7 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Roskilde

With its rich Viking and royal past, Roskilde ought to be at the top of your list of destinations in Denmark. You may go 30 minutes by train or car from Copenhagen to the majestic Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where kings, queens, and knights are buried. Their presence serves as a reminder to tourists that Roskilde was one of the most significant cities in Northern Europe and the seat of monarchs and bishops throughout the Middle Ages.

The Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde’s most visited tourist destination, is a reminder of the Vikings’ establishment of the city as a commercial hub more than a millennium ago.

But it’s not all history, and some of the most exciting things to do here revolve around the city’s active music scene. Explore the city’s long past and vibrant present with our list of the top attractions in Roskilde.

Here are 7 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Roskilde

1. Viking Ship Museum

One of Denmark’s most popular tourist destinations is the Viking Ship Museum (Vikingeskibsmuseet), which is located on the shores of Roskilde Fjord. It is devoted to the chronicles of maritime travel and the construction of boats during the ancient and mediaeval periods. Some of the original Viking ships that were purposefully sunk at the mouth of the harbour to keep out attackers are preserved within.

The museum is made up of eight buildings, each serving a distinct purpose. There is a shipyard where Viking ship reconstructions and traditional wooden boats from the Nordic region are constructed, and there is an activity centre where both adults and kids may try their hand at crafts from the Viking Age.

For everyone who is interested in Viking history and culture, this is a must-see. It’s also a simple day excursion from Copenhagen. In the busiest time of year, guided tours are offered.

2. Roskilde Cathedral

Standing tall over the town, Roskilde Cathedral is home to the tombs of nearly forty Danish kings and queens, and it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its architectural design and contents. These trace their lineage back to the Viking Kings, Harold Bluetooth (d. 985) and his son Sweyn Forkbeard (d. 1014), “Conqueror of England,” and include Danish rulers, starting with Margarethe I (d. 1412), who governed over three Nordic nations (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden). Following his death in 1972, Frederik IX was first interred in a chapel; however, in 1985, his casket was moved to a mausoleum that was constructed specifically outside the cathedral.

The current brick church’s building got underway in the 1170s. One of the oldest specimens of Gothic architecture in Northern Europe, it took more than a century to construct.

Numerous additions have been made over the years. The South Tower Chapel, designated as the Bethlehem Chapel by Queen Margrethe I, and the North Tower Chapel, formerly known as St. Siegfried’s, encircle the central nave. The tombs are located in several burial chapels, which are accessible through the aisles.

The town’s focal point and one of Denmark’s most significant national monuments is the cathedral.

3. Roskilde Rock Festival and RAGNAROCK

This yearly festival, which debuted in 1971, is among the biggest and most established rock festivals in northern Europe, for music lovers. It features a variety of folk, rock, and pop concerts, film and video screenings, theatrical productions, and fringe events from late June to early July.

Approximately 80,000 rock enthusiasts gather here annually for the festival. All rock genres are represented by about 180 bands, and most of the big names in music have performed here, including Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Stevie Wonder, and the Rolling Stones. Apart from the music, there are food trucks and pop-up stores selling clothing.

If you enjoy popular music, you won’t be able to miss RAGNAROCK, a pop, rock and youth culture museum, which is housed in a unique cantilevered edifice close to the festival grounds. You may experience the journey of music through its interactive exhibitions, which take you from the 1950s rock ‘n’ roll to the 1980s pop and up to the current European music scene.

Throughout the summer, Roskilde is home to other smaller festivals, such as opera and outdoor classical concerts.

4. Roskilde Museum

“Sukkerhuset” and “Liebes Gård,” two of the city’s oldest historic mansions, are home to exhibits at the Roskilde Museum. Even though history is the main focus, the exhibitions are modern, with interesting interactive elements that use archaeological discoveries and a wide range of other artefacts to illustrate the narrative of Roskilde. Beyond Roskilde’s own history, it paints a picture of local life that includes the Viking era, Danish politics both past and present, and even the place of religion in Danish culture. Lunch at Caféen Freunde, the museum, is a good idea.

5. Royal Mansion (Yellow Palace)

The four-wing golden Baroque Roskilde Palace was constructed between 1733 and 1736 on the location of the former vicarage. The palace, which served as the Royal Family’s temporary home when travelling or attending royal funerals, is connected to Roskilde Cathedral by the Absalon Arch.

This was the residence of the Assembly of the Estates of the Realm of the Islands from 1835 until 1848, during which time they drafted a new Danish Constitution. The Palace Wing and the Museum of Contemporary Art are the two exhibitions that are now on view. Exhibitions, concerts, and other cultural activities are held in the garden.

6. Ledreborg Palace 

Ledreborg Palace is a lovely place surrounded by magnificent Baroque gardens and grounds, just a short 20-minute drive from Roskilde. A superb example of 18th-century Scandinavian architecture and landscape, the palace has been the residence of the Holstein-Ledreborg family since 1739.

There is a remarkable collection of furniture and paintings inside the palace. Since it was originally built, some 250 years ago, the second floor has undergone minimal alteration. Make sure to take a wander around the magnificent grounds and explore the very interesting old dungeon.

7. Roskilde Havn and Fjord

Roskilde’s position on the fjord and its central location were crucial since it was a trading centre during the Viking era, when almost all transportation and commerce was done by boat.

Even now, the harbour is a bustling area with pleasure and fishing boats coming and going. It’s a great spot to go for a stroll, a bike ride, or to just sit and take in the sights, especially around dusk. Along the harbour, there is a path marked with signs that leads to cafés, restaurants, and ice cream stands.

Take a lunch, tea-time, or dinner cruise on the historic M/S Sagafjord, which has a gorgeous teak mahogany and brass interior, to see more of the harbour and fjord. Alternately, go back in time by sailing a traditional Nordic boat, which is a ship descended from the Vikings, or an actual reproduction Viking ship. The only location in the world where you can sail in a real Viking ship is the Viking Ship Museum.

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