Copenhagen has plenty of things to see and do. You have everything from iconic scenes and buildings to some very tasty food. Did you know though that Copenhagen is a fantastic base to explore the northeastern Zealand? Specifically, a day trip from Copenhagen to Helsingør is one which needs to be at the top of your list.
It is best known for Kronborg Castle, the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet (though there it is called Elsinore). There are also ties here to the Danish maritime trade and royalty, and it offers some tremendous coastal views too.
If you’re looking for a top day out from Copenhagen, go to Helsingør. This guide will tell you everything you need to know, including an itinerary and some top tips.
A Day Trip from Copenhagen to Helsingør | Your Quick Guide
Planning Your Day Trip
Getting from Copenhagen to Helsingør
Travelling from Copenhagen to Helsingør is extremely simple, and does not require any advance booking. The cost of the ticket is
Trains run very regularly (every 15 minutes) and you can purchase your ticket on the day from one of the machines at the station. The train itself is a stopper and takes 40 minutes. I actually found this train ride to be enjoyable; the Danish countryside is beautiful and it actually stops at different points in Copenhagen. This meant that we were able to combine the train journey on the way back with places in the city outskirts.
Route in Helsingør
The main attraction in Helsingør is obviously Kronborg Castle. Tourists flock here from all over Denmark and you should expect it to be reasonably busy.
With this in mind, I would start your day at Kronborg. It is around a 15 minute walk from the station along the waterfront. From here, you can then walk into the town to explore.
Copenhagen Card
I would highly recommend the Copenhagen Card. This gives you access to over 80 attractions (including Kronborg Castle and others), and provides free transport around the city and to nearby places like Helsingør.
The card initially is quite pricey (£98 for 48 hours, which is what I’d recommend), but covers entrance to the most iconic attractions including the legendary Tivoli Gardens and Frederiksbørg Castle. You can see which attractions are covered on their website..
If you plan on exploring Copenhagen and Zealand, I would definitely recommend it.
Itinerary
The below section is your itinerary for your day trip from Copenhagen to Helsingør. I’ve aimed to make it as comprehensive as possible, but feel free to change the order of the day however you like.
Kronborg Castle
Aside from being made famous by William Shakespeare, Kronborg is also one of the most significant castles in Denmark. It dates back to the late 14th Century and was used to control the stretch of sea between it (Øresund Strait) and a neighbouring castle in Helsingborg, Sweden.
As the times evolved, so did the style of the castle. In the late 16th Century it was reimagined as a Renaissance Palace, which is the form you’ll see. However, this isn’t the original – much of the castle was destroyed by a fire in 1629 and has since received numerous renovations.
Entrance Times and Tickets
Kronborg castle is open from 10:00am throughout the year, but closes at either 16:00 (winter) or 17:00 (spring – autumn). During the winter, the castle is also closed on Mondays.
Ticket prices at Kronborg also vary depending on when you buy them. A day ticket at the door costs 150 DKK (equivalent to around £17), but you get a 10% discount if you book these online. In either case, children go in for free. If your family have a Copenhagen Card, all of you can enter for free.
The Castle Interior
I’m going to start by saying that the staff at Kronborg know what they’re doing. I’ve never seen a historic castle be injected with so much fun, love and enthusiasm, all the whilst teaching you the stories of it.
The tour of the castle is essentially around the main courtyard and spans 3 levels (which does mean climbing a fair few spiral staircases!). Exhibits change relatively frequently and, like I said, are quite modern in terms of design. During 2026, they have an exhibit called Party which shows you what the celebration / feast culture was like in the 16th Century. Expect to walk into a room full of pink strobe lights with dancing Renaissance phantoms (all to 80s hits). Really – it has to be seen to be believed, but was one of my favourite castle exhibits ever.
Whilst you are touring the castle, there are a few things you need to see. You of course have the Royal Apartments, each decorated with lavish fabrics of the time, as well as the Great Hall where the feasts would be held. You also have a quaint 15th Century Chapel on site, which actually has wooden carvings that survived the fire.
Cannon Tower and the View
Kronborg’s positioning on the coast gives it a spectacular vantage point across Zealand. In fact, it commands one of the most spectacular views in the country.
Like any castle visit, no day trip to Kronborg Castle is complete without climbing up to the tallest point. Cannon Tower was originally the tallest tower in Kronborg (but was actually reduced to the shortest following a Swedish invasion). The climb can be taken from the ground and has around 145 steps.
At the top, you’ll come across a flat roof which once housed the cannons (as the name suggests). The view though is something to behold. Not only can you see across the castle, Helsingør and the Øresund Strait, but on clear days you can even see Copenhagen.
Make time for this – you won’t regret it. I also found the spiral staircase to be relatively easy if you compare it to other castles.
