Zelândia · Denmark
The old royal town at the head of the Roskilde fjord: the Catedral de Roskilde, where the Danish kings are buried, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Museu dos Navios Vikings, 25 minutes by train from Copenhague.
In the photo: Porto de Roskilde
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Roskilde sits at the head of the Roskilde fjord, on the island of Zelândia, 30 km west of Copenhague. According to medieval chronicles, it was founded by King Haroldo Dente-Azul in the year 980, and was the seat of the kings and bishops of Denmark until the 15th century, when the court moved to Copenhague. The town preserves from that period the cathedral and a main pedestrian street that descends from the market square to the harbour.
On the shore of the fjord, the Museu dos Navios Vikings displays the five ships sunk around 1070 to close the entrance channel and protect the town from sea attacks, recovered in 1962. In the museum's shipyard, carpenters build replicas using period techniques, and in summer visitors can sail on the fjord in Viking-type boats. In the old industrial district of Musicon is the Ragnarock, a museum of rock and youth culture.
The town is also known for the Roskilde Festival, one of the largest music festivals in Europe, which usually takes place in late June and early July; that week, trains and hotels fill up.
This destination brings together 1 city: Roskilde.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Contornos: Web Vectors Map, via geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.
✈ Aeroporto de Copenhague (Københavns Lufthavn, Kastrup) (CPH), in Kastrup · 40 km to Roskilde
Check before booking. From Copenhague central station, the train reaches Roskilde in about 25 minutes, with several departures per hour. From Kastrup airport there are direct trains in about 40 minutes. By car it's about 35 km on the motorway.
The local experience
The brick cathedral of the 12th and 13th centuries, with the two pointed towers that define the city, where about 40 kings and queens of Denmark are buried. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
On the fjord shore, the five ships sunk around 1070 to protect Roskilde, recovered in 1962, and the shipyard where replicas are built using Viking techniques. In summer there are rowing trips on the fjord.
The museum of rock, pop and youth culture in the Musicon district, housed in a golden building opened in 2016, with interactive rooms, instruments, costumes and the history of Danish music since the 1950s.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From May to September the days are usually long and the Viking museum offers boat trips on the fjord, which generally run between June and August. The week of the Roskilde Festival, in late June and early July, fills the town. From November to March it is usually cold and gets dark early, but the cathedral and the museum are open year-round; check opening times.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
A full day is enough for the cathedral, the Viking museum and a walk through the centre and the harbour. Music fans can add the Ragnarock the same afternoon or stay overnight to see the fjord at sunset.
Most people do Roskilde as a day trip from Copenhague. Those who stay overnight will find hotels in the centre, between the station and the cathedral, and some near the harbour and the fjord. In the festival week accommodation sells out months in advance.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Yes. The train takes about 25 minutes, and the cathedral and museum fit into one day.
About 40 kings and queens, from the 15th century onward, in tombs and chapels from various periods.
In summer, the museum usually offers trips on the fjord in replicas of Viking ships, in which visitors help to row. Check the days and conditions.
It usually takes place in late June and early July, south of the centre. That week, trains and hotels are packed.
No. The station is in the centre, the cathedral is a 5-minute walk and the Viking museum about 20 minutes, down to the fjord.
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