Rundetårn
About
The Round Tower Lookout Tower – Observatory – Exhibitions – Concerts.One of the best-known and most popular structures in Denmark, the Round Tower has been a distinctive feature of the Copenhagen skyline since 1642. The Tower once soared far above the rest of the rooftops in the city, and University astronomers studied the stars and planets from the Observatory at the top. The scholars may have forsaken the building a long time ago, but during the winter visitors are still able to gaze at the cosmos from Europe's oldest functioning observatory. The platform that runs around the outside of the Observatory affords views over the old Latin Quarter – from here, you can spot most of the city's famous buildings. The Round Tower does not have an elevator, so visitors have to climb the winding, white-washed Spiral Walk, where kids often hide in the niches, only to jump out shouting “boo!” as adults approach. Halfway up the tower is the entrance to the large and stunningly beautiful Library Hall, which now serves as a popular gallery and concert venue. It hosts several exhibitions a year, and stages concerts almost every week. Above the Library is the Bell Loft, notable for its enormous wooden beams, which were used in the reconstruction of the Tower following the great fire of Copenhagen in 1728. The Loft is also home to a small exhibition of fascinating artefacts from the Tower's history, including Christian IV's wax seal, a tin of medicine produced by Tycho Brahe, and a piece of the bomb that exploded in the Library Hall during the bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807.The Round Tower was built by Christian IV between 1637 and 1642. It was the first part of the Trinitatis Complex, which combined church, library and observatory in a single building.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Indre By (Inner City)
This is the heart of old town Copenhagen, with its blend of charming old buildings and bold new architecture, broad avenues and tiny streets as well as picturesque canals and a modern harbor. The inner city is home to the Royal Danish Theatre, which consists of three buildings, two of which are new and situated on the harbor front. The streets, squares and venues of the inner city and its surrounding neighborhoods, are alive all year round with everything from jazz festivals to outdoor ice skating rinks and parachuting at the lakes right in the center of the city. This compact area boasts beautiful old castles, tranquil parks, and bustling squares where you can always find a bench to stretch out your legs whenever you need a break.
How to get there
  • Nørreport • 5 min walk
  • Kongens Nytorv • 8 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
  • SnappleSpice
    New York City, New York546 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Go on a night when you can look through the telescope
    I loved the spiral up to the top of the tower. I came on a night when an astronomer was available, and so I got to looked though the massive telescope, although only at a clock tower as the sky was cloudy. Still cool! I didn't spend much time in the exhibits as I felt they were geared more towards children (there were many kids there).
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 2 April 2023
  • Marshall B
    Ferney-Voltaire, France3,678 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth every step! Extraordinary views, interesting exhibits
    This is definitely the place to take great photos of the skyline, and the walk up is not what one might expect - it is a spiral ramp, wide enough (and gradual enough) for horses! There are also exhibits in some of the rooms as you go up (or down) - including an observatory, bell loft, planetarium and library hall (for art shows). There are brochures available about the tower as well as about the exhibits. The viewing platform, at the very top, is where the best photos can be taken.
    Visited May 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 April 2023
  • Jasmine38Chichester UK
    Chichester, United Kingdom1,952 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting and unusual structure with good views over the city centre
    Unusual structure in that it's a continuous circular path to go up apart from the a few stairs right at the top. Good views over the city centre. There are also a couple of rooms with exhibits en route.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 May 2023
  • Jen H
    11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best place in Copenhagen
    Probably my favourite place in Copenhagen. Great climb up the spiral ramp to the top, the current exhibition (Regnesen college) was fascinating and stunning views from the top! I visited twice in 4 days and will be back again on any future trips to the city!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 29 May 2023
  • Adam and Jade
    England, United Kingdom15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Thank you for making our engagement so special
    My partner called them in advance to ask if we were able to come early (which I was completely unaware of), the staff were more than happy for us to do so. We arrived, walked up the round tower and he proposed! We couldn’t thank the staff enough for allowing us to arrive early as it truly made the proposal so intimate. It was just us two with the views of Copenhagen. Although it was slightly cloudy and slight rain, we wouldn’t have changed it. I couldn’t have asked for a better place for this to happen. On the way out we purchased a model of the tower which was very reasonably priced. Thank you so much!
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 June 2023
  • BrakiWorldTraveler
    Belgrade, Serbia17,760 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Europe's oldest observatory with terrific views
    Rundetarn, a circular structure as its name says is set in the very center of CPH. Dating back to 1642 it is considered Europe's oldest observatory and planetarium. It has a circular path leading up to the top platform offering excellent views. Along that route are two exhibitions you can visit. Once up, views are unbeatable all the way to Malmo in Sweden across the Oresund channel. Entry fee is reasonable and it is included in the high value CPH card.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 28 June 2023
  • David D
    1,205 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A large church that was designed with a library and an astronomical observatory in the steeple.
    The church is a large one, decorated in Baroque style, but quite restrained by Baroque standards. There are large spaces in the attic for a library, and one can ascend the church tower on a sloping walkway to see where the observatory once stood. The views from the top of the tower are very impressive.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 5 July 2023
  • AbClare
    Aberdeen, United Kingdom534 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must see in Copenhagen
    The round tower was worth the visit. Very accessible, the ramp allows people old and young to take their time to get to the top. Only at the very top is there a small spiral staircase with an innovative traffic light system to ensure that there’s not a traffic jam. Good views from the top, a novel experience.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 14 July 2023
  • ZiftD
    60 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good View
    The main attraction is the 360 degree view over the city. You ascend via a spiral ramp, which the king used to ride up on his horse. There are only stairs at the end, so the climb is not that hard. There is not much else to see, but it's a good example of the kind of scientific facilities King Christian IV was building in the 1600s.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 23 July 2023
  • RetreatJunkieNA
    Raleigh, North Carolina29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great fun and a unique way to spend an afternoon
    Round and round and round she goes! This is a unique, fun way to spend an afternoon. Allow plenty of time as it does take a while to make the journey, and the view from the top is worth taking in slowly.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 26 July 2023
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles7,913 reviews
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69
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Bibliotekarien
Sweden62 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Historical sikte well worth a visit. A bit disappointed that the library was closed for renovations during our visit - please inform guests about this upon entrance. Lovely ”kissing bench” on top floor, a lovely place to get engaged :-)
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hany G
Bakersfield, CA1,089 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
I booked the ticket at the kiosk at the entrance and the ticket was cheap.
It is kind of a slope up with no stairs till almost the top where you are going to use the stairs.
The view from the top is great.
Going down is much easier.
You may need only 30 minutes to visit the tower.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tezpil
Portsmouth, UK4,651 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Just tuned up and got tickets at the door, no queue. We visited in September and were able to the see The Danes with Wolves exhibition which was on display until the end of the year. Look out for the next exhibition here. A spiralling slope most of the way with a staircase at the top. Good views and easier coming down. Visit the church to.
Written 20 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark D
Lagoa, Portugal87 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
We were debating on going to the round tower, but glad we did. It is inexpensive visit and very accessible. The ramp up is nice for those with bad knees! The last 15 meters requires climbing a circular stair, but the views are worth it! It is a popular school outing for classrooms, so timing is important during the school season.
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

