[1] Hornbæk was originally a small fishing village around a natural harbour.

In 1706, as the first of a number of Danish reforestation initiatives, the Hornbæk Plantage was planted east of the village to prevent entrainment of the sandy soils.

[2] In the late 18th century, it was common practice for people from Copenhagen to spend their summers in the countryside north of the city and a number of artists began lodging in Hornbæk, either in the local inns or privately.

She went to Hornbæk alone and he later followed but they left after he attacked a photographer who wanted to take a picture of Bosse in her bathing costume.

[4][3] When the Hornbæk Railway Line was inaugurated on 22 May 1906, the town was invaded by tourists.