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Baadfarten Historic Lake Boat Tours, Lyngby

Historic wooden boats, tranquil lakes and forested shores combine on this leisurely North Zealand cruise just outside Copenhagen.

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Baadfarten’s classic wooden boats glide across Lyngby Lake, along the serene Mølleåen stream and around Bagsværd Lake, just north of Copenhagen. Operating since the 1890s, these low, open vessels connect lakeside jetties, parks and forest trails, letting you combine leisurely cruising with walks, picnics and art stops at places like Sophienholm and Aldershvile. It is an easy half‑day escape into nature from the city.

A brief summary to Baadfarten Boat Tour

  • Sorgenfrivej 23, Lyngby, 2800, DK
  • +4532963000
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1 to 3 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Tuesday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Buy a day ticket so you can hop on and off at different jetties to explore parks, trails and Sophienholm without watching the clock.
  • Bring layers and a light windproof jacket; the boats are open-sided and it can feel cooler on the water even on warm days.
  • Aim for a morning or late-afternoon departure for softer light, calmer conditions and better chances of spotting birdlife.
  • Pack a simple picnic and water; while there are cafés at some stops, options can be limited on quieter weekdays.
  • Check the current timetable and seasonal sailing dates in advance, as routes, departure times and operating days vary through the season.
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Getting There

  • S-train and short walk from central Copenhagen

    From Copenhagen Central or Nørreport, take S-train line A toward Hillerød or line E toward Holte and ride to Lyngby Station, a journey of about 18–22 minutes. Trains run frequently throughout the day and a standard single ticket within the Greater Copenhagen zones typically costs around 30–40 DKK. From Lyngby Station it is an easy 10–15 minute walk on mostly level pavements to the Baadfarten ticket house near Sorgenfrivej 23. This option is suitable for most visitors, though those with limited mobility may prefer a bus or taxi from the station.

  • Local bus within Lyngby-Taarbæk

    If you are already in the Lyngby area, several local bus routes connect residential districts and Lyngby town centre to stops within walking distance of Sorgenfrivej. Travel times vary between 10 and 25 minutes depending on your starting point and traffic. A single bus ticket within the local zones usually costs about 24–30 DKK, and buses generally have low-floor access, making them convenient for families with strollers. Expect a short walk on paved paths from the nearest stop to the lakeshore.

  • Cycling from Copenhagen or surrounding suburbs

    Confident cyclists can follow marked cycle routes from Copenhagen’s northern districts to Kongens Lyngby, then continue to Lyngby Lake. The ride from inner Copenhagen typically takes 40–60 minutes one way, depending on your starting point and pace, and uses a mix of dedicated bike lanes and quieter roads. This option is free aside from any bike rental costs and suits those comfortable with urban cycling. Near Sorgenfrivej you will find informal spots to lock your bike before boarding the boat.

  • Taxi or rideshare from Copenhagen

    For a direct and comfortable journey, a taxi or rideshare from central Copenhagen to Sorgenfrivej 23 usually takes 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. Fares commonly fall in the 250–400 DKK range one way. This is the most convenient option for small groups, travellers with limited mobility or those on a tight schedule, but be aware that costs rise at peak times and there is limited dedicated parking space right by the lakeshore for drop-off and pick-up.

Baadfarten Boat Tour location weather suitability

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Timeless wooden boats on Copenhagen’s northern lakes

Baadfarten has carried passengers across the lakes north of Copenhagen since the 1890s, and you feel that history the moment you step aboard. The boats are long, low wooden vessels with bench seating, open to the breeze and covered by a simple roof for shade and shelter. Two of them, charmingly named Princess Alexandrine and Prince Christian, date from the 1890s and still work their daily routes, linking the shores of Lyngby Lake, the winding Mølleåen and Bagsværd Lake. Departing from the ticket house at Sorgenfrivej in Kongens Lyngby, the boats ease away from the pier at a gentle pace. There is no engine roar here – just the soft hum of the motor, the creak of timbers and the slap of water on the hull. The atmosphere is unhurried and nostalgic, recalling a time when a boat outing was a Sunday ritual for Copenhageners seeking fresh air.

Lyngby Lake and the quiet bends of Mølleåen

Lyngby Lake forms the heart of the experience, a broad sheet of water framed by reeds, willows and low forest. From the open sides of the boat you can watch grebes diving, coots fussing near their nests and, in summer, dragonflies skimming the surface. The lake’s shoreline is dotted with small jetties and footpaths, hinting at the network of walking routes that radiate into the surrounding nature. From the lake, the route follows Mølleåen, a narrow, meandering stream shaped in the wake of the Ice Age and later deepened as part of Copenhagen’s defensive works. The channel closes in here, with trees leaning over the water and reflections rippling like a green tunnel. It feels surprisingly secluded despite being only a short journey from the capital, and the slow speed of the boat suits the intimate, almost canal‑like scenery.

Bagsværd Lake, parks and cultural shorelines

Emerging from the stream, the boat reaches Bagsværd Lake, long known as a hub for rowing and water sports. On some days sleek racing shells slice past the tour boat, their oars rising and falling in strict rhythm. The contrast between silent woodland stretches and this energetic, athletic setting adds another layer to the trip, showing how the lakes serve both recreation and relaxation. Along the shore lie green spaces and historic estates such as Aldershvile Park and Sophienholm. Here manicured lawns meet the water, and classical buildings peek through the trees. Sophienholm doubles as an exhibition and concert venue with a café, making it an inviting place to step ashore for art, music or a lakeside lunch before continuing your journey on a later boat. The hop‑on, hop‑off style timetable encourages you to treat the lakes as a string of mini‑excursions rather than a single cruise.

Nature trails, birdlife and waterside walks

The jetties and stops around the route open up a web of trails that reward unhurried exploration. Paths such as Prinsessestien and other lakeside tracks weave through alder swamp, mixed woodland and open meadows. In these quieter corners you may spot deer slipping between the trees, hear woodpeckers tapping out their rhythm, or catch the evening chorus of frogs and toads in the marshy margins. Boarding again, you see the same landscapes from a different angle, watching walkers and cyclists trace the shoreline while you glide past at water level. The rich birdlife is a constant presence: herons stalking in the shallows, swans shepherding their cygnets, and flocks of gulls circling overhead. The interplay between land and water, trail and boat, makes Baadfarten an engaging way to experience this pocket of North Zealand’s nature.

Planning your time on the water

A typical full round‑trip on Lyngby Lake, Mølleåen and Bagsværd Lake takes around 75 minutes, but a day ticket allows you to stretch the outing into a leisurely half‑day or longer. You can bring simple picnic supplies, disembark to explore a park or forest loop, then catch a later sailing from another jetty. The season generally runs from late spring to early autumn, with more frequent departures in high summer and no sailings on Mondays. Most visitors spend between one and three hours between sailing and shore time, though keen walkers and families can easily make a whole afternoon of it. Basic refreshments are often available near the Sorgenfrivej ticket house, and the boats themselves are designed for calm conditions rather than high seas, making the trip suitable for a wide range of ages. It is a gentle, local‑feeling excursion that pairs well with a stay in Copenhagen or a wider exploration of North Zealand.

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