Højbyen, Kalundborg’s Medieval Upper Town

Medieval Kalundborg on a hilltop: a lens-shaped upper town of cobbles, colorful houses and a unique five-towered church overlooking the fjord.

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Højbyen Kalundborg

Højbyen is the atmospheric medieval upper town of Kalundborg, perched above the modern city on Zealand’s west coast. Planned in the late 12th century, its lens-shaped street grid gathers around the unique five-towered Church of Our Lady and a cluster of historic houses, cobbled lanes and half-timbered facades. This compact hilltop quarter offers a rare, intact glimpse of Denmark’s Middle Ages, with quiet streets, harbor views and layers of trading, crusading and ecclesiastical history.

A brief summary to Højbyen Kalundborg

Adelgade 18, Kalundborg, 4400, DK
+4530794861
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Wear comfortable shoes with good grip; many streets are cobbled, gently sloping and can be slick in wet weather.
Plan your visit to coincide with the opening hours of the Church of Our Lady and Kalundborg Museum to see interiors as well as the streetscape.
Bring a light windproof layer, as the hilltop can feel breezier and cooler than the lower parts of town even on mild days.
Photographers should aim for early morning or late afternoon, when angled light emphasizes brick textures and pastel facades.
Respect residents’ privacy by avoiding close-up photos of private homes and keeping noise levels low in the quieter lanes.

Getting There

Train and short uphill walk from Kalundborg Station

From Kalundborg Station, regular regional trains connect with larger Zealand towns including Copenhagen, typically in about 1.5 hours and costing roughly 120–180 DKK one way in standard class. On arrival, Højbyen lies within the central urban area and can be reached on foot in around 10–20 minutes depending on pace. The approach involves steady uphill sections and cobblestones, which may be challenging for those with limited mobility but is manageable for most walkers year-round except in icy conditions.
Local bus within Kalundborg and gentle walk

Kalundborg’s local buses link residential districts and the harbor area with stops in or near the town center, with typical journeys of 5–20 minutes and single tickets usually around 20–30 DKK depending on distance. Services are less frequent in evenings and on weekends, so check timetables in advance. From central stops in the lower town it is still necessary to walk uphill to reach Højbyen along paved streets; allow about 10–15 minutes on foot and be prepared for gradients and cobbled surfaces.
Car or taxi within Kalundborg

If you arrive in Kalundborg by car via Zealand’s main roads, driving across town to the vicinity of Højbyen normally takes 5–15 minutes depending on traffic. Parking in the central districts is generally available but may be time-limited close to the historic area, so look for designated public parking and be ready to continue on foot up to the upper town. Taxis within Kalundborg usually cover central trips in 5–10 minutes, with typical fares in the range of 70–150 DKK depending on distance and time of day.

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Discover more about Højbyen Kalundborg

A Medieval Hilltop Quarter Above the Harbor

Højbyen – literally “the High Town” – crowns a low hill above Kalundborg’s harbor, forming the city’s medieval heart. Laid out in the late 12th century as a planned fortified town, it still follows a distinctive lens-shaped street pattern that sets it apart from surrounding neighborhoods. Narrow lanes such as Adelgade and Præstegade curve softly along the hilltop, edged by closely packed houses whose gables step down toward the water. From here you sense how the upper town once controlled both land and sea approaches. Glimpses of the fjord between rooftops underline Højbyen’s historic role as a Baltic trading hub, while the compact scale and enclosed feel hint at its former life behind ramparts and castle walls.

The Five-Towered Church at the Center

At the core of Højbyen stands the Church of Our Lady, Kalundborg’s extraordinary five-towered brick church. Built in the early 13th century, it rises like a compact fortress-cathedral, with a central tower ringed by four corner towers arranged in a Greek cross ground plan. The design is often linked to the Biblical vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem, and remains unique in Denmark. The church’s warm red brick, heavy buttresses and narrow, high windows give it a distinctly Romanesque character. Step back along Adelgade and you see the towers assembling into an almost castle-like silhouette above the roofs. Inside, when open, the high nave, simple decoration and cool light emphasize the building’s medieval origins and the wealth and ambition that shaped Kalundborg in the age of crusades.

