North Zealand

Introducing North Zealand

Once you’ve exhausted the delights of Copenhagen, make super-accessible North Zealand your next stop. All of Denmark’s most typical attractions – golden-sand beaches, behemoth castles, impressive Viking remains – are crammed into this small, sweet, seasidey area.

Lively Helsingør is one of the region’s biggest towns and home to the mighty Kronborg Slot, an absolute beast of a castle. Between Copenhagen and Helsingør, two cultural pearls lie waiting on the coast. Fans of Karen Blixen’s weird, witty short stories should make the pilgrimage to Rungsted, a museum dedicated to her memory. Of wider interest is the outstanding Louisiana, an amazing modern-art gallery overlooking the ocean. Trust us, even philistines will grunt in appreciation.

As you continue round the top of Zealand, beach-lovers should head for the excellent stretches of seaside at Hornbæk and Tisvildeleje, which both have Blue Flag eco-awards. Fairytale Frederiksborg Slot in Hillerød is a must-see, with coppery turrets sprouting from an island in the middle of a glinting lake, and rooms bursting with over-the-top Renaissance splendour. Fredensborg Slot is still inhabited by Danish royalty, but its huge lakeside gardens are open to guests and it’s fun to watch the changing of the Toytown-like guard.

Fans of those indomitable Norse traders and raiders can’t miss Roskilde. Here you’ll find the superb waterside Viking Ship Museum and Denmark’s finest cathedral, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site and the resting place of Danish royals. The region is very easy to get around, and (bonus!) the Copenhagen Card allows free public transport and admission to most attractions – what’s not to love?

Last updated: Mar 24, 2009