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The Danish Riviera

Captivating coastline & castles of North Sealand
 
By day, cycle self-guided via thatched villages, white-sand beaches and grand castles, enjoying the extremely cycle-friendly culture and having your luggage transported, and in the evenings stay in seaside hotels and savour delicious fish and seafood.
The Danish Riviera. 6 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
The Danish Riviera. 6 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A cycling holiday on the Danish Riviera

If, as many people believe, Denmark is the world’s best country for bikes, then the enticing north-east corner of Zealand, the country’s largest island, is paradise on earth for a holiday on two wheels. It is but a short train journey from Copenhagen, but feels like another world entirely. Expect to find gorgeous villages of thatched-roof cottages, castles of fairy-tale wonder, and expanses of white sand backed by dunes dotted with brightly coloured beach huts, all under huge, wide-open skies.
If all this weren’t enough, you stay in cosy, hospitable accommodation located on, or very near the coast, and can sample excellent regional cuisine featuring, as you would expect, the freshest of fish and seafood.

The well-signed routes are largely on the flat, and not overly long, so take your time – call in at artisan producers of chocolate and schnapps, linger over a picnic of open crab sandwiches in the manicured grounds of one of the royal castles, enjoy a dip in the sea, and drink in the sweeping views along the coast and out across the waves.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.

Pay locally for all visits and train journeys mentioned in the itinerary.

We have not provided elevation profiles for any of the routes on this holiday because it is largely on the flat.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 2 3 5 10 16 20 21 21 17 13 8 4
    mm 51 31 41 41 43 54 70 62 62 57 63 59
  • Arrival in Skovshoved
    Night 1: at Skovshoved Hotel (where you spend two nights).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of cycling.
  • Circular route from Skovshoved: 35km
    This introductory cycle ride takes you inland, first through the UNESCO World Heritage deer park (Dyrehaven) where 2,000 deer roam freely, then through forests and past a number of lakes to finish at the Rokkedysse Berry Farm. Supplying many of the top restaurants in Copenhagen and beyond with tasty berries, it also makes very good ice cream! From here, a short train ride (0h35) takes you back to the coast.
  • Skovshoved to Snekkersten: 32km
    Direct from the seaside village of Skovshoved, start your journey up the coastline of North Sealand. You pass some impressive villas and small villages en route, including Rungsted, home to a museum devoted to Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa. Your cycle route also takes you past the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, offering a wonderful mix of art and architecture all set within an extensive seaside park. (NB both museums are closed on Mondays.) Your destination is Snekkersten, where you spend two nights at the Villa Brinkly.
  • Circular route from Snekkersten: 42km
    This varied cycle ride winds through forest and villages of thatched cottages to picturesque Gurre and its ruined castle. Here, it is well worth a short detour to the home and small factory of passionate chocolatier Peter Beier, before continuing past a lake to the magnificent Royal Palace of Fredensborg on the edge of the Royal North Sealand National Park. Known as the ‘Danish Versailles’, it still serves as the royal summer residence. The palace is only open in July, though you can still admire its elaborate façade as you stroll through the grounds at other times. From here, you return through woodland and along largely traffic-free farmland tracks to the coast at Niva and back to sea-facing Snekkersten.
     
    Fredensborg Palace
  • Snekkersten to Gilleleje: 32km
    Pedal north to the walled coastal town of Helsingør, where imposing Kronborg Castle was the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet (performances of the play are held here during a three-week festival every August). You then continue parallel to the north coast, often close to the dunes, to Hornbæk, which boasts the finest of many white-sand beaches in the area and is ideal for a swim on a hot day. Whitewashed cottages with thatched roofs and colourful rose beds make for an attractive approach to your destination, the Gilleleje Badehotel in Gilleleje, a traditional fishing village where you can watch the world go by from the pretty green.
    Helsingør, on the route between Snekkersten and Gilleleje
  • Choice of routes from Gilleleje: both 30km

    Linear route from Gilleleje: 30km
    Our recommended route follows a woodland cycle path through the Royal North Sealand National Park to reach Frederiksborg Castle and its impressive grounds. The largest Renaissance castle in Scandinavia is located in the pretty town of Hillerød, which has a good selection of shops and cafés to explore before you return to Gilleleje by train.

    Circular route from Gilleleje: 30km
    Alternatively, head south via the idyllic village of Esbønderup, to the 10th-century abbey of Esrum. Here, you can visit the cloister and sample some of the abbey’s produce – the monks not only brew beer, but also produce schnapps, honey, salami and mustard, among other things. You return across farmland, with the option of detouring via the Tegners sculpture park, where the wild heathland of Rusland serves as an impressive backdrop for a collection of intriguing works of art.
    Frederiksborg Castle
 

Accommodation

Your intimate, beautifully decorated seaside accommodation is conveniently located right by the cycle trail.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 6 nights: 18 May 2024 - 30 September 2024 & 17 May 2025 - 30 September 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    18 May - 3 Jun 2024 £1740 £635
    4 Jun - 1 Sep 2024 £1810 £680
    2 - 24 Sep 2024 £1735 £630
    17 May - 3 Jun 2025 £1810 £665
    4 Jun - 1 Sep 2025 £1885 £710
    2 - 24 Sep 2025 £1805 £660
    3rd & 4th person discount -£94 to -£98
    Single traveller supplement £94 to £98

