Guide: 12 Hours in Frederikssund – Viking Theatre and World-Class Art
In the northern part of Fjordlandet, just a 45-minute drive from Copenhagen, lies Frederikssund — beautifully situated by Roskilde Fjord.
Here, you can experience the annual Viking theatre performances during the summer holidays, enjoy a cosy harbour atmosphere, explore local shops and visit the acclaimed Willumsen Museum.
Susanne Herschend, administrator at Visit Fjordlandet and a long-time Frederikssund resident, knows all the local hidden gems. Here she shares her guide to spending 12 unforgettable hours in the area.
Et helt (S)Ærligt bageri
Jeg vil anbefale, at du starter dagen med en god kop kaffe og en lækker bolle hos Cafe Ærligt på havnen i Frederikssund. Ærligt er et helt særligt bageri, kaffebar & ismejeri, hvor de ikke går på kompromis med kvalitet, råvarer eller smilet til gæsterne. De har også hjemmebagte kager og is, som du hurtigt kan blive afhængig af. Her kan du samtidig nyde udsigten over havnen og fjorden.
Café Ærligt
Next, take a walk along the fjord. Follow the gravel path south to the Viking Settlement — an open-air site with free admission.
Here you’ll find an impressive reconstructed Viking longhouse, smaller pit houses and several quirky buildings used, among other things, as lunch huts for local kindergarten groups on excursions. Walk along the plank path and enjoy the view from the jetty over the fjord.
Every summer, the settlement is home to the famous Vikingespil — Denmark’s largest Viking theatre show — as well as Viking markets throughout the year. Check the calendar to see when you can meet the energetic “Vikings” in full costume.
Heading back towards the water, you’ll pass Restaurant Kalvø, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch and a drink on the terrace with a beautiful view of Roskilde Fjord. The menu features classic Nordic cuisine prepared with passion for quality ingredients and craftsmanship.
After lunch, it’s time for art at the Willumsen Museum — a true hidden gem, just a 10-minute walk from the café.
The museum is a feast of colours, presenting the extraordinary and varied works of Danish multi-artist J. F. Willumsen. It’s a sensory experience for both children and adults. Ask for the special children’s activity suitcase at the entrance and explore the museum together with the little ones.
If you’re in need of coffee, cake or a light meal, you can find it in the museum’s café — also run by Café Ærligt.
Frederikssund’s “Christiania”
Once you’ve taken in all the colours, continue your walk along Færgevej heading south, taking a detour down Slåenbakke Allé and Fasanvej before returning to Færgevej. Continue towards the harbour, but turn off at Skyllebakken to reach Frederikssund’s oldest neighbourhood.
Skyllebakken developed around 1800 as a settlement for married labourers, fishermen and other working-class residents living just outside the town gates. For many years, the area was almost self-governed, and residents were even exempt from property tax. In recent years, the strategic location and charming atmosphere have made the area highly desirable, with many houses beautifully restored with great attention to preserving its character.
Good Food with a Great View
Back at the harbour, you can treat yourself to dinner at Restaurant Toldboden — one of my absolute favourites. On the terrace, you can enjoy a glass of wine, beer or fresh local apple juice before your meal, served with a direct view of Frederikssund Harbour. Toldboden combines classic French gourmet cuisine with a touch of modern Nordic flavours, always using seasonal ingredients.
Don’t Miss the Local Specialities
Taste locally produced wine
Set among the open, peaceful, rolling countryside just outside Frederikssund, you’ll find Langelinie Vin. The vineyard and surrounding fields are managed with a focus on gentle cultivation methods, and the vines are tended by hand.
Viking mead and honeybees
Perched above the landscape with views across Roskilde Fjord is Snoremark, where Karin and Thomas brew their award-winning mead using recipes known from the Viking Age. There is a well-stocked farm shop, an apple orchard, goats and bees that you can see up close.
Coffee from small-scale producers
If you enjoy quality coffee, continue your journey along the fjord to Just Coffee, where organic coffee is imported and roasted. The roastery is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday, where you can buy freshly roasted coffee to take home, grab a coffee to go or browse a selection of other treats. The coffee is organically grown by small-scale producers.
Stay Overnight and Discover Even More
Book a night at Skjalm Hvide Hotel, conveniently located close to Fjordlandet’s attractions and within easy reach of Copenhagen.
The hotel offers seasonal stay packages, and the restaurant provides vegetarian and vegan options on request. Skjalm Hvide Hotel is part of Small Danish Hotels.
Experience Frederikssund on a Puch Maxi
If you want to relive your youth or simply enjoy travelling on two wheels, I recommend taking a ride with Puchtours. Based in Hornsherred, they rent out Puch Maxi mopeds for day trips — a fun and nostalgic way to experience Frederikssund from a whole new perspective.
How to get around
There are several ways to reach and explore Frederikssund. S-trains run from Copenhagen to Frederikssund Station several times an hour (approx. 45 minutes). Check the Journey Planner (Rejseplanen) for current departures.
It’s also easy to rent a car in Frederikssund — for example through OsCar Car Rental — where the car will be ready for you at the station upon arrival. You can also rent a bicycle in the area, for example via Bike Tours, where you can pick up the bike in one location and return it in another.
If you’re travelling from North Zealand, you can take the small, charming cable ferry from Sølager to Kulhuse.
