Perched on the north coast of Zealand, Tisvildeleje is a seaside village that forms part of the larger town of Tisvilde. It’s fringed by the oldest plantation forest in Denmark and a sweeping stretch of sand, as well as drifting dunes that have played a significant role in the area’s history.
Things to do in Tisvildeleje
One of the area’s most important landmarks is the Tibirke Church, which was established as a small granite building on the site of a pre-Christian ceremonial site in the 12th century. It was once surrounded by farms buried by drifting sand dunes and now features a beautiful garden framing its whitewashed building and red-brick tower. Not far from the church is the Wieth-Knudsen Observatoriet where stargazing events are regularly held.
If you’re visiting in the summer, relax on Tisvildeleje Beach, a family-friendly stretch of sand that’s been popular with bathers since the railway arrived in 1897. Admire the small bathhouses that line the beach and swim in the refreshing waters of the Kattegat Strait before grabbing an ice cream from one of the nearby cafes.
Hidden behind the beach is the Tisvilde Hegn, a former forest plantation protected as part of Kongernes Nordsjælland National Park. The area was planted with Scots pine, spruce and oak in the 19th century to stop the inward drift of the dunes. It now provides habitat for northern crested newts and large white-faced darters, which can be spotted along the network of hiking trails.
Getting around Tisvildeleje
Tisvildeleje is a 25-minute drive from Hillerød and around an hour from Copenhagen and Copenhagen Airport. Regular trains connect to the Tisvildeleje railway station and buses travel throughout the village. The centre of Tisvildeleje is compact enough to explore on foot.