Sights · Our pick in Copenhagen
The Round Tower
Since 1642
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio · CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout The Round Tower
The Round Tower (Rundetaarn) has been a landmark of Copenhagen since 1642: Christian IV raised it for the astronomers of the University of Copenhagen. Its spiral ramp winds up past the Library Hall, with exhibitions and concerts, to the Observatory and a 360-degree view of the city. In 2026 it marks the 350th anniversary of Ole Rømer’s discovery of the speed of light (rundetaarn.dk). Adult admission is 60 DKK.
Why it's on our list
- Since 1642
- Spiral ramp
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The Round Tower before you go.
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to The Round Tower, as the crow flies.
- 25hours Hotel Indre By100 m1 min walk
- 1 Hotel Copenhagen200 m2 min walk
- Herman K500 m6 min walk
- Hotel d’Angleterre550 m7 min walk
- Hotel Petra600 m7 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from The Round Tower are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest Metro and train stations
- NørreportM1M2S-tog AS-tog BS-tog BxS-tog CS-tog ES-tog HRail400 m5 min walk
- Gammel StrandM3M4450 m6 min walk
- Kongens NytorvM1M2M3M4650 m8 min walk
Key sights
- Rosenborg Castle500 mWalk 6 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Christiansborg700 mWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Nyhavn950 mWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Tivoli Gardens1.0 kmWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Amalienborg1.1 kmWalk 14 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 8 min
- The Little Mermaid2.0 kmWalk 24 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Copenhagen Airport7.3 kmCycle 29 minCar or taxi 22 min
Main railway stations
- Nørreport350 mWalk 4 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Copenhagen Central Station1.2 kmWalk 15 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Østerport1.5 kmWalk 19 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 9 min