Havnsoe Sejeroe

The Ferry to Sejerø – Gateway to a Hidden Kattegat Gem

From Havnsø Harbour on the west coast of Kalundborg Municipality, the ferry to Sejerø runs year-round. The crossing takes just over an hour, and from the deck the island reveals itself gradually – a long, low silhouette in the Kattegat with gentle hills, salt meadows and a lighthouse marking its eastern tip. For many visitors, the voyage itself is part of the experience, and there is every reason to stay at the railing for the entire trip.

Havnsø – More Than Just a Departure Point

Havnsø is a small fishing village with an active harbour where the ferry services to Sejerø and Nekselø set the rhythm of daily life. The harbour has kept its authentic character – fishing boats, drying nets and a couple of kiosks selling freshly caught shrimps in season. Free parking is available close to the ferry terminal, and any waiting time can be spent walking along the pier or having a coffee with a view across the open water.

The landscape around Havnsø was shaped by the ice age – rolling moraine hills with fields, living hedgerows and sea views in several directions. Føllenslev and nearby Særslev are quiet villages with medieval churches and a rural atmosphere that feels worlds away from the city, even though Copenhagen is only ninety minutes by car to the east.

Sejerø – An Island With Its Own Rhythm

Sejerø is one of those Danish small islands that still sustains a living year-round community with a school, a general store and an active social life. The island stretches nearly 10 kilometres in length and is so narrow that you are never more than a couple of hundred metres from the sea. This gives the island a very particular quality of light and a constant sense of being surrounded by water, no matter where you stand.

Sejerby, the main village, sits centrally with a small square, a medieval church and the Sejerø Brugsforening – the island's meeting point and shop rolled into one. From here, gravel roads and footpaths spread out across the island – towards the lighthouse in the east, the wild salt meadows in the west, and down to the small sandy beaches that hide along the north coast.

Nature and Landscape on Sejerø

The island's nature is surprisingly varied for such a small piece of land. The eastern section is dominated by Sejerø Lighthouse and the surrounding dry grassland, where rare plants and butterflies thrive in the chalky soil. To the west, the landscape opens into expansive salt meadows where wading birds rest during their spring and autumn migrations. White-tailed eagles are regularly seen circling above the island, and in the quiet bays along the coast you may spot seals basking on the sandbanks with a bit of luck.

Sejerø Bay, the stretch of water between the island and the mainland, is known for its clear water and excellent bathing conditions. The beach at Kongstrup on the island's north side is one of the finest – broad, sandy and with a gentle slope that makes it particularly suitable for families with children. The water is clean and calm, and the views stretch across the bay towards Sjællands Odde and Hesselø.

History and Culture on a Small Island

Sejerø has been inhabited for thousands of years, and the island holds several Bronze Age burial mounds. The church in Sejerby dates from the 13th century and stands as one of the best-preserved examples of Romanesque church architecture in the region. In more recent times, the island has attracted artists and writers drawn by the light, the silence and the distinctive island life that still shapes everyday existence here.

The island's small museum tells the story of fishing, farming and daily life through the centuries. It is a place where you truly sense how life on a Danish small island has shaped both the people and the landscape in close interplay with the sea and the weather.

Experiences Around Havnsø

Havnsø lies in the northwestern part of Kalundborg Municipality, an area with plenty of opportunities for nature experiences and cultural visits. To the south lies the town of Kalundborg with its famous five-towered church and a lively harbour front. Eastward, the roads wind through the hilly landscape around Bjergsted and Føllenslev, where you can walk along field paths with wide views across the fjord and the open countryside.

For those who want to explore more of West and South Zealand, the region offers everything from Viking finds and medieval castles to coastal cliffs, forests and charming market towns. Visit destinationsjaelland.dk for inspiration on more experiences across the area.