Helsingør (Elsinore) City Guide


Perched on the far eastern shores of Denmark, Helsingør is a charming coastal town that should be on every traveler’s radar. With its rich history and easy-going atmosphere, this town offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors.

The crown jewel of Helsingør (also known as Elsinore) is undoubtedly Kronborg Castle, a World Heritage Site that served as the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This magnificent fortress offers stunning views of the sea and the surrounding landscape, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts.

The Old Town of Helsingor is another charming area that’s worth exploring. Its narrow cobblestone streets, charming cafes, and quaint boutiques create an idyllic atmosphere that will transport you back to simpler times.

Best of all, Helsingor is one of the best day trips from Copenhagen. Enjoy a relaxing ride with glimpses of the beautiful seaside as you drift along the coast – all less than an hour between the two cities!

Food lovers will also find plenty to enjoy in Helsingor. From traditional Danish dishes to contemporary cuisine, the town offers a diverse culinary landscape that will tantalize your taste buds. Likewise, with its close proximity to Sweden, visitors can easily take a breezy 20-minute ferry ride ‘across the border’ and sample the local flavors on both sides of the Oresund Strait.

Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in history, enjoy the beautiful landscapes, or simply relax and unwind, there are plenty of things to do in Helsingor for every traveler. 


Helsingor | The Basics

How many days do I need in Helsingør?

Thanks to its location, Helsingør makes for an ideal day trip from two major cities: Copenhagen (Denmark) and Helsingborg (Sweden). If you’re on a short schedule, you can see most of Helsingør’s tourist attractions in a few hours. 

During the busy tourist season, many local tourists from Sweden and other parts of Denmark also tend to visit Helsingør (as we said, it’s a popular day trip! 😉 ), which means more crowds. If you’d like to see the city without the tourists, then we recommend an overnight stay – you’ll get a few extra hours in the morning and evening, when the crowds dissipate. 

Overall, one day in Helsingør is enough to see the main sights, but if you’re on a short schedule, a day trip is also doable. 


How to get to Helsingør

There are several ways to get to Helsingør, depending on your location and preferred mode of transport.

However, be sure to keep one very important travel tip in mind when booking your transportation to Helsingør. The neighboring city in Sweden is called Helsingborg, which sounds really similar to Helsingør – be sure to double check your tickets to avoid any problems!

(And if you already bought tickets, no worries – the ferry between the two cities only takes 20 minutes!) 


By plane | Unfortunately, Helsingør does not have its own airport. If you are planning to visit Helsingør directly, you’ll need to fly into one of the nearby airports:

Copenhagen Airport (CPH), which is located about 60 km from Helsingør.

Roskilde Airport (RKE), which is located about 75 km from Helsingør.

If you’re traveling from Scandinavia, there’s also the option to fly into neighboring Sweden’s Ängelholm–Helsingborg Airport (AGH), which is located about 50 km from Helsingør. However, it should be noted that there are only two regularly-scheduled flights to AGH airport, both of which leave from Stockholm and are served by SAS Scandinavian Airlines or BRA Braathens Regional Airlines.


By train | The easiest and most convenient way to get to Helsingør is by train. The city has a lovely railway station with regular connections to Copenhagen and plenty of other cities in Denmark. In fact, it’s the terminus (last station) for many train lines, including the Coast Line from Copenhagen and the Little North Line from Hillerød.

You can expect the journey from Copenhagen to Helsingør to take about 50 minutes, or about 25 minutes from Hillerød.

Best of all, the train station is just a 2-minute walk away from the ForSea ferry terminal, where you can take a ferry over to Sweden. 


By bus | We highly advise against taking the bus to Helsingør, mainly because there aren’t too many direct routes to the city.

When looking at tickets, pay extra special attention to the final stop: most of the time, it’s actually Helsingborg in Sweden, and you’ll need to take a ferry to get to your actual destination (Helsingør!)


By car | If you prefer to drive, the easiest route would be to take the E47 highway from Copenhagen to Helsingør, which takes a little under an hour. You can also take the scenic route along the coast (Route 152), which takes a little longer but offers great views as a reward!

By ferry | Did you know that the shortest way from Sweden to Denmark is via the strait that’s right next to Helsingør? That’s right! You can enjoy a ride on the ForSea ferry from Helsingborg (Sweden) to Helsingør (Denmark), which takes about 20 minutes and offers pleasant views of both cities. 

