Copenhagen

Tivoli

main entrance shown on map

Tivoli is a garden built around a lake stemming from the old fortification of the city. It was opened in 1843 by its founder Georg Carstensen, just outside the city walls. Since then Copenhagen has grown up around it, and today the world-famous gardens and amusement park, is a magic and green oasis smack in the center of the city, between the central station and the city hall square. The magic is particularly obvious after dark, when the lights and lanterns in every colour of the rainbow, lights up everywhere. Main season is mid-April to late September. From mid November to late December there is Christmas in Tivoli. Tivoli is especially beautiful at night when coloured lamps light up everywhere. Pop/rock concerts every Friday night, sometimes with internationally known names. Some evenings end with fireworks, consult the programme. Also brass bands, pantomime theatre, etc., on the program.

Daily 11:00-23:00 (later on weekends) · Entry adults (8 years and up) 130 kr, children 3-7 years old 60 kr (discounts available online and for groups) · Limited wheelchair access

Det Kongelige Teater

The Royal Theatre

A majestic old building on Kongens Nytorv, houses ballet, for which the theatre is world-renowned, and drama performances. There is a 65% discount for those under 30 on selected performances, to encourage young people to see the classic arts.

Price varies

Kongens Have

King's Garden

This park adjacent to Rosenborg is the most frequented park in the city. It is a place for a stroll, a picnic, drinking beers in the sun, or whatever you feel like doing. The topless sunbathers often inject a shock into foreign visitors. Also the marionette theatre in the eastern corner is doing plays every day at 14:00 and 15:00. Great for kids.

07:00-22:00 · Free · Free entry

DR Koncerthuset

Copenhagen Concert Hall

Part of the public broadcasters new and problem ridden headquarters in Ørestad, this gem designed by French architect Jean Nouvel is the main reason behind the massive budget overruns of the project — with its final price tag approaching USD 300 million, it is among the most expensive concert halls ever built.

Price varies · Wheelchair accessible

Det Ny Teater

The New Theatre

One of Denmark's top stages, usually lays stage to famous musicals or plays like Chicago, Phantom of the Opera etc, but the performance may in Danish so check ahead. The striking building is one of the most beautiful theatres in Northern Europe following a grand renovation in the 1990s, and received the prestigious 'Europa Nostra' award for the efforts.

Ticket Office: 12:00-17:00 · Price varies · Built 1908

Skuespilhuset

The Royal Danish Playhouse

A 1000-seat national stage for the dramatic arts, with 3 stages. Opened in 2008, its beautiful piece of modern architecture overlooking the harbour. Even if you are not going for a play, the cafe in the foyer, Ofelia, is a nice place to sit and enjoy the view over the water and Christianshavn.

10:00-23:30 · Price varies · Wheelchair accessible

The Betty Nansen Theater

A good, popular and long-running local theatre, back from the heydays of Frederiksberg theatre, but English performances are rare, so it is best suited for Scandinavian speakers.

Office: Mon-Fri 14:00-18:00, Sat 14:00-16:00 · 300 kr

Nyhavn

On a sunny day, this is a top spot for oozing in the sun on the bulwark with a beer from the supermarket, or at the outdoor serving areas of the many (rather expensive) restaurants and cafe's dotted along the "sunny side" of the canal. For any self-respecting Copenhagener, this is a top priority on the first day of spring; while at the height of the tourist season, it is mainly left for the visitors to populate. Often there will be street performances, mostly improvised music concerts, somewhere along the canal - take a seat, and relax.

Glassalen

A beautiful theatre designed by Poul Henningsen in 1946, which hosts plays and varietes

Built 1946 · Wheelchair accessible

Amager Strandpark

Amager Beach

Probably the largest beach in the near vicinity of Copenhagen, artificially constructed some years back. Includes a large sand island and an inner lagoon. There is usually a good range of activities going on, even outside the bathing season, such as windsurfing, diving, water skiing, sea kayaking and some hugely popular beach volleyball fields. If you're visiting during winter you have a chance to show your inner Viking with winter bath on the New Helgoland pier.

Østre Gasværk

Teatere

This theatre is located in a remarkable old gas storage container. Mainly hosts musicals but also has plays and comedy on the program.

Wheelchair accessible

Imperial

On a rainy day, you can go for a movie, in the largest single movie theatre hall in Northern Europe, seating a staggering 1102 people. Movies are with original language with Danish subtitles. Good quality regarding projector and sound systems.

Daily 11:30-Last show · 75-100 kr

Experimentarium

Science center

Excellent "hands-on" science museum for kids of all ages. Rich with activities centered around nature and technology, and does wonders teaching complex subject easily through self experimentation. Has changing themed exhibitions (check website for current ones).

