5 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Copenhagen

Among the best things to do in Copenhagen, canal tours definitely stand out. These tours offer a different perspective of the city and also help you relax. You'll see many tourist attractions and appreciate the city from a different point of view.

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

One of the first things you should do when travelling 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 trip on Nyhavn, the city's most famous canal.

To start this tour, you must meet your guide at a pre-arranged meeting point. Once the group is complete, you can begin.

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

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £270.
• Duration: around 4 hours.
• Transport: walking tour followed by boat trip.
• Advantages of this option: you can make the most of your time and see a large part of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: food and drinks are not included.

If you don't feel like walking a lot and have several places you want to see, I recommend a bus tour of Copenhagen with free stops and a boat trip along the Nyhavn canal.

During the tour, you'll see the city from a different perspective and cultural attractions such as The Little Mermaid. It's important to note that you can take the boat tour at any time and explore the Nyhavn canal.

If you're visiting Copenhagen for two days or more, buying a ticket for this bus is a great idea. I also recommend taking the boat tour at sunset so you can enjoy the colours of the sky blending with the water.

Details of interest

• Price: around £35.
• Duration: the boat trip lasts less than 1 hour and the bus tour can last as long as you like.
• Means of transport: tourist bus and boat.
• Advantages of this option: you can quickly reach the places you want to visit and continue using 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 Danish capital. Although it is not the most popular in the city, it is well worth taking a tour of this canal.

On this type of tour, you will see historic buildings located right on the canal. Among them are the Prince's Mansion, which houses the National Museum of Denmark, the Christiansborg riding grounds and the Stable Boy's House.

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

Details of interest

• Price: around £18.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will discover a part of the city that is rarely 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.

Keep in mind that to do this tour, you need to listen to all the advice for a kayaking adventure that your guide will surely give you. If you already have experience, another option is to rent a kayak and explore on your own.

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

Useful information

• Price: around £50 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 discover the main canals in a relaxed way.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you don't know how to kayak, the experience may be a little challenging.

Booking a cruise through the canals of Copenhagen is relaxing, but do you want to take that relaxation to another level? Then I recommend trying the sailing hot tubs. These incredible and original vehicles allow you to sail in the most comfortable way possible.

I recommend taking this tour in the afternoon so you can watch the sunset if you want to add a romantic touch to your adventure . Bring your own swimsuit and sunscreen if you're going in the morning or during the hottest part 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. They will also provide clean towels, so you don't need to bring your own.

Important details

• Price: around £270.
• 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.

Duration of a Copenhagen canal tour

The duration of a Copenhagen canal tour can vary depending on the type of tour you choose. Keep in mind that the average is two hours, although some are shorter and you will be done with the tour in an hour. Others can last up to three hours, but these usually include more activities.

Another factor to consider is the season in which you visit Denmark. If, for example, you are travelling to Copenhagen in July or planning to visit the Danish capital at Christmas, you will find many people wanting to take the tour. In this case, you will have to add the waiting time to the duration of the boat trip.

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 these cases, the experience can be more complete, as you will be able to see more interesting places in the Danish capital.

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

Book a cruise through the canals of Copenhagen, or any other tour of the canals, to enjoy the best panoramic views of the city, some of the capital's finest palaces, the famous Little Mermaid statue, numerous historic buildings and picturesque bridges.

Copenhagen is undoubtedly a fairytale city, so this type of tour should be on your list of things to do in Denmark. Your guide will tell you more, and if you like history, you'll love this part of the tour!

What's more, these are different and relaxed tours. You'll travel sitting down, observing the landscape without having to walk or take public transport. It really is a unique way to get to know the city.