It’s a great option if you want to combine your visit to Helsingør with a day trip to Sweden.


Transportation in Helsingør

There are several ways to get around Helsingør, including bus, bike, taxi, and by foot. 

If you’re a tourist, the easiest form of transportation will be walking. Seriously! Most major tourist attractions are within walking distance of Helsingør center, including Kronborg Castle (15 min walk) and the Maritime Museum of Denmark (7 min). 

Others, like the famed Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, are only a short bus ride away.

Of course, there are plenty of tourist attractions in the center as well – and all within easy reach. 🙂 


Where to Stay in Helsingor

MID-RANGE + FAMILY | Hotel Hamlet

Hotel Hamlet is a delightful boutique hotel that offers an excellent variety of rooms, each beautifully done in a classic minimalist style that emphasizes comfort and sophistication. In fact, the decor is a nod to the hotel’s name (Hamlet) and the classic world of Shakespeare! 

Whether you’re traveling alone or with a group, there’s a room to suit your needs, from cozy singles to spacious suites with stunning views of the city, as well as double rooms, family rooms, and junior suites. The largest is the family room, which can hold up to four adults – perfect for families and groups. 


MID-RANGE | Hotel Skandia

This classic family-hotel, located right next to the ferry and train station, is the perfect option for those who want a convenient and comfortable stay.

The spacious rooms at Hotel Skandia are well-equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including modern amenities and a delicious breakfast to start your day (included in the price!). The hotel’s central location also puts you within walking distance of some of Helsingor’s top attractions, such as the Kronborg Castle and the charming old town.


LUXURY + BOUTIQUE | Marienlyst Strandhotel

Nestled on the outskirts of Helsingor, Marienlyst Strandhotel is an absolutely gorgeous ‘beach hotel’ that is the epitome of luxury. 

This magnificent hotel boasts luxurious and spacious rooms that are designed with refined elegance and a keen attention to detail. Every element is curated with comfort and style in mind, from the chic furnishings to the mesmerizing sea views from the rooms.

Beyond the lavish accommodations, the hotel offers an array of additional amenities. Take a dip in the tranquil waters of the hotel’s spa, or bask in the unparalleled tranquility of the ocean. There’s also an on-site casino and fitness center! 

Of course, we can’t forget about the hotel’s private beach, or the comfortable location (a 4-minute drive from Helsingor center or an 18-minute walk). 


BUDGET | Danhostel Helsingør

True to the Danhostel brand, this cheerful hostel is well-appointed and perfect for budget travelers. It has a large variety of rooms, including double-, triple-, quadruple-, and even quintuple rooms, as well as family rooms for up to 6 guests. 

The Danhostel Helsingor is just steps away from the beach, and offers a variety of amenities like a communal kitchen, garden, and bike rentals. 


What to do in Helsingør

Kronborg Castle

Did you know that Helsingor is home to one of Denmark’s most famous UNESCO sites? It’s one of the best tourist attractions in Helsingor, and definitely worth a spot on your itinerary! 

This renaissance fortress, built in the early 16th century, is also famous for being the setting for the play Hamlet by the world-famous writer Shakespeare (and, if you read the Accommodations in Helsingor section above, you’ll see why one of the hotels is named Hamlet 😉 ). 

Initially, the castle was built as a defensive fortification to control entry to the Baltic Sea, but in the late 1500s,  King Frederick II decided to repurpose it into a royal palace. Over the years, a fire destroyed a majority of the castle (1629), then it was captured, turned into an army barrack, and finally renovated and opened to the public in the early 1920s.

As you wander through the castle’s magnificent halls, you’ll be transported back in time to an era of grandeur and royalty. Discover the intricate tapestries and exquisite artwork that adorn the walls, marvel at the lavish furnishings in the regal chambers, and take in the sweeping views of the surrounding countryside from the castle’s turrets. Visitors can also view rooms, ramparts and underground casemates, as well as visit exhibitions on the history and cultural significance of the castle.

But there’s more to Kronborg Castle than just its fascinating history. In the summer months, the castle’s courtyard comes alive with a variety of cultural events, including concerts, performances, and markets. One of the most famous events is the Shakespeare Festival, which happens every summer and includes live performances of the writer’s greatest plays (including, of course, Hamlet!) 


