Orø Kro – Country Inn Stay on Orø Island

On the small island of Orø in the Holbæk Fjord, right next to the old island church, stands Orø Kro. The inn was built around 1720, making it one of the oldest inns in West Zealand. Legend has it that the vicar's wife at the church was the one who first took the initiative to build the inn, and its location close to the church still bears witness to that connection. Today Orø Kro is a place where history, gastronomy and genuine island atmosphere come together in a setting that is hard to find anywhere else in Denmark.

An island with its own rhythm

Orø is a small island of just 14 square kilometres, and you notice it the moment you step off the ferry. There is no rush here, no motorways, no shopping centres. Instead there are quiet gravel roads, open fields stretching down to the water, birdsong and a sky that feels bigger than on the mainland. The island is reached by ferry from Holbæk on a short and beautiful crossing over the fjord, or from Hammer Bakke on the West Zealand coast, where the journey takes just a few minutes. The crossing itself is part of the experience — the fjord landscape opens up around you and the stress of everyday life is quite literally left behind.

The taste of the season

Orø Kro serves food that takes its starting point in seasonal ingredients and the traditions that have shaped Danish cuisine for generations. The kitchen balances classic Danish dishes with more contemporary gourmet interpretations, always with respect for the ingredients that are available right now. The inn offers stays where accommodation and dining are combined, and regularly hosts themed evenings that bring islanders and visiting guests together around long tables with fine food and drink. These are the kind of evenings where you easily strike up conversation with your neighbour and leave with the feeling of having been part of something special.

Historic rooms with soul

The inn's buildings bear the marks of many centuries of history. The low ceilings, thick walls and old wooden floors tell the story of a place that has seen generations of guests come and go. Yet the inn is no museum — it is a living place that evolves and adapts to new times without losing its soul. The charming courtyard is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine on a summer evening while the old cobblestones creak underfoot.

Experiences on Orø

The island is a paradise for those who love nature and tranquillity. Orø has a well-established network of paths and field tracks that lead to the island's many facets — from the flat agricultural landscape in the north to the more hilly and wooded areas to the south. The coastline offers quiet beaches where you often have the views entirely to yourself, and the bird towers along the fjord attract birdwatchers from across the country. Orø is also popular with cyclists, as the island's modest size makes it possible to complete the full circuit on a leisurely afternoon.

A base for exploring more

With the ferry back to Holbæk, yet more possibilities open up. Holbæk offers a museum, harbour life and historic streets, and a little further afield you will find Brorfelde Observatory, Tuse Næs and numerous walking trails through the hills and forests of West Zealand. Visit destinationsjaelland.dk for more suggestions for experiences in the region — and consider making Orø Kro your peaceful anchor point in the midst of it all.