Cobbled Streets, Half-Timbered Houses and Quiet Corners

Wandering Højbyen’s streets is like walking through a concentrated anthology of Danish town architecture from the 15th to 17th centuries. Cobbles underfoot lead past plastered houses in muted yellows and pinks, classic red brick facades and occasional half-timbered walls with dark beams and white infill. In summer, hollyhocks and climbing roses soften doorways and stone steps. Among the most striking buildings are former clergy residences, merchants’ homes and later civic buildings, many with steep roofs and intricate door surrounds. Around the church you find the former vicarage and other ecclesiastical properties, while nearby stands Lindegården, housing Kalundborg Museum, which delves deeper into local history when open. Small details – carved lintels, old wooden gates, uneven brickwork – reward slow, observant exploration.

Traces of Fortifications and Forgotten Castles

Højbyen was once protected by walls and dominated by the stronghold of Vestborgen, a castle founded by Esbern Snare, an influential 12th-century nobleman. Although the fortifications and much of the castle were dismantled in the 15th century and their stone reused elsewhere in the town, the hilltop topography and street pattern still echo this defensive past. Archaeological work in the 20th century rediscovered the ruins of Vestborgen beyond the church and museum area. While the remains are modest, knowing that a long-lost castle stood here adds an extra layer of imagination to any walk through the upper town. The sense of a once-strategic place, later partly forgotten and then quietly preserved, is part of Højbyen’s charm.

A Calm, Lived-In Quarter in Today’s Kalundborg

Despite its historical importance, Højbyen remains a residential neighborhood as much as a sight. You are likely to share the streets with locals walking dogs or carrying groceries rather than tour groups. This everyday calm, especially outside peak summer weekends, makes the quarter feel authentic and unforced. From select spots near the church and along the hill’s edges, you can look down over the modern town, harbor installations and the fjord beyond, linking Kalundborg’s medieval past to its contemporary role as a port and industrial center. Visiting Højbyen is less about ticking off a single monument and more about absorbing the atmosphere of an unusually intact Danish medieval townscape in a compact, easily explored setting.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Our Lady Church

0.1 km

A medieval masterpiece with five towers symbolizing the Heavenly Jerusalem—architecturally unique and spiritually profound.

The eltest city hall

0.1 km

A modest medieval town hall in Kalundborg’s Højbyen, where centuries of local power, trade and everyday life still echo in cobbled streets and weathered walls.

Danhostel Kalundborg

0.3 km

Experience the vibrant heart of Helsingborg at Sundstorget, where culture, dining, and shopping converge in a picturesque square.

Kalundborg Slot

0.3 km

An invisible castle at the centre of Kalundborg, where streets, stories and subtle traces reveal the outline of a vanished medieval stronghold.

Mindesmærke for Jørgen Manniche

0.4 km

A solemn memorial to an innocent young life lost in the final moments of WWII liberation.

Kalundborg St.

0.6 km

Experience the heart of Helsingborg at Sundstorget, a vibrant square blending history and modernity near the Northern Harbour.

Lerchenborg Gods

3.0 km

An impeccably symmetrical Baroque–Rococo manor near Kalundborg, where preserved architecture, parkland and quiet countryside evoke centuries of Danish noble life.

Befrielsessten i Kallerup

4.8 km

A solemn Danish liberation memorial honoring the end of Nazi occupation in May 1945.

Træ-cirklerne ved Birkendegård

7.4 km

Subtle traces in the fields east of Kalundborg reveal a vast Neolithic ring monument, Denmark’s “Stonehenge”, encircling the hill of Overdrevsbakken.

Landmarket Horsedalen

8.5 km

Rare flora and exceptional light in a protected Danish valley.