M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, Elsinore

National Maritime Museum of Denmark

Like the name says, this is a museum dedicated to the maritime history and culture of the country. The museum has a wide range of artifacts and exhibits that teaches visitors more about maritime topics like ship models, navigational tools, and shipbuilding techniques. 

However, this museum is anything but boring! Beyond the usual maritime topics, there are a ton of interesting exhibits that are interconnected to the sea, like the Haenyeo (female freedivers who are famous in Jeju, S. Korea), tea exportation and globalization, the magical world of shipping containers, and even sailor tattoos! 

Even the museum’s website opens with an interesting question – “Why is there a perfume by Jean Paul Gaultier, old film posters, cigarette packs, toys and a Donald Duck comic at [our museum]?” (Hint: it’s part of an exhibition!) 

Best of all, it’s just a 5-minute walk from Kronborg Castle – why not combine the two during your trip?


Church of St. Mary

This historic church, which is set in an ancient monastery, is known for its original architecture that combines Gothic and Renaissance styles, as well as the beautiful frescoes and paintings inside. 

Visitors to the church can admire its impressive interior and learn about its history through guided tours, which take place from Tuesday to Friday – just be sure to call in advance to book your spot! 


Helsingør DAY TRIPS

While the city itself has many interesting tourist attractions, there are also plenty of interesting day trips from Helsingor as well. Most notably, some of the best castles and palaces are within an hour’s trip from the city!


Fredensborg Palace

One of the easiest day trips from Helsingor is none other than Fredensborg Palace, which is an easy and direct 30-minute train ride. The palace was originally built in the early 18th century by King Frederik IV as a hunting lodge, but nowadays it is used as the summer residence of the Danish royal family. 

The palace is best visited during the summer, and there are daily tours that go inside of the palace during the month of July. During the rest of the year, visitors are only allowed to walk in the gardens and grounds of the palace.

P.S. – Don’t forget to buy a jar of Fredensborg honey, which is harvested from the Queen’s garden!


Frederiksborg Castle

Not to be confused with Fredensborg Palace above (although they do sound similar!)

Frederiksborg Castle can easily be combined with a trip to Fredensborg Palace, as they’re within a short 15-minute drive of each other. Likewise, you can also do a stand-alone trip from Helsingor to Frederiksborg Castle via a 50-minute train ride. 

Frederiksborg Castle was built in the early 17th century by King Christian IV and served as a royal residence until the late 1700s. Interestingly, it is the largest Renaissance-style residence in Scandinavia!

The castle is set on a beautiful lake and is surrounded by manicured gardens. The exterior of the castle is stunning, with its intricate red brickwork and traditional roof. Once you step inside, you’ll find a collection of paintings, furniture, and other artifacts that provide a glimpse into Denmark’s rich history.

One of the highlights is the Great Hall, which features intricate wood carvings and walls adorned with paintings that depict Danish history. Other rooms worth visiting include the Chapel, which is still used for weddings and other events, and the King’s Bedroom, which is furnished with pieces from the 17th century.


Sofiero Palace

Last but certainly not least, we have another royal residency – but this time, it’s not of the Danish royalty, but rather the Swedish!

Take a leisurely ferry trip across the Oresund Strait and visit Sofiero Palace, which is located just a few miles north of Helsingborg, Sweden. It was originally built in the mid-19th century as a summer residence for the Swedish royal family, and today it is open to the public as a museum and botanical garden.

Sofiero Palace is known as one of the most beautiful places in Sweden, and it’s not hard to see why: the beautifully landscaped gardens are especially noteworthy and feature over 10,000 different plant species! 

Travel tip: During the palace’s low season (October to April), admission is free! 

Photo credits | Main image by a_medvedkov (iStock) | Helsingor ferry by News Oresund (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia) | Helsingor street by Getty Images (iStock) | Kronberg Castle by Nikki Jeffries | Maritime Museum by Thijs Wolzak | St. Mary’s Church by Av Nico /Nils Jepsen (CC 3.0 Wikimedia) | Fredensborg Slot by Ann Jørgensen (via VisitNordsjælland) | Frederiksborg slot by Tine Uffelmann (via VisitNordsjælland) | Sofiero Palace courtesy of sofiero.se | Hotel photos courtesy of respective accommodations