Are you looking for the best things to do in Roskilde, Denmark? Or perhaps you are searching for the best places to visit in Denmark or fun things to do in Roskilde? Either way, you have come to the right place!

Roskilde is one of the best places to visit in Denmark, so if you are looking for the top 10 things to do in Denmark, then you must add Roskilde to your Denmark bucket list! With a rich history, an expanding music scene (festival lovers should definitely visit), as well as being surrounded by nature (perfect for outdoors lovers), Roskilde really is the place in Denmark that has it all. It’s one of Denmark’s smaller cities (with a population of just over 51,000), and while those of you who love Copenhagen might be put off by this, there’s something about discovering hidden gems in Europe that really adds to the magic of this city.

Located 30km west of Copenhagen, there are loads of fun things to do in Roskilde, Denmark… from exploring Roskilde Fjord and foraging in the surrounding forests, to visiting Roskilde Cathedral, learning about Viking history and attending amazing festivals… you really are spoilt for choice here!

In this blog post I will go through what to do in Roskilde, including the best things to do in Roskilde, Denmark, and other fun things to do in Roskilde. You may also be wondering “Is Roskilde worth visiting?” and I will tell you exactly why it is!

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Where is Roskilde? How to get to Roskilde…

Roskilde is located in Denmark on the Danish Island Sjælland (Zealand). It is 30km from Copenhagen, which makes a short 40-minute train ride from Copenhagen. The city is easily accessible by either car or public transport. You can choose to get the regional train directly from Copenhagen to Roskilde. The train usually boards every 15 minutes. Find more information about tickets here.

If you are staying in Copenhagen for a while, you may already be using the Blue Card, and this card is valid to use going to Roskilde as well! You can find more information about the blue card here.

Is Roskilde worth visiting? Why you should visit Roskilde……

You may be wondering, “is Roskilde worth visiting?”, and I will tell you right now that yes, it is. You should visit Roskilde because it is one of the best places to visit in Denmark, because of its rich history. Roskilde might be one of Denmark’s smaller cities, but did you also know that it’s one of Denmark’s oldest cities? So if you want to learn more about Danish history, culture and Vikings… then Roskilde should be on your Denmark bucket list! It is one of the best places to visit in Denmark not only because of its history but also because of its charm and quaintness and its many summer activities and events.

Roskilde might be a smaller city, but in the summer time it is never boring to be in Roskilde! One of the best things to do in Roskilde, Denmark is to go to some of the famous events in the summertime. One of them is Roskilde Festival, the North’s biggest festival. Roskilde Festival has had lineups with big names like Taylor Swift, Haim, Dua Lipa, etc. so if you want to experience Roskilde Festival, which is considered one of the most fun things to do in Roskilde, Denmark, then you simply must go to Roskilde!

Besides that, Roskilde is also a perfect place to visit for people who love the outdoors, since Roskilde is surrounded by nature and hikes. Whether you are into learning about history, enjoying music or going into nature, I can guarantee that you will find something within these best things to do in Roskilde, Denmark, that will suit you and your travel style!

Now that you’ve had your “is Roskilde worth visiting?” question answered, and you have learned that Roskilde is filled with some of the best things to do in Denmark and that it’s definitely worth visiting, let’s find out about the history of the city…

The history of Roskilde

Roskilde is one of the oldest cities in Denmark. It is an ancient city dating back to the Viking Age. The city was established more than 1,000 years ago, and in the 12th century, Roskilde Cathedral was built. Roskilde Cathedral became very important to Roskilde since it was the seat of the bishop. For that reason, Roskilde was the most important city in Denmark up until the end of the reformation, when the importance of the cathedral also ended. This is one of the reasons why visiting the cathedral is one of the best things to do in Roskilde!

Today the cathedral and the Viking Ship Museum contain the well-preserved remains of the 11th-century ships. This attraction in Roskilde attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year and is one of the top things to do in Roskilde, Denmark. One of the most popular former citizens of Roskilde was the famous Absalon, who was the bishop that founded Copenhagen in the 12th century.

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The best things to do in Roskilde, Denmark…

1. Visit the amazing Roskilde Cathedral

The first thing you must do is to visit Roskilde Cathedral; it is one of the best things to do in Roskilde Denmark and is also considered one of the top 10 things to do in Denmark. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been since 1995. The architecture and style of the cathedral reflect the early Scandinavian Gothic style. It is a very unique, beautiful and picture-worthy cathedral.

Start by admiring the architecture of the cathedral from the outside, and then visit the inside of the cathedral as well. The inside of the cathedral is even more impressive than the outside. Inside the cathedral, you will find endless amounts of history and beauty. You will learn about past kings and queens and much more, and you will even get to see the final resting place for kings and queens throughout the years.

Don’t miss out on this one, it is not only one of the top things to do in Roskilde Denmark, but it is also considered one of the best things to do in Denmark.

The entrance fee is 60 DKK per adult (or for free if you have the Copenhagen card!). You can read more about the entrance fees here.

Address: Domkirkepladsen 3, 4000 Roskilde.

2. “Can music change the world?” Find out in Ragnar Rock Museum

Come on a trip through music’s history and development from the 50s onwards. If you are a fan of music, and more specifically, rock, pop, and young culture then you have to visit Ragnar Rock Museum.

