The 13 Best Copenhagen Canal Cruises

1.Canal Cruise with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9,115 reviews · from $26Our pick

Cruise Copenhagen’s harbor and canals for one hour with an English or Danish guide, passing Christiansborg, Amalienborg, the Opera House, the Little Mermaid, and the old Stock Exchange. Guides such as Peter, Tony, Ali, and Kristian bring plenty of humor, while audio tours may offer several languages. The boat can feel exposed in bad weather.

“Our tour guide, if I caught her name correctly was Lola, if not I apologize, allegedly was her first day on the job but it seemed like she’s doing this thing like forever, she was knowledgeable and experienced. She also offered to give tips after the cruise in case anyone wanted. She made the cruise even better. The views from the cruise were gorgeous, with the canals and all the things we saw. Recommended for sure!”

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2.Copenhagen Sightseeing Classic Canal Tour With Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,906 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

Cruise Copenhagen’s canals and harbor for one hour with a live Danish and English guide. See Amalienborg Palace, the Little Mermaid, Christianshavn, Our Saviour’s Church, the Opera House, and Slotsholmen. Depart from Ved Stranden 26, with covered and heated boats used in winter, though warm layers are still wise.

“This boat trip was really worth it. Good value, interesting and very informative. The guide was excellent and kept us engaged and entertained in equal measure. Worth every penny.”

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3.Social Sailing – Copenhagen Canal Tour – Captain’s Favorite

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,610 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $105Top rated

Spend about three hours on a covered boat with up to 12 people, sailing Copenhagen’s harbor and canals with a captain such as Mathilde, Caroline, Sam, or Mats. You’ll visit Trekroner Fort, pass Parliament and the navy command, and chat with fellow passengers while buying cocoa, gløgg, beer, or other drinks on board.

“It was a fun and easy way to see the layout of the city and its different neighborhoods. Having a small group in the boat was lovely compared to the bigger tourist boats.”

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4.Guided Canal Tour by Electric Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,341 reviews · from $41

Board at Ved Stranden, across from Christiansborg Palace, for a small-group electric boat ride through Copenhagen’s canals and old harbor. Guides such as Tony, Nina, and Kim combine Danish and English commentary with local stories, humor, and time for questions. Heated seats and blankets help in cold weather, though steps make the boat unsuitable for wheelchair users.

“Kim is a lovely person and I loved to hear his own Copenhagen Story.”

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5.Walk & Canal Tour: Copenhagen Highlights + Changing of the Guards

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 580 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $77

Walk from Copenhagen Central Station to Christiansborg, the Black Diamond, Kastellet, the Little Mermaid, and Amalienborg. Your guide, possibly Michael, Maybritt, Mia, or another local host, adds history and practical tips. The 3-hour route includes a 25-minute electric harbor ferry ride when service allows.

“We covered a lot of the city sights and the history of Copenhagen. The highlight for me was The Little Mermaid and the sea was frozen around her today. Our guide Michael was very knowledgeable and engaging. We walked in heavy snowfall and then rain so I was slower than the younger ones, yet Michael was thoughtful and offered help at times to keep me safe.”

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6.Old Canals and Hidden Gems Social Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 342 reviews · from $99

Cruise Copenhagen’s harbor in a small black RIB with an English-speaking captain. You’ll see old canals, Trekroner Fortress, Lynetteholmen, Nordhavn, and waterfront redevelopment while chatting with fellow passengers. Captains such as Fred, Rasmus, Elias, Tis, and William bring local stories and practical tips. Drinks are available to buy onboard.

“Well it wasn’t a long canal boat as I’d imagined- it was a black rib boat that seemed to go every 15 minutes… there was lots of them. I think our guide was Oscar ( sorry if that’s wrong) and he was one of the nicest friendly guys I’ve met. Made all 7 of us comfortable and shared history and stories and insights etc into Copenhagen.. thoroughly enjoyable and cannot recommend highly enough. Easy to find also. Right near the opera house”

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7.Classic Canal Tour & The Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 276 reviews · from $39

Cruise Copenhagen’s central canals and harbor for 105 minutes with live commentary in English or Danish. You’ll pass Christiansborg, the Opera House, Amalienborg, the Little Mermaid, Nordhavn, Trekroner Fort, Reffen, Papirøen, and the rawer southern harbor. Guides such as Peter add humor and useful local detail.

“our tour guide was knowledgeable and fun. we saw a lot of interesting places. highly recommend”

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8.1 or 2-Hour Canal Tour in Silent Electric Boats

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 88 reviews · from $30

Join a small shared cruise for up to nine participants in a covered electric boat. Your captain, possibly guides such as Andrew or Selena, steers past Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, the Opera House, and other harbor sights while sharing stories. Choose one or two hours, with blankets, heating pads, and drinks available to buy.

“Loved it! As we were a group of 9 we had the boat and guide all to ourselves. It was a very relaxing hour with great sights of the city. Would definitely book again!”

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9.Private City Walking Tour with Canal Tour Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 18 reviews · 3 hours

Meet your English-speaking guide at City Hall Square, or arrange a hotel meeting point, for two hours of private sightseeing. Visit Nyhavn, Amalienborg, Kongens Nytorv, and Christiansborg before a one-hour canal cruise from Nyhavn. Guide Alia Makhmud has earned especially warm praise for her clear, friendly city tours.

“Super fijne gids Alia Makhmud ze wist heel veel van de geschiedenis van Kopenhagen. De boot tour was ook echt super!”

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10.Copenhagen Canal Boat Cruise and City, Nyhavn Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $281

Start beneath the Lur Blowers at City Hall for a private Old Town walk with a guide such as Caroline or Jane, then board a one-hour canal cruise from Nyhavn. The longer option adds Rosenborg’s King’s Garden and Frederik’s Church. The boat audio guide is in English, Danish, or German.

“Gaining insight into the history of Copenhagen and seeing parts of the city we would not have visited without tour guide”

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11.2-Hour Private City Walking Tour with a Canal Tour ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $250

This roughly three-hour Copenhagen outing combines a two-hour private walk with a one-hour canal cruise. Your guide leads you from City Hall past Christiansborg, Nyhavn, the Royal Playhouse, and Christianshavn, then you continue by public canal boat to view the Little Mermaid from the water. Guide Rob is especially praised for clear English and lively local stories.

“Rob was a very informative tour guide. We enjoyed learning about the Danish traditions and architecture”

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12.Copenhagen Old Town, Nyhavn, Canal Walking Tour & Christiana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $219

You’ll walk from King’s New Square through the Marble Church, Amalienborg Square, Nyhavn, and its historic harbor. Choose three hours to add Christianshavn, Our Savior’s Church, and an outside look at Christiania. Your private licensed guide speaks your chosen language and offers local food and nightlife tips.

“Great experience. Found great spots and places. Would go back anytime. Thank you.”

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13.Canal Boat Cruise & Old Town/Nyhavn Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $274

Walk Copenhagen’s Old Town and Nyhavn with a private English, German, or Danish-speaking guide, then take a one-hour canal cruise with onboard commentary. Choose three hours for the core sights, or four hours to add King’s Garden, Frederik’s Church, and Amalienborg Square. The guide escorts you to the dock but does not join the boat.

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