Hillerød - Castle town & shopping center

Photo: 24Copenhagen

With Frederiksborg Castle as its historical landmark and thriving commercial life in the city centre, Hillerød is the ideal starting point for combining shopping, culture and outdoor experiences.

 

Hillerød By
© VisitNordsjællandPhoto: Tine Uffelmann
Frederiksborg Slot og den smukke barokhave
© VisitNordsjællandPhoto: Ann Jørgensen

The historic town of Hillerød was the royals’ preferred holiday destination for over 400 years. Kings hunted frequently in Gribskov and held functions in the town’s castles, and that’s the reason why there is a “kings’ road” (Kongevejen) from Copenhagen to Hillerød.

Here is North Zealand's most significant trade and shopping centre. The castle town has over 200 exciting shops, so whether you are looking for the popular chains or the small "crooked" shop, there is a guarantee of temptations in the town by the castle lake.

Plan the trip to Hillerød.

Find the easiest way to Hillerød. With the help of Plan your journey, you can find the easiest and fastest way to get to Hillerød by public transport.

Today, the town’s beautiful landmark, Frederiksborg Castle, is still in the heart of Hillerød. At the castle, you can take leisurely walks in the romantic castle gardens featuring a lake and brook. Experience Frederik II’s Bath House from 1580 and Countess Danners Norwegianinspired cabin on Louise’s Island.

Today, Hillerød is still a city where life is enjoyed. Within easy reach of Copenhagen, but far enough away that you are close to nature and can breathe freely. A city where history is alive because it is part of everyday life. And a vibrant town where new stories are constantly emerging.

When it’s time for lunch, you can take a well-earned break at the cosy Café Havehuset, which is located in a historic building in the heart of the wonderful Frederiksborg Castle Gardens. The menu offers coffee, cake and Danish open sandwiches.

Prime attractions in Hillerød

Frederiksborg Castle and the Baroque Garden are experiences you won't want to miss. Frederiksborg is the largest Renaissance castle in the Nordic region, a genuine fairy tale castle with pomp and splendour to awaken children and adults' imaginations.

The castle park consists of several beautiful spaces, of which the formal Baroque Garden is the star attraction. Here you can appreciate the art of gardening in a class by itself, with winding hedges, shaped royal monograms and splashing cascades that fall on terraces down to the Castle Lake.

All kind of light refreshments

The pedestrian streets have a varied selection of cosy cafés and restaurants. When the weather is good, an obvious choice is to visit the town’s charming ice-cream cafés with homemade waffles and ice cream. For example, enjoy an ice cream while strolling in the town centre or walk along the scenic Lake Path, which will take you around Castle Lake and past Frederiksborg Castle.

 

North Zealand´s commercial centre

When you feel the need for some retail therapy, then Hillerød is the perfect destination. Dotted amongst the town's more than 200 exciting shops, you will find popular chain stores and small "quirky" shops with everything from clothing and interior articles to jewellery and personal care products.

In the beautiful shopping centre SlotsArkaderne, small unique speciality stores in, among other things, delicacies, fashion clothes, housing and lifestyle mix with larger chain stores and offer everything for the whole family. On the way from the station to the pedestrian streets, you will come across the Nordisk Film Cinema Complex.

The two pedestrian streets, Helsingørsgade and Slotsgade, are connected by Torvet and offer both, in addition to fashion and lifestyle items, several small delicatessens - among other things, each pedestrian street has its wine specialist with an exciting assortment that can complement the delicious goods from the fish shop, bakeries, Irma et al. In ChokoladeMageriet you can visit the workshop where the store's exclusive chocolates and cream buns are made.

Parking in Hillerød

It is not always easy to find a parking space in a "foreign" city. On the map, you can see where you can park your car. Some of the parking spaces are free, on others you have to pay. Always remember to orientate yourself in the parking lot in relation to the applicable rules of the place in question.

The great outdoors

With both Gribskov and Store Dyrehave on its doorstep, Hillerød is a good place to start combining cultural, outdoor and shopping activities. In these forests, you can wander through UNESCO's World Heritage Site, the Par force Hunting Landscape.

Close to Store Dyrehave is Fantasy Island with ruins from Frederik VII’s ‘getaway’ mansion. Hillerød has many, good cycle paths that connect the town and nature.

There is also the option to wander into nature directly from the pedestrian streets. If you like castles, experiences in nature and a refreshing dip, you could ride your bike all the way or part of the way on cycle route 33, which stretches from Frederiksborg to Tisvildeleje with plenty of scenic views along the way

Music and culture

If you like culture and live music, then you should keep an eye on the website, hillerød.nu This is where you can keep up to date on many of the experiences and events that are held in Hillerød during the year. For instance, take a look at the programme for Royal Stage, which is North Zealand’s leading music venue, theatre, trade fair centre, handball arena and much more.

The stately building with the golden facade opened in 2020 and has room for 4,000 guests. Together with Støberihallen, Café Slotsbio and the regional music venue Klaverfabrikken, Hillerød’s new beacon shines a light and fills the town with all genres of cultural experiences all year round.

In the summer months concerts are held as well as Midsummer festivities and the popular Slotssø Byfest in and around the outdoor area, Torvet, right next to Castle Lake. Close to Posen, at the end of the pleasant Slotsgade, you will find Rosenhaven, where international jazz musicians perform concerts on selected summer Saturdays

Practical information

Here, you will find helpful information for planning and use during your vacation.

Find opening hours at the tourist information, plan your holiday, see the map of the city, how to get around by public transport, read the large holiday magazine for North Zealand, and where to rent a bike. Find the answers to these questions and more here.