Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen – Visiting With Kids 2026

If you’re planning a family trip to Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary. Right in the heart of the city, this famous theme park is a mix of classic rides, beautiful gardens and a seriously magical atmosphere, especially at Christmas. We visited in December and spent around 3 hours exploring, going on loads of the rides and taking in all the festive decorations. The biggest surprise for us was how short the queues were – we were often straight on or only waiting a few minutes! In this Tivoli Gardens review, we’re sharing everything you need to know before visiting with kids, including rides, tickets, food and family tips.

One of the things that makes Tivoli Gardens so special is the atmosphere. You’ll find rollercoasters and thrill rides sitting alongside flower gardens, lakes, playgrounds, live music, theatres and pretty little food stalls. It’s genuinely somewhere the whole family can enjoy, whether you love rides or simply want to soak up the atmosphere.

Many people say Tivoli Gardens even inspired Walt Disney when creating Disneyland, and honestly, you can see why. The park has a nostalgic, magical feel that’s hard not to fall in love with.

Tivoli Gardens Tickets and Ride Passes

One thing that can initially confuse visitors to Tivoli Gardens is the ticket system.

You usually need:

• An entry ticket to access Tivoli Gardens
• A separate ride pass for unlimited rides

You can also buy tickets that combine entry and rides, so it’s worth working out what you’re likely to use before booking.

The separate entry ticket is a great option if you’re not a fan of the rides, as you can pay less to enjoy the day rather than paying the full price just to spend time with everyone else. You can still enjoy the atmosphere, food and everything else without paying for rides you won’t use! If you’re planning on going on more than a few rides, the unlimited ride pass is definitely worth considering though, as individual ride tickets can quickly add up, especially with children.

Children under 3 enter Tivoli Gardens free, while reduced tickets are available for children aged 3 to 7.

If you’re staying in Copenhagen for several days, it may also be worth looking into the Tivoli Pass, especially if you want to visit more than once during your trip or visit during multiple seasons. Or, our top tip would be to get the full Copenhagen Card! It includes Tivoli Gardens plus 80+ other attractions and genuinely saved us a lot of money during our trip. You can even use it on transport around the city.

Best Tivoli Gardens Rides for Families

One of the reasons Tivoli Gardens works so well for families is the variety of attractions. You’ll find everything from gentle toddler rides to proper adrenaline rides for teens and adults. Here are some of the most popular Tivoli Gardens rides, including height restrictions and what to expect from each one.

The Flying Trunk – Leo loved this one!

A lovely gentle ride through the world of Hans Christian Andersen, with scenes from favourites including The Ugly Duckling and The Snow Queen. Children can ride at any height with a paying companion aged 14+.

The Dragon Boats

A relaxing boat ride around Tivoli Lake that’s perfect for taking a break from the bigger rides. Children under 8 can ride with a paying companion aged 14+, with no minimum height requirement.

The Little Dragon

A lovely first ride for little ones, with colourful dragons that gently lift riders up to four metres into the air. Children can ride from age 3 alone, or younger children can ride with a paying companion aged 14+.

The Vintage Cars

One for little drivers, with children getting behind the wheel of colourful vintage cars and steering around the track. There’s no minimum height, although children riding alone must be at least 3 years old.

The Balloon Swing

A classic Tivoli ride that gently swings riders through the air. Children can ride from age 6 alone, while younger children can ride with an adult.

The Music Carousel

A beautiful double-decker carousel with horses and colourful carriages, making it a lovely option for younger children. Children can ride from age 3 alone or with a paying companion aged 14+.

The Panda

A mini version of a drop tower designed for younger children. There’s a minimum height of 90cm and age 3 when riding alone, but there’s no minimum when accompanied by a paying adult.

The Camel Trail

A gentle camel-themed ride with plenty of little humps along the way. Children need to be at least 120cm to ride alone, or 100cm when accompanied by a paying adult.

