Roskilde

Roskilde lies at the head of the Roskilde Fjord on Zealand, west of Copenhagen, and was for centuries one of the most important towns in Denmark. Royal power, the medieval church and Viking seafaring all left their mark here.

Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the earliest Gothic brick cathedrals in Scandinavia and the burial church of the Danish monarchs, whose tombs fill its chapels across many centuries. On the waterfront, the Viking Ship Museum displays five original ships recovered from the fjord, and its boatyard builds seaworthy replicas with traditional tools. In summer visitors can row and sail on reconstructed Viking ships. The old town, the palace with the Museum of Contemporary Art and RAGNAROCK, a museum of pop, rock and youth culture, complete the town. Show more

Every summer Roskilde hosts one of the largest music festivals in Europe, bringing a very different energy for a week. Outside town, the fjord shores, the Boserup forest and the reeds and meadows invite walks and cycling. At Lejre, Land of Legends recreates prehistoric life, and royal burial mounds and Ledreborg Palace lie in the rolling countryside nearby.

Roskilde is a short train ride from Copenhagen and works well as a day trip or an easy base. The cathedral and museums are open year round. Sailing on the fjord, the festival and many outdoor activities belong to the summer months.