Herlev Municipality combines protected natural areas with an art gallery for Danish and international contemporary art. Herlev Festival Week brings music, stage entertainment and food from many different cuisines to the town centre. These different ways of exploring make Herlev an interesting destination if you want to discover landscapes, art and local events.
Wetlands and trails
The protected Hjortespringkilen comprises marshes, wooded thickets and several lakes with wildlife. You can explore the area on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. There are 2.4 kilometres of separate riding trails for horse riders. This lets you experience the landscape from different perspectives without treating the trails as if they were intended for just one type of use.
Træbanken is an arboretum with Danish trees and shrubs; information boards explain the different species. Træbanken also has a shelter for eight people and running water nearby. At Smør- and Fedtmosen, the focus is on birdlife: the areas serve as breeding and resting sites for almost 200 bird species.
Sømosen is a different type of wetland, characterised by stretches of water, reeds, and small islets and islands. Paths make it possible to walk around the wetland; the protected area covers 23 hectares. Its history is also remarkable: Sømosen is one of Denmark’s 25 known sacrificial bogs, where spoils of war were sacrificed.
In August 2026, Bakkegården Nature Park opened. Visitors can learn about nature and biodiversity outdoors among plants, water and wildlife. The park includes more than 500 different plant species or types. In Sansehaven in Hospitalsparken, different garden beds stimulate the senses. Den Grønne Akse is a green corridor for pedestrians and cyclists. Another public nature and play area is the playground in Hanevangsparken, equipped with, among other things, a basketball court, swings, a zip line and equipment for climbing and balancing.
Art, music and local history
Gammelgaard is an art gallery for Danish and international contemporary art. It presents four changing exhibitions each year; admission to the exhibitions is free. The gallery is located in one of the original farms in Hjortespring, which date back to the 1760s. Café Gammelgaard serves homemade cakes and light lunches. Musikparken, which belongs to Gammelgaard, offers the chance to play musical instruments outdoors.
Historic sites also give Herlev its own character. Herlev Church dates back to the Middle Ages and hosts several concerts of new and older music; individual concerts vary. Hjulmandens Hus was built in 1814 by wheelwright Peder Hansen. Herlev Kro, also known as Herløv Kro, opened in 1863. These dates tell of different chapters in the town’s history without reducing the sites to the same era.
Herlev Festival Week is a recurring opportunity to experience local life in the town centre: it takes place every year in calendar week 35. During the festival week, there are association stalls, music, stage entertainment and food from many different cuisines. If you want to plan your visit around the festival week, check the specific event dates.
Film and activities
Herlev Teaterbio shows films for everyone and is home to the film clubs Filmpaletten and Skolebio. Its facilities include a hearing loop, an accessible toilet and step-free access. Confirm these arrangements before your visit, as access conditions may change.
The public swimming pool Hjortespringbadet has four pools and an indoor waterslide. It also has a 34-degree therapy pool with a depth of 110 to 130 centimetres. Access is included with admission to the swimming centre; outside adult-only evening sessions, the pool is open to everyone. Since access times may change due to the programme and operating arrangements, check the current time slots before your visit.
At Herlev Skøjtehal, two ice rinks are connected; the training rink opened in September 2019. Since 1977, the rink has offered opportunities to play, train and compete on the ice. Skates can be rented in sizes 26 to 50; a limited number of skating aids for beginners are available. Check the availability of this equipment before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Herlev Municipality, Allerød Municipality, Hillerød Municipality, Rudersdal Municipality, Fredensborg, Albertslund, Halsnæs Municipality, Frederikssund.
Go to the main travel overview: Hovedstaden.
