Best Canal Tours in Copenhagen

Among the best things to do in Copenhagen are the canal tours. These tours offer a different perspective of the city and also help you to relax. You will be able to see many sights and appreciate the city from a different point of view.

Tours vary depending on the experience you want to have. Some include a walking tour or a bus tour and then a boat tour. Others are done by kayak or in a sailing jacuzzi. Would you like to experience any of these? Here are all the options!

One of the first things you should do when you travel to the Danish capital is to book a walking tour of Copenhagen. But to make this experience as complete as possible, I recommend a tour of Copenhagen that includes a boat ride on Nyhavn, the city's most famous canal.

To start this tour, meet your guide at a pre-arranged point. After the group is full, you can start.

During the tour you will pass Amalienborg Palace, the Royal Opera House, Christiansborg Palace, Paper Island, Circular Bridge, Kongens Nytorv Square and Christiansborg Castle.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 300 ¤.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour and then by boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to make the most of your time and get to know a large part of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: food and drinks are not included.

If you don't feel like walking too much and you have several places in mind that you want to see, I recommend a bus tour of Copenhagen with free stops and including a boat trip on the Nyhavn Canal.

During the tour you will see the city from a different perspective and cultural attractions such as The Little Mermaid or The Little Mermaid. It is important to note that at any time you can take the boat tour and explore the Nyhavn Canal.

If you are visiting Copenhagen for two days or more, buying a ticket for this bus is a good idea. And I recommend taking the boat tour at sunset so you can enjoy the colours of the sky merging with the water.

Interesting details

• Price: around 40 €.
• Duration: the boat ride takes less than 1 hour and the bus tour can last as long as you prefer.
• Means of transport: Tourist bus and boat.
• Advantages of this option: you can get to the sites you want quickly and still use the bus ticket for two days.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will not have a local guide during the tour.

The Frederiksholms Kanal is a canal located in the centre of the capital of Denmark. Although it is not the most popular in the city, it is well worth taking a canal tour.

On this type of tour you can see historic buildings that are located right in front of the canal. These include the Prince's Mansion, where the National Museum of Denmark is located, the Christiansborg Riding Grounds and the House of the stable boy.

The canal tours are shorter than others because the route is shorter. However, your guide will make it a good experience by telling you details of what you see. I also recommend complementing this route with a tour of Copenhagen's best museums.

Details of interest

• Price: around 20 €.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see a part of the city that is hardly explored.
• Disadvantages of this option: the trip is short.

A different and fun way to explore Copenhagen's canals is by kayak. I recommend doing this on a guided tour where your guide will explain where to go.

Please note that to do this tour you need to listen to all the tips for a kayaking adventure that your guide will surely give you. If you already have experience, another option is to rent a kayak and paddle on your own.

However, if you prefer something more relaxed that allows you to explore the different canals of the capital, I recommend booking a Copenhagen canal cruise.

Interesting details

• Price: around €60 for the kayak and €20 for the cruise.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours by kayak and 1 hour by cruise.
• Means of transport: kayak or cruise.
• Advantages of this option: you can get some exercise while sightseeing in a new city or explore the main canals in a relaxed way.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you don't know how to kayak, the experience can be a bit complicated.

Booking a canal cruise in Copenhagen is relaxing, but do you want to take that relaxation to another level? Then I recommend you try the sailing hot tubs. These amazing and original vehicles allow you to sail as comfortable as possible.

I recommend taking this tour during the afternoon to watch the sunset if you want to add a romantic touch to your adventure and bring your own swimming costume and sunscreen if you take it in the morning or the most intense hours of the day.

At the end of the tour, you can dry off and change your clothes to continue enjoying Copenhagen, the happiest city in the world. The tour organisers will take care of your belongings and return them to you at the end of the tour. You will also be offered fresh towels, so there is no need to bring your own.

Interesting details

• Price: around 300 €.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: sailing jacuzzi.
• Advantages of this option: it is one of the most original tours you can do in Copenhagen.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is one of the most expensive tours.

The length of a Copenhagen canal tour can vary depending on the type of tour you choose. The average is two hours, although some are shorter and you'll be done with the tour in about an hour. Others can last up to three hours, but these tend to include more activities.

Another factor to consider is the season in which you are visiting Denmark. If, for example, you are travelling to Copenhagen in July or you plan to go to the Danish capital at Christmas, you will find many people wanting to do the tour. In that case, you will have to add the waiting time to the water ride time.

Before booking any of the available options, be sure to ask the organisers whether or not the tour includes extra stops. Depending on this the tour time will be longer. In such cases the experience can be more complete, as you will be able to see more interesting sites in the Danish capital.

• Keep in mind that the best time of the year in Copenhagen for a canal tour is summer or spring. On those days you won't feel cold, the days will be sunny and you will be able to enjoy the scenery much more.
• It is advisable to book in advance, especially in high season.
• Check the weatherforecast for the day, as most of the trips are open boats.
• Pay attention to the stories told by your guide.
• Follow all instructions given by your guide to make your stay on the boat more enjoyable and safe.
• If you tend to get seasick easily, I recommend taking motion sickness pills. Although the trips are fairly smooth, some people are sensitive to the movement of the water.

Booking a Copenhagen canal cruise as well as any other Copenhagen canal tour allows you to see the best panoramic views of the city, some of the capital's finest palaces, the famous Little Mermaid statue, many historic buildings and picturesque bridges.

Copenhagen is definitely a city of fairy tales, so taking this kind of tour should be on your list of things to do in Denmark. Your guide will tell you more details and if you like history, you will love this part of the tour!

On the other hand, these are different and relaxed tours. You will be sitting and watching the scenery without having to walk or take public transport. It really is a unique way to get to know the city.