Church of Our Saviour

Church of Our Saviour is a baroque beauty from 1696, but everyone comes for one thing: that spiraling external staircase wrapping around the golden spire. You'll climb 400 steps total, with the final 150 on the narrow outdoor helix that gets your heart racing. The 360-degree views from 90 meters up showcase all of Copenhagen, from the colorful Nyhavn canal to the Øresund Bridge stretching toward Sweden.

The climb starts inside through a traditional church interior, then transitions to wooden stairs within the spire before emerging onto the famous golden spiral. The outdoor portion feels precarious but thrilling, with the staircase getting narrower as you ascend. Wind whips around you as Copenhagen spreads below, and the spire's twisted design creates constantly changing perspectives. The final platform barely fits six people, so expect brief waits during busy periods.

Most guides don't mention the real challenge: it costs 65 DKK per adult and the outdoor stairs close frequently for weather. High winds, rain, or ice shut down access with little warning, especially October through March. Skip the interior church tour unless you're genuinely interested in baroque architecture. The climb takes most people 20-30 minutes up and 15 minutes down, but your legs will feel it the next day.