Tivoli vs Bakken: Which Copenhagen Amusement Park Should You Choose?
Copenhagen: Tivoli Gardens Entry Ticket
Should I visit Tivoli or Bakken in Copenhagen?
Tivoli if you want an iconic, atmospheric experience in the city centre with gardens, restaurants, and charm — plus a shorter visit. Bakken if you want the world's oldest amusement park (operating since 1583), more thrill rides, a forest setting, free entry, and a genuinely local Danish crowd rather than a tourist one. They attract quite different visitors and are not direct substitutes.
Two parks, very different experiences
Most Copenhagen visitors know Tivoli. Far fewer know Bakken, which is a shame because Bakken is the more unusual of the two experiences — a 440-year-old amusement park in a royal deer park, mostly visited by Danes, with free entry and a very different energy from the manicured Tivoli Gardens.
This guide compares them honestly: not to declare one “better,” but to help you decide which suits your visit and whether visiting both (highly recommended if you have 4+ days) makes sense.
Tivoli Gardens entry ticketTivoli Gardens: the basics
Location: City centre, directly behind Copenhagen Central Station. Impossible to miss.
History: Opened in 1843 by Georg Carstensen, who convinced King Christian VIII that “when the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics.” It is the second oldest amusement park in the world and one of the inspirations for Walt Disney when designing Disneyland.
What it is: A mixture of amusement park, gardens, restaurants, music venues, and theatre — all within about 8.3 hectares in the city centre. Entry gets you into the gardens; rides are paid separately (individually or via a ride pass).
Entry cost: ~155 DKK adults, ~80 DKK children (3–7). The unlimited ride pass costs ~120–160 DKK extra. Children under 3 are free.
Ride count: Around 25 rides, from classic wooden rollercoasters (Rutschebanen, built 1914 and still running) to the Daemonen (modern steel coaster) and a variety of family-friendly attractions.
Atmosphere: Elegant, themed, international crowd. In the evening especially — with the string lights, lake reflections, and gardens illuminated — Tivoli is genuinely magical rather than just commercially attractive. The pantomime theatre performs traditional commedia dell’arte several times daily.
Limitation: It is a tourist-facing experience. Prices inside (restaurants, food, drinks) are high. The ride offering, while charming, is smaller than a major theme park. You are partly paying for atmosphere.
Bakken: the basics
Location: Klampenborg, 20 minutes from central Copenhagen by S-train. Inside Dyrehaven (The Deer Park).
History: Operating in some form since 1583, predating even the concept of a structured amusement park. Merchants and entertainers gathered around a spring in the Dyrehaven forest, gradually formalising into the attraction it is today. The Guinness World Records recognises it as the world’s oldest operating amusement park.
What it is: A free-entry amusement park inside a royal hunting ground forest. The Dyrehaven itself is a UNESCO-listed historic landscape with approximately 2,000 free-roaming deer, baroque riding trails, and the Hermitage Palace. Bakken sits within this landscape — a slightly ramshackle, very Danish contrast to the pristine Tivoli.
Entry cost: Free. Rides cost 20–50 DKK each, or an unlimited wristband for around 200–280 DKK per day (varies by date).
Ride count: Around 80+ attractions — considerably more than Tivoli, including several solid thrill rides and a genuine roller coaster. The vibe is more traditional fairground than theme park.
Atmosphere: Overwhelmingly local Danish crowd. Families, couples, groups of teenagers. Bakken has the energy of a place Copenhageners actually go to have fun rather than a curated experience designed for foreign visitors. There are amusement arcades, bingo halls, old-fashioned shooting galleries, and a beer garden alongside the rides.
Limitation: Less photogenic than Tivoli. The theming is minimal. The English-language experience is fine but less polished. The journey from the city centre adds 30–40 minutes of travel.
Cost comparison for a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children aged 7 and 10)
| Cost item | Tivoli | Bakken | |-----------|--------|--------| | Entry | ~550 DKK (4× adult/child rates) | Free | | Unlimited ride pass | ~500–560 DKK (4×) | ~700–900 DKK (wristbands) | | Lunch in the park | 400–600 DKK | 250–400 DKK | | S-train from city centre | Irrelevant (walkable) | ~100 DKK return | | Total | ~1,450–1,700 DKK | ~1,050–1,400 DKK |
Bakken works out roughly comparable or slightly cheaper for a full family day with unlimited rides. The gap narrows if you visit Tivoli without the ride pass (entry only, to experience the gardens and atmosphere). For adults visiting primarily for the ambience rather than rides, Tivoli entry alone at 155 DKK for a 2-hour evening visit is excellent value.
When to visit each park
Tivoli is best:
- On weekday evenings (less crowded, best atmosphere with the lights)
- During the Christmas season (Tivoli Christmas market is one of Europe’s finest)
- For a short 2–3 hour visit rather than a full day
- When you want to eat well — Tivoli has genuinely good restaurants at various price points
- For the Pantomime Theatre (free with entry, traditional entertainment)
Bakken is best:
- On a clear summer day (May–August) when the forest walk is pleasant
- With children aged 8–15 who want more/bigger rides
- When you want to see how Danes actually have fun, not tourist Copenhagen
- Combined with a walk in the Dyrehaven to see the deer
- On weekdays to avoid weekend crowds
The Dyrehaven bonus
One of the underrated aspects of visiting Bakken is the Dyrehaven itself. This 11 km² royal deer park surrounds the park and contains:
- Around 2,000 free-roaming red and fallow deer — wandering close enough to photograph
- The Hermitage Palace (Eremitagen) — a royal hunting lodge you can view from outside
- Walking and cycling trails through old-growth forest
- Grønlund concert venue (for summer concerts)
The walk from Klampenborg S-train station to Bakken through the forest (about 10–15 minutes) is itself enjoyable and completely different from any urban Copenhagen experience. Extend the visit with a 45-minute loop through the park after Bakken closes. See our Klampenborg and Dyrehaven guide for more.
