Discovering a tranquil beach town without masses of tourists felt like stumbling across a true hidden gem.
I love getting away and spending a few days exploring a new city, imagining what my life might look like if I decided to skip my Ryanair flight home and stay, and Copenhagen isn’t exempt from this.
Considering that it was recently voted the most liveable city in the world, I was already daydreaming about life here after the clean and efficient ride into the city on the airport shuttle, which felt like a holiday in itself.
However, I was only in the city for a brief moment this time around, and rather than spending my time cycling around to cosy coffee shops and museums as I had done on previous trips, I was instead heading to what many Danes refer to as the ‘Copenhagen Riviera’.
While Denmark isn’t necessarily the first place that might spring to mind when thinking of where to head for a coastal retreat, Hornbaek is seaside town just an hour from Copenhagen that’s doubles up as a popular holiday destination.
The town is also where many Danes choose to keep holiday homes, spending summers relaxing on the endless stretches of sandy beaches that have become increasingly popular with surfers.
Despite being just 50km north of Copenhagen, Hornbaek feels worlds apart, especially when you compare it to the popular seaside towns in the UK that are close to cities like London.
In fact, I often find a visit to some of the UK’s seaside towns more stressful than relaxing, especially during the peak summer months when city folk like myself look to cool down by the coast.
With a permanent population of just 3,000 residents, it didn’t feel like visiting a city that’s conveniently placed next to the sea, as Brighton or Margate often does, instead it felt like a proper retreat away from the hustle and bustle.
Most of the houses are built in the style of traditional wooden cottages, helping it feel even more laidback, and the town can easily be reached by following trails that take you through tranquil woodlands.
While surfing and paddle boarding are popular activities, I visited during September, which was slightly chilly for my liking. Nonetheless, there were still some swimmers nearby that were brave enough to head in for a dip.
With nearly 3km of golden sandy beaches overlooking the Baltic Sea, reports the Express, September made for some incredible sunsets as the long summer came to an end.
While the beach wasn’t vastly different, or necessarily superior to those found in the UK, the tranquillity experienced when it merged with the woodlands was truly a peaceful escape.
Visiting in September also meant there was little else to do but stroll along the beach with friends and unwind in the cottage we stayed in, meaning I returned home feeling more refreshed than ever.
That doesn’t meant there isn’t plenty to do if you feel like exploring. The town boasts a buzzy street food market named Det Fedtede Hjørne, a 14km coastal bike track, and even sunrise yoga sessions at Hotel Hornbækhus.
We took the train to Hornbæk and despite needing to switch trains at Helsingør Station, the journey was incredibly smooth and well worth it.