The Temple Tower

A mini tower ride that gives younger visitors a taste of a drop ride. Children need to be 120cm to ride alone, or 90cm when accompanied by a paying adult.

The Roller Coaster

Tivoli’s famous wooden rollercoaster has been thrilling visitors since 1914. It’s a proper classic, with plenty of twists, turns and drops. Children can ride from 120cm alone, or at any height when accompanied by a paying adult aged 14+.

The Milky Way Express

A space-themed rollercoaster that reaches speeds of up to 36km/h, with three rounds through the park. Children need to be 130cm to ride alone, or 100cm with a paying adult aged 14+.

The Astronomer

Little astronauts can pilot their own colourful spaceship, steering it up and down while trying to hit the stars with their telescope. The minimum height is 120cm alone, or 95cm with a paying adult aged 14+.

The Star Flyer

Definitely one for anyone who likes a bit of height! The Star Flyer takes you 80 metres into the air, with brilliant views across Copenhagen. Children need to be 140cm to ride alone, or 120cm with a paying adult aged 14+.

The Swing Carousel

A traditional swing ride that gradually picks up speed as it lifts riders into the air. Children need to be 120cm to ride alone, or 106cm with a paying adult aged 14+.

The Bumper Cars

Tivoli’s classic bumper cars get a glow-up with UV lighting and 1920s Art Deco-inspired surroundings. Children need to be at least 130cm to ride.

Hotel Hikari

One of Tivoli’s newer attractions, Hotel Hikari is a quirky interactive experience where you explore a futuristic hotel and take part in a series of unexpected challenges. It’s a fun option for older children and families looking for something a little different from the traditional rides.

The Demon (132cm minimum height)

One of Tivoli’s biggest thrill rides, The Demon is a fast rollercoaster with three loops, sharp bends and drops from heights of up to 28 metres. Definitely one for older kids and proper coaster fans.

The Golden Tower (132cm minimum height)

Not one for the faint-hearted! The Golden Tower takes you 63 metres into the air before sending you plunging back down in a freefall. You’ll get some amazing views of Copenhagen on the way up, if you can keep your eyes open!

Fatamorgana (120cm or 140cm minimum height)

Fatamorgana has two different experiences, with one offering a gentler ride and the other a much more intense spinning experience. The minimum height varies between 120cm and 140cm depending on which version you choose.

Tik Tak (140cm minimum height)

This giant clock-themed ride spins, swings and whirls riders through a fantastical world of gears, clocks and musical effects. Definitely one for thrill seekers who enjoy a ride that leaves you feeling a little dizzy!

The Monsoon (140cm minimum height)

The Monsoon lifts riders 12 metres into the air before sending them spinning and swinging through the air. With forces of up to 4.2G, this is definitely one for the bigger thrill seekers.

Aquila (120cm minimum height)

Aquila sends riders soaring 11 metres into the air on the back of a giant golden eagle, spinning around at forces of up to 4G. Not one for anyone who gets dizzy easily!

Companion tickets and priority access at Tivoli Gardens

Guests with valid disability documentation can bring one companion free of charge.

A “Show Consideration” card is also available, which can give priority access to ride queues for the guest and up to four companions, helping reduce waiting times in busy periods.

Accessibility at Tivoli Gardens

Much of Tivoli Gardens is wheelchair accessible, with step-free routes, wide paths and accessible entrances. Wheelchairs are available to hire from the Service Centre near the entrance.

Some rides require guests to transfer independently or with a companion, as staff cannot provide physical lifting assistance for safety reasons.

Other support at Tivoli Gardens

• Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available throughout the park
• Assistance dogs are welcome when clearly identifiable
• Sunflower lanyards are recognised for guests with hidden disabilities

Tivoli Gardens Opening Times and Seasons

One important thing to know before visiting Tivoli Gardens is that it isn’t open year round continuously like some theme parks. Instead, the park opens for seasonal events throughout the year.

