Região da Capital · Denmark

Helsingør and Hillerød

The castles of northern Zealand: Kronborg, Hamlet's castle overlooking the Øresund Strait in Helsingør, and Frederiksborg, the Renaissance palace on a lake in Hillerød.

Copenhague e Zelândia

In the photo: Palácio de Fredensborg

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Helsingør and Hillerød are in northern Zealand, less than an hour by train from Copenhagen, and host the two most visited castles in Denmark outside the capital. The region, called Nordsjælland, was for centuries the kings' hunting grounds and summer residence, with forests, lakes and palaces linked by royal roads.

In Helsingør, the Castelo de Kronborg dominates the narrowest point of the Øresund, only 4 km from Sweden. There the kings charged passage fees for 400 years on ships entering and leaving the Baltic, and Shakespeare set Hamlet at the castle, which he called Elsinore. Kronborg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next to it, the maritime museum M/S Museet for Søfart was built inside an old dry dock, and the historic center has low houses, the medieval Carmelite convent and the cathedral of Santo Olavo.

In Hillerød, 24 km to the west, the Castelo de Frederiksborg, built by Christian IV, occupies three islets in a lake and houses the National History Museum, with the country's largest collection of portraits. Behind the castle is the Baroque garden with cascades, and 10 km away is the Palácio de Fredensborg, the royal family's summer residence with an open park.

Those who prefer a slower pace can sleep in Helsingør and visit the Louisiana in Humlebæk on the way.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Helsingør, Hillerød.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Helsingør and Hillerød is

Contornos: Web Vectors Map, via geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Helsingør and Hillerød

✈ Aeroporto de Copenhague (Københavns Lufthavn, Kastrup) (CPH), in Kastrup · 55 km to Helsingør

Confirm before booking. From Copenhagen, the coastal line train reaches Helsingør in about 45 minutes, and the S-tog urban train takes about 40 minutes to Hillerød. Between Helsingør and Hillerød, a regional train covers the route in around 30 minutes. From Helsingør, ferries cross to Helsingborg in Sweden in about 20 minutes.

Suggested arrival point: Helsingør

Região da Capital · Helsingør and Hillerød Suggested arrival point

Helsingør

Helsingør sits at the northern tip of the Øresund, 4 km from Sweden and 45 minutes by train from Copenhagen. The town prospered from the shipping toll and preserves the Castelo de Kronborg, associated with Hamlet; the maritime museum inside a dry dock; and a center of old houses with the medieval Carmelite convent. Ferries cross to Helsingborg in 20 minutes.

Região da Capital · Helsingør and Hillerød Capital

Hillerød

Hillerød is the seat of the Capital Region, inland in the north of Zealand, 40 minutes by train from Copenhagen. The town grew up around the Castelo de Frederiksborg, the palace of Cristiano IV on a lake, with the Museu de História Nacional and the Baroque garden. Ten km away is the Palácio de Fredensborg, the royal family's residence, with an open park.

The local experience

Things to do in Helsingør and Hillerød

Hillerød · Região da Capital · Castle

Castelo de Frederiksborg (Frederiksborg Slot)

The Renaissance palace of Cristiano IV on three islets in the lake of Hillerød, with the coronation chapel, the Compenius organ from 1610 and the Museu de História Nacional, which houses the country's largest collection of portraits.

Helsingør · Região da Capital · Castle

Castelo de Kronborg (Kronborg Slot)

The Renaissance castle from 1574 to 1585 on the tip of the Øresund, where kings levied a toll on passing ships and where Shakespeare set Hamlet. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hillerød · Região da Capital · Garden

Jardim Barroco de Frederiksborg (Barokhaven)

The terraced garden behind the castle, created in the 1720s and restored in 1996, with cascades, clipped hedges and symmetrical beds that descend to the lake. The view of the castle from above is the most famous.

Helsingør · Região da Capital · Museum

M/S Museet for Søfart

The maritime museum of Denmark, built inside an old dry dock next to Kronborg, with ramps and bridges by the firm BIG. It tells 600 years of Danish seafaring.

See 2 more places in Helsingør and Hillerød

Helsingør · Região da Capital · Historic centre

Centro histórico de Helsingør e Karmeliterklostret

The streets of houses from the 16th to the 18th centuries between the station and Kronborg, featuring the medieval Carmelite convent, the Church of Santa Maria where Buxtehude was organist, and the cathedral of Saint Olav.

Hillerød · Região da Capital · Palace

Palácio de Fredensborg (Fredensborg Slot)

The royal family's spring and autumn residence, 10 km from Hillerød, built from 1720 to 1726 beside Lake Esrum. The Baroque park is open year-round; the palace usually opens for guided tours in July.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From May to September days are usually long and the gardens at Frederiksborg and Fredensborg are at their best; in August Kronborg often hosts the Shakespeare festival. April and October are cool with fewer visitors. From November to March it is usually cold and dark early, and the castles operate on reduced hours; check before you go.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One day is enough for both castles—Kronborg in the morning and Frederiksborg in the afternoon. With two days there's time for the maritime museum and Helsingør's center, the Louisiana in Humlebæk, and the park at Fredensborg.

Which city to stay in

Many people do the castles as a day trip and sleep in Copenhagen. Those who want to stay in the area will find hotels in Helsingør's historic center, near the station and the harbor, and beach hotels on the northern coast in Hornbæk and Gilleleje. Hillerød has hotels near the station and the castle lake.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Helsingør and Hillerød

Can you see Kronborg and Frederiksborg on the same day?

Yes. Start at Kronborg, by train from Copenhagen, take the regional train to Hillerød (about 30 minutes), and return to Copenhagen on the S-tog.

Is Kronborg really Hamlet’s castle?

It is the castle where Shakespeare set the play, called Elsinore. There is no proof he ever visited, but actors from his company performed at the Danish court. Hamlet is often staged in the courtyard.

Do I need a car?

No. Trains connect Copenhagen, Helsingør and Hillerød frequently, and the castles are within walking distance of the stations. A car only helps for the northern coast and Fredensborg.

Can you go to Sweden from Helsingør?

Yes, ferries cross to Helsingborg in about 20 minutes with frequent departures. Bring your passport.

What is the best time to go?

From May to September, when gardens are in bloom and days are long. In winter the castles operate on reduced hours.

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