I visited an idyllic seaside town less than 1 hour from the ‘world’s most liveable city'

There’s an abundance of cities across Europe that boast swathes of picturesque coastlines, but Denmark was one of the last places I expected to find a tranquil seaside town. Having visited Copenhagen twice before, my view of Denmark was limited to efficient cycling lanes, stylish coffee shops and great shopping.

But on a more recent trip over, a friend introduced me to Hornbaek, a seaside town just an hour from the Danish capital that’s often referred to as the Copenhagen Riviera. Recently named the world’s most liveable city, Copenhagen is arguably even more liveable thanks to its proximity to this idyllic beach that’s a popular holiday home destination for Danes looking to get a break from the city.

While the mention of second homes might conjure up images of Salcombe in Devon or Falmouth in Cornwall overrun with city-dwellers in flashy houses and big cars, let me assure you that Hornbaek is far from this.

Known for being laidback, the houses here are traditional wooden cottages, and much of the town is surrounded by peaceful woodlands that you can walk through, with paths that conveniently take you right out to the supermarket.

When I visited in September, I was stunned at how tranquil the town was, with nearly 3km of golden sand beaches looking out over the Baltic Sea.

Although the beach wasn’t majorly different, or necessarily better than the beaches you get here in the UK, walking further along the beach as it met with the woodlands felt serene, and like a real escape into nature.

While it was slightly too cold for me to swim at this time of year, there were plenty of brave locals going for a dip, and visiting in September as the long summer draws to an end meant the sunsets were incredible.

Many of Europe’s popular seaside towns can feel like more of a hassle than a holiday, especially during the peak seasons when everyone has the same idea to get down to the nearest beach.

Going in September meant it was also free of crowds, and there was little to do besides wander along the beach with friends and relax in the cottage we were staying in, which is what holidays should be about.

Although we didn’t get up to much, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do. The town is home to a street food market called Det Fedtede Hjørne, a coastal bike track and in recent years, the beach has become a popular surf spot.

It’s easy to stick to the city when going on holiday, but there’s often so much worth exploring beyond this that it can show you a side to a country you never even knew existed.

A one-hour drive from Copenhagen, we got the train to Hornbæk, and although it required switching trains at Helsingør Station, it was incredibly straightforward. It seems efficient transport is one thing you’re guaranteed to get whenever you go to Denmark.