Tour operator
Stromma Canal Tours Copenhagen
Year-round guided canal and harbour boat tours from Nyhavn and Ved Stranden, passing the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg, the Opera House and Christiansborg.
Netto-Bådene
Long-running, good-value guided harbour tours from Nyhavn, sailing past Holmen, the Opera House, the Little Mermaid and Amalienborg with commentary in three languages.
At a glance
- Type
- Budget harbour and canal tours
- Area
- Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Official site
- havnerundfart.dk
Good to know
- Guided tours in Danish
- English and German
- Covered and heated boats in winter
- Group bookings
Why we recommend it
Netto-Bådene, the Netto boats, run guided harbour and canal tours of Copenhagen and are one of the more affordable ways to see the city from the water. The company's main departure point is in Nyhavn, at Heibergsgade, and tickets can be bought at the visitor counter or on the boat itself. Guides speak Danish, English and German, so the commentary switches between languages as you sail.
The route starts in Nyhavn, a canal that was dug in the 1670s, and heads out to Holmen, the former naval station that served as Copenhagen's naval base for more than 300 years. On the way the boats pass the film and theatre schools at Frederiksholm, the Opera House, the old bastions and the mast crane from 1748, as well as Batteriet Sixtus. Visit Copenhagen's description of the tour also mentions the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg Palace and the Church of Our Saviour with its twisted spire, and Frederiks Bastion, a restored bastion that now holds a small art gallery. The company notes that the route may change in July and August.
The season runs from March to October, and from October to March the boats are covered and heated, which makes the trip comfortable even on a cold day. Groups of more than nine can make reservations in April, May, June, September and October, and the company offers a discount for larger groups on certain summer departures from Nyhavn.
The tours suit budget travellers, families and anyone who wants a straightforward sightseeing trip without paying premium prices. Children aged 0 to 2 travel free, and children's tickets are cheaper than adult fares. The boats can be busy in summer, so arrive a little before your preferred departure, and bring a layer even in summer, as it can be breezy on the water.
The departure point is in Nyhavn, a short walk from Kongens Nytorv metro station. Group bookings and questions are handled by phone on weekdays between 9:00 and 14:00 or by email. Combine the tour with a walk along Nyhavn before or afterwards, or with lunch in the streets around Kongens Nytorv. If you are visiting the Church of Our Saviour later, the view of its spire from the water is a good preview of the climb.
Netto-Bådene FAQs
Where do the Netto boats depart from?
From Nyhavn, at Heibergsgade.
When do the Netto boats run?
Tours run from March to October, and boats are covered and heated from October to March.
What sights does the tour pass?
Holmen, the Opera House, the old bastions and the mast crane, as well as the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg and the Church of Our Saviour.
What languages are the tours in?
Guides speak Danish, English and German.
Where can I buy tickets?
At the visitor counter or on the boat.
Do children travel free?
Children aged 0 to 2 travel free, and older children pay a reduced fare.
Can groups book in advance?
Yes, groups of more than nine can book in April, May, June, September and October.
How do I contact Netto-Bådene?
By phone on weekdays from 9:00 to 14:00, or by email at [email protected].