Summer get-away in Fjordlandet
Enjoy a getaway to the land of adventure and sagas
Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings in the historic market towns of Fjordlandet and its unique countryside. Many years ago, this area was home to the Scylding Kings when they were not out exploring the world on a Viking expedition from Roskilde Fjord.
Discover charming farm shops, delicious gourmet restaurants and the hilly landscape left behind following the ice age. Leave daily life far behind – just 30 minutes away from Copenhagen.
Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings in the historic market towns of Fjordlandet and its unique countryside. Many years ago, this area was home to the Scylding Kings when they were not out exploring the world on a Viking expedition from Roskilde Fjord.
Discover charming farm shops, delicious gourmet restaurants and the hilly landscape left behind following the ice age. Leave daily life far behind – just 30 minutes away from Copenhagen.
History up close in Lejre
Lejre Museum is the perfect place to start your voyage of discovery into the past. This museum has some of Denmark’s best-preserved finds from Viking times, including the stone ship and five large royal halls. When you’ve got your historical facts in place, you can visit Land of Legends, just two kilometres from the museum. This is where they bring history to life so you can travel back in time to the reconstructed Viking village. Taste the food, fight like a Viking and become part of Viking daily life.
The viking hall – Denmark’s largest royal hall
Continue your trip and visit Sagnlandet Lejre to see the huge royal hall. This is a reconstruction of the largest building ever found from Viking times in Denmark. With a length of 61 metres, a ceiling height of 10 metres and over 600m2 of floor space, the building is a testimony to the prowess of Nordic architecture and craftsmanship from that time.
Read more about Sagnlandet Lejre
This makes the royal hall a significant piece of evidence that the sagas about Lejre’s mighty Scylding Kings hold a grain of historical truth
Read more about the royal hall here
Feeling hungry? Stop by the little gem of a restaurant, Herthadalen, which is next door to Land of Legends. Enjoy a delicious lunch made of local ingredients or a coffee on their charming terrace looking out over Ledreborg woods.
World heritage and royalty in Roskilde Cathedral
After Lejre, visit Roskilde where you can place a check mark by Roskilde’s absolute must-see – Roskilde Cathedral. This building has been placed on the UNESCO heritage list as a reference work of the development of European architecture and one of Scandinavia’s earliest examples of a larger church built in brick. And there are no fewer than 38 Kings and Queens buried with royal pomp and ceremony here.
Don’t miss out on a walk around the outside of the church where you can really appreciate the impressive burial chapels from the outside.
Go on a summer hike
After all that cultural activity, it’s time to take in some nature.
In the national park Nationalpark Skjoldungernes Land you can walk through the area where the mighty Viking royal dynasty, the Scyldings, lived hundreds of years ago. The hiking trails here let you experience the local history of this unique and varied landscape.
With your walking books laced up, head out on the hiking trail Skjoldungestien.
The total route is 40 kilometres, but it goes between three train stations (Roskilde-Lejre-Hvalsø) making it easy to plan the walk from a station and then get the train back again.
The trail takes you through the village of Gl. Lejre, and the woods of Boserup and Bidstrup.
Read more about walking the route here
On the water in Fjordlandet
Regardless of where you go, you’ll probably see Roskilde Fjord or Isefjord making it easy to head out on the water.
Fjordlandet is a perfect area for kayaks, paddleboards or canoeing out into the sunset – see the rental possibilities from Outdoor Adventures or Fjordlandet Outdoor
Taking a trip on the fjord is without a doubt one of the best ways to experience the beautiful countryside of Fjordlandet. By Gershøj Harbour and Møllekrogen, you can even borrow one of the National Park’s canoes – completely free.
Read more about the free canoes here
If you are looking for a refreshing dip, there are also plenty of options.
In Fjordlandet you can swim in Avnsø, one of Denmark’s cleanest forest lakes, or jump into the lake Himmelsøen, close to Roskilde, with its 140-metre long floating jetty.If beaches are more your thing, take a trip to Vester Strand beach by Jægerspris or Kulhuse Strand beach on the northernmost point of the Hornsherred peninsula.
Read more about activities on the Fjord here
If you want to relax and try some delicious food, Roskilde Fjord can be enjoyed from the deck of the sailing restaurant M/S Sagafjord. The boat was originally a Norwegian passenger ferry from the 1950s but it has now been transformed into a sensory and culinary experience on the fjord.
At Roskilde Harbor you should not miss out the visit to the great and world famous Viking Ship Museum and see the five original Viking ships.
