Roskilde Cathedral
Roskilde, Denmark
A brick cathedral with twin spires, the burial place of many Danish monarchs, in the old town of Roskilde. Check opening times first, since services can limit visits, and combine it with a walk to the fjord.
Roskilde Cathedral on Zealand was begun around 1170, the choir was consecrated in 1225 and the building was largely complete by about 1280. The towers of the west front were finished in 1405, and the distinctive spires were added in the 17th century under Christian IV. It is regarded as one of the earliest Gothic cathedrals in Scandinavia built of brick, and it helped spread Brick Gothic across northern Europe. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 and, since the 15th century, the main burial place of Danish monarchs.
Inside you can see the burial chapels of several kings and queens. Allow about one to two hours for your visit. Because services and events take place in the cathedral, check the current visiting times in advance. From the old town you can walk on to Roskilde Fjord, which is nearby.
- Nearest town
- Roskilde, Denmark
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 55.6430, 12.0800
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Denmark: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Tolls on the Great Belt and Øresund bridges. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Roskilde CampingCampsite3 km from Roskilde CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Jyllinge LystbådehavnMotorhome stopover11 km from Roskilde Cathedral · 8 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Tangloppen CampingCampsite19 km from Roskilde CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Skovly CampingCampsite22 km from Roskilde CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Holbæk Marina AutocamperpladsMotorhome stopover22 km from Roskilde Cathedral · 10 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- DCU-Copenhagen Camp "Absalon"Campsite22 km from Roskilde CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Denmark · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Roskilde Cathedral?
Roskilde Cathedral is in Roskilde, Denmark, at GPS 55.6430, 12.0800. It is about 22 km from Køge.
Can you camp near Roskilde Cathedral?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Roskilde Camping, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 51 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Roskilde Cathedral?
Places worth a stop nearby: Viking Ship Museum (1 km), Nyhavn (32 km), Frederiksborg Castle (35 km) and Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (46 km).
When is the best time to visit Roskilde Cathedral?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)