Guide to a cottage holiday in Hornbæk

Hornbæk is one of Denmark's coziest coastal towns with its wide sandy beaches, undisturbed nature, and its very special light. We have handpicked a number of local gems that you can enjoy together on your cottage holiday in the old fishing village.

Enjoy the day at one of Denmark's most beautiful beaches

Back when Hornbæk was a small fishing village, artists like P.S. Krøyer and Holger Drachmann stayed in the town. Just like in Skagen, the painters were captivated by the raw fishing life and the very special light. No place is better to experience it than at Hornbæk's kilometer-long sandy beach. Take a morning swim in the waves, or spend warm summer days at the water's edge. For the active, Hornbæk Beach also offers kayak and SUP rentals during the summer months. If you're lucky, porpoises and seals will greet you on your trip.

Get fresh fish at the harbor

Once, the cutters lay in the small fishing village, but today Hornbæk Harbor is home to a cozy marina. Here you can stroll along the boats, play in the nature playground, or stop at Fiskehuset Hornbæk, which offers fresh and home-smoked fish and seafood. Take homemade seafood salads and peeled fjord shrimp home to the cottage, or eat a fish platter in the vestibule with a view of the marina. Be sure to save some appetite for a waffle ice cream on the quay.

Eat delicious food in Astrid Lindgren-esque surroundings

Recommended by Rikke.

Hotel Hornbækhus is one of the charming seaside hotels that are strung like pearls along the north coast. Rikke and her family enjoy eating a lovely dinner at the hotel, which exudes Swedish cottage style with its red boards, geraniums in the windows, and vintage porcelain. Hornbækhus is a sister to Folkehuset Absalon in Copenhagen, and just like in the old church in Vesterbro, the seaside hotel is created for people to connect over food in the bright living rooms or for shared activities such as singing, yoga, and bird watching.

Forest trip in the plantation

Hornbæk Plantation was planted as a barrier against sand drift, and today the 150-year-old oak trees and Scots pines tower in the southern part of the forest. On summer evenings, a scent of honeysuckle flowers spreads, winding up the trees in the plantation. Go for a walk in the forest and explore the many excursion destinations the plantation hides. For example, an old German battery from the occupation period is located right on the beach, and if you move further along the path, you can see 25 burial mounds from the Bronze Age.

See the Danish Nature Agency's suggestions for 14 great experiences in the plantation here.

See statues at the Tegner Museum

Recommended by Carina.

On cottage trips, Carina and her family often visit Rudolf Tegners Museum. The museum is within cycling distance of Hornbæk and is worth a visit for its architecture alone. The bunker-like building is located in an untouched natural area where heather blooms in late summer. In the nature park around the museum, you can explore among 14 of Tegner's bronze sculptures. When Carina and her family visit, they also stop by Traktørstedet Sørens Café for a cup of coffee and an ice cream.

Explore untouched nature in Rusland's hills

Recommended by Thomas.

Thomas and his family are particularly fond of the protected natural area at Rusland's hills. The hills are named after their secluded location, where nature grows on its own terms. There is a marked path through the area that you can follow to Dronningmølle Beach. It leads you through a fascinating and changing landscape of heather hills and dunes. On your trip, you might also come across a Tegner statue in bronze and a flock of grazing sheep. Rusland's hills are also a great place to enjoy the view over the Kattegat to Kullen, observe birds of prey during migration season, and see the starry sky.

Nature adventure for the youngest members of the family

If you have children with you on a trip to Rusland's hills, you can advantageously take the Natureventyr app with you in your pocket. Natureventyr tells fairy tales aimed at 3-8-year-olds based on child-friendly hikes – in Rusland's hills, you can follow in the footsteps of the two brave friends Lyng and Lau, who try to save sheep and plants from the worst drought in living memory. The fairy tale “Lyng, Lau and the Rain Dance” is filled with magical statues and mysterious creatures that you can see, touch, and explore on your way.

Hop on your bike from Hornbæk to Helsingør

Nordkyststien takes you on the most beautiful trip from Hornbæk to Helsingør. You can either cycle the 14 kilometers or take the trip on foot along the path marked with the blue and white hiking symbol. The route leads you along sandy beaches and past Hammermøllen in Hellebæk, where the wheel still spins by the mill pond. At the end of the road, you reach the crooked streets of historic Helsingør. Get a well-deserved refreshment at one of the town's cafes before visiting Hamlet and Holger Danske at Kronborg.

Informal home coziness at Albi's

Recommended by Charlotte and Ulrik.

Although Hornbæk is not large, the town has a lot to offer. Charlotte and Ulrik often stop by their favorite cafe Albi's, which combines a private villa, cafe, and secondhand shop. Here, no two chairs in the garden are alike, and the atmosphere is characterized by homey coziness. Enjoy the cafe's homemade baked goods and coffee in a spot in the morning sun, and take home a unique find from the cafe's selection of furniture and recycled treasures.

Follow the coast for great art experiences

Recommended by Anne and Peter.

When Anne and Peter visit their cottage, they especially love to explore North Zealand's many cultural experiences. Of these, you cannot avoid Louisiana, the behemoth of the Danish museum world. The art museum in Humlebæk is something very special – not just because of its collection of Danish contemporary art or its lush sculpture park. Louisiana offers a special view over the Øresund, where art and nature almost merge. A ticket costs 145 for adults, while admission for children and young people under 18 is free.