Stromma’s Copenhagen Classic Canal Tour: My Experience & Review

I’ve long maintained that taking a canal tour is one of the best things you can do in Copenhagen. When I first visited the Danish capital in 2016, it was one of my first activities and I absolutely loved it. Even now, after visiting seven times in four years before finally moving here in 2020, I stand by that point. 

Stromma is one of the main boat tour operators in Copenhagen, and I had already used them in numerous European cities—including Stockholm. Even though I’ve lived in the Danish capital for over five years, I still enjoy exploring it like a tourist sometimes. So, I decided to take the Stromma Copenhagen Classic Canal Tour. 

I actually took this boat tour twice before writing this article. I did so for several reasons; firstly, I wanted some nice photos, and secondly, I wanted to give you a full review with all the pros and cons. My aim with this guide is to give you all the information you need to decide whether this tour is worth it for you. 

Keep reading and that’s precisely what you’ll get. I’ll cover my own experiences taking the tour, along with useful things you need to know before you book. 

What Is Stromma’s Copenhagen Classic Canal Tour?

Stromma’s one-hour sightseeing cruise is its flagship Copenhagen canal tour, and it focuses on the city’s central waterways. You’ll get to see multiple landmarks along the way, such as Amalienborg Palace and Vor Frelsers Kirke in Christianshavn. 

The particular tour I took departs from Gammel Strand, which is right in the city center and opposite Christiansborg Palace. It runs year-round, making it an ideal choice regardless of when you’re visiting Copenhagen. 

While some tours have a live guide, I have not experienced this on the Stromma Copenhagen tours I’ve been on. Instead, I’ve had audio on both occasions. 

My Experience With the Canal Tour

I initially did this canal tour as part of a Copenhagen Card review article I wanted to write. On that occasion, I went with my girlfriend, and we used the tour as part of our card. This was very straightforward; all we had to do was show the QR code at the ticket office. As a side note, I strongly recommend buying the Copenhagen Card if you also plan to visit other attractions like Tivoli; you can get yours here.

On the second occasion, I went with my mom, who was visiting Copenhagen for the first time. We’ve taken numerous boat tours together, including in Norway and other countries. We both enjoy being on the water, and this was one of the main things she wanted to do when in the Danish capital. 

On the second occasion, when I went with my mom, we bought our tickets in advance. We did so via GetYourGuide, and the process was very straightforward. We actually had to book a day later than we initially planned because everything was sold out on that day. To ensure that the same doesn’t happen to you, I strongly recommend buying your tickets as soon as possible (which you can do here). 

When we had our tickets, we went to the starting point of the tour. It’s very close to Gammel Strand Metro Station and near Strøget, the main shopping street in Copenhagen. We showed our QR codes to the person at the boat and then took our seats. 

We had a pretty sunny day, which is obviously not always the case for Copenhagen. Our cruise left at 10:00 sharp, which was when we booked it for. Some people tried to get on, but it was too late, and they needed to wait another hour. 

The tour itself was pretty relaxed. We went there on a Friday morning, which was before the main rush of tourists in Copenhagen each weekend. Our guide explained what would happen before we set off. 

The boat went through the inner harbor and past Nyhavn, along with going through part of Holmen and Refshaleøen. We also went past the perpetually underwhelming Little Mermaid, which was more than enough for me. Thankfully, grander sights—such as the beautiful canals of Christianshavn and the Royal Danish Theater building—were also visible from the water. 

Our tour ran smoothly without issues. Toward the end of it, we went under Marmorbroen and back to the starting point. It wasn’t as interactive as the one you can do in Malmö (which is an easy day trip from Copenhagen, by the way), but it was still a nice experience. 

When I Say The Tour Leaves On Time, I’m Not Joking

When buying your tickets for this tour, you’re advised to arrive early. Since I am the complete opposite of a time optimist, this was always going to happen. However, I was expecting that they would wait for a five-minute grace period or so. 

Well… they didn’t. 

Some people turned up right on the hour, and the boat did not wait for them. So yes, I suggest taking your time slot seriously. If you are late, you *will* be left behind. 