Ragnar Rock Museum is a 1200 square meter building with 11 main themes for the different exhibitions and is one of the top things to do in Roskilde, Denmark. All of which will tell you everything you need to know about how music and the youth have challenged boundaries and have made music what it is today. A few examples of the main themes are: “Can music change the world?”, “When the music saw the light”, etc.

The entrance fee starts at 110 DKK per adult. You can find more information here.

Address: Rabalderstræde 16, 4000 Roskilde.

3. Explore Roskilde Fjord & the national park Skjoldungernes Land

If you want to have a bit of time off to just be in nature, then Roskilde is the perfect place to go. Roskilde is surrounded by nature and is one of the best places to visit in Denmark when it comes to hiking and exploring nature.

The most popular place to go for hikes and walks is around Roskilde Fjord & the national park Skjoldungernes Land. There are so many amazing routes around Roskilde, Lejre and Hvalsø. You can even choose to stay the night in one of the many free shelters scattered around the different hikes. Going on a hike through Skjoldungernes Land and staying a night in one of the outdoor shelters is one of the most fun things to do in Roskilde, Denmark.

If you want to plan your route and get the most out of your trip, you can find more information about where to camp, etc. right here.

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4. Go fruit picking at Frederiksen’s Frugtplantage

If you are coming to Roskilde in the summer or autumn, then you must go to Lejre to go fruit picking: cherries, apples, berries… it’s all there! In Roskilde, you will find one of the biggest fruit plantations to go berry picking, and this is one of the most fun things to do in Roskilde, Denmark. Berry picking is the perfect way to spend a warm, fun summer day, or apple picking during autumn!

The opening times depend on the season. You can find more information about opening times right here.

Address: Lillevangsvej 3, 4000 Roskilde.

5. Go wild garlic picking in the magical Boserup Forest

Boserup Forest is another one of the best things to do in Roskilde, Denmark. It is one of the amazing nature spots in the surroundings of Roskilde. If you want to go for a magical walk through Boserup, then you should go during either autumn or spring, when the forest is at its prettiest.

If you are going during spring, you might even be able to bring some wild garlic home and cook with it later! This is a local’s favourite way to spend a spring day, and it is also considered one of the most fun things to do in Roskilde, Denmark. It is so tasty, and something I do every year. Just please make sure you don’t accidentally bring lily of the valley home instead of wild garlic as they can look quite similar, but lily of the valley is poisonous!

Boserup Forest is also a perfect place to go mountain biking for those of you who enjoy outdoor activities! You can find more information about Boserup Forest and its routes right here.

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6. Have a fun weekend at Roskilde Festival

If you are coming during the summer, you should check if the Roskilde Festival is on! This is one of the most fun things to do in Roskilde, Denmark, and one that not only tourists love, but also locals!

Roskilde Festival is the biggest event of the year in Roskilde, and it is one of the best things to do in Denmark, so if you are coming when it is on, I would highly recommend going! The festival has had famous artists like Haim, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, and more on their lineup list!

This summer of 2022 the festival is from the 25th of June to the 2nd of July. You can find more information about the festival right here.

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7. Go sailing on a real Viking Ship!

If you would like to learn more about the history of Danish Vikings and the Viking ships, then you must go to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde. It is located on the banks of Roskilde Fjord and is one of the top things to do in Roskilde, Denmark.

The museum consists of eight buildings, including a building with a shipyard where the reconstructions of the Viking ships happen. During the summer months from May till September you can board a Viking ship and experience it first hand; this is one of the top 10 things to do in Denmark!

Entrance fees start at 125 DKK per adult. You can find more information here.

Address: Vindeboder 12, 4000 Roskilde.

8. Learn about the history of Roskilde in Roskilde Museum

If you are a history nerd, and you want to learn even more about Roskilde and its history then you cannot miss Roskilde Museum! Roskilde Museum is one of the best things to do in Roskilde, Denmark, because it goes into detail about the history of the city, how it came to be and how it has changed throughout the years and decades.

The entrance fee is 60 DKK per adult. You can find more information about ticket sales here.

Address: Sankt Ols Stræde 3, 4000 Roskilde.

9. Visit The Land of Legends (Sagnlandet Lejre)

If you are looking for another real-life Viking and historical experience, then you should add The Lands of Legends to your Denmark bucket list. This is an archeological open-air museum that will immediately take you 1000s of years back in time and is considered one of the top things to do in Roskilde Denmark. Land of Legends is filled with houses in the medieval style, the Iron Age style, the Viking Age style, and more. It also has working workshops and old pet breeds. When visiting Land of Legends you can practically reach out and touch the history.

The entrance fee is 175 DKK per adult. You can find more information here.

Address: Slangealleen 2, 4320 Lejre.

10. Have dinner or a drink by Roskilde Harbour

If you want to have a lovely view while eating your dinner or having a drink, you should go down to Roskilde Harbour. By the harbour you will find the restaurant Snekken Trattoria which is a lovely Italian restaurant with a beautiful view of the harbour. During the summer months at sunset, it is especially magical. After a long day of exploring, this is definitely one of the top things to do in Roskilde so that you can switch off and relax a little!

Address: Vindeboder 16, 4000 Roskilde.