Kronborg Castle – Hamlet’s Castle
Location
Essentials
- See the famous statue of national hero Holger the Dane
- Walk through a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Imagine yourself in Shakespeare’s play
Practical info
Children
Everyone under 18 has free entry to the castle, no ticket required
Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult
Opening hours
Monday – Sunday: 10.00 – 17.00
Languages
Daily tours available in English and Danish
Ticket information
Ticket directly available on smartphone
Tickets can be rescheduled or cancelled up to 48 hours in advance
More information
For questions about the product, please contact [email protected]
Accessibility
Getting there
Public Transport
The nearest stops are Helsingor (train) and Kulturværftet (bus 342, 347, 353, 388, 801A & 803).
About
Tour Kronborg Castle
With this ticket you can explore the castle which Shakespeare named Elsinore. You can make your way through the castle including the ballroom, Renaissance chapel, casemates, as well as the castle yard. If you want you can choose to take a guided tour, which are available on select days (check starting times upon arrival at the castle shop), or you can bring your own earphones and listen to the audio guide at selected locations in castle.
Kronborg Castle dates back to 1420, when it was a fortress known as Krogen. The fortress, set at the narrowest point of the Øresund, was used to control entry to the waterway. Between 1574 and 1585, King Frederick II had the medieval fortress transformed into the Renaissance castle it is today, though it was faced by a massive fire in 1629 and occupation by the Swedes from 1658-1660.
Shakespeare’s Elsinore - Hamlet’s Castle
No one knows if Shakespeare ever visited Kronborg but it is certain he had heard the rumours of the decadent lifestyle maintained at the court. British players visited Kronborg several times during Shakespeare’s time, who like told the famous playwright about the castle.
Today, you can enjoy live performances of Shakespeare’s greatest plays from both Danish and international companies in summer at the castle during the Shakespeare festival. For the festival an open-air theatre is created with a stage built across the moat, with the castle as a backdrop.
Get your tickets to Kronborg Castle and visit Holger the Dane
One thing you cannot miss when you visit Kronborg Castle is an audience with Holger the Dane, who sits deep down under the castle amongst the crypts and catacombs. Holger is known to every Dane, for he will sleep until the day when Denmark is in real trouble, and he will wake up and defend the mother country. Get your tickets now so you don’t miss out on this great day-trip from Copenhagen.
Reviews
128 reviews
Hamlet's Castle
The castle is really nice and you can also get great views from the towers. We watched a couple Hamlet inspired performances (for free at the castle), Hamlet in Five Minutes was really funny.
Kronborg and Hamlet
Great tour by Mark "In the footsteps of Hamlet". Managed to meet all levels of our group excellently with a personal and humouristic touch. Lovely with enactments!!
You don't want to miss this castle. It's not like the others.
This is not your average castle stop. We rode the train from Copenhagen which was insanely convenient and a beautiful ride. The castle is walkable from the station with only about a 15 minute leisurely pace. We had visited another castle the day before and expected little difference. Were we wrong! We did a self-guided tour which was super easy. We began by walking the castle walls and views of Sweden across the water. Each part of this castle has its own hidden surprises. I don't want to ruin them so I won't be terribly specific but the 2nd floor was rocking! There are interactive stations in many locations of the castle as well as some live residents to interact with. I loved seeing Holger The Dane in the underground tunnels. There were very informative signs all around that included english translations. The bathrooms were very clean and modern. Its a UNESCO World Heritage site which speaks for itself.
Fun day trip out of Copenhagen
Kronborg Slot was such a doable day trip from Copenhagen, after a one hour train journey from Central Station we had arrived in the Helsingor, from here it was a fifteen minute walk or so to the castle entrance. Before arriving we stopped off for a coffee at the Strandvejsristeriet cafe, because of this we were a little late for the fifteen minute guided tour included in the admission fee. The tour actually was a little lack lustre anyway. The castle can be casually explored by any paid visitor, it is important to note that the castle is not fully decorated just a small impression in the rooms. After wandering through the two levels of the building we went up onto the roof then down under the castle into the basement tunnels. Surprisingly the castle visit only took less than two hours.
