About Helsingor, Denmark

Helsingor, also known as Elsinore, is a port city in eastern Denmark. Overlooking the Oresund strait in the north eastern corner of the island Zealand, the 15th-century Kronborg Castle provided the setting for Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet.’ It is the closest city to Sweden, with frequent ferry connections to its twin city across the strait; Helsingborg. Nearby, the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark illustrates 600 years of Danish seafaring history. The glass-walled Culture Yard in the old shipyard organizes cultural events. On the pier is ‘Han,’ a polished steel sculpture of a man.

Summer is perhaps the most popular season to visit, though spring and fall are also agreeable. The car ferry line between Helsingor and Helsingborg, Scania, Sweden is the busiest in the world with more than 70 departures in each direction every day. The route has been sailed by several shipping lines through history. The car ferry terminal is connected to the town’s main railway station. From the station, trains depart on the 45-minute journey to Copenhagen every 20 minutes. The E47 Motorway towards Copenhagen begins just outside the city limits. The town and surrounding areas also has a network of local and regional buses.

Kronborg Castle

Plan and Book:

Overview

While the city is quite expansive, most sights of interest – besides the technical museum – lies within the compact city centre, so walking is really the best way to get around. Though the city does have a network of local bus lines, and two of the small local railways has several halts within the city. Most attractions are well signposted.

In the centre of the harbour basin stands the polished steel sculpture “Han” (“He”) by artist duo Elmgreen and Dragset, commissioned by the City of Helsingor in 2012. It was inaugurated by then Minister of culture, Uffe Elbok, in June 2012. It is seen as the counterpart (and even little brother) to Edvard Eriksen’s world-famous The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, and has caused both praise and protests among locals.

Jorn Utzon lived in Helsingor in his youth because his father was an engineer at Helsingor Vorft. Utzon designed The Kingo Houses (1956–60) and The Hammershoj Care Centre (1962) in the city. The project was completed by Birger Schmidt (1966) after Utzon moved to Sydney to work on the Sydney Opera House.

Attractions and Activities

The Lille Nord (Little North) railway leaves once or twice an hour for Fredensborg and Hillerod, the sites of North Zealand’s two other great palaces. Journey times are 25 and 33 minutes respectively, there is an S-Train back to Copenhagen from Hillerod, if you plan on seeing the palaces as a day trip. Finally Hornbækbanen runs along coast north west from the city to Gilleleje on the northern tip of Zealand, for access to the regions excellent beaches.

Museet for Sofart (Maritime Museum of Denmark) is located inside the shipyard’s old dry dock right beside Kronborg Castle. It’s all about Danish maritime history since the renaissance, told by ship models, films and interactive exhibitions on everything from the Danish colonies in India, Africa and West Indies over naval battles and the east Asia trade to recent history. The museum was designed by world famous architects BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group. The Helsingor Værftsmuseum (Shipyard Museum), in the old shipyard administration offices, is run by a group of passionate previous employees together with the city council who have set up an exhibition on shipbuilding in the city including collections on the craft in general. Free admission.

Marienlyst Palace was originally build as a royal pavilion in the 16th century for the king to enjoy the amazing vista over the sound, the residence was extended in the 18th century in neoclassical style and served a great variety of tenants before being taken over the municipality in the 1930s. The grand beautiful interiors is supplemented by a nice collection of art with local motifs and silverware. Following the public takeover the garden was redesigned to closer match it’s neoclassical origins, and ensure public access to the great views over Oresund.

The waters around Elsinore are extremely popular with anglers; year round they can be spotted on the piers and bulwarks of the city, but during May-July, when the garfish (Danish: Hornfisk) season is in swing, it’s more like a bonanza! The rest of the year it is mainly herring and good size cod that ends their life on the evening table. Fishing equipment can be rented at Helsingor Badudlejning listed below. The harbour also host a large collection of fishing tour boats and charters. In the summer it is often possible to just show up at the harbour and find one, but its not the norm, and you may be out of luck some days. Note Carrying a fishing license is compulsory for all fishing found around Elsinore and nearly all fishing in Denmark. It can be bought at all post offices or at the tourist information office.

It is common for day trippers to take the ferry across the sound to Helsingborg and Sweden, for shopping, sightseeing or just the “exotic” feeling of visiting another country. Sofiero Castle is a 19th century ocean-side royal castle and gardens located 5 km from Helsingborg’s city centre. The gardens, displaying local and foreign plants, are famous for its plantations of Rhododendron, blossoming in early summer. The castle has a restaurant and a modern art gallery.

Humlebaek is three stops south on the train, combining a visit on Kronborg with the fantastic Louisiana art museum in a daytrip, or other destinations on the Oresund Coast.

Shakespearean history lurks inside Kronborg Castle, a Unesco World Heritage site that can be visited solo or as part of a group tour, such as “Introduction to Kronborg Castle” (free with paid admission) and “In Hamlet’s Footsteps”. Kronborg Castle is the actual castle that Shakespeare set Hamlet in. There are many mysteries surrounding Shakespeare and whether or not he ever visited Kronborg Castle is one of them. In Hamlet, Shakespeare called Kronborg Castle Elsinore. This has become the English name for Helsingor. Kronborg Castle has existed at Helsingor (Elsinore) since 1420. It has been burned to the ground and rebuilt since, but always maintained its vital position at the head of the Oresund Sound. Ships passing into the Baltic Sea paid tolls at Kronborg Castle and Helsingor was once one of the most important towns in Europe. In 2000, Kronborg Castle became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each summer, you can enjoy live performances of Shakespeare’s greatest plays from Danish and international companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company. There are Shakespeare events for all the family at HamletScenen’s Shakespeare Festival at Kronborg Castle. It’s a great summer day out from Copenhagen.