Copenhagen is small but has plenty of pretty building, palaces, canals and cobblestone streets to warrant visiting one (or a few if you have time!) viewpoints over the city.

Here are the viewpoints ranked in my order of most recommended to least:

1. City Hall
2. Christiansborg Palace
3. Roundtower
4. Hay House

City Hall

The 300 steps you must walk up to the top is well worth it – this was my favorite view of Copenhagen.

Unfortunately they have limited opening hours – only twice a day (11am and 2pm) from Monday to Friday and only at 12 noon on Saturdays.  You must join a tour to see the tower, you cannot go on your own.

Cost: 30 DKK or free with Copenhagen Card

To reach the tower you’ll need to go through the main front doors of City Hall. There was a wedding on when I arrived so rather than gatecrash I walked around the entire building looking for another entrance. I eventually just went through the main front door. Turned out there were 4 other couples taking wedding pictures inside too! Once you enter the hall, you’ll need to buy the ticket from the office then wait in the lobby for the tour.

If you don’t time your visit with the limited times that City Hall offers the tour up to the lookout, then the free view from Christiansborg Palace is the next best.

City Hall view

However, if you do go to the City Hall lookout I wouldn’t bother with Christiansborg Palace. Since it’s free, the queue is long – only a limited number of people can be in the lift at once. The viewpoint is not as high up as City Hall.

Address: Rådhuspladsen 1, 1599 København, Denmark

Christiansborg Palace

If you’re travelling with the elderly then Christiansborg Palace (also known as Christiansborg Slot) would be the best option – the only way to reach the top is via a free lift.

I haven’t listed the opening hours here as they change depending on the season. Since it’s free there may be a lift so to avoid queues, go first thing when it opens or in the evening just before closing time.

The entrance to The Tower is located on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen. The entrance to the tower is at the King’s Gate, a large gate in the centre of the palace (immediately beneath the tower – has stone columns on either side to ground floor only and a Juliet balcony above). The King’s Gate can be reached from the Palace Square and from the Inner Courtyard (via the Marble Bridge and the Riding Ground)

Make sure to join the tower queue not the restaurant tower queue

Christiansborg Palace View

Address: Prins Jørgens Gård 1, 1218 København, Denmark

The Round Tower

While conveniently located near the palace (and a great bookstore / stationery shop!), the tower just isn’t quite high enough to get a good view over Copenhagen.

Related: Favorite Stationery Shops in Copenhagen, Denmark

There are no steps, it’s a large curved cobblestone walkway up to the top.

Opening hours vary depending on the season – it typically opens at 10am.

Price: 25 DKK (they accept card or cash)

Roundtower View

Address: Købmagergade 52A, 1150 København, Denmark

Hay House

This homewares store has a nice view over the main pedestrian square / street.

Address: Østergade 61, 2, 1100 København, Denmark

Other Viewpoints

• Frederik’s Church – This was closed for renovations during my visit but it looks like it has a great view from it’s dome which overlooks Amelienbourg Palace
• Church of Our Saviour – external spiral staircase + heights = not for me!

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