The main Tivoli Gardens seasons include:

• Summer season
• Halloween season
• Christmas season

The Christmas season at Tivoli Gardens is especially famous, with festive lights, markets and decorations that make the whole park feel magical. Halloween is also hugely popular with families thanks to pumpkins, spooky displays and seasonal entertainment.

Opening hours vary depending on the season, so it’s worth checking the official website before your trip.

There are some excellent family-friendly hotels near Tivoli Gardens, and the big win is location. Staying nearby means you can walk to the park in just a few minutes, pop back for breaks with younger children, and avoid long travel days after late nights in Tivoli Gardens when everything is lit up and magical. Most of the best options cluster around Copenhagen Central Station and the Vesterbro area, putting you right in the heart of the city with easy access to restaurants, transport and attractions.

Use the links above to find the right hotel for you.

Tivoli Gardens Ride Tips for Families

• Younger children can access far more rides when accompanied by an adult, so check the height and age restrictions before joining the queue.
• Height checks are taken seriously, particularly on the bigger thrill rides.
• Some rides can close temporarily if the weather is particularly bad, so it’s worth checking the Tivoli app on the day.
• If you have nervous children, start with gentler rides like The Flying Trunk or Dragon Boats before working your way up to the bigger attractions.
• The park tends to be quieter earlier in the day, while evenings can get much busier.
• Tivoli at night is particularly magical, especially when the Christmas lights are on. Rides like The Star Flyer and Wooden Roller Coaster are great fun after dark.
• Allow at least half a day, but we’d recommend a full day if you want to enjoy the rides, food, gardens and atmosphere without rushing.
• Tivoli is suitable for toddlers too, with plenty of gentler rides and areas to explore. There are also places where little ones can play without needing to go on a ride.

Practical Tips for Visiting Tivoli Gardens

• Pushchairs are allowed inside Tivoli, so you can bring your own if you’re visiting with younger children.
• There are lockers available if you don’t want to carry bags around all day.
• You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the park, which can be a great way to keep costs down with hungry children.
• There’s a baby-changing room next to Rasmus Klump’s World, with facilities for changing babies and warming milk or baby food.
• You can leave and come back into Tivoli during your visit. Just leave via the Food Hall exit and get a stamp so you can re-enter. This can be particularly useful if you want to grab cheaper food outside the park. Re-entry can be restricted during certain major events, though.
• The Tivoli app is worth downloading before you visit. It has a map, daily programme and restaurant information, so you can see what’s happening and plan your day.
• If it rains, don’t automatically write the day off! There are plenty of indoor attractions, restaurants and covered areas, although some rides may temporarily close depending on the weather.

Tips for Food at Tivoli Gardens

• Tivoli Food Hall is a good option if you’re looking for a more casual and potentially cheaper family meal.
• Restaurants can get busy around dinner time, particularly during peak periods, so booking ahead is a good idea for somewhere specific.
• Food and drinks can be pricey, so it’s worth budgeting before you go.
• Bringing your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks is allowed, which can save you a fair bit with children.
• Tap water is safe to drink, so bring refillable water bottles rather than buying drinks throughout the day.

Day or Evening?

If you’re visiting Tivoli at Christmas, I’d actually try to do both if you can. Going during the day gives you plenty of time to explore and get on the rides, while returning in the evening lets you see the gardens lit up when they’re at their most magical. If you’re only visiting once, arriving in the afternoon and staying into the evening gives you the best of both worlds.

Is Tivoli Gardens Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Tivoli Gardens is one of those rare attractions that genuinely appeals to every age group. Younger children love the gentle rides and fairytale atmosphere, teens enjoy the thrill rides, and adults appreciate the gardens, food and beautiful surroundings. It doesn’t feel overwhelming or overly commercial, which makes it such a lovely change from some larger theme parks. Instead, Tivoli Gardens feels cosy, magical and packed with character.

If you’re visiting Copenhagen with children, Tivoli Gardens is honestly one of the best family attractions in Europe.

Why not check out our Copenhagen travel guide?

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