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WHY GILLELEJE?
This is the main town on the northern stretch of the Danish Riviera, but Gilleleje still has a sleepy sophistication that is difficult to find elsewhere. The pace is slow and you might find it difficult to keep busy, but that isn't a problem, as the beaches in this part of Denmark are famous for their white sand. The local restaurants are all fish and seafood experts, and the enormous steak tartare smørrebrød at Restaurant Brasserie Gilleleje is fantastic. You would be a fool to think that the snail's pace of proceedings makes the town's inhabitants unaware of what goes on in this world: during Nazi occupation in 1943, Gilleleje and its people played a great and heroic part in rescuing almost all the Danish Jews from the Holocaust. Many were hid underneath the roof of the church (Gilleleje Kirke), which looks postcard-perfect on a hill overlooking the harbour, while waiting for boats to take them to across the water to Sweden. The church is visited all year round by travellers who want to pay their respect.
RESTAURANT BRASSERIE GILLELEJE
Nordre Havnevej 3, Gilleleje (00 45 48 30 21 30; www.brasseriet-gilleleje.dk).
GILLELEJE KIRKE
Gilleleje Hovedgade 43, Gilleleje (00 45 48 30 37 76).
WHERE TO STAY
Gilleleje Badehotel is a classic hotel, which has seen many grand guests come and go since it first opened in 1895. The beautiful four-storey building overlooks the sea (most days, the view stretches all the way to Sweden) and the stylishly simple interiors are elegant. The restaurant is good and guests can use the small spa and sauna for free - only massages cost extra.
GILLELEJE BADEHOTEL
Hulsovej 15, Gilleleje (00 48 30 13 47; www.gillelejebadehotel.dk).
FURTHER AFIELD
Helsingør, more famous in English as Elsinore and the set for Hamlet, is a picturesque town as close to the Swedish shore as you can get without flashing your passport. The train from Gilleleje to Helsingør takes 45 minutes and doesn't need to be pre-booked, and while you are there you should definitely visit Kronborg Castle along with some of the good little restaurants that line the harbour.
MORE INFORMATION
VISIT GRIBSKOV
Gilleleje Hovedgade 6F, Gilleleje (00 45 4830 0174; www.visitgribskov.dk). The local tourist office has information about Gilleleje and the rest of the municipality of Gribskov that it belongs to. The friendly staff will share their personal favourite places in the area with you if you feel like discovering more of the coast. |
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