Tivoli in my two-day Copenhagen itinerary.
Make sure to visit this wonderful place in the Danish capital whenever you get the chance. Just don’t ruin the experience by trying to squeeze it into one day along with all the other must-sees. Tivoli deserves at least half a day.
