Holbæk is a city in Zealand.
Understand
Holbæk is the seat of Holbæk Municipality and the second largest city of West Zealand Region with 26,000 inhabitants. The city is situated by Holbæk Inlet, which in turn is connected to the larger Ise Inlet. Holbæk is an important harbour city and a commercial and cultural center for the area.
Holbæk's history dates back to around 1200. The city expanded from around 1300 when the king built a castle here. However, the city has historically not been as important as other major cities in the area and only little from the city's early history has survived until today.
Get in
The nearest airport is Copenhagen, and there is highway all the way from the capital (route 21)
Holbæk is a major stop on the Copenhagen-Kalundborg railway line running nearly in a straight line west over Zealand with departures once or twice per hour during most of the day. It takes around 50 minutes from Copenhagen and Kalundborg, and around 30 minutes from Roskilde. Holbæk station is the interchange to the private Regionstog's line to Nykøbing Sjælland, which covers nearly all of the Odsherred Peninsular.
If you are coming from West Denmark change to bus 13 in Slagelse (Intercity trains), it takes around an hour, the bus continues to Nykøbing Sjælland and gets there a bit faster than the train. Another option is catching the ferry to Kalundborg from Aarhus and catch a train from there. Most of the Abildskou intercity buses between Copenhagen and Jutland stops at the Q8 gas station in Tuse (Kalundborgvej 220).
Get around
There are ten city buses all running from Holbæk Railway Station, most of them running once an hour but a few of them running two or three times every hour.
For taxis call +45 5943 4343.
See
Museums and galleries
- 1 Holbæk Museum, Klosterstræde 18, ☏ +45 5943 2353, sekretariat@holbmus.dk. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. Situated in 13 buildings built in the period 1600-1900, which are attractions in their own right. The museum exhibits local life from the stone age till now as well as temporary exhibitions. 30 DKK.
- 2 Co-operative Village Nyvang (Andelslandsbyen Nyvang), Oldvejen 25, ☏ +45 5943 4030, nyvang@andelslandsbyen.dk. M-Th 10:00-16:00, Sa-Su 10:00-17:00. Historical experience center demonstrating the works of the Danish agricultural co-operative movement during second half of 19th century and first half of 20th century. Adults 95 DKK.
- 3 Holbæk Kunstforening Æglageret, Lindevej 6, ☏ +45 5943 0187, info@aeglageret.dk. Tu-F 11:00-17:00, Sa 11:00-14:00, Su 12:00-16:00. Exhibits art within a wide range of media.
- 4 Galleri Juel Verland, Blegstræde 5, ☏ +45 5918 0002, +45 4063 2785, pia@verland.dk. W-Th noon-5:30, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-2PM, first Su each month noon-4PM.
- 5 Galleri Stokholm, Vestergade 4, ☏ +45 5192 8261, MISUT@C.DK. Tu-F noon-16:00, Sa 11:00-14:00. Exhibits and sells contemporary painting.
Nature
- 6 Kalve Bog (Kalvemosen), Kalvemosevej (Take bus 102 or 106 to Bødkervej Stop). Nature area with marked routes with paths and bridges enabling you to get through the bog with dry shoes.
- 7 Ladegårds Woods (Ladegårdsskovene). Consist of four adjoining green areas, Lunden, Knudsskov, Haveskoven and Torbenlund Skov, stretching from close to the city center to the soutwestern boundery of the city. The woods are home to deer, aurochs, boar and other. Naturskolen [dead link], which is a school offering education to the primary schools in the area, is also situated here, and the school runs parts of Ladegårds Woods.
- Magle Lake (Maglesø).
Historical sights
- 8 Løvenborg Castle (Løvenborg Slot), Løvenborg Allé 30, Regstrup (8km from Holbæk). Dating back to the 12th century. The castle's park closed for renovation but will be accessible from 2010. Theater plays can be seen now and then.
- 9 Blackfriars' Monastery (Sortebrødreklostret), Klosterstræde 1, ☏ +45 4034 6929. Access only according to agreement.
- 10 Ugerløse Church (Ugerløse Kirke), Kirkevej 3, Ugerløse (Take bus 13 in the direction of Slagelse and get off at Ugerløse Skole Stop from where it is a five minutes walk), ☏ +45 5918 8074.
- Holbæk Castle (Holbæk Slot).
Do
- 1 Turkish Bath (Tyrkisk Bad), Kalundborgvej 54H, ☏ +45 5940 0868, fax: +45 5943 8594, tyrkiskbad@sidesporet.dk. M-W noon-7PM, Th noon-8PM, F 10AM-10PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM. Bathing venue combining Scandinavian and Turkish bathing culture. Different kinds of bath and massage available. Entrance 150 DKK (F-Su 200 DKK), massage etc. 325-625 DKK.
- 2 Holbæk Søbad (Søbadet Venedig), Kalundborgvej 54H, ☏ +45 2344 9439, fax: +45 5943 9485, vandrerhjem@sidesporet.dk. June to August 12:00-17:00 (during school vacations). Activities include bathing area for smaller children as well as 3-meter-springboard, water slide, water trampoline and climbing wall. Changing rooms, toilet and kiosk available. free.
