The 15 Best Canal Tours in Copenhagen

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. From Ved Stranden, you’ll pass Christiansborg, Amalienborg, the Opera House, the Little Mermaid, and the old Stock Exchange. Guides such as Peter, Ali, and Kristian are known for lively commentary, while the covered boat, ponchos, and audio options help on changeable days.

“we had a great trip with Kristian, and Captain Max, great banter, so friendly and very informative in a fun way! would recommend! 😊”

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2.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Boat Tour Option

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 4,122 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $35

Use a 24 or 48-hour RED Sightseeing bus pass to reach Copenhagen's key sights, with audio commentary in 10 languages and free WiFi. Add the one-hour boat tour from Nyhavn to see Christianshavn, the Little Mermaid, and the harbor from the water. The app tracks buses and boats in real time.

“Bus trip was excellent, when we found the correct bus company. If you are going to the start of the trip location this is very straight forward but if were looking to join the trip at other locations this wasn't as easy to find. The bus stops at public bus stops and has a small "sight seeing" sign.”

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3.Copenhagen Sightseeing Classic Canal Tour With Live Guide

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

Cruise Copenhagen’s central canals and harbor for about an hour, passing Amalienborg Palace, the Little Mermaid, Christianshavn, Our Saviour’s Church, the Opera House, and Slotsholmen. A live guide speaks Danish and English, with multilingual audio options on many departures. Choose an outdoor seat for photos, or use the covered area in colder weather.

“The tour guide is engaged and interesting. He is knowledgeable. His explanation and description are clear. The ride was comfortable . He allowed us to ask questions.”

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

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

Join a maximum of 12 people for a three-hour English-language boat tour from Kvæsthusbroen. Your captain may be Mathilde, Mats, Caroline, Sam, or another member of the Hey Captain team. Expect Copenhagen canals, Trekroner Fort, the navy command, Parliament, blankets, conversation, and drinks for purchase.

“Caroline was an incredible guide. I thought 3 hours on the water might be too long but the time passed quickly. We learned so much about Copenhagen and life there. So glad we chose this tour.”

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5.Guided Canal Tour by Electric Boat

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

Start at Ved Stranden beside Christiansborg Palace for a small-group electric boat ride through Copenhagen’s canals and old harbor. A bilingual captain such as Tony, Nina, or Kim guides in Danish and English, sharing local stories, jokes, and history. Heated seats and blankets help in cold weather, but bring warm layers because wind and rain are possible.

“Fun way to see the city and get some history and facts. Guide was funny and knowledgeable”

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

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

Walk central Copenhagen with a local guide such as Michael, Maybritt, Mia, or Otto, then ride the electric harbor ferry before ending at Amalienborg Palace. You’ll see Tivoli, Christiansborg, Nyhavn, Kastellet, the Little Mermaid, and the Marble Church in about three hours. The ferry can be replaced by walking if service is full or canceled.

“A really nice sample of the city with some history in there too. I didn't have time to plan this trip, so this tour made me feel like I got a really good overview of Copenhagen. A few breaks are built into the itinerary. Don't worry, it was great.”

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7.Old Canals and Hidden Gems Social Boat Tour

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

Cruise Copenhagen’s harbor in a small boat with an English-speaking captain, stopping at Trekroner Fortress and passing Lynetteholmen, Nordhavn, and old-city canals. The mood is social and informal, with time to chat about architecture, sustainability, Danish life, and where to go next. Drinks are available to buy onboard.

“The activity was great but we personally would have been happier with at least a half roof as it was too sunny for us. Fred the Captain was very knowledgeable & informative & kept the group lively. It was well worth the views of this city from the water! Keep it up always.”

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8.Classic Canal Tour & The Harbour

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

Cruise Copenhagen’s harbour for 105 minutes aboard a covered boat with live commentary in English and Danish. You’ll pass palaces, forts, street-food areas, Nordhavn, and the rawer Sydhavnen district. Guides such as Peter add humor and useful local context. Bring a rain jacket, since the tour runs in all weather.

“Enjoyable canal tour ride in Coopenhagen. Guide on the canal tour gave an excellent narration of all the sights.”

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9.1, 2 or 3-Hour Boat Rental (No License Required)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 228 reviews · 2 - 3 hours

With GoBoat, you captain a private boat for up to eight people through Copenhagen Harbor and canals. Staff give you a short safety briefing, explain the controls, and provide a map for self-guided sightseeing. Choose one, two, or three hours, bring your own picnic, and enjoy a slow, easy ride with blankets and life vests included.

“This was such fun and a great way to see Copenhagen”

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10.1 or 2-Hour Canal Tour in Silent Electric Boats

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 88 reviews · from $30

Join a Danish or English-speaking captain on a covered electric boat for one or two hours through Copenhagen Harbor. You’ll pass Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, and the Opera House in a group of up to nine. Selena and Andrew have guided tours, with drinks available to buy before departure.

“it was a pleasant boat ride, we were 8 passangers plus Andrew the guide who offered us a lot of information about all the places we passed.”

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11.Kayak Tour in Copenhagen Harbor – June, July and August

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 61 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Launch from Kalvebod Bølge and paddle past Christiansborg, Børsen, the Royal Library, and through Christianshavn’s cozy canals. You’ll use a stable double sea kayak, with solo kayaks available in larger groups. Guide Jorn has led departures with careful safety checks and lively architecture commentary, though the sightseeing narration can vary.

“Jorn, our guide, was so passionate about showing us his take on Copenhagen architecture and always checking to make sure the group were safe and all together. Great tour with a lot of information to take in.”

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12.Private Guided Boat Tour with City Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews

Captain Oni guides your private group of up to eight around Copenhagen aboard a Joda Tender 710. Choose a one, three, or four-hour route, connect your music, buy drinks from the cooler, stop at Reffen, swim, and see sights such as Nyhavn, Christiansborg, the Opera House, the Little Mermaid, and Trekroner Fort.

“Great tour, great captain, great city, great weather, great experience. Thank you! Highly recommended!”

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13.1 or 1,5 Hour Boat Rental – No License Required

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 8 reviews

You captain a quiet electric boat through Basin 2 and Aarhus Marina on a private Aarhus Harbor outing for up to eight people. A short safety lesson, map, blankets, and life vests are included. Bring food and drinks, leave speakers at home, and expect a simple self-guided ride rather than a full harbor cruise.

“It was great fun. The instructions were easy to understand and it was very easy to use. The staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. Unfortunately, the area to be driven through is a bit narrow and doesn't offer many options. But it was still fun.”

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14.Harbor Architecture Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · 2 hours

Walk Copenhagen’s waterfront with a private English- or Spanish-speaking guide, visiting Nyhavn, Krøyers Plads, Cirkelbroen, the Royal Library, and DAC. You’ll see Operaen and Papiroen along the way, hear how old port areas became modern public spaces, and finish near Islands Brygge.

“So many interesting places we visited combined with the history. Dalit’s enthusiasm, our guide, made Copenhagen shine even brighter!”

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

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

Explore Copenhagen’s Old Town and Nyhavn with a private local guide, then cruise past Holmen, the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg, Christianshavn, and more. Choose three hours for the essential sights or four hours to add Rosenborg’s King’s Garden, Frederik’s Church, and Amalienborg Square. The walk is guided in English, German, or Danish, while the cruise audio guide uses those same languages.

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