Bakken

Dyrehavsbakken, known to everyone simply as Bakken, is the world's oldest operating amusement park and has been entertaining visitors since 1583, when a natural spring discovered by Kirsten Piil first drew crowds out to the area. Today it offers more than 30 rides, from the beloved wooden roller coaster Rutschebanen, dating from 1932, to modern thrill rides, alongside games, restaurants and old-fashioned fairground charm. One of Bakken's most appealing features is that admission is completely free: you simply pay for the individual rides you want to try, or buy a day pass, which makes it easy to drop in for a couple of hours or stay the whole day. The park sits on the southern edge of Dyrehaven, the royal deer park just north of Copenhagen near Klampenborg, roughly ten kilometres from the city centre. That setting is a big part of the experience, as the wild deer roaming the ancient oak forest are just steps away from the rides. The atmosphere is nostalgic and unpretentious, with a mix of screaming coasters, gentle carousels for small children and lively evening entertainment that has kept generations of Danes coming back. Because it is so easy to reach from central Copenhagen and costs nothing to enter, Bakken makes an effortless family outing or a fun stop on a walk through Dyrehaven. Combine your visit with a stroll among the deer to see the park at its best, and be sure to ride the classic Rutschebanen for a taste of more than a century of amusement-park history.