Kronborg Slot — Attraction in Helsingør Municipality

I've visited many castles during my time and I think Helsingør has definitely put in the most effort to make it feel like a fun and immersive experience. All the rooms are made up to look like what they would have originally looked like, there was a part where you could dress up as court nobles, there's a group of theatre actors who play parts of the Hamlet play at different areas at set times and also the tunnels are set up in a way to make them feel atmospheric and fun to explore (the photo doesn't really do it justice).

The special exhibit when I went was about party culture and the different sections were all very accessible and very interesting. One of the rooms was on a slant and did a very good job of simulating how it felt to be drunk, one had ABBA playing with projections of people dancing on the wall. It's quite a surreal experience wanting to party it down in a 16th century ballroom, but they were playing the bops so what could I do. It made the people from that time period feel more human to me in a strange sort of way.

The actors are very fun. It's not really meant to be faithful but adapted scenes of the play with more audience interaction, although that description is probably closer to how Shakespeare's works would have been played during his life. Either way don't go into it expecting Royal Shakespeare, expect something a little more kid friendly/ larpy. Either way I'd highly recommend it and also shout-out to the jester character. It was super fun and silly.

There's not huge amounts of historic detail, which I personally was fine with. I was drawn in by the theatrical side of the castle and I enjoy castles more as a means to imagine what life in the past was like than as a means to learn a bunch of dates and facts. In this way it served my interests well but if you're a massive history purist, it might not be for you.

In short, if you're up for a bit of fun and you're willing to practice a little suspension of disbelief this can be a really wonderful day out. Again, more targeted at the theatre and dnd kids than at super hardcore history buffs, so don't go in with the wrong expectations. Super...

Resonant. Nestle along the Danish coastline in Helsingør, Kronborg Castle is a stoic reminder of Renaissance grandeur with an air of literary fame that few fortresses can claim. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps its alias will: Elsinore, the brooding backdrop of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Yes, this is where melancholy Dane and existential dread meet stone ramparts and the Baltic breeze.

The castle itself, however, refuses to be overshadowed by its theatrical reputation. A marvel of 16th-century engineering, Kronborg stands as a testament to Denmark’s ambitions as a maritime power, with its strategic position overlooking the Øresund Strait. Its walls whisper tales of toll-collecting prowess, a lucrative business in its heyday, and the occasional cannon fire to remind passing ships of their dues.

Inside, the castle offers a maze of vaulted halls and austere chambers, with the Great Hall—one of the longest in Europe—demanding its share of reverence. Yet, the real drama unfolds in the catacombs, where the legendary Viking hero Holger Danske slumbers in stone, ready to rise should Denmark ever need him. One can almost hear Hamlet’s soliloquies echoing through these cold, shadowy corridors.

For Shakespeare fans, Kronborg is more than just a castle, it’s a landmark of literary history. While there’s no proof the Bard ever visited, his imagination certainly made itself at home. The castle’s link to Hamlet secures its place between history and fiction, perfectly echoing the play’s themes of blurred reality.

In the end, this Danish Castle is as much a monument to storytelling as it is to military might. Its stoic walls and windswept towers invite you to ponder questions as timeless as Shakespeare’s prose: To visit or not to visit? The answer, of...

I recently had the opportunity to visit Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, Denmark, and it was a really nice experience. The castle is just about an hour from Copenhagen by train, and it’s a short, pleasant walk from the station to the entrance. I went with Hamlet tours and our guide Thomas narrated very interesting stories about Shakespeare, the stolen fountain, Swedish robbery, King Eric, Queen Maggie the first, stories of royal dinners.

The castle itself is quite grand, located right by the sea, with a lovely view of Sweden across the water. It’s best known as the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which adds a bit of literary charm to the place.

The interiors are beautiful and well preserved. The royal chambers and the grand ballroom stood out the most—they really give you a glimpse of the life of Danish royalty. Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit the casemates as they were closed during my visit, which was a bit disappointing since I had heard they’re one of the highlights. Hopefully next time!

The overall atmosphere was calm and peaceful, and the surroundings are perfect for a quiet walk. There’s also a small café and souvenir shop inside the castle.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend Kronborg Castle if you’re in Copenhagen and looking for a day trip. It’s a nice mix of history, scenic beauty, and cultural interest. Just do check in advance if all areas, like the...