Did you climb Vor Frelser Kirke - Our saviour's church, Copenhagen?

Also, as I understand it, the final set of stairs go round the outside of the spire and there's no guard rail! (Will never, ever attempt it.)

I did it in 2003. Well worth the effort and not that hard. I took some of my best pictures of Copenhagen from the top. I would at least give it a try. Take it slow and give it a try. 400 stairs does sound intimidating, I honestly did not know that was how many stairs there are. Just take it one step at a time and it will go fast. I have been debating climbing the Eiffel Tower in September but have had the same intimidation you are having with this. Reading your post and realizing we did 400 has given me the confidence to try it! Good luck!

Eli, you may know this already but sometimes with knee problems it is harder to come DOWN stairs or hills than going up.

It was closed for repair when we were there in 2008. But I remember looking at it often and wishing it was open. And I'm almost certain there was a railing of some sort winding around the spire (even in Europe, not having one would be insane). I wouldn't worry about it. Find a nook to pause and rest in if you nave to.

I did it some years back. There IS a guardrail on the spiral part on the outside. But it is pretty exposed up there and not for people with acrophobia. The inside stairs are small and pretty tight in places. Not a probelm for me as I am petite, but there were places where it was quite difficult to pass others, especially if they were large. There is also little headroom in some places, so be careful and alert. If you like climbing but are concerned about knees, the Round Tower is much easier. It is only 34 meters up and an easy spiral walkway. The views from the top platform are very nice.

Good! I feel energized to try it. Hopefully, not too many tourists in early May so I don't slow them down. I am petite also. Only did the Eiffel tower up to second floor. Back then my knee had not recovered totally from the surgery.

I have climbed it, albeit when I was a little younger and fiestier than I am now. I have had "clicky" knees since I was about 10 - and have never been an athlete - but I made it fine, although I did have to stop and puff. There IS a guardrail! No worries about that. But if you don't have a head for heights, it is NOT someplace you probably want to be. I would seriously be more worried about being petrified of the height than not being able to do the steps. And yes, coming down BURNED. But the views were glorious.

I am okay with heights to a point. Yet I know if I don't do this now, I may never do it later on. Not getting any younger! I've read about rickety, wooden steps inside. Is this true or an exaggeration?