Reviewed · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
Private Copenhagen Tour with Gitzmo Boat
Copenhagen reveals itself best from the water, and this private cruise gives you a front-row view of the city’s harbor landmarks without sharing the boat with a large group. Thomas guides the trip, and his small dog, Gitzmo, may be along for the ride. The route includes Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, the Opera House, and the Little Mermaid, with time to step ashore at Trekroner Fort.
I like the personal scale of the tour and the chance to ask questions as you go. I also like that the trip can include a short visit to a historic sea fort instead of being only a harbor sightseeing loop. The main consideration is weather: rain or strong wind can cancel the cruise, and the boat is not recommended for people with walking disabilities.
Key points at a glance

- A private boat for up to seven people: The $594.52 group price becomes much better value when shared by a full group.
- Thomas is your local guide: He offers stories about the sights and has shown flexibility with timing, weather, and meal suggestions.
- Trekroner Fort adds history: You have about 20 minutes to explore the old defensive island and its casemate buildings.
- Major harbor sights come quickly: Expect views of Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, the Royal Danish Opera House, and the Little Mermaid.
- Gitzmo the dog may join you: The boat’s namesake adds a friendly, informal touch to the outing.
- Weather matters: Wind and rain can lead to a cancellation with a full refund or a different date.
Why a private Copenhagen boat tour works well

Copenhagen is a city of water. The harbor separates districts, frames the royal quarter, and gives you angles on famous buildings that are hard to find from the pavement. From a small boat, you can take in several major sights in two hours without spending the day walking between them.
The private format matters most for groups of family or friends. You are not working around strangers, and Thomas can answer questions for your own group. The supplied price is $594.52 for up to seven people, which works out to about $85 per person if you fill every seat. For six people, it is about $99 each. That is not a low-cost harbor cruise, but it is reasonable for a private boat, a dedicated guide, bottled water, and a route that includes time off the boat.
For one or two people, the price is much harder to justify. You pay the group rate even if your party is small. I would look at this as a comfortable private outing for a family or a small group, not as the cheapest way to see Copenhagen from the water.
The trip lasts about two hours and begins and ends at Havnegade 14, near public transportation. Since the boat returns to the same place, you do not need to arrange a second meeting point or plan your day around a distant finish.
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Setting out from Havnegade 14
Your starting point is Havnegade 14, 1058 København. The meeting point is central enough to reach by public transportation, and the return to the same location keeps the logistics simple.
Thomas has shown a practical approach to timing. One group arrived 20 minutes early and found him ready to go, allowing the boat to leave ahead of schedule. That does not guarantee an early departure, but it suggests that arriving a little before the stated time is sensible.
The boat is a personal setting rather than a polished large-scale sightseeing vessel. That can be a plus if you want conversation and a relaxed pace. It also means you should expect a more intimate boat experience, with less space than you would find on a large harbor vessel.
Bottled water is included. Other drinks are not included, though they can be bought on board. Smoking is not allowed.
Nyhavn, Amalienborg, and the royal waterfront

The cruise takes you past Nyhavn, the canal-front harbor lined with colorful buildings, restaurants, and historic boats. From the water, you see the famous façades as a single waterfront scene rather than as a series of streetside stops. It is a good place to take photographs, especially if you have already seen Nyhavn on foot and want a different view.
The route also includes Amalienborg Palace, home of King Frederik X of Denmark. Seeing the royal residence from the harbor gives you a useful sense of its position beside the water and its connection to the city’s central waterfront.
You do not visit the palace interiors on this outing. This is a passing view from the boat, so keep your expectations in check. The benefit is breadth: in a short time, you see the royal quarter as part of Copenhagen’s larger harbor system.
The Royal Danish Opera House is another major sight on the route. Its broad modern form contrasts with the older buildings around the harbor. From the boat, you can appreciate how the Opera House faces across the water toward the historic center.
This section of the trip works best for first-time visitors who want quick orientation. You get a sense of where the royal buildings, harbor channels, and central neighborhoods sit in relation to one another.
Meeting the Little Mermaid from the water

The boat also passes the Little Mermaid, Copenhagen’s most famous waterside statue. The sculpture sits on a rock beside the water at the Langelinie promenade, which gives you a clear explanation for its setting. It is not placed in a grand square or museum. It is a small figure on the edge of the harbor, viewed from the promenade and the water.
The boat offers a useful angle, but this is not a private visit to the statue. Other people may be nearby along the shore, and the stop is primarily for seeing and photographing it from the route. That is part of the appeal of a boat tour: you can include the statue without adding a long walk to a separate sightseeing plan.
The Little Mermaid is modest in size, so keep your camera ready. The boat’s movement, light, and distance can affect your photograph. If this statue is a major priority, you may still want to see it on foot at another time. On this tour, it is one part of a wider harbor circuit.
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A quick look at waterfront street food

The route includes a large street-food area beside the water. The supplied details do not specify a formal food stop or meal, so treat this as a passing view unless Thomas adjusts the timing for your group.
That waterfront food area is useful context. Copenhagen’s harbor is not only a backdrop for palaces and monuments. It is also a place for casual eating and social life. Seeing it from the boat helps you spot an area you might return to later.
Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. You can buy other beverages on board, but you should not book this experience expecting lunch or a full food tasting. Thomas has recommended a good lunch spot to a group in the past, so it is worth asking him for a suggestion if you plan to eat after the cruise.
Trekroner Fort and Copenhagen’s sea defenses

