Magical Tivoli - Gardens and Amusement Park
Discover more Copenhagen - Visit the magical Tivoli gardens and amusement park
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen is one of the world’s oldest amusement parks and a cherished cultural landmark of Denmark. It was founded in 1843 by Georg Carstensen, who famously convinced King Christian VIII to grant him the land by arguing, “When the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics.” The King agreed, and Tivoli opened its gates on August 15, 1843, just outside Copenhagen’s old city walls.
From the start, Tivoli was more than just an amusement park. Carstensen envisioned a pleasure garden combining entertainment, dining, music, and beautiful landscaping. Inspired by his travels through Europe an Near East, he filled the park with exotic pavilions, flower gardens, theaters, and mechanical rides. It quickly became a favorite gathering place for Copenhagen’s citizens, offering an escape from daily life.
One of Tivoli’s unique charms is how it has blended tradition with modernity. The park still has a distinctly old-world, fairy-tale atmosphere with lantern-lit pathways, Moorish-style buildings, and lakeside promenades. At the same time, it continuously introduces new rides and entertainment, ensuring each generation finds something fresh to enjoy.
Among Tivoli’s rides, the most legendary is the Rutschebanen, a wooden roller coaster built in 1914. It’s one of the world’s oldest operating roller coasters still with a brakeman riding along to control speed—a quirky feature that visitors love. Another icon is The Star Flyer, one of the tallest carousel swings in the world, offering dizzying views of Copenhagen. Tivoli also houses the Dæmonen (The Demon), a modern steel roller coaster with loops and VR options, and the Golden Tower, which plummets riders from 63 meters.
But Tivoli has always been more than thrills. It’s also famous for its cultural offerings. The Tivoli Concert Hall has hosted international stars, and the Tivoli Guard, in their red uniforms and bearskin hats, march proudly through the park. Even Hans Christian Andersen was a regular visitor, and Walt Disney reportedly drew inspiration from Tivoli when creating Disneyland.
Don’t miss the Pantomine Theatre.
A funny detail in Tivoli’s history is its resilience: during World War II, the park was sabotaged and set on fire by the occupying forces, yet it reopened quickly, determined not to let gloom overshadow joy.
Today, Tivoli remains Copenhagen’s most visited attraction, welcoming millions each year. With its blend of nostalgia, gardens, rides, and performances, it continues to embody Carstensen’s original idea: to give people a place of wonder where they can leave worries behind.
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