Buying Your Ticket Online Is Much Easier Than Doing So When You Arrive

You can buy your tickets when you arrive at Gammel Strand’s Stromma ticket office, but I’d advise against it. This is particularly true if you’re visiting Copenhagen during the peak season. The main reason why you shouldn’t is that the queue can get pretty long. 

What I Liked and Didn’t Like About Stromma’s Copenhagen Canal Cruise

Now that you know a bit more about my experience(s), I’ll go through the biggest pros and cons of Stromma’s Copenhagen sightseeing cruise. All of these are based on my own opinions formed from when I was on the tour. 

Pros

1. You Can Choose Whether You Want Audio or Not

On the non-live boat tours, you will get a pair of headphones when you board. You can plug these in next to your seat to get audio commentary during the tour if you want. Doing so is a good way to learn more about Copenhagen as a whole, and if you’re visiting for the first time, it’s not a bad idea. 

I also like, however, that you can pick whether you want to hear audio on these boats. Since I’ve lived in Copenhagen for a while now, and my job is literally to write about the city, I already had a decent amount of knowledge about the places we passed. I wanted to just take in my surroundings, and I could thankfully do just that. 

I have nothing against live guides, and they’re actually fun in many cases. But it’s also nice to have the option to enjoy the tour in silence. 

2. The Tour Is Punctual

I do not like being late, and I dislike being on tours that are late. So, I was delighted when my canal cruises left at the exact time they said they would. 

While I get that sometimes public transport is delayed, this very rarely happens in Copenhagen. I’d guess that most of the time, being late for this tour is a result of not listening to the “be there before the departure time” message. 

If you’re looking for a tour that leaves and arrives at the times it says, Stromma’s Copenhagen canal cruise is for you. 

3. You’ll See Most of Copenhagen’s Inner Harbor

One of the best things about Copenhagen is how much water you’ll find around the city. As a local, I really enjoy wandering along the Inner Harbor year-round. When I lived in Indre By, in particular, it was one of my most common places to walk.

This boat tour will show you a very good chunk of the harbor. You won’t quite go all the way to Nordhavn, but you will see quite a lot. You’ll learn a lot about the city’s deep maritime history, too, which is essential to understanding Copenhagen IMO. 

4. You’ll Also See Some Parts of the City You Otherwise Wouldn’t Have

While the canal cruise covers many of the most popular places in the city, you will also see parts of Copenhagen that you otherwise might not have. For example, the waterways that go through Holmen are particularly pleasant and a little off the beaten path. 

Another advantage is that you’ll get to see parts of the city that the yellow Harbor Bus does not cover. By the end of the tour, you’ll almost certainly feel like your bearings of the city are better. So, you can navigate much more easily as a result. 

5. The Tour Runs Year-Round

I recommend visiting Copenhagen in the autumn or during the winter months, even if the daylight hours are shorter and the temperatures are cooler. The city is beautiful regardless of when you’re here, and the off-season has numerous benefits—such as smaller crowds and cheaper accommodation. 

The only downside is that some attractions close after the summer ends. This, however, is not the case for Stromma’s Copenhagen canal cruise. You can join this tour throughout the year, and it runs in most weather conditions.

The one exception is when it’s cold enough that the waterways freeze. However, in the six winters I’ve lived in Copenhagen for at the time of writing, this has only happened twice. So, while it may happen when you’re here, it’s not very likely. 

6. The Starting Point Is Easy to Find

I’ve been on tours in some cities where finding the meeting point is a challenge. This, however, is not the case with Stromma’s Copenhagen canal cruise. 

The tour starts from close to Gammel Strand’s Metro Station, as I mentioned before. At the pier, you’ll see Stromma flags and logos pretty much everywhere. So, it’s almost impossible to miss. 

When you arrive at Gammel Strand on the Metro, walk toward the 7-Eleven on the corner opposite Christiansborg Palace. The starting point is near the public toilet here. 

7. The Tour Is Fairly Priced

It’s no secret that Copenhagen is an expensive city to visit, and many attractions can also be quite pricey. But for what it’s worth, I think that Stromma’s one-hour Copenhagen canal cruise is reasonable in this respect. 

