North Zealand — Castles & Coast
North Zealand (Nordsjælland) is the green lung north of Copenhagen: forests, lakes, coast, and three impressive castles, all conveniently accessible as a day trip by train.
Kronborg Castle — Hamlet's Castle
The Kronborg Slot in Helsingør (45 minutes by train) is Denmark's most famous castle — and Shakespeare's Elsinore: Hamlet takes place here. The Renaissance castle on the Öresund (UNESCO World Heritage) towers over the strait to Sweden — strategically impregnable. The casemates (underground passages) are impressively dark, and the statue of the sleeping hero Holger Danske is said to awaken when Denmark is in danger. In summer, Hamlet is performed in the castle courtyard. Admission: 165 DKK (€22).
Frederiksborg Castle — Denmark's Versailles
Frederiksborg Slot in Hillerød (40 minutes by train) is Scandinavia's most magnificent Renaissance castle: built by Christian IV in the early 17th century, located on three islands in a lake. Inside: the Museum of National History — portraits, furniture, suits of armor, and the magnificently restored castle church. The baroque gardens are geometrically perfect and delightful for strolling. Admission: 100 DKK (€13).
Helsingør — More than Hamlet
The port city of Helsingør has more to offer than Kronborg: a medieval old town with half-timbered houses, the M/S Museet for Søfart (Maritime Museum, designed by BIG, in an underground dry dock — architecturally brilliant, 130 DKK) and the ferry to Helsingborg (Sweden, 20 minutes, from 36 DKK / €5). Two countries in one day — once again!
