Roskilde

Roskilde is in West Zealand, Denmark, 35 km west of Copenhagen. Roskilde is an ancient city dating from the Viking age. The most important historical sights are the Viking Museum and Roskilde Cathedral, world heritage site. Roskilde is also home to the giant rock music event, Roskilde Festival.

Roskilde old town

Understand

Orientation

Roskilde is south of Roskilde Inlet with the Viking Museum and some of the accommodation and restaurant options nearby. Central Roskilde is 1 km further south centered around the pedestrian street Algade/Skomagergade and Roskilde Cathedral. The city centre is quite small at around 1 square kilometer bordered by a ring road. The train station is at the southern end of the city centre. Roskilde Festival is 4 km south from the train station along Køgevej.

History

Roskilde was established more than 1,000 years ago, at which time it had a wooden church and a royal farm. In the 12th century, Roskilde Cathedral was built and Roskilde became the seat of the bishop and was also granted the status of a market town. The town was one of the most important in Denmark for the next few centuries until the reformation ended the importance of the church.

Get in

Roskilde Railway Station

Map of Central Roskilde

By train

From Copenhagen Central Station (København H) it is about a 25-minute trip. Nearly all trains leaving Copenhagen besides those leaving for Elsinore or Sweden stops in Roskilde. Regional trains bound for Holbæk, Slagelse, Ringsted, Kalundborg or Nykøbing Falster are your best choices (they are marked with "Re" sign on platform screens). There is also a small branch line with Regional trains from Roskilde to Køge and onwards to Næstved.

By bus

Intercity buses to and from Jutland lines 882 to Fjerritslev and 888 to Aarhus/Aalborg, makes stop at the Q8 gas station at Darupvej 2, by the highway. It is quite far from the city center, but there are several bus lines connecting from Roskilde Station, e.g. 600S

Important regional buses includes 600S which runs an arch around Copenhagen proper from Hillerød in the north (Frederiksborg castle) to Hundige Station in the south. 233 runs between Roskilde and Lejre Forsøgscenter, 234 connects with Slagelse and finally 229E and 239 with Frederikssund.

By plane

• 🌍 Roskilde Airport (RKE  ^IATA Copenhagen Airport, Roskilde). is Denmark's premier General Aviation facility with planes taking off or landing, every 5 minutes throughout the day. It is also the main base for un- or semi scheduled taxi flights to the Kingdoms more remote islands; Copenhagen Airtaxi offers flights to Samsø, Læsø and Anholt for between 1,000-1,500 Kr, and more or less works as a regular airline, with flights bookable on the company website. Another option is Starling to Ærø.  

Get around

You can easily walk from the train station to the main square with the cathedral and from there to the Viking Ship Museum.

There are a few local buses running from the train station.

See

Landmarks

Roskilde Cathedral

• 🌍 Roskilde Cathedral (Roskilde Domkirke), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Apr-Sep M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 12:30PM-5PM; Oct-Mar Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 12:30PM-4PM, limited access during ceremonies. On UNESCO World Heritage List. This is where Danish kings and queens have been buried for a thousand years, 20 kings and 17 queens lay in the four chapels here. Most impressive are the temple like monuments for King Christian III and his wife. A wooden church was built here in the 10th century, the present church was built in early 13th century. Home to the Cathedral Museum. 60 Kr, students and pensioners 40 Kr, children free, worshipers free. 
• 🌍 Roskilde Former City Hall, Stændertorvet 1. Built in 1884 in Gothic style. Now home to the local tourist information office. 
• 🌍 Roskilde Palace, Stændertorvet 3, ☎ [phone]. Home to two exhibitions, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Palace Wing. A four wing yellow baroque building built in the 18th century. Was home to the king and his family when around. 
• Roskilde Station, Jernbanegade 1. The oldest train station in Denmark built in 1847 in connection with opening of the first railway between Copenhagen and Roskilde. 
• Historic granite tiles, Skomagergade. 15 granite tiles in the pavement illustrating the history of Roskilde. Was created by sculptor Ole Knudsen in 2009. 
• The Giant Jars, Hestetorvet. Three five meter high jars created in 1998 by sculptor Peter Brandes. They symbolise life and dead and were placed here to mark the city's 1,000 year anniversary. One of the jars has inscribed a poem by Henrik Nordbrandt. 

