Gilleleje on top of Zealand

In summer, the winds and the sea of Kattegat are warm and many make a pilgrimage to the top of Zealand. The port of Gilleleje is buzzing with people, who gather around the wooden tables in the harbor area or in the restaurants.

The speed is automatically lowered, when you come to the fishing town of Gilleleje. You can stroll along the picturesque streets with thatched houses in the center or walk along the famous Gilbjerg Path, where you will find a memorial stone of the Danish philosopher and writer Søren Kirkegaard. In addition, you will find some of the best beaches within a short distance.

Kirkegaard’s favorite place
“What is truth other than living for an idea,” Soren Kierkegaard wrote in august 1835. He was Gilleleje’s first tourist, and on the Gilbjerg Path, Gilbjergstien, you will find his memorial stone. The path is a 2.5 km long protected walking and biking path that stretches from Vesterbrogade in Gilleleje city to Gilbjerghoved. From the up to 33 m high cliffs is a great view out over the sea and to Kullen in Sweden.

Views from the Lighthouse
Two lighthouses are reaching towards the sky on the 30 meter high cliff Fyrbakkerne approx. 2 km east of Gilleleje. The western of the two lighthouses is now the only active, and has since 2005 been the Lighthouse Museum. Delve into the history of Nakkehoved lighthouse, erected in 1772 and enjoy the stunning views across Øresund, Kattegat and Gribskov from the top of the tower.

Fish dishes at the harbor
Fish fillet for lunch and meat from the grill in the evening. The food selection is large. Many gather at the port at lunchtime at the cafeteria, which has tasty “shooting stars”, fish fillet with caviar, asparagus and mayonnaise. Among families, the fish restaurant Father of 4, is popular and open from 12 am to 21pm all year round. At the restaurant Brasserie, you can have grilled meat from a lava grill. The former boarding house Gilleleje Badehotel serve 2 – and 3-course dinner for guests, who are not staying at the hotel.

Kilometres of beaches
If you go down the stairs on the slopes at Gilbjergstien, there are small rocks and sand beaches, where you can swim from the jetty.
Gilleleje beach, which lies opposite the harbor, is small and rarely full of people, and there are toilets and an area for volley ball just before you reach the beach.

Close to Gilleleje, you will find Dronningemølle, a kilometer long sandy beach where there is always room for an extra person and a bath towel. Here is a lifeguard in the high season and the beach is situated at the only 4-star campsite in the North and has ample parking available to you.

Hornbæk beach is crowded with people in summer, here’s a lifeguard to watch over the “water dogs” and you will also find a nice marina, good restaurants and quality shopping close by.

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