SITUATED just 10 minutes’ drive north of Copenhagen is what is recognised as the oldest amusement park in the world.

With origins that can be traced back to 1583 and located in the old forest called Jægersborg Dyrehave, Bakken, or Dyrehavsbakken as it is officially named, is a unique amusement park which offers an historic and nostalgic venue combined with modern amusements and thrill rides. Owned by the state, the land was originally the site of a natural spring to which Copenhagen residents were attracted, the large crowds that visited in turn attracting entertainers and hawkers whose presence is credited with being the origins of the amusement park of today.


Following a period when it was not open to the public, the area was subsequently opened up once again and began to flourish. Entertainers, hawkers and bar tenders returned and Bakken’s growing reputation around Europe attracted other entertainers and artists. The Tent Owners’ Association was formed in 1885 by some of the business owners at the venue to improve the site and the organisation still exists today, with all businesses operating in the park required to join. The more than 130 businesses on site are operated by individual retailers, known as tent holders.

In the ensuing decades more entertainment options were introduced to the park, including a circus revue and amusement rides, and gradually more modern attractions were added along with more up to date live entertainment.

The park has therefore been a firm favourite with the people of Copenhagen for literally centuries and in the summer time attracts visitors of all ages who come to indulge in the attractions and facilities on offer within their nostalgic and historic setting, as well as to enjoy the surrounding woodland. With a unique position in the middle of one of Denmark’s most beautiful forests, Bakken offers something of a surprise in the middle of all the greenery around it.

With free entry to the site, payment is made for each individual ride. Guests are offered a wide range of rides for all ages, games, restaurants, fast food outlets, ice cream stalls, pubs, bars and a variety of live entertainment and music. Uniquely, because of its historic values and special location, no large brands are allowed to operate in Bakken and neon signs are banned. Instead, a host of colourful wooden structures, small independent shop owners and ‘quirky’ stalls greet visitors.

Many Danish families have been visiting Bakken for generations and over time the entertainment on offer has obviously changed considerably. The venue’s longest standing ‘visitor,’ however, is Pjerrot, the well-known white faced clown who visits every day and has been entertaining the park’s youngest guests for more than 200 years!

Not surprisingly, the main attraction for the majority of guests are the rides on offer, including six roller coasters, the oldest of which is the 852m long wooden Rutschebanen (roller coaster in Danish). Opened in 1932, this is a Scenic Railway style ride operated until quite recently with a brake man and affectionately known as The Old Lady. At the time, it was the largest wooden coaster in Europe. New trains installed in 2010 did away with the need for a brake man.

Other coasters on offer include the Zierer-built Racing, operating since the 1980s, the Mariehønen, a Tivoli coaster also from Zierer, the Mine Train from Intamin, the Tornado, also from Intamin and featuring spinning cars, and the Vilde Mus (Wild Mouse) from Mack Rides which was added in 2012.


In total Bakken offers over 30 rides for all ages and level of thrill seeker, some of these including the Sky Roller (Gerstlauer), the Waterslide log flume, bumper cars, the Dillen jet ski ride, an Enterprise, 5D Cinema, Polyp, Samba Tower, Ghost Train, Tower Thrill, Water Cannon and the Viking Ship, a pirate ship attraction. For younger visitors, attractions include the Bin Express roundabout, a mini Ferris Wheel, the Hip Hop mini drop tower, a jeep track ride, a carousel and a mini train ride.

In 2015 Bakken created a new themed area called Korsbæk, Korsbæk being the local town in one of the most famous Danish TV series, Matador. Additionally, in 2018 the venue was granted permission to expand with two new opening seasons – Christmas at Bakken and Autumn at Bakken.

Also available as part of the entertainment offering are 78 other attractions such as shooting stalls and amusement arcades, while shows include the Bakkens Hvile cabaret show, the Circus Revue and the Bakken Animals show. One of the park’s key annual special events is the World Santa Claus Congress which started at Bakken in July 1957 and has taken place every summer in July ever since.

As mentioned, numerous eateries provide a wide range of F&B options and although the popular Danish kitchen is still richly represented, newer additions include Spanish tapas, fish and chips, noodles and more.

Bakken is the second largest amusement park in Denmark and annual visitor numbers are estimated at approximately 2.4 million. Its summer season this year is from April 12 to September 8, with the autumn season being from October 12 to 20 and Christmas weekends from November 22 to December 22. During the high season from the end of June until mid-August there are more than 1,000 employees at Bakken.


At a glance

  • Origins date back to 1583
  • Situated 10 minutes’ drive from Copenhagen
  • Unique location set in the old Jægersborg Dyrehave forest
  • Over 130 individual businesses on site
  • Rutschebanen wooden roller coaster from 1932 continue to operate today
  • Two new opening seasons – Christmas at Bakken and Autumn at Bakken – added in 2018
  • Approximately 2.4 million visitors per annum

www.bakken.dk