Copenhagen is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The Danish capital is home to a unique mix of nature, culture, and history, and impressively the capital also offers amazon viewpoints to admire all of this. Any visit to Copenhagen is incomplete without taking a trip up to one of these five historic towers. Simply put, they are exemplary at offering people breathtaking views of the city. 

Viewpoints in Copenhagen

1. Tårnet (The Christiansborg’s Tower)

The Christiansborg’s Tower was designed by Thorvald Jørgensen who is also credited with designing the rest of the palace. Kings and Queens used to stay in the Christiansborg Palace. But after a big fire in the late 1800s, the royal family had to move to the Amalienborg Palace, where they resided permanently. 

The Danish Parliament is now the custodian of the tower at Christiansborg Palace. Regardless of it being the highest tower in Copenhagen, the viewpoint that is open for visitors is only 44 m above the ground. Despite that, the Tower offers breathtaking views over Copenhagen city and it is a must-witness. You will be taking the elevator and climbing a flight of stairs to reach the viewpoint. But before you enter the tower, you will also be undergoing security measures that are strict in a manner that resonates with airport security procedures.

On your way to the top, there is a secret storage room that is now open to the public. It has a few plaster figures and also a model of the Christiansborg Palace. 

We encourage you to reserve a table and dine at the Restaurant Tårnet located on your way up to the tower.  The restaurant has beautiful interiors and it was originally designed to be the King’s bedroom. Here, the Meyers team serves lunch with traditional smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches) and the dinner served can be best described as flavor-packed. They also offer a refreshment menu and we recommend you try their coffee and Danish cakes. 

• Address: Christiansborg, 1218 København K
• Height: 106 m
• Elevator Facility: Available
• Opening Hours: Both the tower and the restaurant are closed on Mondays. The tower is open on Sundays from 11:00 to 17:30 and from 11:00 to 21:00 on the other days of the week. 
• Ticket: There is no ticket required for this place, and no prior booking of your spot is required.
• Cost: Free for all

Note: At the entrance, there are two separate queues, one for the restaurant and one for the tower. Based on your itinerary, ensure you are standing in the right queue.

2. Vor Frelsers Kirke Tårnet (The Church of Our Saviour Tower)

The tower at the Church of Our Saviour is nicknamed the “City’s Tallest Christmas Tree”. The access to the tower is present on the right side of the Church’s main entrance. The tower was designed by the architect Lauritz de Thurah and it was inaugurated in 1752. It has four twists to the right. In total, there are about 400 steps including the last 150 external steps. The external stairway is quite safe as there are safety iron railings till you reach the top. The steps are narrow, uneven, and at times physically challenging. This is why only a limited number of people are allowed at a specific time. At the summit, there is a globe of 2.5 m in diameter and a Christ figure with a flag that is 3 m in dimension. The tower is also famous for its 6 bells that are large and chime every day at 18:00 with the 42 other bells.

Fascinatingly, you could go up the spiral steps till the landing return. The view consistently improves with each step you take to get to the top. The 360-degree view is simply awe-inspiring and it lets you capture the city in a way that is unique and breathtaking. On a clear day, using this vantage point, you will be able to see as far as the Øresund bridge and Sweden.

• Address: Sankt Annæ Gade 29, 1416 København K
• Height: 86 m
• Elevator Facility: No
• Opening Hours: Both the tower and the Church are open on all days, the tower from 09:00 to 20:00, and the Church from 11:00 to 15:30.
• Ticket: You can purchase at the entrance. However, on a crowded day, say like the weekends and holidays, prior booking is required. We would recommend that you book your ticket online, regardless of the day.
• Cost: 65 DKK for adults, 50 DKK for students and adults above 65 years, and 20 DKK for children between 5 and 14 years, and these children must be accompanied by an adult. Entry is free for holders of the Copenhagen Card.

Note: The tower is closed during events of rainfall, snow, strong winds, or precipitation as the terrain gets slippery.

3. Rundetaarn (The Round Tower)

The Round Tower is an iconic building in Copenhagen. It is also the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. It was built by Christian IV in the early 17th century. The tower is attached to the Trinity Church at the ground level and a Library Hall on the first floor. This library now serves as a gallery and a concert venue. You can also buy souvenirs and refreshments here. Above the Library Hall lies the Bell Loft, which houses the church’s bell and a small exhibition.

When you climb a few flights of stairs and walk the ascending spiral ramp for 200 meters, you will arrive at a flat viewing platform. The platform at the top offers an incredibly scenic view. 

The spiral ramp winds 7.3 times around the Hollow Core; Denmark’s geographical zero point. You can stand on the glass floor which is seethrough and at a height of 25 m to the ground. This place used to serve as the starting point to measure the kingdom, leading to the publication of the first accurate map of Denmark which you will find before you reach the viewing platform.

The observatory at the top is open from October to March, every Tuesday and Wednesday from 18:00 to 21:00. There is also a telescope to star gaze from. At times, you would also have the opportunity to join amateur astronomers for star gazing. 

