Copenhagen Canal Cruise from EUR 21: the same 1-hour Classic Canal Tour included free with the Copenhagen Card. Route, departure points and when to buy alone.
The Copenhagen Canal Cruise is a 1-hour guided boat tour along the city's historic waterways, departing from Ved Stranden 26 near the city center. It is the same Classic Canal Tour that both versions of the Copenhagen Card include for free, so this standalone ticket only makes sense if a full city pass is not part of your plan.
What will you see on the Copenhagen Canal Cruise?
The route threads past Christiansborg Palace, home of the Danish Parliament, and Amalienborg Palace, the working residence of the Danish royal family, before passing the Central Bank and the ornate former Copenhagen Stock Exchange building, Borsen. The boat continues out to Langelinie to pass the Little Mermaid statue, one of Denmark's most photographed landmarks, before returning to Ved Stranden or Nyhavn depending on the day's schedule.
Is the Copenhagen Canal Cruise included in the Copenhagen Card?
Yes. Both the Copenhagen Card Discover and the Copenhagen Card Hop list this exact cruise as one of the 40 to 80-plus included attractions, and the Copenhagen Bus and Boat Ticket bundles it with a hop-on hop-off bus pass. Buying it as a standalone ticket only saves money if you have already decided against every one of those bundles.
Copenhagen Canal Cruise prices and departure points
Tickets start from EUR 21 per person for the roughly one-hour route, with departures from Ved Stranden 26, close to Christiansborg Palace and a short walk from Norreport Station. A poncho is provided in case of rain and the boats offer WiFi, so this is a reasonably comfortable option even on a gray Copenhagen afternoon. Bring a light layer regardless of season, since the water adds a noticeable chill even in summer.
Who should book the Copenhagen Canal Cruise separately?
Anyone doing a short layover or cruise-ship day who wants one clean, low-commitment activity without buying an all-day pass. It also suits visitors who already own a Copenhagen Card from a previous trip and want to repeat the cruise, since the card only allows one visit per attraction. Skip the standalone ticket if you are still deciding on a card version, since both include this cruise at no extra cost.
What to expect onboard
A guide narrates the history behind each landmark as the boat passes, covering everything from the financial district's 17th-century origins to the royal family's daily use of Amalienborg today. Seating is open on most boats, so arrive a few minutes early for a spot along the rail rather than in the covered center section, especially if photography of the Little Mermaid statue is a priority.
Insider tips
Early morning departures are noticeably quieter and give better light for photographing the pastel facades near Nyhavn. If rain is forecast, take the offered poncho rather than an umbrella, since the boat's low bridges leave little headroom for anything taller than a raised hood. The route runs close to several free city sights, so pair it with a walk through Christianshavn afterward if your legs are still fresh.
How it compares
Against the Copenhagen Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, this cruise covers the water view only, in about a third of the time, and at roughly half the price. Against either Copenhagen Card version, it is only the smarter buy if you are not visiting any other paid attraction on your trip. Compare every option side by side on the Copenhagen Card homepage.
Prices from 21 EUR as of 2026-08-06. Prices may vary; confirmed live at checkout.
