Æbelholt Kloster & Klostermuseum
Explore atmospheric monastery ruins, a medicinal herb garden and a small but vivid museum that together reveal Æbelholt’s role as North Zealand’s medieval centre of healing.
Tucked into gentle farmland west of Hillerød, Æbelholt Kloster combines evocative monastery ruins, a fragrant medicinal herb garden and a compact museum that opens a window onto medieval healthcare. Once one of the largest Augustinian monasteries in Northern Europe and a renowned healing site linked to Saint Vilhelm, it now invites you to wander foundations, meet the skeletons of former patients and trace how stones from this powerful religious centre were later reused in grand Frederiksborg Castle.
A brief summary to Æbelholt Kloster - Museum Nordsjælland
- Æbelholt 4, Hillerød, 3400, DK
- +4572170240
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 3 hours
- Budget
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Saturday 11 am-4 pm
- Sunday 11 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Plan your museum visit between May and October when the indoor exhibition is open; outside these months you can still walk among the ruins and in the herb garden for free.
- Wear sturdy shoes, as paths around the ruins and through the surrounding fields are mostly grass and gravel and can be uneven after rain.
- Bring a light jacket, even in summer; the open fields around the monastery can be breezy and cooler than central Hillerød.
- Allow time to read the plant labels in the herb garden; many list traditional medical uses and add depth to what you see inside the museum.
- Combine your stop at Æbelholt with a visit to Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød to trace how stones from the monastery were reused in later royal architecture.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Regional train and bus from Copenhagen
From central Copenhagen, take an S-train on line A towards Hillerød, a journey of about 40–45 minutes. From Hillerød Station, connect to a regional bus towards Isterødvejen and alight at a stop near Æbelholt; the bus leg typically takes 10–20 minutes depending on route and waiting time. A standard adult ticket for the combined train and bus ride usually costs around 60–80 DKK one way with public transport tickets or travel card. Services run frequently on weekdays but are less frequent in evenings and on weekends, so check departure times in advance.
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Car from Hillerød and wider North Zealand
Driving from central Hillerød to Æbelholt Kloster typically takes 10–15 minutes along main regional roads, slightly longer in peak traffic. The route uses well-maintained paved roads and ends at a small parking area by the museum, which is free but can fill up on busy summer days and during special events. There are no tolls on the approach, and the final access is along narrow country lanes where you may need to drive slowly and watch for cyclists and farm vehicles.
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Cycling from Hillerød
From Hillerød, the ride to Æbelholt is roughly 5 kilometres and usually takes 20–30 minutes by bicycle at a moderate pace. The route follows a mix of smaller roads and cycle-friendly stretches, with gentle hills but no extreme gradients. Surfaces are mostly paved, though short sections may be on gravel near the site. This option suits visitors comfortable sharing rural roads with light traffic; bring lights and reflective gear if returning in the evening.
Æbelholt Kloster - Museum Nordsjælland location weather suitability
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Mild Temperatures
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Clear Skies
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Any Weather
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Æbelholt Kloster - Museum Nordsjælland
A medieval monastery in the North Zealand countryside
Æbelholt Kloster lies in rolling fields about five kilometres west of Hillerød, where a quiet landscape hides the remains of what was once one of the largest Augustinian monasteries in the Nordic region. Founded around 1175, the monastery grew up beside busy routes through North Zealand, offering hospitality to travellers as well as spiritual care to the local community. Today only low foundations and a few striking brick structures break the surface, but together with the surrounding fields they still sketch the outline of a once-impressive religious complex. Walking between the stone lines, you trace the footprint of church, cloister and convent buildings. Information panels and simple reconstructions help you imagine the height of vaulted ceilings, the echo of chanting and the bustle of lay people seeking help. The sense of space and sky is striking; even on a short visit, it is easy to picture the monastery as a self-contained world of prayer, medicine and manual work.Saint Vilhelm and a centre of healing
At the heart of Æbelholt’s story stands Abbot Vilhelm, an Augustinian canon whose reputation for piety and miracles drew pilgrims from far beyond North Zealand. After his death he was canonised in 1224 as Saint Vilhelm, sometimes called the saint of North Zealand, and tales of cures at his grave turned the monastery into a magnet for the sick and the desperate. For centuries, sickbeds here were filled with people hoping for both spiritual intercession and practical treatment. The monastery’s role as a hospital can still be read in the archaeology. Excavations in the 20th century uncovered around 800 graves, many showing clear traces of illness, injury and surgical intervention. These finds reveal a community that combined charity with surprisingly sophisticated medical knowledge for its time, blending learned traditions with local herbal lore.Ruins, skeletons and surgical tools in the museum
Beside the ruins stands a modest museum building erected in the mid-20th century specifically to house the finds from Æbelholt. Inside, display cases bring visitors face to face with some of the skeletons recovered from the cemetery, their bones bearing evidence of fractures, infections and healed operations. It is an unusually direct way to encounter individuals who once travelled here in search of healing or lived within the monastery walls. Alongside the human remains, a collection of medieval medical instruments and everyday objects evokes daily life in the infirmary and beyond. Metal tools hint at early surgery, while pottery, devotional items and personal belongings fill out the picture of a working religious community. Text and simple graphics explain how such objects were used, encouraging you to look closely at the fine details that survive despite the passing of centuries.The fragrant cloister garden of medicinal plants
