Things to Do
KRONBORG CASTLE
Kronborg castle is located at the entrance of the sound, at the most northeastern point of Helsingor. While this UNESCO World Heritage site is often referred to as Hamlets Castle, Shakespeare actually never visited Denmark. Rather King Frederick II held lavish multi day banquets here that became quite renowned. Dinners had up to 24 main courses. When Shakespeare heard the stories of these outlandish parties, he was inspired to use the castle as the setting for his play Hamlet. The Great Hall is 57 meters long, the second longest in Northern Europe.
Kronborg castle is also well known for its tapestries. Commissioned by Frederick II, there were 43 in all depicting over 100 Danish kings. They were used as propaganda to support the king’s position in ongoing diplomatic disputes with Sweden. Only 15 have survived with 7 on display at the castle. Entry is approximately $19 pp but free with the Copenhagen Card. As you enter the courtyard there is a sign posted to your right with various free tours being offered throughout the day.
M/S MARITIME MUSEUM
This museum is located right next to the castle and a bit surprisingly, underground in a former shipbuilding yard. There is a downward ramp to get to the front entrance. If you plan to visit it in the same day as the castle, head to the castle first and save your ticket as they will give you 25% off. Otherwise tickets are about $20 pp. This museum covers 600 years of Danish maritime history with some very modern interactive displays.
ST OLAF’S CATHEDRAL
This Romanesque Catholic church has history going back to the 1200s but the building itself was rebuilt after a fire in the 1500s with the spires placed 300 years later. As with most Catholic churches, the inside is adorned with many ornate embellishments, especially the altarpiece. It is a small but very beautiful church.
ST MARY’S CHURCH
Helsingor actually has a second downtown church. While St. Olaf’s was intended to tend to the Danish community, St. Marys was for the Lutheran German and Dutch population.
Built in the 1500s, it is most known for the Buxtehude organ, played by the famous organist for whom it is named after. While I had never heard of him myself, I did find it impressive to know Bach once hiked 250 miles to watch him perform. You get a real sense of its age when you step foot inside. The beautiful frescoes and vaulted ceilings are absolutely stunning. The first time we visited it was closed but I’m so grateful we were able to make time to come back just before leaving town.
VISIT HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN
It seems counter intuitive to recommend leaving as something to do in Helsingor. However the proximity to Sweden with frequently running ferries across the sound presents an opportunity for an inexpensive easy day trip. The ForSea ferry cost $12 pp round trip and takes 20 minutes each way. They have an interesting gift shop on board as well as a bar and restaurant.
Several things we wanted to do were closed for season and we had trouble finding a walking tour in English. We did find app called Questo with a scavenger hunt that worked offline and took us to several historical places. As we were doing it together and not competing, we only purchased it for one. The cost? Only $6! There were a few places we got turned around and had to back track but honestly even being lost was fun.
We did opt to eat lunch here before returning to Helsingor. I highly recommend Redimat. They offer a Prix Fixe weekday lunch comprised of traditional Swedish cuisine. You have 3 choices for entree with salad, fresh bread, and coffee for only $13 pp. It was an outstanding meal.
If you’re a big craft beer fan, be sure to head to a Systembolaget. This is the government run liquor store. They sell craft beer by the singles and, if you’re sharing, it’s an affordable way to try a lot of different beers. We purchased 9 for $27 and had fun trying them all!
TAKE A STROLL THROUGH HELSINGOR
Downtown Helsingor is compact and easily walkable. Take a walk along the harbor and enjoy the views of the ships docked with Kronborg castle in the background. Or do some shopping on Stone Street, the main pedestrian street in Helsingor. Look for Old Ferry Lane, a very old and narrow pedestrian lane used as a short cut to the train station and ferries. We really enjoyed exploring this charming little historical place!
FREDERIKSBORG CASTLE
Europe is lousy with castles and it is easy to get tired of visiting them. Like, how many thrones do you need to see? However this one is special. Frederiksborg is Scandinavia’s largest Renaissance castle. It isn’t located in Helsingor but it is only 45 minutes away by train. It was built by King Christian IV to show off his status as a powerful European monarch. His wealth and ostentatiousness is quite evident as you tour the castle . In my personal opinion the first room, the Rose, is worth the entry fee alone. Entry is $16 pp.
If you’d like to see more tips on international travel be sure to check out my international travel page!
