Villas in Hornbæk

About Hornbæk

Hornbæk began as a small fishing village around a natural harbour and became a summer retreat in the late 1700s, when Copenhageners took to spending summers in the countryside north of the city. Krøyer and Drachmann both stayed here before moving on to Skagen. About 3,600 people live here year-round, and in summer some 35,000 people rent properties, so the village changes character completely between seasons. The beach is a kilometre of white sand with sheltering dunes behind it, and Hornbæk Plantage, planted in 1706, lies east of the village. The homes sit close together around the village, mostly for four to eight people, and nearly all have a fireplace, with a sauna in some. Outside summer the lifeguards are gone and the village shrinks back to its residents.

Is Hornbæk right for you?

Best for

Beach holidays near Copenhagen, with a fireplace for cooler weeks

Not for you if

You want a private pool, since few homes here have one.

Near Hornbæk

• Dronningmølle

  The next beach along the coast towards Gilleleje, now grown together with Hornbæk, with a large summer-house district stretching inland.

• Helsingør

  About 12 km south-east, home to the UNESCO-listed Kronborg Castle, the setting of Hamlet, and a ferry of about 20 minutes to Sweden.

• Gilleleje

  Further along the coast past Dronningmølle, a resort with sandy beaches, an active fishing harbour and the northernmost point on Zealand.

• Tisvilde Hegn

  Scots pine forest planted in the 19th century to hold back drifting sand, beside the sandy beach at Tisvildeleje.

Getting to Hornbæk

Copenhagen Airport is the practical choice, around 50 minutes by car. By public transport the journey takes about two hours, with a train to Helsingør and then the Hornbæk railway or a local bus. A car makes luggage easier, though buses and trains link Hornbæk with Helsingør and Gilleleje.

When to go to Hornbæk

Two lifeguard stations west of the harbour operate only from Midsummer's Day to 14 August, so those weeks are the easy ones with small children. Summer is also when the village fills with tens of thousands of renters. The beach suits windsurfing, and water sports kit can be hired there. Outside summer it is far quieter, so check café and shop opening times before an off-season visit.

Hornbæk villa holidays: questions answered

Nearby towns to Hornbæk

• Nykøbing Sj (57)
• Gilleleje (48)
• Højby (28)
• Vejby (28)
• Sjællands Odde (27)
• Græsted (26)
• All of Sealand