Discover Birkerød: Culture, Lakes and Trails

Birkerød combines remarkable cultural sites with water, views and opportunities for walks. Anyone looking for accommodation for a holiday can combine different ideas for day trips here: a cultural tour, an exercise break in the park, an excursion to the lake or a route over Høbjerg. Mantzius is particularly convenient for arriving by public transport: the Mantzius cultural centre and event venue, Mantzius Live, are about a three-minute walk from Birkerød station. The S-train line A and several bus routes, including route 500S, operate there.

Cultural History and Art in Birkerød

The buildings of Mantzius now house the cultural centre and Mantzius Live. In 1868, Johan Mantzius and his wife Elisabeth founded a small boarding school in Birkerød. This gives the town a historical point of reference that can be easily combined with attending an event today.

You will also encounter art and history in other places. The sculpture “Skulpturbro” by Egon Fischer was created around 1980 and is part of the Birkerød Library. In the garden of Birkerød Gl. Præstegård, there is also “Den Grønne Pæl” by Jørgen Haugen Sørensen. Another work, “Nordfuglene” by Thorvald Odgaard, is located in the small grove near Birkerød’s town hall and library.

Birkerød Gl. Præstegård is also associated with ongoing art exhibitions: exhibitions have been held there since 1996, year-round except in July. The wall paintings in Birkerød Church probably date from the first half of the 14th century; they were uncovered again in 1911. To the right of the entrance, Henrik Gerner’s chains hang on the wall. In the vicarage garden stands Selvmorderstenen, a Bronze Age stone with carved cup marks. It probably lay several hundred years in front of the wall surrounding the church and cemetery and served as what is known as a “Selvmordersten”.

Lakes, Views and Exercise

Birkerød offers several different landscape spots for planning a varied day. Birkerød Sø is located close to the town centre and the station. At Furesøen, there is a bathing area by Birkerød Sejlklub. These two waterside destinations offer different focuses: one lake is part of getting your bearings around the town, while the bathing area at Furesøen allows you to spend time by the water.

Høbjerg is a 68-metre-high hill and a viewpoint overlooking Birkerød. The Høbjergsti trail runs over it; towards Ravnsnæsvej, the trail forms a staircase that is popularly known as “Tusindtrapperne”. When planning, therefore, consider whether you would prefer to include a cultural discovery, a viewpoint or an active route. Cathrinelystparken has an activity oasis with exercise equipment for strength, balance, coordination, mobility and stretching exercises, as well as massage exercises.

Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Trip?

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house, it is worth using your preferred daily rhythm as a starting point. Mantzius’s proximity to the station is interesting if you would like to organise your trip by train and bus. Those who place culture at the centre can consider the library, town hall, Birkerød Church and the art sites mentioned as thematic points of interest. For days focused on landscapes and water, you can plan Birkerød Sø, Furesøen and the Høbjerg viewpoint as different destinations. This allows you to choose your accommodation according to your own priorities without limiting the trip to just one type of experience.

You can find more places to help you get your bearings here: Skuldelev, Glostrup, Asserbo, Evetofte, Græsted, Kregme, Ålsgårde and Hvidovre Municipality.

For the higher-level travel overview: Hovedstaden.