Parks and nature

• 🌍 Boserup Forest (3 km west of Roskiilde, bus 605 from Roskilde Station). Hilly, primarily beech mixed forest. 5 km trekking path. 
• 🌍 Bypark (between Roskilde Cathedral and Roskilde Inlet). Established in 1915 by Roskilde's patron, O.H. Schmeltz. Comprises a playground for children, a snake-like walking path and other areas well suited for a stroll or for hanging around. The park is home to cultural events including summer concerts Tuesdays in July. If you walk from the city centre to the Viking museum, this can be done through the park. 
• 🌍 Folkepark. Consists of a number of combined parks primarily based on former monastery land. Was first established in early 19th century and found its present form in the 1930s. The park is home to cultural events including performances for children at the amphitheater on summer Thursdays. 
• 🌍 Land of Legends Lejre (Sagnlandet Lejre), Slangealleen 2, Lejre (take the train to Lejre station and then bus 233), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 2 May-18 Sep Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa-Su 11AM-5PM; also open during Easter and autumn holidays as well as M during mid summer. Theme park with reconstructions of a Iron Age village, a Stone Age camp, a Viking market, a 19th century-farm cottages and more. 125 DKK, children 3-11 85 DKK. 
• 🌍 Ledreborg Palace & Park, Ledreborg Alle 2, Lejre (train from Roskilde to Lejre (seven minutes) and then bus 233 to the palace (only in the summer)), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Park 11MA-4PM, palace only by appointment. Built 1740-45 by Count Johan Ludvig Holstein-Ledreborg and still the family residence. Houses a collection of original furniture and paintings. The baroque park has resently been restored. Houses an open air concert every summer. Park 25 Kr. 

Museums

Viking ship at the museum

Viking Centre

• The Viking Ship Museum, Vindeboder 12 (follow the signs from the cathedral), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10AM-5PM. A museum with several original viking ships, a viking research center, a harbour with copies of viking ships, and a shipyard making new ships. 80-115 Kr, students 70-100 Kr, children free. 
• Roskilde Museum, Sankt Ols Gade 18, ☎ [phone]. Local history museum, but well in tune with other attractions, it also has a good collection of viking archaeological finds, some connecting to the sagas about the legendary Beowulf. 25 Kr, retired/students 15 Kr, children free. 
• Museum of Tools, Ringstedgade 6. M-F 11AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Exhibits tools from 1850-1950 used by coach makers, carpenters, joiners, coopers, clog makers and other craftsmen. Free. 
• Lützhøfts Old Grocer's Shop, Ringstedgade 8. M-F 11AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. The shop existed 1892-1979. It has been led back to its appearance around 1920. Here you can buy goods like the ones sold in the 1920s, you can also see the grocer's office, inventory and old magasine buildings. Free. 
• O. Lunds Eftf. Butcher's Shop, Ringstedgade 8, ☎ [phone]. Sa 10AM-2PM, currently closed for refurbishment. Butcher shop as it was in the 1920s. Free. 
• Roskilde Mini Town, Skt Ibs Vej (between Byparken and the harbour), e-mail: [e-mail]. Always accessible. Model of Roskilde as it might have looked in its heyday around 1400. The model is at scale 1:200 and is around 50 square meters. It was finalised in 1999 but was not inaugurate it its present location until 2005. Free. 
• St. Hans Hospital Museum, Kurhusvænge, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. W 1PM-4PM. The psychiatric hospital was established in 1860 as one of the most modern of its time. The museum shows the history of the hospital. Free. 
• The Ruins of Skt. Laurentii (St. Lawrence) Church, Stændertorvet 1, ☎ [phone]. May-Aug M-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-3PM, Sep-Mar Sa 10AM-1PM. Ruins of a church built in early 12th century. 25 Kr, retired/students 15 Kr, children free. 
• Lejre Museum, Orehoejvej 4B, Lejre, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Oct-Mar Sa-Su 11AM-4PM; Apr-Sep, Easter, autumn holiday 11AM-4PM. Exhibits of Lejre's historical influence on the history of Denmark. Also exhibits of the historical development of the area. Free. 

Galleries

• The Roskilde Gallery, Maglekildevej 7, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-F 11AM-5PM, Sa-Su 11AM-3PM. Both Danish and foreign artists, primarily painters. 
• Jeppeart, Skomagergade 33, ☎ [phone]. M-F 10AM-5:30PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Exhibit and sale of Danish crafts within jewelry, glass, ceramics, clothing, knitwear, tissues and painting. 
• Gallery Art Corner, Ringstedgade 3C, ☎ [phone], [phone]. Th-F 11AM-5:30PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Exhibits paintings by Annemette Møbjerg. 
• Galleri Working Art, Byvolden 10A, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Th-F 1PM-5PM, Sa-Su 11AM-3PM. Workshop and gallery exhibiting paintings from primarily local painters. 
• Galleri NB, Vindeboder 1, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. W-F noon-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Large gallery established in 1987 exhibiting primarily works of North European artists. 
• Glasgalleriet, Sankt Ibs Vej 12, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Workshop and gallery showing art of glass by artist Skak Snitker. 

