Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

...city. I had heard of Tivoli but didn't know just what it was.

Tivoli is in fact the oldest amusement park of the world . It is said that it was Tivoli that inspired Walt Disney to build Disneyland.
The park opened on August 15, 1843 and was designed by Georg Carstensen who said of Tivoli in 1844, "Tivoli will never, so to speak, be finished," and he was right, it has changed and grown over the years.

...people give bad reviews of Tivoli gardens, but I think the reason for this is that they are expecting a 'Disney' type park - that is not what Tivoli is about - it is an amusement park that has timeless charm and class that you can't get anywhere else. Tivoli Gardens truly is a remarkable place.There are beautiful gardens, wonderful restaurants and entertainment. With great rides for both children and adults.

I have never been to Tivoli ... more

I was lucky enough to have a short break in wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen in early December.

This was my first visit to Denmark and I really didn't know exactly to expect, all I knew of Copenhagen was Hans Christian Anderson and the Little Mermaid.

Out hotel was on the outskirts of the city ( due to a mix up with Expedia - the hotel we were supposed to be using hadn't been given out booking!!) but there was an excellent bus service which we found very easy to use.

This review is about the little gem that I didn't realise existed in the city. I had heard of Tivoli but didn't know just what it was.

Tivoli is in fact the oldest amusement park of the world . It is said that it was Tivoli that inspired Walt Disney to build Disneyland.
The park opened on August 15, 1843 and was designed by Georg Carstensen who said of Tivoli in 1844, "Tivoli will never, so to speak, be finished," and he was right, it has changed and grown over the years.

Tivoli is situated in the heart in Copenhagen at Vesterbrogade, it is situated right beside the Town Hall square and Central Station., there is no missing it and the buses all stop at the garden entrance.

I have heard people give bad reviews of Tivoli gardens, but I think the reason for this is that they are expecting a 'Disney' type park - that is not what Tivoli is about - it is an amusement park that has timeless charm and class that you can't get anywhere else. Tivoli Gardens truly is a remarkable place.There are beautiful gardens, wonderful restaurants and entertainment. With great rides for both children and adults.

I have never been to Tivoli during the summer so this review is about the Christmas Market theme of Tivoli Gardens - this runs from mid-November until the very end of December, with extended opening hours often until midnight, so you can take in the wonderful Christmas illuminations.
I have visited Disneyland Paris at Christmas but believe me there is nowhere more magical or festive than the Tivoli Gardens at Christmas.

The gardens are transformed into a fairy land of white lights, for the Christmas season with thousands of twinkling lights and heart-shaped decorations.
Our party for the trip were my husband and I, teenage daughter and young son - and each and every one of us loved every minute.

Let me set the scene - it was December, it was Denmark, it was VERY cold - not snowing but with a heavy frost that made everywhere look magical.

If you are in a 'Bah humbug' mood, Tivoli at Christmas is just the place to go the place to put you in the Christmas spirit,it is full of delights of Christmasses past and present.
The wonderful gardens of Tivoli are transformed into small villages filled with lights and life and an incredible selection of Danish christmas décor, gift ideas and Danish food and drink suitable for Christmas. The stalls are delightful, they have pine branches attached to the roofs - pine branches are also laid out alongside the paths and everywhere you go it smells beautiful - a real Christmas smell.and atmosphere.
The main draw are the lights, stalls, food and drink and generall fun of the place but added to that are the thrills and spills of the white knuckle ride or more gentle varieties, real ice skating on the lake, fireworks and water displays and so much more. The lights at Tivoli are a story in their own right; there are one thousand eight hundred light chains are needed for the willows around The Tivoli Lake, another 5000 metres are needed for all the Christmas trees and a further 1000 metres for the buildings at Tivoli - the results are truly magical.
There is an incredible water and light display every hour from 5pm onwards with music on the lake. We sat with a drink at the Faergekron Restaurant which sits on the lake and - what a sight, we had front row seats!
All around the grounds coal fire pits are dotted , very welcoming to warm the old fingers on a cold Copenhagen winter night.

The range of gifts and decorations on sale for Christmas were excellent and also suprisingly of good value. I was really impressed with the 'Christmassy' look of the decorations on offer, really traditional and beautifully made, we were surprised at first to see lots of decorations in the shape of pigs but the pig is to Danes like our turkey at Christmas.

In the centre of Tivoli is a large tent where we found the enchanting village of 'Nissekøbing'. This is a real a winter wonderland where Santa's little helpers - the elves (in Danish 'nisser')are in full swing to help Santa with his busiest time of the year - the looks on the children's faces were wonderful as they gazed in awe at the scene.

All the normal rides were in operation, and as a special Christmas feature, the 150 years old double-decker merry-go-round, the oldest carousel of its kind in the world, is brought out. There were over 20 rides - including the Swing Carousel, the Pixie Train for the locomotive experience, the mountain roller-coaster, the Dmon and the Spinning Top.
There is so, so much I could write about - Tivoli's Concert Hall where The Nutcracker, a co-production with the Royal Danish Ballet of the classic Christmas tale, is performed - spell binding and magical; the Chinese Tower next to the Tivoli Lake is beautifully lit and sells wonderful Chinese food , if you look closely you'll see small artificial icebergs in the boat ride part of the lake; the huge Christmas Tree decorated with lights, and the large chestnut trees next to it have illuminated hearts hanging from their branches; the main stage where Santa is in his sledge and children and parents alike can go and tell him what they want for Christmas; the hilarious Crazy Christmas Caberet in the Glasshaus theatre. It is an English Pantomime in a beautiful and very, very funny; and noit forgetting the wonderful "gløgg" (warm spicy red wine with chopped almonds and raisins) and the incredible hot pork sandwiches !!!
I have so many happy memories of that visit, my kids laughing and falling as they tried to ice skate on the lake, the 'real' Santa walking around handing out sweeties to the kiddies, the smells, the atmosphere, the lights - it all epitomised Christmas to me, a truly remarkable experience.

When I think of that visit, for some reason I always think of the prams and pushchairs the Danes had in the park - they were triuy huge and held two to three little kiddies all bedecked in ski suits - remarkable sight!!

Denmark is not the cheapest countryi the world, so be prepared to pay slightly more for your food than in an average 'theme park'.
The price of admission is :
Adults 12 years + DKK 85 10 euro
Adults, Fridays after 20.00 p.m. 12 years + DKK 125 18 euro
Children 3-11 years DKK 45 5 euro
Children 0-2 years Free
But I would recommend that you purchase a CPHCard at the following prices
Adults
DKK DKK 225 / Euros 30 ( 24 hours)
DKK DKK 450 / Euros 60 (72 hours)
Children
DKK DKK 115 / Euros 15 (24 hours)
DKK DKK 225 / Euros 30 (72 hours)The adult card is for 16+ and childs card is for aged 10-15.
Two children aged 0-9 are free with an adult CPHCARD .
For this you get free entry to about 60 museums and attractions (including Tivoli,free transport by train, bus and Metro - also from/to the airport and discounts on restaurants, car hire, shops and attractions.
These can be bought online and at the airport and hotels.

Tivoli at Christmas really is a must on anyones travel plans - but do just watch your purse, I had mine very cleverly lifted from my handbag at the bus stop outside Tivoli!!

 

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