Immediately next to the museum, the monastery garden has been replanted as a modern interpretation of a medieval herb garden. Around a network of paths, beds hold some one hundred species of medicinal and useful plants, their labels revealing Latin names and traditional uses. In summer the air is scented with sage, mint and other aromatic herbs, while bees and butterflies move constantly between the flowers. The garden functions as an open-air classroom on historical botany and pharmacy. Walking slowly along the beds, you can match plants to the ailments they were once believed to cure, from digestive troubles to wounds and fevers. Simple seating invites you to pause with a view across the ruins and surrounding fields, making the garden both an educational stop and a restful green space.Quiet paths, seasonal access and practical details
Beyond the formal garden, short and longer walking paths spread into the countryside, linking the ruin field with meadows and small patches of woodland. The terrain is generally gentle, though unpaved sections can be uneven after rain. It is easy to combine a focused museum visit with a short contemplative stroll, or to linger longer with a picnic among the wildflowers. The museum itself usually operates a seasonal schedule, opening roughly from May to October, while access to the outdoor ruins and herb garden remains free year-round. Entry to the museum exhibition is modestly priced, with adults paying a small fee and children and young people admitted without charge. The site is relatively compact but involves some walking on grass and gravel, and interior spaces include steps and narrow passages, making full wheelchair access challenging. Simple refreshments and a small shop round off the visit, underscoring the site’s dual identity as both an archaeological monument and a gentle rural escape.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Kirppu Hillerød
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Skänk øl, vin & madbar Hillerød
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Old town hall
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Hillerød Rectory
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Hillerød St.
6.3 km
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Kulsvierstenen
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Auderødlejren
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Gerlevparkens Venner
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Vaserne
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Arboretum
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Søndersø
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Unmissable attractions to see
Æbelholt Abby ruins
0.3 km
Evocative monastery ruins, a vivid small museum and a flourishing herb garden reveal centuries of healing, faith and everyday life in rural North Zealand.
Monkey World
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Mangholm økologisk besøgsgård og gårdbutik
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Esthers Have
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Strødam Engsø
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Pøleå bæver
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Fisketorvet
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Frederiksborg Castle Chapel
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The Museum of National History
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Frederiksborg Castle
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Posen
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Elværket Hillerød - Museum Nordsjælland
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Favrholm bird watching tower
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Slotsgade
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Frederiksborg Castle Gardens
5.7 km
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Essential places to dine
Restaurant Ellegården
2.5 km
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Bauhaus Grill
3.0 km
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Big Mamma Gastronomia
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Jensens Bøfhus
5.2 km
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9-Ni Sushi
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Casual running sushi and Chinese buffet on Slangerupgade, serving easygoing, all-you-can-eat comfort with a minimalist, family-friendly feel in central Hillerød.
Royal Taste
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Restaurant Royal Style
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Rabarbergaarden Slottet
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Ninos Pizza
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Rib House
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Roberto's 51
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Café Valentin
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Gonzales Cantina
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Café Kaiser
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Frederiksborgcentret's Restauranter ApS
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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ØnskeBørn
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Red Cross Op Shop
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Hyggelig Røde Kors genbrugsbutik i Hillerøds hovedgade, hvor du finder billige fund til garderobe og hjem – og samtidig støtter lokalt og internationalt hjælpearbejde.
Tingstedet
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Søs Tre
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Boutique Munck
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NORMAL
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SlotsArkaderne
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Holm Hillerød
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Pilgrim Hillerød Slotsarkaderne
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Karmen & Kamelia
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Frk. Fie
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Tøjeksperten
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JACK & JONES
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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The Old Irish Pub
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Tahonga Lounge
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Crane Brothers
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Jernstangen
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Oddies Beach Bar
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Kardusen
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12`er Pubben
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Gefion Bodega
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Head/Foam
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Joker Bar
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Pitten Sport Bar
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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Rytmisk Musikforening Steps Ahead
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Relaxing
- Unique
- Romantic
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
- Sacred Sites
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Protected Area
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
- Locally Managed
- Wildlife Habitat
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Mindfulness
- Nature Escape
- Day Trip
- Myth & Legends
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
