Things to do in Roskilde
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Museumsø
On Museumsø, adjacent to the Viking Ship Hall and also part of the Viking Ship Museum, craftspeople use Viking-era techniques and tools to build replicas of Viking ships. Ottar, Roar Ege, Helge Ask and Kraka Fyr (reconstructions of Skuldelev 1, 3, 5 and 6 respectively) are moored in the harbour, where you can really appreciate their light, flexible designs.
In mid-2007 the largest Viking ship reconstruction ever sailed from Roskilde to Dublin. An incredible 340 trees went into the creation of Havhingsten fra Glendalough (based on the 60-oared warship Skuldelev 2), and the total labour totted up to 44,000 man hours. In mid-2008 it made its successful return to Roskilde: r…
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Roskilde Domkirke
Denmark’s most amazing cathedral is Roskilde Domkirke, a designated Unesco World Heritage Site. It dates back to the 12th century, but has been added to so many times that it’s now a superb showcase of 800 years’ worth of Danish architecture. As the royal mausoleum, it contains the crypts of 37 Danish kings and queens – contemplating the bones of so many powerful historical figures is a moving memento mori. No fewer than 11 spectacular chapels and crypts sprout from the main body of the cathedral. No doubt every visitor will have their favourite: here are ours.
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Longboat Trips
If you've always had an urge to leap aboard a longboat for a spot of light pillaging, join one of the Viking Ship Museum's hour-long longboat trips. Traditional Nordic boats are propelled across the water by you and the rest of your shipmates.
In July and August, trips run up to five times daily (definitely at 14:00, usually at noon, 11:00, 15:00 and 16:00); in May, June and September, there are up to four sailings (definitely at noon and 13:00, usually at 15:00 and 16:00) at weekends only. Sailing tickets are additional to the main museum entry ticket.
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Viking Ship Museum
Viking fans will be wowed by the superb Viking Ship Museum, which displays five Viking ships discovered at the bottom of Roskilde Fjord. The museum is made up of two main sections – the Viking Ship Hall, where the boats themselves are kept; and Museumsø, where archaeological work takes place. There are free guided tours in English daily at noon and 3pm in July and August; and at noon on weekends in May, June and September.
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Café Ce'Ci
Café Ce ’ Ci Ce’Ci is a trendy, fashionable café right on the main square, with cathedral views. It’s a good place to sit and people-watch, particularly in summer when it sprouts outdoor seating. There’s a sound lunchtime menu of soup, sandwiches, wraps, burgers and salads; and evening bistro-style meals are good too – chicken breast with pesto, braised ham in a Royal Stout sauce, deluxe burgers.
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Restaurant Snekken
Situated by the Viking Ship Museum, Snekken is an upmarket café-bistro sleekly designed in glass, stone and steel. It’s great for lunch in summer, when you can sit outside and watch the Viking boats. In the evening, it becomes two restaurants, one serving sushi and sashimi (open weekdays only) and the other classic dishes such as foie gras and buttery grilled plaice.
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Raadhus-Kælderen
One of Roskilde’s best restaurants is this atmospheric spot in the cellar of the old town hall (c 1430). Herring platters, and open sandwiches with smoked venison, beef tartare and smoked eel feature on the lunch menu. At dinner, creative, French-inspired seafood and meat dishes, such as guinea-fowl with rosemary sauce, get an outing. Little for vegetarians.
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Roskilde Museum
The well-presented Roskilde Museum covers Roskilde’s history from the Stone Age through Harald Bluetooth’s legacy to the contemporary ‘rock age’ of the Roskilde Festival. The exhibits have been arranged by two Danish artists, meaning that you get aesthetic pleasure along with an education.
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Restaurant Bryggergården
French and Danish cuisine is served in this busy pub-restaurant. There’s a good choice of traditional open sandwiches (shooting stars, roast-beef-and-remoulade, curried herring), plus solid, slightly old-fashioned dishes such as boeuf Bearnaise, roast pork and fish and chips.
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Gringos
Parachuting clowns, a desert mural and rainbow seats add a cheerfully tacky backdrop to your meal. The all-you-can-eat taco lunch at this Mexican restaurant is a good deal, service is really friendly, and the burritos thick and juicy. They also do food to take away.
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Palæet
The Palæet (Palace) was built in the 18th century, to be used by Christian VI whenever he happened to stop by. Today it houses three galleries/museums, the most worthwhile of which is the Museet for Samtidskunst (Museum of Contemporary Art).
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Himmel & Hav
There's a sandy Blue-Flag beach on the edge of Roskilde Fjord, 4km north of the Viking Ship Museum. You can hire kayaks for kr75/kr375 per hour/day from Himmel & Hav, next door to Roskilde Camping. It's a 20-minute bus ride (19kr) from town.
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Museet for Samtidskunst
The Museet for Samtidskunst, inside the 18th-century Palæet (Palace), a small modern art museum with surprising international exhibits.
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