The price you see at checkout is the price you pay
The Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour combines a guided walking route through the city center with a ride on an electric harbor ferry, timed to finish right as the Changing of the Guard begins at Amalienborg Palace. Running about 3 hours from EUR 67, it works well as an orientation tour for a first day in the city, covering major landmarks on foot before switching to the water for a different view of the same neighborhoods. Because it is operated with a fixed group size and a scheduled finish time, it also removes the guesswork of catching the Changing of the Guard on your own.
What Makes the Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour Different?
Most Copenhagen boat trips keep you on the water the whole time, and most walking tours never touch a boat at all. This one splits the difference: a guide leads you past Christiansborg Palace, Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn on foot, then hands you off to an electric harbor ferry for the stretch past Kastellet and The Little Mermaid. The itinerary is also built around a fixed finish time, since the tour is scheduled so the group arrives at Amalienborg just before the Changing of the Guard begins. That kind of scheduling is easy to underestimate: the ceremony has its own timetable, and travelers who show up without checking it often just miss it.
What to Expect on the Walk and Ferry Ride
Expect a moderate amount of walking before you ever reach the water: the route from Central Station through the city center to the ferry pickup covers real distance, at a pace suited to an intermediate fitness level rather than a slow stroll. Comfortable shoes matter more here than on a typical boat tour, and you should dress for the weather since a good chunk of the tour happens outdoors on foot, not sheltered in a cabin. Once you board the ferry, the pace slows down considerably and you get a seated break with harbor views for the middle third of the trip. Toilets and shops are available at several points along the route, so the walking portion never feels remote, even though you are covering real ground between the station and Nyhavn.
Is the Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour Worth Booking?
It is worth booking if you want a single outing that covers Copenhagen's core landmarks, a short canal ride and the Changing of the Guard without planning the logistics yourself. Where it falls short is as a boat tour in its own right: the ferry leg is one segment of a three-hour walking-led itinerary, not a cruise, so anyone hoping to spend most of their time on the water should look elsewhere. If timing your visit to catch the Changing of the Guard is part of the appeal, having a guide handle that scheduling is genuinely useful. Weigh that trade-off honestly before booking: this is a combo experience built around convenience and timing, not a dedicated cruise.
Who Should Book a Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour?
This suits first-time visitors who want an efficient orientation to central Copenhagen, plus travelers specifically trying to catch the Changing of the Guard without checking a schedule themselves. It also works for people who like a mix of walking and water rather than committing to a full boat cruise. It is a weaker fit for anyone with limited mobility, since the walking segments cover meaningful distance, or for visitors whose main goal is an extended boat ride through the canals. Solo travelers and small groups on a tight schedule tend to get the most value, since the fixed itinerary removes a lot of planning.
Prices and What's Included
Tickets start from EUR 67 and include the guided walking tour and the electric harbor ferry ride. Food, drinks and any purchases at the cafe stop are on you, and the tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you will need to make your own way to Copenhagen Central Station before the start time. Prices can shift with the season and demand, so treat the figure here as a starting point rather than a guarantee, and check the current rate before booking. Group sizes are typically kept moderate, which keeps the pace manageable without feeling like a private tour.
Getting to the Meeting Point at Copenhagen Central Station
The tour meets under the clock inside Copenhagen Central Station, one of the easiest landmarks in the building to find, even if you have never visited before. If you are arriving by train, metro or bus, all of Copenhagen's main public transport lines converge here, so it is a straightforward starting point regardless of where you are staying. Aim to arrive around 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for your guide to check the group in before setting off. There is no need to book transport in advance just to reach the meeting point, since the station sits centrally within walking distance of most downtown hotels.
Insider Tips for the Walk and Ferry Route
Wear shoes you have already broken in, since the walking portion covers a fair distance before you reach the ferry. Bring a light layer even in summer, since harbor breezes on the ferry leg can feel cooler than the streets you just walked through. If you want good photos of the Changing of the Guard at the end, position yourself near the front of the group as you approach Amalienborg, since the courtyard fills in quickly once the ceremony is close to starting. A small day bag is more practical than a large backpack, since you will be carrying it through both the walking and ferry segments.
How Does This Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour Compare to Other Options?
If a proper boat cruise matters more to you than the walking portion, the Copenhagen Canal Boat Tour keeps you on the water for the whole trip instead of splitting time between land and ferry. For a different land-and-water combo that swaps the walking segment for a hop-on hop-off bus, the Copenhagen Bus and Boat Tour covers more ground with less time on your feet. Both are reasonable alternatives if the mix on this tour is not quite right for what you want out of your time in the city. Whichever you choose, checking availability for your travel dates ahead of time is worth doing, since popular time slots for all three tours can fill up in peak season.
Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour: Route and itinerary
Meet Under the Clock at Central Station
The tour begins under the well-known clock inside Copenhagen Central Station, an easy landmark to find even during rush hour. Arrive about 10 minutes early so your guide can do a quick headcount before the group sets off on foot. 📍 Copenhagen Central Station, Copenhagen
Walk Past Christiansborg Palace
From the station, the guide leads the group through central streets toward Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court and Royal Reception Rooms. Expect a few stops along the way as the guide points out architecture and shares local history. 📍 Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen
Pass Tivoli Gardens and Reach Nyhavn
The route continues past the gates of Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks, before opening onto Nyhavn's colorful harbor front. This is a good spot for photos, so the guide usually allows a short pause here. 📍 Nyhavn, Copenhagen
Board the Electric Harbor Ferry
At the water's edge, the group boards an electric harbor ferry for a quieter, more relaxed leg of the tour. If the ferry is unavailable that day, a scenic canal-side walk covers the same stretch instead, adding roughly 2 kilometers on foot. 📍 Nyhavn, Copenhagen
Cruise Past Kastellet Toward The Little Mermaid
The ferry glides along the harbor past Kastellet, a 17th-century star-shaped fortress still used by the Danish military, before approaching the small waterside statue of The Little Mermaid. Keep your camera ready, since the boat only slows briefly here. 📍 The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen
Cafe Stop to Recharge
Before the final leg, the group stops at a nearby cafe for about 15 to 20 minutes to grab a coffee or snack. It is a practical break to sit down and warm up before the walk to the palace, especially useful in cooler months.
Arrive at Amalienborg for the Changing of the Guard
The tour wraps up at Amalienborg Palace, where your guide says goodbye just as the Changing of the Guard ceremony gets underway. Guests are welcome to stay and watch the full ceremony, which typically runs around 30 minutes, at no extra cost. 📍 Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen
Where does the Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour start?
The tour begins under the clock inside Copenhagen Central Station, a central landmark reachable by train, metro or bus from anywhere in the city.
How long is the Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour?
The full tour runs about 3 hours, combining a guided walk, an electric harbor ferry ride and a short cafe stop before ending at Amalienborg.
Does this tour include a boat ride?
Yes, but only part of it. The route includes a ride on an electric harbor ferry past Kastellet and The Little Mermaid, with the rest of the tour done on foot.
Will I see the Changing of the Guard on this tour?
The tour is timed to end at Amalienborg Palace just before the Changing of the Guard begins, and guests are welcome to stay and watch the full ceremony.
What should I wear or bring on the Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour?
Comfortable, already broken-in shoes and weather-appropriate layers are the priority, since a large part of the tour is on foot. A light jacket also helps for the breezier ferry leg.
Is food included on the Copenhagen Walking and Canal Tour?
No, food and drinks are not included. There is a cafe stop along the route where you can buy your own coffee or snack before the finale at Amalienborg.
