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Copenhagen with Kids: Climbing Church of Our Saviour Spire

The black and gold spiral tower rises prominently above Copenhagen’s skyline. Look closely and you may see people along the exterior golden staircase winding to the top of the spire. We were among those visitors who shakily and carefully made the climb to the city’s most visited church. Read all about the grandeur and adventure to climb the Church of Our Saviour Spire in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen Church of our Saviour

History of Church of Our Saviour Copenhagen

The Dutch Baroque style Vor Frelsers Kirke or Church of Our Saviour was built in 1696 and has been Christianshavn district’s parish for over 300 years. Its highlight was the 312 feet (95 m) high spire completed in 1752. 

Visitors climb up the 400 steps to the top for a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of  Copenhagen and beyond. The last 150 steps were outside that wrapped around the spire.

Church of Our Saviour spire

A golden globe and a 9.8 feet (3 m) flag bearing statue of Christ topped the church’s spire. They built to look over the city.

top of Church of our Saviour

Climbing the Church of Our Saviour Spire

It was quite an experience especially when climbing with kids. My kids questioned our sanity when we told them we were going up there to see some great views. 

There were some protests and whining when they found out there were no elevators and the number of steps to get to the top. After reassuring them there would be plenty of rest stops, they reluctantly went (not like they really had a choice).

The Interior Stairs

The interior wooden stairs were narrow and cramped with plenty of low beams. Some areas were dark with a musty smell and at times, involved climbing down backwards. 

I don’t know how tall people navigated through these stairways and ceilings.  There were also some seats inside for resting or for letting people pass.

Church of our saviour interior stairs

The tower also contained, at one time the world’s largest musical instrument, a 48-bell carillon. It was played every Saturday at 4PM with concerts during the summer. I’m not sure if this photo below was part of it but looked like it was an important piece of a large mechanism.

Church of Our Saviour carillon

Beware of the Bells

Since this was also a bell tower, we had to hurry as we nervously watched the clock. The church bells rang on top of the hour. 

I’m sure the sound of the bells ringing inside were deafening. There were lights warning the visitors when the bells were about to ring.

I’m not sure how much time you get but I don’t know if it will make much of a difference. There was really nowhere you can escape to fast. We luckily didn’t get to hear the chimes inside during our visit.

Church of Our Saviour Bell

Climbing the Outside Stairs to the Tower

Once we got outside, there was a small platform encircling the tower with signs that pointed to various attractions. It was a wonderful way to see the sights we already visited and the ones we hoped to explore. The platform wasn’t flat but was sloping downward which took some getting used to walking.

Church of Our Saviour platform

The panoramic views were spectacular. It was a fantastic way to see Copenhagen from above.  

Copenhagen view from Church of Our Saviour

Many have proclaimed the tower with the best views of the city and that was undeniable. On a clear day, the Oresund bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark could also be seen from  here.

Copenhagen view from Church of Our Saviour

This was one of the canals we cruised on during our Copenhagen Canal Tours.

Copenhagen christianshavn canal

An Extra 150 Steps

I was content with the views from the platform. Having made it two-thirds of the way, we decided to climb the 150 steps that wrapped around the spire to make this tower visit even more memorable.

As we climbed the four twists, the steps got narrower, steeper and scarier. The tower was made of oak so gusts of wind blowing felt like we were rocking.  

This was not someplace you’d want to be on a really windy day. It was good to know they close it off during high winds and rain.

Church of our Saviour stairs

There was no platform at the very top. The narrow stairs tapered off for one person to stand on. 

We were lucky there weren’t that many people here on a Thursday afternoon. The wait could get pretty long climbing and waiting for others to pass.

In some areas, passing each other meant one held on to the tower wall sideways and the other held on to the rail sideways. This could be a very unnerving experience.

Church of our Saviour steps

The Fear is Real

I’m usually not afraid of heights but this one was scary and nerve-wracking. I was more terrified my kids would get blown away despite the railings being taller than them.  

There were plenty of “Hold on tight to the rails!” yelled repeatedly over the wind gust. They were perfectly fine and loved the feeling of being so high up the city. They obviously didn’t get that daring sense of adventure from me.

Copenhagen Church of our Saviour

I had to stop, breathe and compose myself a few times to actually enjoy the views. Fortunately, my husband took all the scenic pictures because my pictures would have mostly been blurry from shaking hands and sweaty palms.

