Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Round Tower in Copenhagen 

You’ve probably heard that Denmark is a flat country, and we aren’t exactly blessed with many natural vantage points in Copenhagen. Thankfully, you’ll find plenty of observation decks that provide a great view of the city, and the Round Tower (Rundetårn in Danish) is one of my favorites.

Located right in the city center, the Round Tower isn’t too difficult to climb and offers an excellent spot to admire the Danish capital from above. To help you prepare for your trip, I’ve put together this guide to visiting. 

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You’ll learn how to get to the Round Tower, along with how much tickets cost (and how you can buy them). 

What Is the Round Tower?

The Round Tower is a Dutch-baroque-style tower built between 1637 and 1642. The original reason for its construction was to observe the night sky, but it functions today as a place for others to view Copenhagen from above. 

In addition to the observation deck, you’ll find a shop inside the building—along with various exhibitions. Events, such as scavenger hunts, also take place. 

You can also go to the observatory at certain points of the year, where you’ll find a telescope. 

Where Is the Round Tower?

The Round Tower is in the Indre By district, which is also the Old Town. It’s on Købmagergade, which is near both Rosenborg Castle and Strøget—Copenhagen’s main shopping street. 

The address for the Round Tower is: 

• Købmagergade 52A, 1100 København K

Opening times vary depending on the season, and the Round Tower is closed on both December 24th and 25th—along with New Year’s Day. On December 31st, the tower closes at 15:00. 

Other opening times for the rest of the year are as follows: 

• October to March: 10:00-18:00 (10:00-21:00 Tuesday and Wednesday) 

• April to September: 10:00-20:00

How Much Does the Round Tower Cost?

Adult tickets cost 60 Danish Kroner (DKK), which is just over $9. Children (up to 17 years) can go for free, making this one of the best things to do in Copenhagen if you’re traveling as a family.

Students can access the tower for 40 DKK, as long as they show a valid ID card. Discounts are also available if you have an ICOM card.

You can only buy tickets on the day at the tower. Note that the queue outside can get quite lengthy, especially on weekends (and particularly during the summer). Unlike the Church of Our Savior, the Round Tower isn’t included as part of the Copenhagen Card.

Visiting the Round Tower

Once you’ve bought your tickets, you’ll need to make your way up the spiral staircase. This is pretty easy to walk up, especially compared to other church towers in Europe. On the way, you’ll find toilet facilities and an exhibition room.

Before reaching the observation deck, you need to walk up a narrow staircase. This part has a traffic light system, and you need to wait until the green light appears before proceeding.

When you’re at the top, you’ll get a great view of Copenhagen from all angles. The view of Kongens Have and Rosenborg Castle is a must-see, and you’ll also get a fantastic view toward many of the Danish capital’s churches.

Note that the observation deck can get quite busy, especially for the main photo spots. However, it’s never truly overwhelming. Moreover, you’ll find plenty of places to sit down at the top.

how to Get to the Round Tower

The Round Tower’s closest Metro/S-Train station is Nørreport. Since this is one of Copenhagen’s main stations, you’ll have no issues catching a train or the Metro here. From Nørreport, the Round Tower is around 6 minutes away by foot.

Alternatively, you can take the Metro to Kongens Nytorv. This is just over 10 minutes away, but the route is much busier than if you go to Nørreport. So, I don’t recommend taking the Metro to Kongens Nytorv if you’re just visiting the Round Tower. It is, however, good for other attractions (like Nyhavn).

Also Good to Know When You Visit…

Copenhagen’s weather is unpredictable, and you should make sure that you’re dressed appropriately. A waterproof jacket that also resists wind is a good idea, especially in winter. I don’t recommend visiting the Round Tower on a rainy day, however, because the visibility is often quite poor.

It’s also worth remembering that The Round Tower doesn’t have luggage storage facilities. You can take backpacks, but suitcases aren’t allowed. Copenhagen Central Station has suitcase storage if you need to put your bags somewhere, and it’s also worth asking at your hotel to see if they can keep your stuff there.