Stendysse ved Blæsinge

28.7 km

A modest Neolithic stone tomb in the fields near Blæsinge, offering a quiet roadside glimpse into western Zealand’s Stone Age landscape and rituals.

Breddysse Stones

29.1 km

A modest Neolithic dolmen in the fields near Slagelse, where ancient burial stones, open skies, and quiet farmland meet in a quietly powerful landscape.

RAF Memorial Stone

29.3 km

Small rural monument, big wartime story: a quiet Danish field where seven RAF airmen are remembered with a single steadfast stone.

Ballen Strandpark - Ferielejligheder og feriehus

31.3 km

Experience coastal bliss at Ballen Strandpark on Samsø: stunning sea views, direct beach access, and charming apartments near Ballen harbor, perfect for a relaxing island getaway.

Ballen Strandpark - Ferielejligheder og feriehus

The small Summer Hotel

31.6 km

Experience authentic Danish seaside charm at The Small Summer Hotel in Ballen, Samsø, offering cozy accommodations and a perfect base for exploring the island's natural beauty and vibrant culture.

Unmissable attractions to see

The Bishop's House

0.1 km

Historic bishop’s residence turned intimate art venue, where medieval brickwork, vaulted cellars and changing exhibitions bring Kalundborg’s past into quiet focus.

Kalundborg Museum

0.1 km

Intimate town museum in historic Kalundborg, uncovering western Zealand’s medieval, Viking and crusader past through atmospheric rooms and focused exhibitions.

Vestborgen

0.2 km

Grassy ramparts, low stone traces and harbor views tell the quiet story of Esbern Snare’s vanished 12th‑century fortress above medieval Kalundborg.

Kaalund Monastery

0.3 km

A warm yellow former monastery in Kalundborg’s High Town, where 13th‑century Franciscan roots meet an 18th‑century manor façade and today’s civic life.

Kalundborg Local Library

0.3 km

Preserve and explore Kalundborg's rich medieval heritage through centuries of local documents and historical collections.

1501 Klosterparken

0.4 km

Discover the atmospheric Røsnæs Strandpark Jættestue, a Neolithic burial chamber set in scenic coastal meadows near Kalundborg, where ancient history meets wild Nordic landscapes.

Postgaarden Kalundborg Event og Musikhus

0.4 km

Historic post house turned modern event hub, Postgaarden is Kalundborg’s go-to address for comedy, concerts and celebrations on lively Kordilgade.

Postgaarden Kalundborg Event og Musikhus

Gryden

0.5 km

A small green amphitheatre tucked into Møllebakken’s slopes, where Kalundborg’s everyday park life meets open-air concerts and quiet hillside views.

Solskinspladsen, Kordilgade

0.6 km

A small sunlit square on Kalundborg’s main street, Solskinspladsen swaps a vanished town house for cobbles, daylight and an easy pause between shops and hillside.

Mindesmærke for Ove Rode

0.6 km

A life‑size bronze bust of statesman Ove Rode crowns Kalundborg’s Møllebakketrappen, blending political memory, pocket‑park calm and sweeping views over town and harbour.

Befrielsessten i Kalundborg

0.6 km

Experience Denmark’s maritime heritage at Dragør Havn, where colorful historic cottages and a lively fishing harbor offer authentic coastal charm near Copenhagen.

Vandtårnet på Møllebakken

0.8 km

Historic red water tower crowning Kalundborg’s former mill hill, offering green parkland and sweeping views over the medieval town and Kalundborg Fjord.

Kalundborg Rocker

0.9 km

Open-air rock and pop festival on Kalundborg’s Gisseløre peninsula, where coastal views, radio masts and big-stage sound merge into one high-energy summer weekend.

Gisseløre gamle fyr

1.2 km

Step back in time at Dragør Havn, a charming Danish harbour boasting rich maritime heritage, picturesque streets, fresh seafood, and bustling local life.