The most unusual part of the trip is the visit to Trekroner Fort. You have about 20 minutes with free admission to explore the island and its casemate buildings.
The fort’s story reaches back to Copenhagen’s need to defend itself from attacks by sea. In 1700, the city was bombarded from the water. In 1713, old warships were sunk in the narrow approach to Copenhagen to make entry more difficult. One of those ships was Trekroner, whose name later became associated with the fort.
The site is also linked to two major events in Danish military history: the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 and the British bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807. In 1801, Trekroner was considered a serious threat to the British force, helping keep Lord Nelson’s naval ships out of range.
You can explore the casemate buildings, see exhibition displays, and watch a film about the Battle of Copenhagen. A flashlight can help you visit the cold basement, where stories about life at Trekroner are presented. The short stop gives the boat ride a strong historical layer, though 20 minutes is not enough for a long or detailed fort visit.
The fort is also the part of the outing that requires walking. The tour is not recommended for people with walking disabilities, and you should take that seriously when planning. If you prefer to remain seated for the full two hours, a standard harbor cruise may suit you better.
Thomas, flexibility, and the Gitzmo touch

Thomas is an important part of the experience. The boat route covers well-known sights, but a private cruise becomes more useful when the guide adds local context and responds to the group.
He has adjusted the day when conditions changed. One group was approaching rain when Thomas found a place to park the boat and allowed them to go into a cafe for drinks. He also stayed out longer than expected and suggested a lunch place that worked well for the group. These details point to a guide who pays attention to comfort rather than treating the schedule as fixed to the minute.
You should not assume that every booking will run longer or include a cafe break. Those choices depend on weather, timing, and the group. Still, it is reasonable to ask Thomas about the day’s pace and any food plans before setting out.
Gitzmo, the small dog who gives the boat its name, may be the star for families and dog lovers. If you do not want a dog on board, check that point before booking. The provided information specifically describes Gitzmo accompanying Thomas, but it does not promise the dog’s presence on every departure.
Weather, comfort, and practical limits

This experience requires good weather. In rainy or windy conditions, the tour can be canceled, with a different date or a full refund offered. That policy protects you from an uncomfortable or unsafe ride, but it means you should avoid placing this tour on the one day of your trip when nothing else can move.
The operating dates supplied are April 6 through August 15, 2026, with daily hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The exact departure time comes from your booking. These months offer more daylight than winter, which helps with views and photographs, but the boat remains exposed to the wind.
Wear clothing suited to changing conditions. The information does not specify covered seating or onboard heating, so do not assume the boat will feel like an indoor sightseeing vessel. Bring a light rain layer and take the forecast seriously.
Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The key restriction is walking ability, especially if you plan to get off at Trekroner Fort. Smoking is prohibited on the boat.
Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. The weather exception is separate: if poor conditions cancel the tour, you can receive a full refund or select another date.
Who gets the best value from this boat ride
I would recommend this tour most strongly to a group of four to seven people who want a private outing and enjoy a guide-led experience. The price spreads well across a full group, and the ability to ask Thomas questions makes the trip more personal than a standard sightseeing boat.
It also suits people who have limited time in Copenhagen. In about two hours, you can see several headline sights, get a view of the royal waterfront, pass the Little Mermaid, and visit a historic fort. You will not explore each place in depth, but you will cover a lot of ground without a long day on foot.
Families may like the flexible tone, the small boat, and Gitzmo’s presence. History fans will appreciate Trekroner Fort, especially the casemates and the stories tied to the 1801 battle and the 1807 bombardment.
I would be more cautious about booking if you are traveling alone or as a couple, since the group price remains high. I would also choose another activity if you need guaranteed operation in poor weather, have walking limitations, or want a formal indoor tour with fixed commentary.
Should you book the Private Copenhagen Tour with Gitzmo Boat?
Book it if you want a private harbor view with a local guide, especially when your group has enough people to share the cost. Thomas’s flexibility, the chance to stop at Trekroner Fort, and the informal setting give this trip more character than a simple loop around the harbor.
Skip it if your main goal is the lowest possible price or a guaranteed departure in rain and wind. Also remember that the famous sights are viewed from the boat, while Trekroner Fort receives only about 20 minutes. For the right group, though, this is a compact way to see Copenhagen from its waterways and hear the city’s story from someone who knows how to make the day feel personal.
FAQ
How long is the Private Copenhagen Tour with Gitzmo Boat?
The tour lasts approximately two hours.
Where does the tour begin?
It begins at Havnegade 14, 1058 København, Denmark.
Where does the tour end?
The activity ends back at the meeting point at Havnegade 14.
How many people can join the private tour?
The price covers one private group of up to seven people.
What sights are included on the boat route?
The route includes Amalienborg Palace, Nyhavn Harbor, the Royal Danish Opera House, the Little Mermaid, a large waterfront street-food area, and the home of King Frederik X of Denmark.
Is Trekroner Fort included?
Yes. The visit to Trekroner Fort lasts about 20 minutes, and admission is free. You can see the casemate buildings, exhibition displays, and a film about the Battle of Copenhagen.
Is food or drink included?
Bottled water is included. Other beverages are not included, but they can be bought on board. Food is not included.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The tour may be canceled in rainy or windy conditions. You will be offered another date or a full refund.
Can I cancel the tour?
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.
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