Do

Roskilde festival

One of the scenes at the Roskilde festival in 2014

The temporary train station used during the festival

The legendary Roskilde Festival is still going strong despite over 40 years of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll! started by a group of friends in 1971 inspired by the Woodstock festival, it has grown from a few thousand guests in its first year, to over 115,000 visitors from all over the world, and is routinely sold out with over half the tickets sold outside of Denmark.

The festival takes place in late June, early July on Roskilde Dyreskueplads south of the city. To Get in there are several options; from Monday-Sunday during the festival trains depart from Roskilde Station to the festivals very own station inside the camping area (West) every 30 minutes for 20 kroner. There are also shuttle buses from Roskilde Station to the camping area (East) all day during the festival. When arriving at the festival you exchange your ticket for an armband/bracelet which gives you access to both the camping area, and the stage area.

Many people show up a week before the music starts to get their tents up so they can sleep close to the stage area, and limit walking as much as possible as the camping area is huge! A good tip is securing a place as far from trees and fences as possible, since they in essence become one big urinal during the festival. If rain is forecast, you should also attempt to camp as far from the marked walkways, preferably on a slope, since mud quickly becomes and issue.

On the camping grounds there are several service areas with food stalls and supermarkets to stock up with eat & drink, some also have first aid, toilets and showers. Inside the stage area there are also many, many restaurants and bars - most of them with a theme, and some of them are really huge and elaborate. There are also many shops where you can buy necessities and other rubbish.

Music is playing from Thursday - Sunday and are usually varied, with some international headline acts, and much experimental and indie music and the smaller stages.

Other activities

• Sail in a viking boat on the fjord (at the viking centre). 
• Sagnlandet Lejre, Slangealleen 2, 4320 Lejre (Bus 233 from Roskilde station), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Become a viking for a day, in this spectacular hands on history museum. 
• Capella Play, Ro's Torv 51A, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 10AM-7PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM. Indoor playground best suited for children of 2-8 years. Also a café with limited and mediocre food. 1 hour 60 Kr, adults 25 Kr. 
• Roskilde Golf Klub, Margrethehåbsvej 116, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 18-hole course open for guests from other golf clubs with a handicap of no more than 34.0. 9-hole course open for all. Green fee 150-350 Kr. 
• The Path of the Gods (Gudernes Stræde) (from Roskilde most easily accessed by train to Lejre and five minutes walk east), e-mail: [e-mail]. 64 km marked path on asphalt, soil and grass. All of the path can be walked and most is also fine for bikes. The path connects Køge Bay near Karslunde Beach with Ise Inlet near Kirke Hyllinge. A large part of the path is in Roskilde Municipality. A great way to experience the local nature and culture. 

Buy

On Roskilde festival the nearest supermarket is Fakta at Køgevej 108, about 1300 meters (a 15-20 minute walk) due north (past the highway) from the eastern entrance. The downtown area which has a pedestrianized area full of different shops is a further 1½ km away (or 30-40 minutes by foot).

• RO's Torv, Københavnsvej 29 (a few hundred meters east of the station beyond the tracks), ☎ [phone]. M-F 10AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. A fairly attractive mall with 90 different stores and a cinema. 
• Algade/Skomagergade. Pedestrian street and main shopping street in town. 
• Fair Trade Butik Karibu, Sct. Peders Stræde 1, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 10AM-5:30PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Sells handicrafts from Africa, Asia and Latin America including home accessories, cookware, jewelry, baskets, bags, accessories, toys and paper products. 
• Club Skin-Dive, Maglegårdsvej 5C, ☎ [phone]. Jewelery and giftware. 
• Bjergtrolden, Ringstedgade 30, e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Th 10AM-6PM, F 10AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Shop and café selling a large selection of beer as well as wine, chocolate, goodies, coffee, organic sweets, handicrafts, clothes, hats, jewelry. 

Eat

Budget

• Jensens Bøfhus, Skomagergade 38, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Discount steakhouse in an old building at the main pedestrian street. Reasonably sized dishes but a bit slow service. Too expensive if you do not go for the special offers. Mains 100-200 Kr, menus from around 150 Kr. 