Troldedyssen

3.9 km

A modest Stone Age burial mound in the Kalundborg countryside, Troldedyssen offers a quiet, atmospheric glimpse into Denmark’s Neolithic past.

Casual neighborhood grill in Kalundborg serving classic Danish barbecue favorites, ideal for a quick weekday lunch, early dinner or easy takeaway stop.

Kalundborg's premier women's fashion boutique offering curated designer collections and personalized styling.

Essential bars & hidden hideouts

Kalundborg Jazzclub

0.3 km

Intimate volunteer-run blues and jazz club in central Kalundborg, keeping a 1960s live music legacy alive with close-up concerts and warm community spirit.

Cafe Lillebælt

0.4 km

Cozy Kalundborg café-bar blending everyday Danish hygge, simple comfort food and drinks, and a neighborhood atmosphere a short stroll from the harbor.

Kontoret

0.4 km

Kalundborg's inclusive waterfront bar where locals and visitors gather for drinks, food, and genuine social connection.

King's Pub

0.5 km

Traditional small-town pub on Kalundborg’s main street, serving straightforward drinks, local character and unpretentious evening atmosphere.

Slotskældergården

0.7 km

Unpretentious Danish bar on Kalundborg’s main street, offering cold beer, warm light and a glimpse of everyday local life along Kordilgade.

Shooters

0.8 km

Kalundborg’s lively bar and disco club serving up music, drinks, and authentic small-town Danish nightlife on weekends.

Next Door Pool Bar

0.8 km

Casual pool and sports bar on Kalundborg’s Kordilgade, mixing easygoing drinks, live games on screen and friendly competition around the pool tables.

Delfinen Bodega

11.7 km

Unpolished village pub in rural Eskebjerg, where cold beers, card games, and casual conversation capture the essence of classic Danish bodega culture.

rullen

32.5 km

Casual festival bar in the heart of Samsø Festival, where cold drinks, sea air and relaxed island vibes create a warm pause between concerts.

Garagen

32.6 km

Laid-back island bar in the woods of Strandskoven, blending rustic charm, simple drinks and live music with the easy coastal rhythm of Samsø.

Vinkapellet Samsø

33.5 km

Cosy island wine bar in Brundby specialising in organic, biodynamic and natural wines, where intimate surroundings and slow Samsø evenings invite lingering conversations.

The Red Rubin

34.8 km

Cozy, no‑nonsense neighborhood bar in central Slagelse, serving straightforward drinks and a relaxed local vibe from daytime until the early hours.

Cafe 23

34.9 km

Low‑key, old‑school brown bar in central Slagelse, serving inexpensive drinks and a slice of everyday Danish nightlife in a worn but welcoming setting.

Teater Cafe'en

35.0 km

Cosy neighbourhood bar in central Slagelse, blending café calm by day with a sociable, theatre-tinged bar atmosphere late into the weekend nights.

Cafe Viking.

35.1 km

Unpretentious local bar in central Slagelse, serving inexpensive drinks and everyday Danish pub atmosphere from midday into the late evening.

Nightclubs & after hour spots

Juviklubben

0.6 km

Intimate Kalundborg live music hub and youth club, where generations meet for close-up concerts, casual bar nights and a laid-back, community-driven vibe.

Swingergaarden

37.2 km

Discreet countryside swingers club near Slagelse, offering themed adult nights, intimate play spaces and a rules-based, consent-focused environment for open-minded guests.

Club El Diablo

39.0 km

Adults-only entertainment venue offering a discreet, welcoming atmosphere for private social experiences.

KJ's bodel

44.8 km

Laid‑back local nightspot on Nyborg’s main square, mixing simple drinks, sociable bar chatter and a compact dance floor in an unpretentious setting.

Stay by Stage

45.5 km

Experience authentic Danish hospitality at Stay by Stage in Nordby, Samsø Island.

Muzirkus

45.9 km

Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.

