Helsingør, also known as Elsinore, is a port city in eastern Denmark. Overlooking the Øresund strait, the 15th-century Kronborg Castle provided the setting for Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” 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.

Sights & Culture

Helsingør Rådhus

Helsingør City Hall is a large red stone building near the waterfront. Worth a visit for the architecture, but not somewhere to spend too much time.

Havnekranen

The Harbour Crane on the water-front is a visual and visible reminder of Helsingør's past, much like the Göteborg Cranes. though on a far smaller scale.

Sankt Olai Kirke

A old Lutheran church in old town Helsingør, its redbrick stones and green bronze roof are easily visible from across the water and make for an obvious landmark in the city itself.

Sankt Mariæ Kirke

Not far from Sankt Olai Kirke is St Maria's Church, a 15th century monastery, famed for its artwork and organ, which is now used as a Lutheran Church.

Han Statue

In the harbour, on the dock, sits the Han Statue, sibling to the Copenhagen Little Mermaid. If you are patient and wait and watch long enough, you may see him blink.

Holger Danske

Likely the most famous statue in Helsingoør, Holger the Dane sits enthroned below the castle. Changing spotlights give focus to different parts of this huge stone Viking. Easy to miss the route to find him when exploring the castle, it is worth the extra effort to track him down and see more of the castle's basement.

Kronborg Castle

Kronborg is a 16th Century castle, and the model for Elsinore in Hamlet, easily visible from much of the city and from the twinned Swedish town of Helsingborg across the water, the Castle sits on a peninsula in the harbour.

During the summer months, scenes from Hamlet are put on in the grounds for visitors and the banquet halls and rooms are all open to the public (on purchase of a ticket) to see the historic furniture.

Outside the walls, a few cafes, restaurants and shops use the quaint old buildings, between the secondary moat and walls and the castle itself.

Truly a traditional castle rather than the manor house you normally find under the title of Slott, it is the jewel of Helsingør and the reason to visit.

Climbing the tower gives a great view back over the city, though the narrow stone steps may be challenging for some.

The gift shop is huge and offers a very wide range of items.

Kronborg Slotskirke

Set in one of the walls of the castle, the Chapel feels ancient. the dark wood and heavy atmosphere give the place a solemnity that is hard to describe.

Herakles og Hydraen

On the dock, facing the water, Hercules fights the Hydra.

Museums & Galleries

Danmarks Tekniske Museum

Further out of town, approximately twenty minutes by bus is the Technology Museum. Filled with examples of flight, it could easily be an aerospace museum, but during my visit there was also a hall dedicated to the history of Video games, with many playable examples.

Øresundsakvariet

The Oresund Aquarium is tiny, a pair of rooms, walled with exotic and local fish and crustaceans. The staff are passionate and the Aquarium itself is more a base of the marine activities the staff undertake, from diving to wild camping and cooking.

Well worth a visit, but don't go expecting Sea World.

M/S Museet for Søfart

Below ground, on route to the castle, the Maritime museum charts the sea faring history of the city and country. Excellent exhibits, including the ability to sit in a tattoo chair and project a sailors tattoo onto your arm for tracing (in pen) its easily worth a visit.

Parks & Gardens

Danserindebrønden

The Dancer's Fountain is a sculpture of three ballet dancers. A famous stop to see butterflies in the summer.

Restaurants & Bars

Københavneren

In the centre of old town and offering a charming beer garden, the restaurant Københavneren does a selection of local delicacies and a very wide range of beers.

Strandvejsristeriet

A small cafe near the castle, inside the outer walls, it offers excellent coffee and home baked goods.

Elsinore Street Food

Very similar to the Street Food Market in Copenhagen, but on a smaller scale, the Elsinore Street Food Market is a great place to get craft beers, coffee, or a variety of food. The venue is a warehouse with DIY furniture vibes.

Helsingør