Denmark
Discover Roskilde
Highlights, attractions and travel tips Roskilde
- Population
- 51.000
- Main airport
- CPH
- Best time to visit
- April to October (or end of June for the Roskilde Festival)
- Climate
- Summer 17°C · Winter 2°C
Why visit Roskilde
Roskilde is a deceptively small town carrying an enormous amount of Danish history on its shoulders. The headline act is the brick-Gothic Roskilde Cathedral — the first Gothic brick cathedral in Northern Europe (started in the 1170s), UNESCO World Heritage listed, and the royal mausoleum of Denmark: 39 Danish kings and queens lie buried in its side chapels, including Margaret I, who united Scandinavia in the Kalmar Union of 1397. Down by the fjord, the Viking Ship Museum is one of the most engaging Viking-era museums anywhere: five 11th-century longships scuttled in the fjord to block invaders were salvaged in 1962 and are now displayed alongside a working Viking-style boatyard where you can take a sailing trip in a reconstructed ship from April to October. Each end of June, around 130,000 people descend on the city for the Roskilde Festival, the largest music festival in Northern Europe — a remarkably well-organised, non-profit affair that's been running since 1971. Outside festival week, the town is quiet, walkable, and easily done as a day trip from Copenhagen.
Common questions about visiting Roskilde
When is the best time to visit Roskilde?
Do I need a visa to visit Roskilde?
It depends on your nationality. Run a quick check to see whether you need a Schengen visa, ETIAS, or can travel visa-free into Denmark.
How do I get to Roskilde?
How do I get around Roskilde?
More cities in Denmark
Plan the rest of your Roskilde trip
Schengen day calculator
Plan around the 90 days in any 180 rule — see how long you can stay and when you can re-enter.
Travel insurance for Denmark
Medical, cancellation and baggage cover compared — what to look for before you book.