    Includes accommodation, meals, bike hire, luggage transfers and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Electric bikes available: add £255pp

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Skovshoved Hotel, Skovshoved
    Junior suite double with balcony & sea view: 18 May - 30 Sep 2024 £22
    Junior suite double with balcony & sea view: 17 May - 30 Sep 2025 £23
    Villa Brinkly, Snekkersten
    Forest View: 18 May - 30 Sep 2024 £20
    Forest View: 17 May - 30 Sep 2025 £21
    Sea view & balcony: 18 May - 30 Sep 2024 £44
    Sea view & balcony: 17 May - 30 Sep 2025 £46
    Gilleleje Badehotel, Gilleleje
    Sea view & balcony: 18 May - 30 Sep 2024 £17
    Sea view & balcony: 17 May - 30 Sep 2025 £18

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day’s hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add £11pp per day.
    Villa Brinkly, Snekkersten (B&B) Double room Single room
    18 May - 30 Sep 2024 £150 £255
    17 May - 30 Sep 2025 £160 £269
    Gilleleje Badehotel, Gilleleje (with dinner) Double room Single room
    18 May - 30 Sep 2024 £220 £286
    17 May - 30 Sep 2025 £230 £299
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Copenhagen
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Copenhagen. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Copenhagen SAS 
    Aberdeen - Copenhagen (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Copenhagen SAS 
    Birmingham - Copenhagen (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Copenhagen easyJet 
    Bristol - Copenhagen (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Copenhagen easyJet,  Norwegian,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Copenhagen SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Copenhagen (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Copenhagen easyJet,  Norwegian 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Copenhagen British Airways,  SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Copenhagen Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Copenhagen Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Copenhagen easyJet,  Norwegian,  SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Copenhagen SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Newquay - Copenhagen SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Copenhagen (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Copenhagen. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Copenhagen

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Copenhagen airport to Hellerup (0h35), bus Hellerup to hotel (0h15) £8 1700
    own travel arrangements from airport to hotel pay locally flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    transfer hotel to Gilleleje (0h05), rail Gilleleje to Copenhagen airport (1h55) £36-£37 1200
What is included
  • 6 nights
  • 3 dinners
    6 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • high-quality bicycle
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 7 reviews
  • Anonymous
    07 September 2023

    Denmark is probably one of the most cycling-friendly places in the world and this tour of the Riviera and surrounding areas was spectacular with its dedicated cycling paths and well signed routes. The coastline is stunning, there is so much to see and take in. Highly recommend using the provided GPX files for navigation. Thank you Inntravel for a wonderful and very memorable holiday!

  • Ms J Schrever
    Australia
    26 August 2023

    We were lucky to have fabulous weather when cycling and the beauty of the Danish Riviera and the white washed thatched cottages, the grander residences, the marina, the castles were a delight. 

  • Anon
    20 August 2023

    We loved the hotels and the routes and the walking tours and suggestions on what to visit and where to eat.

    The Inntravel staff are all very friendly and knowledgable 

    If you want to eat out in Copenhagen you need to book in advance. We gave up and went to Netto and had picnics in our room. Everywhere near the hotel was fully booked as it was so busy and touristy.

    We have just had a very pleasant lunch on the shore of the Sortedam Lake at Cafe 22, but this is about half an hours walk away from the Strand Hotel.

     

    INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our Danish Riviera cycling holiday with a stay in Copenhagen

  • Anon
    19 July 2023

    Restaurant Vores Skotterup (along from Villa Brinkly) was fantastic. Food and drink is generally very expensive (but we were unaware that tipping isn't necessary so inadvertently added to our costs). Louisiana art museum was a highlight and they also serve very good food.

  • Mr M Ayre
    Winchester
    01 September 2022

    Really enjoyable and varied holiday. Walking route suggested around Copenhagen was excellent. Try to arrive at Fredensborg palace at 12:00 for changing of the guard. Do take swimming costumes on Snekkersten to Gilleleje route as beaches near Hornbaek Plantage are wonderful. On Fredericksburg castle route, Cafe Havshuset is an excellent lunch stop.

  • Mrs J Evans
    Reigate
    07 August 2022

    Excellent holiday.  The detailed information provided meant that we had a very stress free holiday.  The routes were great, the descriptions were very clear and acurate - we only got lost and that was due to not reading the instructions properly! The accomodation chosen was great and would definitely recommend to other travellers.  

  • Ms H Barney
    Bromsgrove
    22 July 2022

    A truly magnificent holiday. Inntravel had done all the thinking for us, hotels were lovely, wonderful varied riding routes and just a joyful holiday. Thank you.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. On mornings when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation so that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our cycling holidays in Europe page.
  • Our chosen bike rental shop will provide you with a hybrid bike with 24 gears; a waterproof map case on the handlebars; panniers/saddlebags; pump; puncture repair kit; and a lock.
  • While we would always recommend that you take your own well-fitting helmet, they can be provided free of charge by the supplier. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to hire a helmet.
  • Yes, we will provide GPX tracks for this holiday prior to departure so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. (We also provide maps and our tried-and-tested route notes, which remain the principal means of navigation).
  • You are responsible for damage to or loss of the rental bike while it is hired to you. Always be careful to lock it up, ideally to an immovable object, and remove all easy-to-steal accessories whenever you leave it unattended.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Denmark, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is Danish. The currency is the Danish Kroner. Danish time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
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