During summer you can even sail on the fjord in reconstructions of these ships.
Historic manors and modern communes
Of course, there’s more to Fjordlandet than just Viking history. There are also lots of manor houses and estates in the area.
One of them is Selsø Castle – the forgotten manor house that’s definitely worth a visit. It can be dated back to the Middle Ages but in 1829 its last owner died and the castle fell into disrepair. In 1972, the manor house was taken over by a couple who lovingly restored it. Today it’s like walking back in time.
If you’re interested in ornithology, don’t miss out on a trip to the nature reserve by the castle or a walk to the fjord. By Selsø Lake you’ll find the 500-hectare bird reserve Møllekrogen with its incredibly varied and abundant bird life.
Svanholm, an 800-year-old estate, is also worth a visit. Since 1978, Svanholm has been a large intentional community. Today it is home to 90 adults and 60 children who have embraced a sustainable and social way of living. Visitors can learn more about the Svanholm way of life with shared finances and mealtimes, organic food and sustainability. Visit the organic farm and buy fresh fruit and vegetables to take home with you, or take time to relax in their lovely café.
Taste of summer
Wherever you go in Fjordlandet, you’ll find wonderful farm shops.
In fact, the area’s farms are renowned and supply ingredients to some of Copenhagen’s best restaurants Stop by the idyllic village of Herslev, which in recent years has become a gastronomic epicentre.
In the village you’ll find the brewery Herslev Bryghus with its popular organic natural beer.
You can also visit Mikkel Friis-Holm’s chocolate production that has won gold medals at the International Chocolate Awards for several years in a row.
If you need to cool down, stop by the ice cream producers Hansens Ismejeri by Jægerspris and visit their charming ice cream café. Here your ice cream dreams will come true – whether you’re after ice lollies dipped in warm chocolate, fresh ice cream cookie sandwiches or soft ice cream with home-made caramel or chocolate sauce.
If you are more into gastro-food, visit the inn Svogerslev Kro close to Roskilde where they serve high quality inn food with a modern twist.
Or if you are looking for a food experience with a view over Roskilde Fjord and Roskilde Cathedral, head to Restaurant Vigen. They have everything you need for a great evening – an amazing view, fantastic service, wonderful food based on local ingredients – and you can even end your meal with a walk along the beach of Roskilde Fjord.
You can also enjoy your lunch or meal with a view over Frederiksund Harbour at Restaurant Toldboden, the old toll booth in Frederiksund. Expect a gastronomic experience that combines classic French gourmet cuisine with a modern Nordic twist.
Sleep soundly in fjordlandet
There are lots of options for a good night’s sleep in Fjordlandet – whether you are looking for inn accommodation, glamping or a hotel.
The historic and atmospheric Skoemagerkrogen dates back to 1521 and lets you combine a delicious meal with an overnight stay. Their gourmet inn stays include a night in one of their charming rooms or modern wooden cabins.
If you’re in the northern part of Fjordlandet, you can stay the night at the Skjalm Hvide Hotel in Slangerup. This is sure to be a great stay where you can treat yourself to fusion French Nordic cuisine and stay the night close to all the sights of Fjordlandet.
If you want to relax and enjoy the countryside without any noise or disturbing lights, head to Snoremark Glamping by Roskilde. This small green oasis has large luxury glamping tents with a view over the fields, Gundsømagle Lake and Roskilde Fjord. Pick up your breakfast at Snoremark’s brewery and look forward to home-made bread, eggs from the farm’s chickens, honey from their bees, home-made jams, cheese, lamb salami and apple juice.
Have you read our guides for 48 hours in Roskilde and 72 hours in Hornsherred?
Guide:
48 hours in Roskilde
Experience Roskilde Cathedral, the Viking Ship Museum, Sagafjord, Sankt Jørgensbjerg, Sct. Hans Have, Musicon, RAGNAROCK, Raadhuskellerden, Grundsmag, Sankt Laurentius Kirkeruin, Lützhøfts Købmandsgård and Gimle
Guide:
72 hours in Hornsherred
Experience Gl. Lejre, Sagnlandet, Hegnsholt, Herslev Bryghus, Ejby Ådal, Selsø Castle, Selsø Lake, Svanholm, Hansens Is, Kulhuse Strand, Willumsens Museum, Restaurant Toldboden, Restaurant Kalvøen, Jægerspris Castle, Nordskoven and Vester Strand