Sara: Try the Rhubarb Juice or the Orange Wine with Your Meal

1. Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg Castle is the main attraction in Hillerød and North Zealand. Here, you’ll experience the very best of Danish architecture and culture: the largest Renaissance castle in the Nordic region.

Inside, you’ll find magnificent halls and a grand chapel dating back to the 17th century. The castle has been transformed into a museum and today houses Denmark’s national portrait gallery and a museum of national history.

2. The Little Ferry

The castle is located on three islands in the Castle Lake, and if you visit Frederiksborg between May and October, you can take a small ferry ride across the lake.

3. The Castle Gardens at Frederiksborg

Hillerød is steeped in history. Everywhere you turn, you sense echoes of the past, but everything begins with the stories connected to Frederiksborg Castle. Outside, the castle gardens include a grand Baroque garden from the 18th century as well as a romantic landscape garden with winding paths and streams. The romantic garden also features a miniature castle.

Start by exploring the gardens, which were designed by Frederik IV and Frederik VII according to the garden ideals of their respective periods. During the Baroque era, gardens symbolised humanity’s control over nature through strict, geometric layouts. In contrast, Romantic gardens of the 19th century were designed to appear freer and wilder. The two large gardens are dramatically different, and you can easily spend hours wandering through them.  

4. Rabarbergaarden Slottet

Frederiksborg’s restaurant, Rabarbergaarden Slottet, celebrates the flavours of North Zealand. The restaurant follows a farm-to-table philosophy using local, organic ingredients – often sourced from its own production. The menu changes with the seasons. Be sure to try the rhubarb juice or the orange wine with your meal. Both are wonderful.

5. The Museum of National History

Frederiksborg Castle was transformed into a museum following the devastating fire of 1859, which occurred while Frederik VII and Countess Danner were living at the castle. Each year, changing special exhibitions focusing on history or portrait art complement the museum’s enormous permanent collection.

6. Fantasy Island

There is one completely underrated place: Fantasy Island. Here, you’ll find the ruins of a small pleasure pavilion built by Frederik VII for Countess Danner. You can cycle there or drive most of the way and walk the final stretch. The area is incredibly idyllic and truly feels like stepping into another era. No tourists come here – only locals know this place exists… at least for now.

7. Guided Tours of the Castle

There is so much to discover at Frederiksborg. With a guided tour, you gain deeper insight and storytelling through either a live guide or a digital guide. Exploring on your own is also a wonderful experience, as you wander through richly decorated halls and ceilings, diverse portraits and detailed historical paintings.

8. Other Fantastic Places

After visiting Frederiksborg, strolling through the cosy streets of Hillerød and exploring the area around the Castle Lake, I would continue to the coastal towns of Lynæs and Hornbæk. I would visit the Garbolund farm shop near Hillerød, taste – and perhaps even help harvest – the wine, and maybe spend the night there as well. The area around Lake Arresø is beautiful, and I would also take a walk at Heatherhill.