Copenhagen view from Church of Our Saviour

The climb to the spiral tower was a harrowing and challenging experience. It was also a good exercise to work off all the Danish pastries we had consumed on this trip. This is one of Copenhagen’s famous attractions and definitely not for those with fear of heights, vertigo or limited mobility.

Copenhagen view from Church of Our Saviour

We saw another side of Copenhagen and were rewarded with glorious scenery. It was well worth the shaky legs and accelerated heart rate (for me, anyway).

Church of our Saviour Tower topper

Tips for Visiting the Church of Our Saviour Copenhagen with Kids

  • Ticket prices: Adults 69 DKK; Children 20 DKK.  Admission is FREE with the Copenhagen Card.
  • Plan your visit.  Go early or late on weekdays to avoid most of the crowds.  Stairs require lining up in a single file to go up or down.
  • Visit the church.  The church was under construction and closed during our visit but admission would have been free.  It didn’t look very big but contained some important and historical relics.
  • Check the weather.  Don’t plan to go when it’s windy or rainy as it will most likely be closed.
  • Dress appropriately.  No hats or loose clothing since it gets very windy on top.
  • Bring binoculars for a closer look at some of Copenhagen’s attractions.
  • The spire is closed between November to  March.

*Would you climb the spiral tower? 

PIN IT FOR LATER!

church of our saviour copenhagen

50 thoughts on “Copenhagen with Kids: Climbing Church of Our Saviour Spire”

  1. The spire and the view look amazing. I’m not sure I would have made it up though. I have a rather mild fear of heights but there’s one thing that brings it out in full force – spiral stairs!!! It’s gotten worse since having kids. I made it up Sagrada Familia pre-kids without too much difficulty but on our recent trip to Sri Lanka we climbed Sigiriya with the kids – it has a spiral staircase hanging off the side of the cliff followed by a rather rickety set of stairs that are regularly shut thanks to wasp attacks! By the end of that climb I had to send the kids on with their father and quietly hyperventilate (obviously didn’t want to panic fully for fear of attracting wasps with my sobs!)

    1. Thanks for sharing your story, Tracy! I don’t blame you for staying put on that spiral staircase hanging off a cliff. My heart is beating fast just trying to imagine that one. Then to worry about wasp attacks too. Yikes!

  2. We didn’t do this climb when we were in Copenhagen and now I’m rather glad that we didn’t! I would not have done well with the spiral staircase (I suffer from vertigo) and I’m pretty sure that my kids would have hated it! Your pictures are beautiful though – your husband did an excellent job! When we were in Copenhagen there was a large temporary wheel (similar to the London Eye but smaller) located across from Tivoli and we were able to get a birds-eye view of the city that way – that was enough for me!

    1. Thanks I will pass it on to him, Lisa. He’s usually the main photographer anyway. :) The “Copenhagen Wheel” wasn’t around this summer but that is a much safer and relaxing way to see Copenhagen.

  3. We’ve climbed the dome at the Vatican and also the Duomo in Florence, that latter climb was one where the stairway got smaller and more narrow as you neared the top and I was like you. . .had to stop to slow the heartbeat (not from the climb) but from thinking about where I was. . .no turning back as another stairway led down. . .the views were great when I quit shaking. (And this is a great post!)

    1. Thanks Jackie! It’s such a terrible feeling to feel trapped at such a high place and knowing the way down is pretty long. We didn’t get to climb the Vatican dome but a friend told me it was pretty narrow too. I’ve seen those views and they look well worth the climb.

    1. Thanks Jenny! I knew I would have regretted not going all the way up or even going up to see the views. Those spires were just beggint o be climbed on. Yes, the views were worth it and even better in person.

  4. Kudos to your husband on the beautiful photos and congrats to you for making it up and down in one piece with your sanity intact. (And motivating your kids to do it!) Thanks for showing the pictures in case if I never work up the courage to go up myself. However, the scenery looks so fantastic, I am tempted. Your tales of the bell and the carillon are especially interesting. Fabulous post!

    1. Thanks Michele! I barely made it but so glad I went up to see the fantastic views. It would have been awesome to hear the carillon performance (as long as we weren’t in the tower).

