Zealand is the royal island heart of Denmark where white chalk cliffs tower over turquoise waters and ancient forests hide massive stone castles. It's a drive through a landscape of green hills and quiet fjords that lead to the sea. For a road trip traveler this region is a perfect loop of viking history and modern harbor life. You can cross bridges that hang high above the blue waves or follow the coastal roads to find secret sandy coves.
The view from the edge of the Stevns Klint cliffs shows millions of years of history etched into the pale rock face. From here you can follow the winding roads north to find the massive halls of Hamlet's castle in Helsingør. The route west takes you to the deep fjords where viking longships once gathered to sail the world. The small villages along the way are filled with thatched roof cottages and local farm stands selling fresh apples and berries.
Deep in the Gribskov forest the tall trees create a green canopy over the quiet driving paths. Continue your journey toward the dramatic forest towers that let you walk above the treetops for a view of the whole island. Here the local life is all about sailing the calm bays and eating organic food in the busy market towns. Zealand is a place of the grandeur of the Nordic kings.
Zealand highlights
- Stevns Klint Cliffs Drive to the edge of the island to see the massive white chalk walls that tell the story of the dinosaur extinction. You can visit the old church perched on the cliff edge where the choir floor has already fallen into the sea.
- The Forest Tower (Skovtårnet) Go deep into the Gisselfeld forests to climb this giant wooden spiral that rises far above the highest treetops. The 360 degree view from the top covers the entire rolling landscape of South Zealand and reaches all the way to Copenhagen.
- Møns Klint White Cliffs Experience the most dramatic nature in the east by driving to these towering chalk peaks that rise straight out of the turquoise Baltic Sea. The steep forest trails and long wooden stairs lead you down to a beach where you can hunt for ancient fossils.
- Kronborg Castle Get in the historic harbor of Helsingør to explore the massive fortress known as the home of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Walk the dark underground tunnels where the stone statue of Holger the Dane waits to wake up and protect the nation.
- The Viking Ship Museum Follow the fjord roads to Roskilde to see five original longships that were raised from the bottom of the muddy bay. You can watch skilled boat builders use viking tools or even join a sailing trip on a modern replica ship during the summer.
- Frederiksborg Castle Drive to the town of Hillerød to visit this incredible renaissance palace built on three small islands in the middle of a lake. The formal baroque gardens and the ornate golden chapel make it one of the most beautiful royal stops on any road trip.
- Forgotten Giants Treasure Hunt Search for the massive wooden trolls hidden in the green spaces and forests around the outskirts of the capital region. These hidden gems are made from recycled wood and offer a fun way to explore the quiet parks and lake paths off the main roads.
- Heatherhill Highlands Stop at this protected nature area on the north coast to walk through rolling hills covered in purple heather and wild flowers. The landscape looks like the Scottish highlands and offers high grassy bluffs with a perfect view of the waves crashing below.
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art Cruise along the scenic coast road north of the capital to find this world class gallery tucked into a clifftop park. The museum perfectly blends modern sculpture with the natural beauty of the sea views looking across the water toward Sweden.
- Roskilde Cathedral Visit the royal burial church where almost forty Danish kings and queens are laid to rest in grand stone tombs. The twin spires of this red brick masterpiece dominate the skyline and the interior is filled with centuries of art and royal history.
The local Four
History of Zealand
Zealand has served as the center of the world for Vikings and royals for over a thousand years. Your drive here is through a living map of the past from the circular Viking fortresses of the year 980 to the massive castles that still guard the sea.. You are driving through the same narrow straits where legendary longships once gathered to launch their fleets across the world.
The story of the island is found in its grand cathedrals and the deep fjords that slice through the rolling fields. In the 1100s the town of Roskilde became the heart of the church and eventually the final resting place for nearly forty monarchs. On the north coast the massive walls of Kronborg were built in the 1400s to collect gold from every ship passing through the narrow waters toward the Baltic Sea. You can still see this immense wealth today in the ornate Renaissance palaces and the perfectly preserved market towns that dot the coast.
History on Zealand is etched into the very earth at the white cliffs where time is measured in millions of years of fossil layers. The island saw a major shift in the 1600s as the old Viking ring forts gave way to elegant manor houses and vast royal hunting forests. Every road you drive guides you to a castle or a ruins that tells a piece of this grand saga.