This calm fishing port on Denmark's northern coast has a working harbor, seafood restaurants, and a lighthouse from 1772. It played a key role in saving Danish Jews during WWII.
Gilleleje sits at Zealand's northernmost point, where fishing boats dock daily at the harbor to sell their catch. Walk to the Gilbjerghoved cliffs, rising 30 meters above the sea, or climb the 1772 Nakkehoved lighthouse for views across the Kattegat. The town played a crucial role in saving Danish Jews during World War II, and you'll find bronze plaques marking their escape route through the streets. At the harbor, you can buy fresh fish directly from the morning's catch or eat at one of the waterfront restaurants.
Getting to Gilleleje
Two railway lines connect Gilleleje to the rest of Denmark. The Hornbæk line runs to Helsingør, while the Gribskov line connects to Hillerød. The main station sits in the center of town, with additional stops at Gilleleje East, Stæremosen, and Fjellenstrup.
Harbor Activities
Watch fishing boats arrive each morning at Zealand's largest commercial fishing port. You can attend the daily fish auction where buyers bid for the fresh catch using specialized hand signals and terminology. Visit the working smokehouses where fish hang in oak-fired chambers. Children will enjoy the Stejlepladsen playground with its boat-shaped sandboxes and porpoise swings.
Beaches and Cliffs
The 14-kilometer coastline includes Blue Flag beaches on both sides of town. Lifeguards patrol the beaches from June to August, and you'll find changing rooms and toilets near the main swimming areas. Follow the Gilbjergstien path from the harbor to reach the cliff tops, where you can read the inscription on the stone marking where Søren Kierkegaard wrote in 1835.
Museums and Lighthouses
Step inside the restored 1820s Fiskerhuset to see how fishing families lived two centuries ago. The adjacent Skibshallen displays fishing equipment and boat-building tools from the 1800s. Visit the Nakkehoved Østre Fyr lighthouse east of town, which housed the world's first coal-fired beacon in 1772. Today, it contains exhibits about navigation techniques and lighthouse keeper life.
World War II History
Follow the self-guided Jewish rescue trail through town to understand how locals helped 1,300 Danish Jews escape to Sweden in October 1943. The route takes you past the train station, through the church where 60 people hid in the loft, and to several safe houses. Bronze plaques with Hebrew text mark key locations. End at Museum Nordsjælland for detailed exhibits about the rescue operation.
Fresh Fish and Markets
Buy fish directly from the morning's catch at the harbor's fish stands. Common options include Norwegian lobster, salmon, plaice, and locally made fish cakes. Visit between 6:00 and 8:00 AM to see fishing boats unload their catch and watch buyers at the daily auction. Several smokehouses sell hot-smoked mackerel and herring throughout the day.