  5. Thanks for the detailed photo essay. I feel like I’ve been there. I don’t think I would mind the stairs, but that ladder??? I’ve climbed up inside the Capitol Dome in D.C. (Lucky me, after 9-11 it was closed to visitors], to monasteries in Meteora Greece, to temples in Thailand. But the scariest was going DOWN after the climb to the top at Angor Wat. No handrails! I was ashamed of myself when I saw a pregnant woman gaily skipping down the stairs, but I clung to my guides hand, and part way went on the seat of my pants.

    1. You’ve had some wonderful climbing experiences, Vera. I’m not sure about climbing anything without handrails. I’ve heard people climb the Capitol Dome before but I don’t think I’ve ever seen pictures from that point of view. I will have to google it now and since it was pre-2001 probably before the popularity of digital cameras. Yes, those ladders were pretty steep too.

  6. It sounds to me Mary that in the end your kids loved it up there. That was usually my experience – whine to annoy the parents and then enjoy. I think this is a great outing and I love the views you got from the top. Can you imagine being up there with the bells playing??

    1. Leigh, you know too well how kids operate. Yes, they absolutely loved it up there with no fear. It was one of our memorable moments in Copenhagen. I think if you were outside the bells won’t be so bad but we didn’t want to get caught next to them when it rang.

  7. Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    I too usually love climbing up bell towers but sometimes the spiral staircases get a bit tight and scary! You did get some great shots which is the reward for all your effort. Oh yes, plus the ability to eat cake without guilt :)

  8. That is so amazing! Definitely worth the climb, although I am sure there were some scary moments with the kids. The Spire looks like a decoration made out of icing. You always visit the most unique spots!

    1. I didn’t think about the spires looking like that but you’ve got a point. There were quite a few scary moments with the kids as I’m sure you’d know. You and I have a knack for finding unique spots :)

  9. Mary, I love your photos. However, I don’t think I could do this. I don’t mind heights as long as I’m enclosed in a elevator, but out in the open like that would have made me VERY nervous. Congrats that you made it!!

    1. Thank you Nancie! I’m usually like you with no issue inside and love the view looking down. I think it was the wind and the rocking motion that made it nerve-wracking.

  10. Copenhagen looks amazing, there’s a great mix between decadence and decay – and climbing the church spire is a brilliant way to see most of it! (by decay I’m referring to the colourful freetown of Christiania)

    I had a similar experience climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa – the steps were heavily eroded and the stairways were very narrow, but the views from the top toppled any reluctance to go up!

    1. I’ve got stories of our brief visit to Christiania. It was the Copenhagen we’d rather not visit again. I would love to go into the Leaning Tower. I can see how it would look scary and claustraphobic.

  11. We LOVE climbing church towers and try to do one in almost every town we’re in when traveling Europe! This is a great recommendation, as Scandinavia just might be our next trip.

  12. I’m a compulsive “climb to the top”-er! Hills, towers, you name it- I can’t help myself. It does sometimes feel a little fraught though. Will be in Porto next week climbing the Clerigos Tower, among other things. Well- why else are they there?
    Different with young uns, though.

    1. It is such a cool attraction and so unique. You’d love the climb, Sophie and the views are amazing which the pictures just don’t capture – seeing the lively streets and activities below.

  13. I remember that church spire vividly, even though it’s been many years since I’ve been in Copenhagen. (It was before the Oresund bridge was even built.) I didn’t know you could climb to the top, but what a view! Beautiful photos and descriptions.

    1. Thanks Lisa! This really isn’t one with fear of heights – even mild ones. Some of the internal stairs are very steep and high too so that alone would make anyone turn around.

    1. Thanks Marcia! It was so worth the climb. I think it took us less than an hour to climb it since we didn’t hear the bells until we were outside. There were hardly any people inside so we didn’t have to wait for anyone to get up/down the stairs. On a busy day, I can imagine it may take awhile to patiently wait for people to pass.

  14. Oh my goodness you are so brave! I want to be adventurous when I travel but heights like these freak me out! Your kids are very lucky you all did the climb:) I hope I can be as daring if we ever find ourselves here:)

    1. Thanks Terumi! I figured I may never get back to Copenhagen and climb this so might as well make use of it despite the “white-knuckle” experience. :) I think it helps to minimize looking down.

  15. Very very nice! Is this the one near Christiania? I remember there’s one really wonderful church there. It really is scary. But I can imagine being glad too, like your kids. Love those kinds of adventures hehe When I went to the top of the St Michael’s church in Hamburg, we took the lift. Booo.

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