DK
Roskilde
Viking ships, a UNESCO cathedral of Danish kings and a famous music festival, 30km from Copenhagen
Viking ships, a UNESCO cathedral of Danish kings and a famous music festival, 30km from Copenhagen
The twin-spired brick cathedral, built mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries, holds the tombs of Danish kings and queens in chapels spanning many architectural styles.
Check opening times; services and events may close parts of the cathedral.
Photo: Till Niermann, CC BY-SA 3.0
The five Skuldelev ships, sunk around 1070 to block the fjord and excavated in 1962, are displayed in a hall facing the water. The museum’s boatyard builds sailing replicas using Viking methods.
In summer, you may be able to join a sailing trip in a replica boat.
Photo: Jami430, CC BY-SA 4.0
The harbour and fjord shore are good for walks, cafés and views back to the cathedral.
Photo: Kiyokun, CC BY-SA 3.0
Held over a week each summer, the non-profit festival brings major international acts to the outskirts of town.
Accommodation fills up during the festival.
Photo: Joe Kniesek, CC BY 2.0
Danish lunch staples such as smørrebrød (open sandwiches), fish dishes and pastries are easy to find in the centre and by the harbour.
The Viking Ship Museum has a café with Nordic food.
Trains from Copenhagen Central Station take about 25 minutes and run frequently. Copenhagen Airport is about 40 minutes away by train.
The town is compact; walk from the station to the cathedral and down to the harbour.
Denmark uses the krone (DKK).
Many visitors come on a day trip.
An easy day trip from Copenhagen.
Visit the cathedral in the morning, walk down to the harbour and spend the afternoon at the Viking Ship Museum.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Denmark is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Trains from Copenhagen take about 25 minutes.
Try a replica Viking boat in summer.
Book early if visiting during the festival.
Combine visits on one day.
Quick answers for planning time in Roskilde.
About 30km; around 25 minutes by train.
Most Danish kings and queens.
Five Viking ships sunk around 1070 to block Roskilde Fjord, displayed at the Viking Ship Museum.
Each summer, usually in late June and early July.
Yes, for the cathedral and Viking Ship Museum.
Planning a wider trip? Our Denmark travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.