You’ll get to see quite a lot of the city in an hour, and you also have the flexibility to cancel when you book in advance. It’s even better value for money if you get the Copenhagen Card, but on its own, I don’t think the price is outrageous. 

8. Even as a Local, I Found the Boat Tour Fun

While Copenhagen is a beautiful city and very fun to live in, I have to say that I do sometimes take it for granted. This is true when you live anywhere for an extended period of time, and I can definitely sometimes walk past popular sights and think nothing of them. It also means that some experiences wouldn’t feel the same for me as they would for a first-time visitor. 

However, I found Stromma’s canal cruise a lot of fun—even though I’ve seen many of the sights that we went to multiple times. It’s always nice to see Copenhagen from the water, and I feel like I get a newfound appreciation for the city each time I do these kinds of tours. 

If I found it fun as a local, you’ll almost certainly find the tour enjoyable as a tourist. 

9. If It Rains, You Get a Free Poncho

While I had sunny weather when doing this tour, that is not always going to be the case for you. This is particularly true if you visit outside the summer. Copenhagen is a notoriously rainy city, but I don’t think you should let this ruin your trip. 

The good news is that with the Stromma tour I’m recommending, you don’t have to. If it rains, you’ll get a free poncho. So, you can keep enjoying this beautiful city without needing to worry about getting wet. 

Cons

While I really enjoy taking this tour each time that I do, there are some drawbacks that I think you should consider. I’ll cover the main ones below to help you make a better-informed choice. 

1. The Audio Is Only Available in 6 Languages

If you get the audio tour, it’s only available in six languages: English, Danish, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. You can’t get the audio in a number of non-European languages, such as Chinese or Korean. 

You can still enjoy the surroundings regardless, but if you want audio in your native language, you’ll need to keep this in mind. 

2. The Tour Is Designed for General Audiences

While I recommend the Copenhagen canal tour for people who just want to see the city from the water, it’s not the best choice if you want something more personal. You will be on a big-ish tour boat, and you’ll also share it with several other people. 

I like this sometimes, but on other occasions, I want something a bit more intimate. If you’re the same, I recommend either renting your own boat or joining a boat tour that’s less general. 

3. The Boat’s Motor Is Sometimes Loud

I personally would much rather sail on electric boats, as I do not like lots of noise. This, however, is not currently the case with Stromma’s Copenhagen canal cruise boats. 

During the tour, the motor got quite loud on occasion. I guess this isn’t a major issue if you have your headphones in, but it did occasionally get annoying. If you’re sensitive to loud noises, you’ll need to keep this in mind. 

4. This Gammel Strand Cruise Doesn’t Sail Through Nyhavn

While you will go past Nyhavn, the cruise that departs from Gammel Strand does not specifically sail down the canal. Whether this is a big issue for you will depend on what you want to see; for me, it wasn’t such a major problem. 

If you want to sail down Nyhavn specifically, I recommend getting the Stromma tour that departs from Nyhavn rather than Gammel Strand. Otherwise, you can go to the Nettobådene terminal in person. However, you will need to wait in a queue for tickets when it gets busy. 

Overall, Would I Recommend the Copenhagen Boat Tour?

For the most part, I would say that Stromma’s one-hour Copenhagen canal cruise is very much worth taking. You’ll get to see many of the city’s main landmarks, and it’s just fun in general to be on the water. Moreover, you can learn more about the city as you go along. 

However, I don’t think that *everyone* should take this tour. I will outline who should do what in the sections below. 

You Should Do the Copenhagen Boat Tour If…

I recommend taking this tour if you want to see Copenhagen’s main waterways in detail and also learn more about them. It’s also good for seeing landmarks like Christiansborg Palace, and even more so if you want to depart from somewhere in the city center that’s very easy to find. 

I Recommend an Alternative Boat Tour If…

You also don’t need to take this boat tour if you’re staying at a hotel that offers boat tours. For example, the upscale Admiral Hotel has boat tours for its guests that you can join. So, if you want a more personalized boat tour (and a nice hotel to stay in, at that), I’d recommend checking availability.