Guide to the Church of Our Savior (Vor Frelsers Kirke): The Best View Over Copenhagen
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Copenhagen is beautiful from the ground, but you get a whole new appreciation for the Danish capital from above. There are several great places to admire Copenhagen from a higher vantage point, including the Round Tower and Christiansborg Palace. But arguably the best of them all is the Church of Our Savior, known in Danish as Vor Frelsers Kirke.
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Many tourists are caught out by how you buy tickets for the church and haven’t prepared for either the climb to the top. Another possible issue that may arise is not thinking about how the observation deck’s design might make some visitors feel uneasy. Fear not, though, because I’ll provide you with the practical advice you need to visit the church today.
First Thing’s First: The View
At 90 metres high, Vor Frelsers Kirke is one of the highest points in Copenhagen. Naturally, you can enjoy a fantastic view from the top.
From the Church of Our Savior, you can see most of the Danish capital’s major landmarks—including Christiansborg Palace, Marmorkirken, the Copenhagen Opera House, and the Øresund Bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden. It’s a photographer’s dream (side note: why not check out this Copenhagen architectural photography guide?).
You can also see many modern icons, such as the Bella Center in Ørestad and the newly-built Kaktus Towers. Tivoli is also visible from the viewing platform.
Getting to Vor Frelsers Kirke
Vor Frelsers Kirke is located in the Christianshavn neighborhood, which is close to the city center. Therefore, it’s quite easy to reach. Christianshavn is the nearest Metro station; from there, it’s a four-minute walk.
You can also easily walk from Nyhavn, while the church is reachable by bike without too many problems from either the downtown area or Refshaløen.
The church is also easy to get to by bus. The 2A stops at Sankt Annæ Gade; from here, you can walk to the building in just a few minutes.
Buying Tickets for the Church
The biggest thing that catches tourists out is buying tickets to the church. You need to purchase a specific time slot for the observation deck, and booking in advance is a good idea—especially during the peak tourist season from June through early September.
Prices for the church tower are as follows:
- Adults (14+): 70 DKK
- Students and 65+: 53 DKK
- Children (5-14 years): 20 DKK
- Groups (minimum 12 people): 53 DKK per person
You can visit the church for free if you’ve bought the Copenhagen Card. However, you still need to book a slot beforehand. Moreover, you’ll need to present your valid Copenhagen Card to the ticket inspector. If you want to do some more research before buying, you can check out my Copenhagen Card review; otherwise, purchase it via the widget below.
It’s possible to book your ticket via the church’s official website.
Is the Tower Open Year-Round?
The tower at the Church of Our Savior is open from early February until New Year’s Eve. So, in effect, it’s closed for around five weeks of the year—including all of January.
The opening hours at the church are 09:00-20:00. Note that the sun sets at just after 15:30 in late December, so aim to get there around 14:30 if you’d like to enjoy Copenhagen at golden hour. In the summer, the sun sets just before 22:00—meaning that you have longer daylight hours to admire the city.
Useful Information for Visiting the Observation Deck at Vor Frelsers Kirke
- Be prepared if you’re scared of heights. The tower’s spiraling staircase can be a little nerve-wracking, so it’s worth keeping this in mind. The barrier can also feel a little lower than at other observation decks, so pay close attention when climbing.
- Be prepared for the climb. The stairs are quite narrow, and you’ll need to duck your head a few times as you make your way up. During the summer, you should be prepared to sweat a bit as well.
- Prepare for a potential closure. The church closes in the event of adverse weather, such as high winds or rainy weather. Both of these are very common in Copenhagen, so you may need to find an alternative or pick a different day.
- Take your photos closer to the bottom of the observation deck. Thanks to the person who saw my camera in hand when I last visited for this tip 🙂… it gets very narrow at the top, so you’re better off taking your pictures closer to the bottom of the tower.
- Expect to wait in a queue as you get closer to the top of the tower. The very top of the spiraling staircase is only really wide enough for one person.
- Use straps for your cameras and phones. Let’s face it—you probably would rather not drop your gadgets from the tower.
- Buy your tickets in advance. The church tower is popular and, as a result, in high demand. Booking your tickets beforehand will make your life much easier.
Conclusion: Don’t Miss Out on the Best View of Copenhagen
If you find yourself in Copenhagen and want an amazing view of the city, Vor Frelsers Kirke should be at the top of your list. The church tower can feel uneasy to climb, but the Danish capital from above is well worth the discomfort.
Before you visit, make sure that you book your time slot in advance. On top of that, keep your options open in case bad weather scuppers your plans. Having read this guide, you should now have a better idea of what you need to know when visiting the tower at Vor Frelsers Kirke.