Don't Miss the Casemates
A very easy train journey from Copenhagen will bring you to the town of Kronborg. From here enjoy wandering the streets of the old town before making your way to Kronborg castle right on the peninsula. Within the castle several floors of rooms are available to explore along with a great view from one of the towers for those willing to make the climb. The real highlight was the casemate - a series of tunnels under the castle light by old oil lamps. Outside there is plenty of space to explore along the surrounding walls with view over towards Sweden.
A Grand Castle and Fortifications
This is one of the best castles we have ever visited and we have seen hundreds. The grounds are excellent and the setting on the Baltic is picturesque. Good exhibits on the castle's history and views of the area from the top are superb. Something for all ages and interests.
A fairytale location!
You walk through the gates and into a medieval courtyard with classical music playing, surrounded by wooden props and photo ops. You can explore the museum, the spiral staircase to the roof for a citywide view and much more. Very traditional setting with some amazing sculptures, artwork, and carvings.
Definitely recommend
A really fun thing to do! During Easter Children could look for Eggs and Sheep in the different rooms of the castle The staff also was really nice and helpful. They do a longer Tour of the castle and a free intro for the castle, which was really interesting and good. The exhibition is really fun and there are a lot of things to do. Right now there is a special exhibition, where you are able to dress up in historical costumes and take pictures, which was a lot of fun. In the other rooms, you can learn about how Parties during that time were held!
Really cool castle
Magnificent castle with plenty of history and plenty to explore. Actors walk around reenacting scenes from Hamlet and there are plenty of exhibits throughout.
Iconic for a reason
WOW! I went because I felt obliged...and boy I'm glad I did. Easy train ride from Copenhagen. Really impressive fortress. Well curated. Go up to the top to see the view. Plan at least a half of day. We were there during the fall so didn't have to deal with crowds.
Lovely day trip from København with interesting architecture and exhibits
We enjoyed our visit here on a quiet Tuesday morning. Taking the train from København it was easy to access and very interesting to walk around the outside of the walls and admire the architecture. We did not view any of the Shakespearean re-enactments and followed our own tour without a guide. The tower is worth climbing and quite steep. This is well worth a visit alongside shopping and eating in Helsingør.
Amazing! 6* Othermcastles take note
Wow. We visit a LOT of castles and period properties, and this has been the best experience by far! My expectation - pop head in for half an hour, look at traditional tapestries, dining ware, etc. I was soooo wrong. It wasn't long before we were learning about how hard they actually partied back in the day. The dining room was blaring Britney Spears with disco lighting and silhouettes dancing round the walls! The next room had a chandelier crashed through the dining table! Why is no where else in the world doing this?! Such a fresh take on history. There was a jester, in character, buzzing about all day. Absolutely fantastic, never slipping from character. There was also a king and queen buzzing about and even performing a full Hamlet scene in the ballroom! Brilliant. The crypts are absolutely endless, and lit by oil lamps. I was the only person down there, and seemed to wander for hours, eventually emerging beyond the castle walls. What an experience. As we left, the king was sat by the door, waxing lyrical and bidding farewell to the visitors! 6*. All other period properties should take note.
A very fine castle with great guided tours and Shakespeare acting!
This is one of the best castle I have seen, the building has many intricate details, and is well preserved. There are free guided tours in English and Danish, as well as pop up Shakespeare actors enacting the scenes from Hamlet. It's very helpful to see the plays in situ. The path around the castle gives a great view to the strait.
Historic Castle with Inspiring Hamlet Performance
We visited Kronborg Castle, famously known as the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and had a thoroughly memorable experience. The castle itself is an impressive historical site with beautifully preserved architecture and stunning views over the Øresund Strait. One of the highlights of our visit was the Hamlet performance that took place inside the castle walls. The actors brought Shakespeare’s story to life in a unique and engaging way, making the atmosphere truly special. Experiencing the play in the very location that inspired it added remarkable authenticity and depth. The exhibitions throughout the castle were also very well curated. They provided valuable insights into the history of Kronborg, its role in Danish culture and politics, and its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everything was presented in an informative yet accessible way, making it easy to learn while enjoying the visit. Overall, Kronborg Castle is more than just a historical monument – it combines rich history, cultural heritage, and live performance in a way that makes the experience both educational and inspiring. It is an absolute must-see when visiting Denmark.
