A Day Trip to Kronborg Castle from Copenhagen
"To be or not to be?".... If you’re staying in Copenhagen for long enough to take a day trip, then here’s a great historical day out that also won’t break the bank. Simply grab your backpack and hop on a train to the majestic Kronborg Castle in Helsingør. Just 40 minutes north of the city, this seaside fortress is one of Denmark’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites - and famously the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Yep, this is the famous bard’s Elsinore Castle (or Helsingør in Danish).
Not only is Kronborg an important military site and famed by literature, but it also had a long royal history. There are free walking tours daily (10.45, 12.45 & 14.45 in English) where you can find out all of its secrets! It’s also just an interesting place to visit, set on the outcrop of land overlooking the sea, and landscaped on a star shaped fort. It’s lovely all year round but also looks very theatrical in the snow!
Photos courtesy of Kongelige Slotte Press photos, Header Photograph and below courtesy of Thomas Rahbek, Kronborg Press Office
Getting There is Super Easy
Firstly you need to get there - and it’s super simple. From Copenhagen Central Station (or Nørreport), trains leave every 20 minutes to Helsingør and the ride costs around 100 DKK each way (covered if you’ve got a City Pass or Rejsekort - tap in and tap out). In under an hour you’ll be stepping off the train, and from Helsingør Station it’s just a 10-minute walk to the castle. The path takes you through the harbour - and on a clear day you can see Sweden just 4 km across the water! This is one of the reasons for the strategic castle location…
Exploring Hamlet’s Castle
Kronborg was originally built in the 1420s and has seen its share of fires, royal parties, and Swedish invasions. Today, it’s part military fortress, part Renaissance palace, and 100% worth exploring. Inside, you’ll find stylish royal rooms a long with the rather less pretty dungeon!
The Ballroom – one of the largest in Northern Europe! This ballroom would have once filled with royalty, historical drama and of course feasting and dancing. Have a twirl yourself across the impressive floor!
The Royal Apartments – wander through where Danish kings and queens lived in style - there is envious interior decor!
The Casemates – These are the creepy hiding places beneath the castle and the grounds - spooky underground tunnels where soldiers would lie in wait.
The Chapel - surviving since 1582, complete with intricate wood carvings.
And if you visit in summer, you might even catch live Shakespeare performances in the courtyard. Watching Hamlet inside Hamlet’s castle? Dramatic!
Photograph courtesy of Nikki Jeffries, Kronborg Press Office
Beyond the Castle Walls
Don’t rush back to Copenhagen just yet — Helsingør is a charming harbour town worth a wander. Grab a coffee in the old town, check out the Maritime Museum of Denmark (designed by the famous BIG architects), or just chill by the sea with an ice cream. Feeling extra adventurous? The ferry to Sweden takes just 20 minutes — so you could add another country to your day trip!
Entry and Arriving
Entry tickets to the castle is 145 DKK for adults, 135 DKK for students (so bring that student card if you’ve got one!).
Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00–17:00 (check kronborg.dk for seasonal updates and events).
For eating here you're best to bring your own picnic so pack your lunch and eat it by the sea wall for a view of Sweden (on a good day) - it’s one of the best castle views in Europe, and totally free. Trains run late, so you’ll be back in time for happy hour at the hostel bar after a 'wow' day out!
Photograph courtesy of Thomas Rahbek, Kronborg Press Office
Book your bed at Copenhagen Downtown
Enjoy a genuine backpacker experience with us and make new friends in our international bar. We have parties, games, live music, great menus, happy hour, local and backpacker crowd and plenty of entertainment for the long dark evenings! After a great day trip out, come back for some happy hour and a cosy night with us!
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