- 3 Holbæk Golfklub, Dragerupvej 50 (Take bus 111 to Sofieminde Allé/Dragerupvej Stop and walk the last kilometer northeast of Dragerupvej, or take a taxi for around 100 DKK from the city centre), ☏ +45 5943 4579, fax: +45 5943 5161, info@holbakgolfklub.dk. Greenfee 285 DKK (weekend 340 DKK).
- 4 Holbæk Teater, Vimmelskaftet 27, ☏ +45 5943 1777 (kontor), +45 5944 0085 (billet), info@het.dk. 125-300 DKK.
- 5 Musikhuset Elværket, Gasværksvej 9, ☏ +45 7236 6373, tg@holb.dk. Live music venue. Tickets can be bought through http://gaffa.dk/live
Buy
- 1 Ahlgade. The main shopping street in the city.
- 2 [dead link] Holbæk Mega Center, Stenhusvej 54C. Shopping center with 37 shops.
Eat
Budget
- 1 Restaurant Beijing, Smedelundsgade 22, ☏ +45 5944 4482, beijing@live.dk. M-Th 12:00-23:00, F-Su 13:00-midnight. Chinese restaurant. Barbeque buffet 98 DKK (F-Su 198 DKK).
- 2 Vestersøen, Kirkestræde 4A, ☏ +45 5944 2070, fax: +45 5944 3849, info@westernlake.dk. Su-Th 13:00-22:00, F-Sa 13:00-23:00. Chinese restaurant. Mains 80-118 DKK.
Mid-range
- 3 [formerly dead link] La Bon Bøfhus, Nygade 7, ☏ +45 5944 0310, labon@labonbofhus.dk. M-Th 16:00-22:00, Fr-Sa 12:00-23.00, Su 16:00-22:00. Serves a wide selection of steaks. DKK 200+ steak main courses.
- 4 Mexico Café & Restaurant, Blegstæde 17, ☏ +45 5943 0806, ugur@mexicanskrestaurant.dk. Tu-Fr 17:00-22:00, Sa-Su 17:00-22:00. Wide selection of Mexican dishes. Mains 139-239 DKK.
- 5 Cafe Zehros, Ahlgade 39, ☏ +45 5943 2548, cafe@zehros.dk. Su-Th 10:30-22:00, F-Sa 10:30-late. Cafe and restaurant on the main shopping street in the city with seating both inside and outside. Mains 159-239 DKK.
- 6 Cafe Svanen, Labæk 65, ☏ +45 59430628. Su-Th 08:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 08:00-01:00. Traditional danish fare: smørrebrød, biksemad, steaks, etc. DKK 100.
Splurge
- 7 Bryghuse No5, Nygade 5, ☏ +45 5944 2511, info@bryghusetno5.dk. M-Th noon-10PM, F-Sa noon-late. Danish restaurant. Mains 179-198 DKK.
- 8 SuRi, Havnevej 5 (At the harbour), ☏ +45 5944 0610, info@suri.dk. Mo-Sa 11:30-15:00, 17:30-21:00. Brasserie and seafood restaurant. Mains from 215 DKK, five course menu 555 DKK.
- 9 Restaurant Vadestedet, Strandmøllevej 249 (At Holbæk Marina east of the city center, take bus 111 to Holbæk Sejlklub Stop (15 minutes from Holbæk Railway Station), ☏ +45 5943 7050. 12:00-21:00. Danish restaurant at the marina. Mains from 90 DKK, most 175-205 DKK.
Drink
Bars
- 1 Diligencen, Jernbanevej 5, ☏ +45 5943 6312.
- 2 Landgreven, Nygade 7, ☏ +45 5943 6043.
- 3 Café Falken, Gammel Ringstedvej 26, ☏ +45 5944 9828.
Cafes
- 4 Cafe DO IT, Smedelundsgade 22B, ☏ +45 5916 3164, fax: +45 5916 1161.
- 5 Café Oline, Ahlgade 30G, ☏ +45 5944 3321.
Clubs and discos
- 6 [dead link] Club Harlekin, Nygade 5, ☏ +45 5944 3720. F 10PM-5AM, Sa 10PM-6AM. F 35 DKK, Sa 50 DKK.
Sleep
- Holbæk Fjor Camping.
- 1 Tempelkrogens Camping.
- 2 Hotel Sidesporet, Ahlgade 1B, ☏ +45 59442919, fax: +45 59439485, hotel@sidesporet.dk. Check-in: 16:00-18:00, check-out: 10:00. Doubles from DKK 745.
- 3 Hotel Strandparken, Kalundborgvej 58, ☏ +45 5943 0616, fax: +45 5943 3276, hotelstrandparken@mail.tele.dk. Rooms with free internet, minibar, hairdryer and coffee making facilities. Restaurant and meeting facilities available. Doubles 1,145 DKK.
- 4 Jernbanehotellet, Jernbanevej 1, ☏ +45 5943 4106. Restaurant and bar available. Doubles without/with shower 575/675 DKK.
- 5 Hotel Hørby Færgekro, Strandvejen 1, Hørby (From Holbæk Railway Station take bus 116 for 20 minutes to Blåbærstien Stop), ☏ +45 5946 0131, hotel@hoerby-faergekro.dk. Doubles 925 DKK including breakfast.
- 6 Hotel Orø Kro, Bygaden 57, Orø (There is a ferry from Holbæk taking about half an hour).
Connect
Go next
- 1 Hornsherred (pass the Munkholm bridge east of Holbæk). Enjoy the unspoiled nature