A Day Trip at Tivoli Gardens – Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement park and a major landmark in Copenhagen, Denmark. The park opened on August 15, 1843 and, with more than 4.5 million annual visitors, it is currently the most popular seasonal theme park in the world, the most visited theme park in Scandinavia and the second in Europe, only after Disneyland Paris.
Nevertheless, Tivoli provided Mr. Walt Disney precious input and insight for the creation of his first Disney park in California. And even the famous Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen, was inspired by Tivoli when he wrote “The Nightingale”.
Tivoli’s founder, Georg Carstensen received permission to create the park by convincing King Christian VIII that “when the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics.” He probably had no idea what kind of an entertainment success he was creating for Copenhagen’s future.
Today, Tivoli’s meaning goes beyond the mere “keeping people busy” with something else than the real cause of their troubles. It’s still a place where you can have fun, relax, enjoy walks amid flowers and secular trees, but it’s no longer a blinding trap.
Once standing at the edge of Copenhagen fortifications, today Tivoli Gardens is centrally located right between the Central Station and the Town Hall Square, and is visited by virtually every tourist touring the city.
Tivoli offers a variety of events, such as the famous Friday Rock concerts, but also parades, pantomimes and other shows: they are all free to the guests of the Gardens once admission has been paid.
Children (and adults) will appreciate a visit at the Tivoli Aquarium and have fun with adventurous rides – the Demon, the Golden Tower and Vertigo can challenge the big, while The Flying Trunk, The Little Aviator and Veteran cars are popular with the little ones. (Rides open at 11.30.)
The garden is not only full with rides and adventures, but can also offer a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Here you will find green areas, lakes, and fountains. Couples will enjoy the romantic atmosphere and the wealth of flowers, as well as the green oases by the lake, and gourmet food at the many restaurants scattered all around.
Tivoli has a tradition of renewal. As the same Carstensen promised in 1843: “Tivoli […] will never be finished”. In fact, every year, there is some new addition to the attraction’s portfolio – new rides, restaurants, stalls. The Gardens generally follow an oriental/Asian theme, although a few recent additions like the Valhalla restaurant have broken with that tradition.
However, one great tradition of Tivoli Gardens will probably never be broken: its fairy lights. Tivoli is a place of lights and illumination, which makes it a very special place to visit once it gets dark. Every year, the Gardens are lit up by 120,000 lamps in the summer season and approximately 2 million lights during Christmas.
The lamps and lights have been a part of the makeup of the gardens since 1843, they still enthrall guests and are a central part of Tivoli’s charm. You have to go there twice to experience both Tivoli atmospheres: flowers and beautiful buildings in the morning, the many lights and the fairy tale atmosphere when darkness falls.
Tivoli is one of the oldest existing leisure gardens that arose in Europe in the 18th century, and it is still at its maximum splendor. So, no matter when you choose to visit this place, you come here to be entertained and you find yourself stepping into an enchanting, magic universe.
Photo by Comrade Foot
About the Author
Elena Hey there! My name is Elena and I live in Pavia, where I work as a freelance journalist and Events Coordinator. My personal interests are culture, languages and art. I love travelling and learning about foreign cultures and different lifestyles, and then I like to share my experiences with others writing articles for this blog. My passions drive me forward to live the life of my dreams, and well that’s what I am really good at!
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