• Address: Købmagergade 52A, 1150 København K
• Height: 34.8 m from the ground to the viewing platform 
• Elevator Facility: No
• Opening Hours: From October to March, open every day from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 21:00. From April to September, open every day from 10:00 to 20:00.
• Ticket: Can be purchased online or at the entrance with cash or card.
• Cost: 40 DKK for adults, 10 DKK for children between 5 to 15 years, and children under 5 are free to enter. Entry is free for holders of the Copenhagen card.

Trivia: The Round Tower started to slant about 0.8 cm per year towards the west after the December 2008 earthquake. 

4. Københavns Rådhus (Copenhagen City Hall)

The Copenhagen City Hall, located at the heart of the city, was inaugurated in 1905. It was designed by the architect Martin Nyrop and it was inspired by the Siena City Hall in Italy. The entrance of the City Hall is lit by the golden Absalon statue, erected in honor of Copenhagen’s founder.

Rådhusbutikken, located at the main entrance, is the Tourist Information Center where you can buy souvenirs and other products. Rådhushaven (City Hall Garden) is accessible through the side gate on HC Andersens Boulevard or through the town hall but only from May to September. Several cultural and non-commercial events are also held in the city hall. Jens Olsen’s World Clock, credited as the world’s most accurate analog clock, is displayed here.

You can climb 300 steps to the balcony to get a panoramic view of the city. The tower also has an external clock mounted and displayed on all four sides. 

• Address: Rådhuspladsen 1, 1599 København V
• Height: 105.6 m
• Elevator Facility: No 
• Opening Hours: Both the City Hall and the tower are closed on Sundays. The tower is accessible from Monday to Friday at 10:00 and 14:00, and on Saturdays at 12:00. The City Hall is open from 9:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and from 9:30 to 13:00 on Saturdays. 
• Ticket: Get your tickets at the Tourist Information Center or book online for visiting the tower and guided tour.
• Cost: Entrance to the town hall is always free. The visit to the tower costs 45 DKK for adults above 12 years. The guided tour costs 65 DKK for adults above 12 years (The visit to the tower is not included). Entry is free for holders of the Copenhagen Card.

5. Nikolaj Tårn (Nikolas Tower)

Nicolaj Tårn is the tower at Nikolaj Kunsthal (Nikolas Art Gallery) originally built as the St. Nicolaj Church. It is the highest church tower in Copenhagen. At the art gallery, you can experience Danish and international contemporary art. It also hosts various exhibitions, concerts, performances, etc. Their shop sells posters, postcards, tote bags, and art books. 

You can climb the narrow steps to view Copenhagen from a height of 35 meters. It offers an impressive bird’s eye view of the city. 

• Address: Nicolaj Plads 10, 1067 København K
• Height: 90 m
• Elevator Facility: No
• Opening Hours: The tower is open every Saturday and Sunday at 15:00. The art gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 to 18:00 and from 11:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. The place remains closed on Mondays. 
• Ticket: Cannot be pre-booked. Tickets can only be bought at the foyer/bar. 
• Cost: The visit to the tower costs 40 DKK for adults and 20 DKK for children. The art gallery entrance costs 90 DKK for adults and is free for children below 17 years. It is also free on Wednesdays and for holders of the Copenhagen Card.

6. Marmokirken (The Marble Church)

The Marmokirken also known as Frederik’s Church, was ordered by Frederik V and was designed by Nicolai Eigtved, an architect in 1740. The construction of the church began in 1749 but was stopped due to its untenable growing cost. Fortunately, in the late 1800s, Carl Frederik Tietgen, a Danish financier kick-started the project and bring it to fruition in 1894. 

The Church looks as appealing on the outside as it does on the inside. It is one of the prominent cultural landmarks of the city and it is the largest of its kind in Europe. The most eminent feature of the church is its large green dome that is held in place by 12 pillars. 

You need to climb about 200 steps to reach the viewing deck. From there, the view over Copenhagen is incredible on any day and it is so much more pronounced on a clear day. 

• Address: Frederiksgade 4, 1265 København K
• Height: 79 m 
• Elevator Facility: No
• Opening Hours: The dome is open only on Saturdays and Sundays at 13:00. The Church is open from 10:00 to 17:00 Monday to Thursday and Saturdays. On Fridays it is open from 12:00 to 17:00, and on Sundays from 12:30 to 17:00. During times of services, concerts, or rehearsals, the church remains closed to visitors.
• Ticket: Cannot be pre-booked. You have to purchase the ticket in person at the entrance. Note that only cash payments are accepted.
• Cost: The Church does not charge an entrance fee. The dome however is 35 DKK for adults and 20 DKK for Children below 18 years. No Copenhagen Card privilege for this viewpoint.

Although there are other viewpoints in the city, we have only listed the most significant towers with rich cultural history. 

How many have you visited? Did we miss any? Do let us know in the comments and share your experience with us. Subscribe to our free mailing list and join our exciting journey.