Historic Castle with Inspiring Hamlet Performance
We visited Kronborg Castle, famously known as the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and had a thoroughly memorable experience. The castle itself is an impressive historical site with beautifully preserved architecture and stunning views over the Øresund Strait. One of the highlights of our visit was the Hamlet performance that took place inside the castle walls. The actors brought Shakespeare’s story to life in a unique and engaging way, making the atmosphere truly special. Experiencing the play in the very location that inspired it added remarkable authenticity and depth. The exhibitions throughout the castle were also very well curated. They provided valuable insights into the history of Kronborg, its role in Danish culture and politics, and its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everything was presented in an informative yet accessible way, making it easy to learn while enjoying the visit. Overall, Kronborg Castle is more than just a historical monument – it combines rich history, cultural heritage, and live performance in a way that makes the experience both educational and inspiring. It is an absolute must-see when visiting Denmark.
Helsingor Castle - a MUST do
An excellent visit to Helsingor Castle. The Castle tour with Louise was amazing. she really bought this castle to life. Well worth the time to visit this spectacular castle.
A wonderful castle with an interesting exhibition and actors.
A magnificent castle offering immersive exhibitions with great actors being in the role of court jesters or characters from Hamlet. Apart from history you also learn a lot of interesting facts about castle life, feasts, etc. There are a lot of rooms on multiple floors. The exhibition balances information and fun well. On top of that, the view of the sea from the tower is wonderful! I visited Kronborg with my girlfriend in July and we definitely recommend it! It was fun!
Kronborg to Starboard.
Having spent many years at sea, and always when returning to Oeresund from the Kattegat, the call was always "Kronborg til Styrbord" (Kronborg on the starboard side.") I have always wanted to see this castle, and finally, in June of 2025 we had the opportunity. I was not inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet, but rather by Danish history. It is amazing and well worth the trip from Copenhagen, just a short one hour train trip.
Go don't think.twice
Woe, wow. Amazing. Teenagers loved it to . Everything was so interesting , what a place. Then the street food village on yhe way out . Very interesting.
Easy and fun visit from Copenhagen
Even on a nice sunny day, this castle was not too crowded and we enjoyed exploring on our own. The view from the tower is lovely and wandering the very dark and spooky casements deep under the castle was fun. In places the lighting is intentionally limited, really adding to the atmosphere down there. The statue of King Holger is impressive. There is a bit of over reliance on the whole Hamlet thing, but children seem to love it. It is an easy trip, by train, from Copenhagen and well worth visiting.
Hamlet and some nice views
The setting of this castle is very nice with some lovely coastal views. It is famous for being associated with the setting for Hamlet. The exterior of the building and its battlements are grand. The interior is plain and the vast majority of furnishings are long gone especially when compared to the amazing Frederiksborg Castle. Yet, Kronborg makes up for this with sea views and an interesting story.
Definitely a must see!
Gorgeous castle! Interactive Hamlet scenes, rooms to see, a roof top view (145 steps) and an underground cavern to explore (very dark and may have bats). Lovely gift shops.
Trip to Kronborg Castle – A Day with Hamlet
If you’re in Copenhagen, don’t miss this amazing day tour to Kronborg Castle — history, Shakespeare, and the Baltic breeze all in one! I took the train from Copenhagen Central to Helsingør—it’s about an hour each way and cost me around 78 DKK (about $12). From the station, it’s a nice 20-minute walk to Kronborg Castle, a beautiful Renaissance spot known as the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Inside, the underground prison was pretty cool, especially with the sculpture of the castle’s legendary guardian. The Baltic Sea surrounds the castle, making it a bit windy and chilly, but it adds to the atmosphere. I even bought a pair of “Hamlet socks” — to be or not to be stylish, right? Now I’m excited to finally finish reading the play. It was a simple, memorable trip full of history and that classic Shakespearean vibe.