L_K1509
London, UK1,333 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
Round and round and round…..
Ok you get the picture.

Very easy walk up to the sloped walkway, it was not slippery at all even though it was paved in small bricks. At the top the traffic light system of red/ green lights works well for the last short spiral staircase to the top viewing area.

The view looks over Copenhagen and you can walk around the top of three tower. The view is good, mainly because most of the city of low level. There are no seats but as it was very cold it didn’t matter to me. On the way up/ down there are plenty of window seats to rest on.

Includes with Copenhagen card
Written 13 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andrew Jones
London, UK394 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
The tower offers great views of the surrounding city and it’s an easy climb to the top. Entry is included with the Copenhagen Card.
Written 4 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

harblinger
Liverpool, UK230 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
Stunning views over the city from this unusual tower with a fascinating history. Must confess it was a lot easier climbing the ramp up than the steps. Just a few narrow steps at the top to compete with. Almost suggest this is a must-do because of it's location and the ease of the visit
Written 10 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gardengel-IoW
West Sussex, UK810 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
Excellent. Easy access as sloped ramp most of the way and nice and wide. There are still steps as you get to the top, 27 ordinary ones immediately followed by 31 spiral steps. The view is wonderful 360 degrees and open air. Very much worth the effort. Also unexpected display, in a side room, part way up, of taxidermized wolves and dogs, bit random but worth a look, if only for a rest from climb. Lots of info on way up with leaflets up about trip 50 mins in all. Excellent traffic light system for spiral stairs.
Also happened to see Soldiers marching for the changing of the guard at the palace, just marching down the street by the tower.
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chang Percy
Taipei, Taiwan163 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
The panorama from the top is spectacular! The climb to the top is not hard as one big ramp and then a very small spiral staircase onto the roof. There are also several different rooms to explore on the way up, if you are interested in learning more about the tower.
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lucy
Chichester, UK72 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
A fairly interesting visit but we didn’t stay long as there wasn’t too much to see. The views from the top of the tower were great though.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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RUNDETÅRN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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