Mid-range

• Snekken, Vindeboder 16, ☎ [phone]. 11:30-23:00; kitchen 11:30-1630, 18:00-21:00. Restaurant at Viking Ship museum with a view over Roskilde Inlet. Mains around 200 Kr. 
• MS Sagafjord, at the harbour next to the Viking museum, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Old Restaurant ship. You can have lunch, tea or dinner on Roskilde Fjord. 95 Kr plus e.g. 365 Kr for a three course evening menu. 
• Restaurant Mumm, Karen Olsdatters Stræde 9, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Mo-Sa 17:30-midnight. Small intimate restaurant with a nice patio. Serves Danish, French and Spanish cuisine. Splurge quality at slightly lower prices. Three course menu 425 Kr. 
• Bryggergården, Algade 15, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 10:30-midnight, F-Sa 10:30AM-1AM, Su noon-11PM. Restaurant in historical building on the middle of the main pedestrian street. Nice outdoor seating for following the life on the busy street. Danish cuisine. Three course menu 265 Kr. 

Splurge

• Restaurant Gusto Giusto, Jernbanegade 19, ☎ [phone]. Italian gourmet restaurant. The food is better than the service. Mains around 250 Kr. 
• Store Børs, Havnevej 43, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Kitchen noon-16:00M, 17:00M-21:30. Seafood restaurant also serving meat dishes. Lunch menu 158 Kr, mains around 250 Kr. 

Drink

Sarcophagus of King Frederick IV of Denmark in the Roskilde Cathedral

Bars

• Gustav Wieds Vinstue, Hersegade 11 (in the centre of the city), ☎ [phone]. Traditional Danish bar, but also has a large selection of foreign and gourmet beers. 
• Promenaden, Hestetorvet 4 (next to the train station), ☎ [phone]. 
• Pub Ringstedgade, Ringstedgade 50, ☎ [phone]. Local place frequented by workers and occasionally by people returning from concerts in the nearby Roskildehallerne. 
• Ruder Konge Bodega, Skomagergade 25 (close to the main shopping street), ☎ [phone]. Large traditional bar frequented by locals. Cheap. 
• Teatercafeen, Sankt Hans Gade 24, ☎ [phone]. In a primarily residential area and primarily frequented by regulars. Has billard and slot machines. 

Cafés

• Cafe 42, Skomagergade 42 (on the main shopping street). 
• Cafe Gulland, Borchsgade 6, ☎ [phone]. 
• Cafe Vivaldi. 

• Stændertorvet 8. 
• Ro's Torv, Københavnsvej 29-39. 

Clubs

• Carma, Jernbanegade 6. 
• Club Moon, Hestetorvet 3, ☎ [phone]. 11PM-6AM. 
• Garbo's, Hersegade 17. 
• Mary's, Støden 9, ☎ [phone]. Combined club and sports café. 

Sleep

Budget

• Slottes Bed and Breakfast i Roskilde (Bed & Breakfast i Roskilde), Skovbovængets Allé 4, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Doubles from 550 Kr, apartment 1,100 Kr. 
• Danhostel Roskilde Vandrerhjem (next to the Viking museum), ☎ [phone]. Hostel at the harbour next to the Viking museum. Have dormitories and family rooms 150 Kr. 
• Soviro Bed&Breakfast, Skovbovængets Allé 17, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Listed rates for doubles from 450 Kr. 
• Mr. Janny Motel, Motelvej 28, ☎ [phone]. 
• Bed&Breakfast Roskilde, Langagervej 19A, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Doubles from 450 Kr, apartment 1,000 Kr. 
• 🌍 Roskilde Camping, [e-mail] (Baunehøjvej 7, Veddelev), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Located some 4 km from the town center, directly at the fjord. The camping site also offers cabins for rent. Open from end of March to end of September. 

Mid-range

• Hotel Comwell Roskilde, Vestre Kirkevej 12, Himmelev, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Rooms with free internet, some with view of Roskilde Inlet. Listed rates for doubles from 1,445 Kr. 
• Scandic Roskilde, Søndre Ringvej 33, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 

Splurge

• Hotel Prindsen (at the pedestrian street in the centre of town), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Four star hotel with free internet. Listed rates for doubles from 1,595 Kr. 

Stay safe

Go next

• Frederikssund - Danish city
• Hornsherred
• Køge - town in Denmark