Great strategic castle that is well preserved
Well worth a trip from Copenhagen. This castle and fort have great historical significance due to the proximity to Sweden and the various skirmishes over the years. It was rebuilt and then later renovated and is now in great condition. Lots of great art and furnishings with very cool educational stuff re: the remaking of old sandstone Greek statues. Don’t miss the big statue of sleeping Danish folk giant Viking Holger Danske. The grounds are also nice.
Historical Experience
A wealth of cultural pearls and architectural land marks mixed with nature and a cool urban atmosphere. Kronborg castle is a UNESCO world heritage site that inspired Shakespeare to write Hamlet, on the ramparts we can see the view of Helsingborg and the ferries. The old barracks are the home to 200 years of Shakespearean theatre tradition as Hamlet stages performance s al year round.
Tremendous.
Stunning, awe inspiring castle in Helsingor. An absolute must do. It's an easy train journey from Copenhagen. Layer upon layer of Danish history and politics is oozing out of every stone in its impressive walls.
A real castle to explore
A giant castle with the sellers and ballrooms to explore. A must when visiting northern Sealand and Helsingor. Interesting stories are told.
worth the visit
The castle was interesting and the town was in itself worth the visit. You can easily spend a half day at the castle and a half day doing other things (like the maritime museum) in this town.
Excellent Experience
When we arrived at the castle, we first took a walk around the grounds and even went down the waterside so that I could dip my toes into the Baltic. The castle itself was phenomenal, with a lot of great history and artifacts. There were many different areas of the castle to visit and they even had a pseudo art exhibit in the underground portion. It is a bit of a walk from the train station, but highly worth it.
MEDIEVAL CASTLE 😱
I visited Kronborg Castle, and it was a fantastic experience! The architecture is stunning, and the views of the Øresund Strait from the ramparts are breathtaking. Exploring the grand halls and seeing the statue of Holger Danske added to the charm. The guided text was engaging and provided great insights into the castle’s history, especially its connection to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking it out—it’s a beautiful blend of history and culture!
Adorable castle
Kronborg -Hamlet Castle is really one of adorable castle. You would love it. I had amazing time and experience . It is very easy to reach after train just use bus or taxi. Very close. It was enough cold and windy on October. At the top of castle it was raining but it is worth to go.
Worth the trip out of the city
Very easy to get to from Copenhagen, train to Helsinger then a bus (though it’s about a 10 min walk). The castle is very picturesque, it’s a bit of a walk from the road but you get marvellous views. The palace itself is beautiful and the exhibitions are easy to follow. Lots of steps so not so great for those with mobility issues but the stairs are wide and have rope handrails. Different to Rosenborg and is a unesco world heritage site so it’s always nice to tick another one off the list. Worth the trip
Great time
Great castle. Easy to get round and it was quite when I was there so you could easily read the information boards. Some parts will ve difficult if you have mobility issues as lots of stairs
Very Good Castle Experience
Very nice castle experience. Very enjoyable. Lots to look at and see, nicely set up, looks great for kids too. Take the time to climb the stairs up to the roof of the tower for great views of the town, up the coast, and of Sweden. Great pictures! Very beautiful inside and out. Well worth a visit.
Beautiful Castle on the Headland.
The Castle was great. From the position of it on the straight, you get the sense of it power of days gone by. It was fantastic to tour all the room and the view from the tower was great, with Norway a short cannonball shot away. The walk of the casements was very interesting, we weren’t sure if we were going to find our way out. The grounds an battlements are great for walking also. Definitely worth thr day out.
Worth visiting !
Lovely and very interesting place to visit. A lot of information about the connection with the Danish royal Family Helpful staff !
