The tower that climbs in a spiral without a single step
Head to the top of the Round Tower and you will not encounter a single staircase. Instead, a 209-meter spiral corridor winds around the central core seven and a half times until you reach the observation deck. Legend has it that Tsar Peter the Great once rode his horse all the way to the top, followed by his wife in a carriage.
True or not, the story captures the spirit of the place. Everything here was designed to surprise.
Why visit the Round Tower?
Built between 1637 and 1642 by order of King Christian IV, the tower was originally part of a complex that included a church and a university library. Its primary function was not decorative. It housed an astronomical observatory, which remains one of the oldest in Europe still in operation today.
This dual identity as a Baroque monument and a scientific tool is what makes the visit unique. You are not just climbing for the view, but to understand how 17th-century Denmark studied the stars.
The spiral ramp, an engineering feat
Choosing a ramp over a staircase was not an architectural whim. It allowed for easily hauling heavy and fragile observation instruments to the top. The floor, paved with yellow bricks laid in a herringbone pattern, still wears down the soles of visitors just as it has for nearly four centuries.
The ascent is gentle and requires no strenuous effort, but the sheer length often surprises those expecting a standard observation tower.
The observatory and the view over Copenhagen
At the top, the circular platform offers a 360-degree panorama of the copper roofs and spires of the old city. On clear days, your gaze carries all the way to the Oresund Strait. The observatory dome, still equipped for amateur astronomy, occasionally hosts stargazing evenings depending on the seasonal calendar.
Halfway up, a small window looks out over the former university library, which now serves as an exhibition hall and remains a vestige of the building's scholarly past.
Pro tip: Visit in the late afternoon on a weekday. The low-angled light hitting the roofs of Copenhagen is well worth the climb, and the tower is significantly less crowded than during the middle of the day.
Pros
- Accessible ascent with no steps, manageable for most visitors
- Unobstructed view of the old city of Copenhagen
- Authentic historical and scientific context, far from a purely decorative monument
Cons
- Space at the top is quite limited during high season
- Not ideal for those with a fear of heights, despite the lack of stairs
Opening hours
Every day: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Closed on December 24 and December 31.
How long for this activity
Plan on about 45 minutes to 1 hour to climb the spiral ramp and take in the panoramic views over the rooftops of Copenhagen.
The Round Tower is a very interesting monument. It houses the oldest observatory in Europe. Above all, it offers a really beautiful view of the city and its landmarks. The visit is not long, but it is still worth a look. At the top, you will be able to take some really great photos.