The Casemates
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Kronborg is a visit to the Casemates. If you don’t know, these are long underground passageways that once housed soldiers, weapons and other provisions during sieges. In fact, they are so large that they even had a stable and a forge. They span a labyrinth under the castle and are open to visitors for no additional fee.
Whilst not for everyone, there is actually a fair amount to see down here. Holgar Dankse, a legendary figure from European history, has a statue down here which is otherwise known as the Sleeping Giant Beneath Kronborg. You can’t really miss him to be honest; the statue is huge.
Part of the fun in the Casemates is just walking around to get lost. You’re well and truly following the footsteps of history here and you’ll feel transported back. For the nature lovers amongst you, the Casemates have a population of bats which come here during the winter. You’ll be able to see them hanging upside down from the ceiling during the day.
Top Tip: Around October time you’ll be able to go on a special Halloween Tour down in the Casemates.
The Castle Grounds
Lastly, you have the grounds around the castle to explore. These are not too extensive but again give you different perspectives of the Øresund Strait and the castle itself. I found this to be a peaceful spot to sit; there are far fewer tourists here.
The grounds also have the old earth ramparts and a series of paths which lead to more cannons. There is nothing specific to see per-say, but I’d recommend slowly meandering around here.
Exploring Helsingør Town
Shakespeare once described Helsingør, or at least the State of Denmark, as “rotten”. I’d argue that he couldn’t be further from the truth in the modern age; walking around Helsingør is a truly lovely experience.
The town is relatively old and traditional, and is filled with the quintessential Danish houses you’d expect as well as narrow streets. There is a collection of small shops here too. If you just fancy wandering about, you can probably cover the town in an hour or so.
There are however quite a few things to see packed into this small town. Here are my recommendations for other activities during your day trip to Helsingør from Copenhagen.
M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark
Denmark is known across the world as a seafaring nation, and the M/S Maritime Museum lays out this incredible heritage. This is probably the first stop on your list after you visit Kronbørg Castle; you’ll see it on the nearby dock.
Inside, you have exhibitions on over 400 years of Danish history at sea, as well as other nautical topics such as shipwrecks and saving those who are lost.
In terms of prices, the museum charges 145 DKK to enter (around £16 or so). However, the Copenhagen Card again gives you free entry or, if you have paid to go into Kronborg, you can also get 15% off the price.
Marienlyst Castle
About a 20 minute walk from Kronborg is Marienlyst Castle. This is not actually a castle, but was originally built as a royal pavilion for Kronborg. They are open everyday (except Monday) from 12:00 to 16:00 and entrance is 30 DKK.
Compared to Kronborg, the Castle is small and won’t take you long to cover what you are able to see. They also have The King’s Kitchen which runs throughout the day, serving some really lovely cakes and other treats.
Saint Olaf’s Church
Another key site of Helsingør is Saint Olaf’s Church. It dates back to the 13th Century and has an incredibly well-preserved interior. In fact, looking around it you’ll easily be able to spot historical features, including a pulpit which dates back to the 16th Century.
It is a really beautiful building and I would thoroughly recommend a stop here whilst you explore Helsingør.
Light Lunch in Helsingør
You’ll be spoiled for choice in Helsingør when it comes to lunch. We had a hard time finding a place as they just all looked great.
We stopped at a place called Miss Coffee in the centre of the town. They had an excellent selection of cakes and bagels, as well as good coffee. I also appreciated that they put in a lot of effort into serving the cakes, plus it all was at a very reasonable price (if you don’t know, Denmark is not exactly famous for that).
Another good option is a coffee and food at the M/S Café. It is right by the docks and could be perfect for a stop after Kronborg.
Optional Stop: Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
On your way back to Copenhagen from Helsingør, consider ending your day trip at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. It is just outside of the town and is on the way back to Copenhagen. To get here, stop at Humlebæk, a stop 20 minutes out of Helsingør.
I personally love the design of this Art Museum; it is incredibly cool. Imagine buildings where old meets new, delicate and vibrant sculptures, as well as a gorgeous sea view. All in all, even if you don’t appreciate art, this place will capture your interest.
The exhibits here change regularly and so you’ll have lots to see throughout the year. There are also guided tours available, as well as lectures. You can also visit the Literature Festival which runs every August.
Tickets cost 145 DKK per adult, but you again get free entrance with the Copenhagen Card.
Final Thoughts | A Day Trip from Copenhagen to Helsingør
A day trip to Helsingør is probably my favourite from Copenhagen. I love the history and cultural significance here, especially Kronborg Castle. You can easily spend a day exploring the town and the surrounding area. I would 100% recommend the Copenhagen Card though; it gives you amazing value for money when you consider the cost of transport and attractions.
For more information, or just to help you plan your trip to Copenhagen, read my post on 24 Hours in Copenhagen. I hope that you enjoyed this post and let me know if you have any questions. I always love hearing from you.