A must for Shakespeare enthusiasts
We were staying in Copenhagen but were keen to see this castle because of its connection to Shakespeare's Hamlet. Our visit formed part of a coach tour which also took us across to Sweden so we had limited time here, although we were able to get a small discount on the admission price via our tour company. Recommendation is that an average visit takes about 2 hours - our coach tour allowed for 1.5 hours but we were able to see a fair amount of the castle during that time, including a quick visit to the gift shop.
Very pretty
Very cool and restored version of hamlet’s castle. Lots of cool information and recreations, it was quite immersive and the grounds were absolutely beautiful. Totally worth a visit.
Worth going through
From the outside, it’s not that interesting, but it’s really worth walking around inside. It’s been nicely restored, and it really feels like a place where people lived and did interesting things — most castles feel more like museums, I find. It’s also worth taking a look around, it’s on the beautiful headland that allowed Danish kings to collect all those tolls that paid for the fancy lifestyle.
History and beauty
Enjoyed the sight and view from the Castel also some history. Some part under renovation, nice view of Sweden from top and surrounding areas good visit of small town
Beautiful castle located by the sea full of history, art and interesting stories.
Beautiful castle located by the sea full of history, art and interesting stories. Easu access by boat from Sweden or train from Copenhagen.
Captivating guide and castle
Visited as part of my Copenhagen Card purchase. Fortunately, I joined an English language tour with a captivating guide. Lively, humorous history of the castle and links to the setting of Hamlet. He handled the movement between rooms seamlessly. Great train system to take you to the town. A short walk to the impressive castle. Well worth the trip out.
Definitely worth a visit
Kronborg Castle originally built between 1574 & 1585 by Frederick II all but the chapel was destroyed by fire in 1629, ironically its reconstruction was funded by Christian IV the same King that years later could not afford to reconstruct his own castle. Unlike Frederiksborg castle this one is laid out simply and more like it may have been in the day making it easy to imagine how they lived. The cask-mates are worth a visit as is the walk around the outside between the sea and the ramparts getting great views of the castle and Sweden just across the channel.
Hamlet's Castle
This is Hamlet's Castle, located on a strategic spot along the Sea. Supposedly built for protection and to collect taxes from passing boats. It is surrounded by a moat and gardens. We took a long walk around it and along the waterfront. Lovely.
Recomend
Very interesting and historic castle. Well maintained and presented, with interesting rooms and items. Information boards presented in Danish & English. Staff were friendly & helpful, speaking good English. Also nice to just wander around outside the agtes. Make sure to wear stable shoes as the underground areas are dark & uneven.
Great Daytrip from Copenhagen! Worth it
Kronborg Castle, Helsingør Day trip time, although we wanted to drive further but got prevented! However the stop in Helsingør was totally worth it, about 50 minutes from our place in Copenhagen, totally worth the drive! Kronborg is a castle and stronghold in the town of Helsingør, Denmark. Immortalized as Elsinore in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, Kronborg is one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. (Source @wikipedia) A 17th century castle build by the Frederic the 2nd, for his wife Queen Sophie of Mecklenburg(he was 38 , she was 15), he was infatuated by his wife he build her the dream castle so to speak! Little anecdote, looking at the writings inside the Church/Chapel it was all in German, after I inquired about that, seems in their days the Nobility in Denmark would converse in German! Interesting! Lovely walk around the whole area, impressive! Enjoy! #thetourist #alifetimetrip #copenhagen #denmark #helsingør #kronborgcastle
Loved this castle
Drove here from Fredericksburg which we had visited first. Really preferred this castle- it looked more like a castle than a palace and the history was great. We did not do a tour and still felt like we learned a lot. The actors playing Hamlet and his friends are great and really get into character and will pose for photos with you.
Awesomeeee
One of the most beautiful castles we have seen. The view to the sea is to die for. Really amazing experience that I recommend.
Interesting history
Worth a visit. Take a guided tour to hear the history - a key part of Danish royalty and the importance of the location to guard against attackers.
December 2023
Interesting place to visit. The underground section was amazing. Would definitely visit in winter, looks amazing with ice and snow.
Having doubts? You can cancel or reschedule this booking up to 48 hours in advance for free.