Mon Wed-Fri 09:30-17:00, Tue 09:30-21:00, Sat Sun 11:00-17:00 · 135 kr for adults, 90 kr for children

Tycho Brahe Planetarium

The Planetarium

Named after the Danish astronomer who formed the basis for the discovery of planetary motion, this planetarium features a small but good free exhibit on astronomy, a 4000-star projector, OmniMax theatre, and a restaurant.

Mon 13:00-21:00, Tue-Sun 10:30-21:00 · shows 130 kr · Wheelchair accessible

Mogens Dahl Koncertsal

Mogens Dahl concert hall

The country's only privately owned concert hall, featuring some interesting architecture as it has been fitted into some old stables. The programme mainly features classical Chamber music, with artists from all over Europe.

Prices vary

Fælledparken

Fæleldparken is the big park behind the football stadium, the largest in Copenhagen. There is a lake, big trees and a pavilion with a cafe which hosts concerts during the summer, the outfit Salsa Brava also gives Salsa lessons in the park during the summer. Most of it is covered with grass, much of it marked as football fields. Go there for a game of football or another game, a picnic, or just lie in the grass. At May 1st, during the International Workers day, most of Copenhagen's population comes here in a peculiar mix of a political rally, and a seriously huge party.

Loppen

It is a rock club where various alternative bands play live. The room in the old artillery storage with low ceilings and sturdy dark wooden support pillars can fit up to 450 people. The low stage takes you face to face with the bands playing, creating an intimate atmosphere, much appreciated by local bands who often forgo bookings at bigger stages elsewhere to play there.

Empire Bio

Independent Cinema, which is often described as the best in Copenhagen, despite - or because of - its modest size. Balances between independent productions and mainstream movies. As is the case with all Danish cinemas, international movies are shown in their original language.

12:00-last show · from 50 kr · Limited wheelchair access

The Pantomime Theater

Pantomimeteatret

A beautiful Chinese-style open-air stage, where the curtain is designed as feathers of a peacock. Famous pantomime plays of HC Andersen stories, Pjerrot and Harlequin.

Park bio

The only cinema on Østerbro, has an atmospheric lobby with tall plants, caged birds, and a café. Plays many Danish and European movies.

Usually 12:00-23:00 · 65 kr

Literaturhaus

The house of literature

Housed in a former church, this is Denmark’s first live venue for literature. Here audiences can experience readings by national and international writers, participate in discussions, or participate in events cent red on music, film and other art forms or on their cross-fertilisation with literature.

Kaleidoskop K2

Krudttønden

Krudttønden is a cultural venue in Østerbro, with a mix of both concerts and theatrical performances, by both national and internationals acts. Also has a small café, that sometimes hosts various events.

Hours vary · from 25 kr · Wheelchair accessible · Vegan options

Hellerup Strandpark

This small beach,marina and park is hidden away at the end of a residential street of Strandvejen street. While the beach here is not as good as the other beaches in the area, it is less crowded and closer to the city. The small marina is open to visiting yachts, and there is cluster of Tennis courts right behind it.

Lygten Station

Cultural house and concert venue in a beautiful old disused station building, right by Nørrebro station. The area outdoors has tables and serves beer in the summer, inside there is a stage. Hosts art exhibitions, concerts (jazz and rock), film screenings etc. according to the program posted on their website.

Opening hours varies · Usually free

Svanemølle Strand

Beach with a 130-m pier

24/7 but there are lifeguards 10:00-18:00 in the summer · free

The Opera

Operaen

The Opera on Christiania, not to be mistaken by the more conventional Operahouse nearby, is a combined music venue, restaurant and bar, with a wide variety of bands playing. Hosts a blues night on Sundays.

Bella Center

Copenhagen Congress Center

Copenhagen's prime exhibition and convention center, with over 123,000 m² of exhibition space. Fairly often there is an exhibition and event of some interest to the general public — check the current schedule on their website..

Folkets Hus

House of the People

Along with the park in front of the house, the place is a product of the squatting movement from the 1980s, and still carries some of the spirit of the old days. Go here for a cup of coffee, discussions, lectures, concerts or parties with left-wing peers. Or simply ooze or have a barbecue in the nice park in front of the house.

Forum

Big hall used for exhibitions, conferences and concerts. Their website is in English and worth checking out, as they often has international acts on the programme.

Tivolis Koncertsal

Tivoli's big concert hall, hosts everything from plays, to classic, jazz and opera concerts.