Frederikssund: Viking heritage, culture and fjord

The Frederikssund Viking Play takes place every summer in June and July at the open-air stage on Kalvøen by Roskilde Fjord. A guided tour combines a walk with views over the fjord and a visit to the Viking settlement: five reconstructed pit houses and a longhouse representing a permanent Viking residence stand there. This lets you discover the subject both through the performance and by exploring the reconstructed buildings.

Museums and insights into history

Willumsens Museum is a municipal, state-subsidised museum in Frederikssund. Its collection comprises 8,000 works. Frederikssund Museum Færgegården focuses on life by the fjord—from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum includes a prehistoric trail and a prehistoric settlement site. The garden also offers its own way to explore: it is freely accessible even when the museum is closed.

In the museum garden, the Natureventyr experience guides visitors through a story of six to eight chapters using GPS coordinates and physical markers. The route passes through reconstructions of prehistoric scenes. This combines exploring the garden with a narrated sequence, rather than viewing the prehistoric scenes only one by one.

Castles, memorial sites and historic spaces

Selsø Slot was built in the 1570s by the nobleman Jakob Ulfeldt. In the Empire rooms, you can see Baroque wall paintings and wallpaper. Various activities and events for children and adults are also held there throughout the year, including nature events, concerts, talks and Manor House Day.

At Jægerspris Slot, the park and grove with their memorial stones form a freely accessible area. The castle museum complements the visit with rooms from the time of Countess Danner and King Frederik VII; the castle also offers various cultural activities. Jægerspris Nordskov offers another perspective on the region: Fælledskoven lies to the west, and Studehaven to the east. Frederik VII’s hunting pavilion is located at Frederikshøj, the highest point in the forest.

Fjord landscapes and trails

Roskilde Fjord is characterised by narrow channels and numerous small islands. Almost everywhere, the water is less than six metres deep. Today, the fjord is mainly used for recreational sailing and eel fishing; it has been designated a wildlife reserve since 1995. These different aspects—water, use and protected status—give the fjord a special place in the landscape.

Fjordstien is a nature trail along Roskilde Fjord and Isefjord. The full 275-kilometre route is intended for cyclists and hikers. Small blue signs and route number 40 mark the trail. In Frederikssund, Sillebro Ådal lies in the centre; there, you can barbecue, light fires and spend the night in shelters. Nature is therefore not only part of longer routes, but can also be enjoyed in an area within the town.

Beaches, events and local culture

Kalvøen bathing beach is 640 metres long. You can swim there from the rowing club’s pontoon bridge. Marbæk Beach has Blue Flag status, which can change between seasons. There is also rescue equipment at the beach.

The recurring Viking Market is associated with the premiere of performances by the Frederikssund Viking Play. Depending on the edition, it may include family activities such as shield painting, archery, Viking games, horseback rides and a rune hunt. Another regular gathering is the Saturday market on Torvet in Frederikssund. Admission is free; local producers, craftspeople, associations, food stalls and flea-market traders come together there.

For more culture, you can choose Parkteatret, which presents theatre performances, or Kulturhuset Elværket, a venue for cultural and artistic events. Art exhibitions and other events may be held at Langes Magasin, which originally dates from 1750. Frederikssund Church also reflects different eras: it dates from the 12th century and preserves furnishings from the 17th century. Its pulpit was painted in 1606 by Peder Maler in Helsingør and made by Bernt Snedker in Slangerup.

A seasonal ferry connection

The motor ferry MF Columbus connects Kulhuse at the northern tip of Hornsherred with Sølager on the southern side of Halsnæs. It operates approximately from 1 April until the autumn holidays. If you plan to use this connection on your trip, check the exact operating days in advance.

Discover more destinations: Dalby, Gerlev, Venslev, Frederikssund, Tårnby Municipality, Frederiksberg, Hillerød Municipality, Allerød Municipality.

Back to the main travel overview: Capital Region.