The case for visiting both
If you are staying 4+ days in Copenhagen, doing both parks on separate days is easily justified:
- Tivoli evening visit: 2–3 hours, entry only (~155 DKK), experience the gardens, grab dinner, watch the pantomime. This is not a full-day commitment.
- Bakken half-day: Take the S-train, walk through the Deer Park, spend 3–4 hours at Bakken, ride what you want individually or get a wristband, return to Copenhagen by mid-afternoon.
Total cost for this combination: ~550–750 DKK per adult across two separate outings — reasonable value for two genuinely distinct experiences.
Who should not bother with each park
Skip Tivoli if: You are not interested in amusement parks at all and have no children. The ride component will bore you, and the gardens are pretty but not worth 155 DKK if you have no other reason to be there. Evening atmosphere is the argument — if that doesn’t interest you, the money is better spent on a good dinner.
Skip Bakken if: You only have 2–3 days in Copenhagen and have not yet seen the city itself. Bakken is a genuine half-day commitment with travel time. First-timers should see central Copenhagen before making the Klampenborg journey.
Frequently asked questions about Tivoli vs Bakken
Which park has bigger/better roller coasters?
Bakken has more thrill rides overall. Tivoli’s Daemonen is a competent modern coaster, and the Rutschebanen wooden coaster from 1914 is historically interesting and charming. But Bakken’s larger ride count includes more variety for thrill-seekers. If roller coasters are your priority, Bakken wins on quantity.
Are both parks accessible for people with mobility limitations?
Both have some accessibility provisions, but amusement park terrain is inherently uneven. Tivoli’s paths are generally well-maintained. Bakken’s approach through the Dyrehaven includes a forest track. Call each park before visiting if specific accessibility is required.
Does Tivoli close in winter?
Yes, Tivoli has a winter closure of approximately 3 months. It reopens for Halloween (mid-October) and Christmas (mid-November to early January). Bakken closes after late August and does not operate a winter season.
Is there alcohol available at both parks?
Yes. Bakken has beer gardens and serves alcohol openly throughout the park — it has a more relaxed, adult social atmosphere in this respect. Tivoli has multiple restaurants and bars with alcohol, but within a more regulated setting. Bakken’s beer hall culture is part of its character.
Can you eat well at both parks?
Tivoli has genuinely good restaurants across multiple cuisines and price points — the Faergekroen (The Ferry Inn) and Grøften are the most traditional options. Food prices inside Tivoli are high but the quality justifies them in some cases. Bakken’s food offering is more functional fairground fare — hot dogs, chips, ice cream — at lower prices. Neither park is a culinary destination; plan your main meals outside.
Is there a combined ticket for Tivoli and Bakken?
Not as of 2026. The parks are operated separately. Book each independently.
Frequently asked questions — Tivoli vs Bakken: Which Copenhagen Amusement Park Should You Choose?
Is Bakken really the world's oldest amusement park?
Yes, verifiably. Bakken (full name: Dyrehavsbakken) has operated in some form since 1583, making it over 440 years old. It predates Tivoli Gardens by about 260 years. The Guinness World Records recognises it as the world's oldest operating amusement park. Tivoli (1843) is still the second oldest, which is itself remarkable.How much does Tivoli cost vs Bakken?
Tivoli charges entry — around 155 DKK for adults, plus a separate unlimited ride pass for around 120–160 DKK. Bakken's entry is free. Rides at Bakken are paid individually (around 20–50 DKK per ride) or via a wristband pass (around 200–280 DKK for unlimited rides). A family day at Bakken, with ride passes, often works out comparable to or slightly cheaper than Tivoli.How do you get to Bakken from Copenhagen?
Bakken is located in the Dyrehaven (Deer Park) in Klampenborg, about 20 minutes north of central Copenhagen by S-train (line C or H to Klampenborg station). From the station, it is a 10-minute walk through the forest. The Deer Park itself is a UNESCO-recognised historic landscape with approximately 2,000 deer roaming free — worth the journey regardless of Bakken.Is Tivoli open year-round?
No. Tivoli has several operating seasons: the main summer season (mid-April to late September), a Halloween season (mid-October), and a Christmas season (mid-November to early January). It is closed for roughly 3 months in winter. Bakken is open from late March to late August, with no winter season.Which park is better for young children under 5?
Tivoli edges ahead for very young children: more gentle rides, beautiful gardens to walk around even without riding, the pantomime theatre, and a central location. Bakken is better for older children and teenagers who want more thrill rides and a forest adventure. The walk through Dyrehaven to reach Bakken is itself an experience young children can enjoy.Can you visit both parks in one trip to Copenhagen?
Yes, easily. Tivoli is in the city centre (next to Central Station); Bakken is 20 minutes by S-train. Many visitors do Tivoli in the evening (when the lights and atmosphere are at their best) and Bakken as a half-day daytime excursion on a separate day. The combination gives you the full range of the Danish amusement park tradition.
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