Discover Hellerup

Hellerup can be explored through several distinct interests: landscaped gardens and cultural history sit alongside the beach and sailing. Local themes range from functionalist park design and changing art exhibitions to the history of social care. There is also a practical option for sailors by the water: at Hellerup Harbour, sailors from other harbours can moor for a visit and overnight stay by paying the harbour fee. When choosing where to go, you can weigh up whether garden art, historical themes, the beach or maritime activities should shape your stay.

Gardens and Park History

Hellerup Beach Park was designed by G.N. Brandt between 1912 and 1918 as Denmark’s first park based on functionalist ideas. The perennial garden was established in 1912 as part of Hellerup Beach Park and was also designed by Brandt. Today, it contains around 100 different perennials, representing hardy and lush plants. The rose garden was designed by G.N. Brandt and Professor Ewald Thomsen and inaugurated in 1918. The dates offer different points of reference: the perennial garden was established at the beginning of the park’s design period, while the rose garden was inaugurated in 1918. This makes it possible to distinguish the design period, the variety of plants and the two named garden types.

Øregaard Park was opened to the public in 1918. This is a distinct milestone in Hellerup’s park history and adds another location to the design history of Hellerup Beach Park. Those interested in the development of public green spaces will find several historical points of reference here, rather than just a single design.

Art and Cultural History

Øregaard Museum presents changing special exhibitions of Danish and international art. Sankt Lukas Museum has a different focus: it opened in 2014 with the aim of collecting and communicating the 125-year history of social care. Furniture, paintings, photographs and other objects tell the story of how Sankt Lukas Stiftelsen developed and carried out its work over time. The cultural themes are therefore clearly distinct: Øregaard Museum focuses on changing art exhibitions, while Sankt Lukas Museum explores the history and work of a social care institution.

Beach, Sailing and Harbour

Hellerup Beach offers plenty of sand, few stones and shallow water. A large playground with swings is another of the beach’s noted features. Hellerup Beach Park also offers sailing activities—a different way to enjoy the water than spending time at the beach. If you are choosing where to go based on specific interests, you can consider these beach features and sailing as two distinct points of reference.

Hellerup Harbour was built in 1909–1910. Sailors from other harbours can moor there for a visit and overnight stay by paying the harbour fee. For guests travelling in their own sailboat, the fee is a practical condition; it is best to check the details in advance. This connects the historic harbour with a practical option for visiting that is explicitly subject to the harbour fee.

Buildings and Quieter Places

Hellerup Cemetery is also used as a quiet park for the surrounding area. Its chapel was designed by architect Andreas Clemmesen and built in 1913. Hellerup Church was built in 1900 to plans by architect Thorvald Jørgensen. Comparing the construction years places the two buildings in context: the church dates from 1900 and the cemetery chapel from 1913. At the same time, the cemetery’s use as a quiet park offers a distinct point of reference alongside the beach and sailing. Hellerup’s cultural and garden themes therefore encompass not only exhibitions and landscaped grounds, but also specific buildings and different aspects of local history.

Discover more destinations: Gentofte, Klampenborg, Charlottenlund.

Go to the main travel overview: Gentofte.