Dance Odense, Funen Square Dance Club

53.1 km

Community-driven square dancing in a cozy Odense neighborhood hall, where callers, patterns and shared rhythm turn an ordinary evening into a friendly social event.

BUTCHERS Odense

53.5 km

High-energy nightclub on Odense’s Overgade, mixing pounding bass, lights and late-night drinks in a central old-town setting steps from major sights.

Boogie Dance Café

53.7 km

Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.

Dansebar Odense

54.0 km

Lively central Odense nightclub with mainstream hits, colorful lights and a sociable dance floor vibe from late evening into the early hours.

Carlsens Kvarter

54.2 km

Atmospheric pub in Odense C, offering unmatched hygge, an impressive selection of craft beers, and a welcoming local vibe in a characterful historic setting.

The slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus

54.3 km

Experience industrial-cool nights, live music, and eclectic parties at The Slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus, Odense’s dynamic hub for nightlife and contemporary culture.

Heidi's Bier Bar Odense

54.3 km

Dance on tables, drink large beers, and celebrate Alpine-style year-round in Odense's most uninhibited nightclub.

Danseriet

62.3 km

Frivilligdrevet danseklub i Roskilde med stort dansegulv, livebands og hyggelig stemning for danseglade gæster på tværs af aldre og niveauer.

Ahl Strand, Mols Mountains National Park

62.5 km

Explore Ahl Strand, a serene sandy beach near Ebeltoft in Mols Bjerge National Park, where pine forests, shallow seas, and nature create a uniquely Danish coastal escape.

Ahl Strand, Mols Mountains National Park

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Højbyen, Kalundborg’s Medieval Upper Town

A brief summary to Højbyen Kalundborg

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Train and short uphill walk from Kalundborg Station

Local bus within Kalundborg and gentle walk

Car or taxi within Kalundborg

Højbyen Kalundborg location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Højbyen Kalundborg

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Book tours with entry

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Discover more about Højbyen Kalundborg

A Medieval Hilltop Quarter Above the Harbor

The Five-Towered Church at the Center

Cobbled Streets, Half-Timbered Houses and Quiet Corners

Traces of Fortifications and Forgotten Castles

A Calm, Lived-In Quarter in Today’s Kalundborg

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Our Lady Church

The eltest city hall

Danhostel Kalundborg

Kalundborg Slot

Mindesmærke for Jørgen Manniche

Kalundborg St.

Lerchenborg Gods

Befrielsessten i Kallerup

Træ-cirklerne ved Birkendegård

Landmarket Horsedalen

Stendysse ved Blæsinge

Breddysse Stones

RAF Memorial Stone

Ballen Strandpark - Ferielejligheder og feriehus

The small Summer Hotel

Unmissable attractions to see

The Bishop's House

Kalundborg Museum

Vestborgen

Kaalund Monastery

Kalundborg Local Library

1501 Klosterparken

Postgaarden Kalundborg Event og Musikhus

Gryden

Solskinspladsen, Kordilgade

Mindesmærke for Ove Rode

Befrielsessten i Kalundborg

Vandtårnet på Møllebakken

Kalundborg Rocker

Gisseløre gamle fyr

Troldedyssen

Essential places to dine

Kalundborg Halls Restaurant

Mysteriøs Middagsmåltid

Asgers Fisk

Rhodos Restaurant & Pizzeria

Byens Pizza og Grillbar

SKØL Brygkompagni

Bangkok-Thai Restaurant

Tony's Pizza & Grill

Asgers bar

Havkatten

HavneGrillen 4400

Hop In Cafe

Den Blå Elefant - Streetfood & Cafe

La Viva

Grillen I Vænget

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Rønnebær

Kalundborg Bogbyer

TEKSTUR

Candy Shop

Penselstrøg Krea Café

Bog & idé

Afrodite

Bahne

The Middle East Market

Anni Wear

Din Tøjmand Kalundborg

H&M