The best of Zeeland by bike
Let's go on a cycling trip in Denmark starting from the cycling capital Copenhagen with its 400 km of cycle paths. Between historical attractions and multiple activities, you will be charmed by this city, its royal palace, the little mermaid and Strøget, an exceptionally long pedestrian street.
You will cycle through the north of Zeeland to Sweden. This Danish trip also invites you to discover castles and other historical places and to taste a unique and tasty gastronomy.
Highlights of the trip:
- Copenhagen, best cycling city in the world
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
- a visit to Sweden
- Hillerød with Frederiksborg Castle
- Fredensborg Castle
- Rungstedlund - the home/museum of the famous Danish author Karen Blixen
- Helsingør and Kronborg (the castle from Shakespeare's play "Hamlet")
- Danish Maritime Museum in Helsingør
- Esrum Abbey
Day 1 - Arrival in Copenhagen
Check into your central Copenhagen hotel. Take time to explore the wonderful Danish capital. Visit the Royal Palace at Amalienborg, home to the Danish Queen, head to the Tivoli amusement park or enjoy a delicious lunch while admiring the colorful houses of Nyhavn. You can also stroll along the shopping street Strøget, visit the famous Round Tower, feel the atmosphere of Freetown Christiania or take a boat ride on the small canals along the Opera House.
Overnight in the center of Copenhagen.
Day 2 - Copenhagen to Hørsholm ( approx. 36 km/23 miles)
Today your Danish cycling adventure begins through the streets of Copenhagen. On your way to Hørsholm, you will enjoy the beautiful coastline of North Zealand and pass by Den Lille Havfrue (The Little Mermaid) and the popular Bellevue Beach. You will also pass by Dyrehaven ("the deer park"), once used as a hunting ground by Danish royalty, through century-old trees and past curious deer. You can take a break at Bakken, the oldest amusement park in the world, before heading to your hotel in Hørsholm on the Øresund coast.
Overnight in Hørsholm.
Day 3 - Hørsholm to Helsingør (approx. 20 km/12 miles)
Today you will cycle all day along the coast and visit two of Denmark's most beautiful museums. In Rungsted you can visit Rungstedlund (also known as the "Karen Blixen Museum"), the home of the Danish author Karen Blixen, world famous for "Out of Africa". In Humlebæk you can visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, famous for its exhibitions, beautiful architecture and location. You will arrive in Helsingør, and after a new cycling stage in Zeeland. Take time to visit the old town with the impressive Kronborg Castle, known from Shakespeare's famous play: Hamlet.
Overnight in Helsingør.
Day 4 - Return to Sweden (About 40 km/25 miles)
Today you have the chance to visit some of Helsingør's attractions and enjoy the beautiful Swedish nature. Bike to the port of Helsingør and take the ferry to Helsingborg (not included). From there, you can cycle about 35 km along the coast to beaches and small fishing villages and back through Swedish forests and fields. You can also visit the Danish Maritime Museum with exhibits covering Danish trade and shipping from the 15th century to the present day. The museum is listed as one of the "52 places to visit in 2014" by the New York Times.
Overnight in the Helsingør area.
Day 5 - Helsingør to Hillerød (About 54 km/34 miles)
This cycling leg in Denmark allows you to visit two of Denmark's most beautiful castles:
Fredensborg Palace
Frederiksborg Castle
You start the tour along the coast to Hornbæk, a small fishing village that is worth a break and a swim in the sea. Then you reach the small village of Esrum with its historical abbey, which is really worth a visit. Your journey continues along one of the deepest lakes in Denmark towards Hillerød. You can even visit the Queen's spring and autumn residence, Fredensborg Palace, if you extend the tour by about 10 km. When you arrive in Hillerød, visit Frederiksborg Castle with its unique location by the lake.
Overnight stay in the Hillerød area.
Day 6 - Hillerød to Copenhagen (approx. 38 km/24 miles)
You drive to Copenhagen through idyllic landscapes, beautiful forests and wetlands with rich birdlife. You will be impressed by the richness of nature in this densely populated area just a stone's throw from the capital.
You will also be amazed at how easy it is to cycle from the green north of Zeeland to Copenhagen. While the first 18 kilometers to Farum are on winding paths and narrow roads, the last 20 kilometers of the route are along the new supercykelsti (Cycle Superhighway), which brings all cyclists on the move to Copenhagen.
When you get to Nørrebro, which is one of the most colorful areas of Copenhagen, you have to slow down and blend in with the many cyclists.
Overnight in the center of Copenhagen.
Day 7 - Copenhagen, end of the cycling tour in Denmark
Today is your last day in the Danish capital. Explore the wonders of the city of Copenhagen that you haven't seen yet such as the historic buildings like the Round Tower, Christiansborg and Amalienborg. Feel free to extend your stay in the capital by a few more days.