Take a day trip to Kronborg Castle from Copenhagen to see the inspiration for Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Located in Helsingør, just a short train ride from Copenhagen, Kronborg offers a glimpse into Danish history and the setting that inspired one of literature’s most iconic plays. Explore the castle’s grand halls, learn about its royal past, and enjoy panoramic views of the Øresund Strait.
What Kronborg Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”?
Legend has it that Shakespeare heard stories about Kronborg Castle, which sparked his imagination for “Hamlet.” The castle’s history of royal intrigue and its location on the Øresund Strait intrigued him. According to the legend, tales of ghosts, family betrayals, and political drama at Kronborg influenced Shakespeare’s creation of Prince Hamlet’s story.
In the play, Hamlet seeks revenge after his uncle Claudius murders his father, King Hamlet, and marries his mother, Gertrude. These themes of betrayal, revenge, and ghostly encounters from Kronborg Castle shaped Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy.
Day Trip to Kronborg Castle from Copenhagen: Our Experience
We arrived at Kronborg Castle around 1:30 PM after spending the morning at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerod. After a quick lunch at the museum, we headed straight to the castle. We didn’t buy tickets in advance because we weren’t sure how much time we’d spend in Hillerod.
Luckily, purchasing tickets at the booth was quick for us in April, the low season. If you’re visiting in summer, it’s a good idea to get tickets ahead of time. The castle is about a 10-minute walk from the ticket booth.
Upon arrival, we were fortunate to join a tour that was leaving in just five minutes. The tour was excellent, available in both English and Danish. If there aren’t enough people for a Danish tour, they conduct it in English instead. If you’re debating whether to explore on your own or take a tour, definitely opt for the tour. You’ll hear old castle gossip, learn about royal parties held there, and even how voices from parties were overheard on the Swedish side of the Øresund River.
You’ll also discover the castle’s connection to Hamlet and how it inspired Shakespeare’s play.
Although Kronborg has fewer artifacts compared to Frederiksborg, we managed to tour both wings in about 2.5 hours before exploring the casemates, where we almost got lost, adding an adventure to our visit.
Afterward, we spent some time learning to walk on stilts and then headed to Helsingør to explore the town and enjoy an early dinner.
A bit of history we learned on Kronborg Castle tour…
King Frederick II of Denmark and Norway initially showed little interest in marriage, preferring the company of mistresses. However, in a strategic move to strengthen political alliances, an arranged marriage was proposed between Frederick II and Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow.
Sophie, known for her intelligence and grace, was brought to Kronborg Castle for the marriage. Despite the arranged nature of their union, Frederick II and Sophie developed a deep and loving relationship.
They had several children together, including Prince Christian who later became King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway. Frederick II admired Sophie’s wisdom and dedication, and they ruled together harmoniously.
Their reign was marked by cultural flourishing and expansion, solidifying Kronborg Castle as a symbol of Danish power and influence. Their successful marriage and shared leadership left a lasting impact on Denmark’s history and cultural heritage.
How to Get to Kronborg from Copenhagen by Train
The easiest way to get to Kronborg from Copenhagen, take a train from Copenhagen Central Station. Trains depart frequently towards Helsingør, the town where Kronborg Castle is located. The train ride takes approximately 45 minutes, offering scenic views along the coast of the Øresund Strait. Upon arrival at Helsingør Station, it’s a short walk to Kronborg Castle.
Fun Facts about Kronborg Castle
Shakespearean Connections: Kronborg is famously known as the setting for William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.”
UNESCO World Heritage Site: It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000 for its cultural significance.
Strategic Location: The castle’s position at the narrowest point of the Øresund Strait allowed it to control maritime traffic between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
Royal Residence: Kronborg served as a royal residence for Danish kings and queens for several centuries.
Military History: It was a key fortress in Denmark’s defense system and played a crucial role in protecting the kingdom.
Tips for Visiting the Castle
When visiting Kronborg Castle, we suggest the following to make the most of your experience:
Purchase Tickets Online: Buy your tickets in advance online to avoid long queues, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Explore the Grounds: Take time to explore not only the interior of the castle but also its expansive grounds and gardens, offering beautiful views of the Øresund Strait.
Check Opening Hours: Verify the castle’s opening hours beforehand to plan your visit accordingly.
Dress Comfortably: Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces and climbing stairs within the castle.
Weather : Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, as much of the visit involves outdoor exploration.
Explore Helsingør: Consider exploring other nearby attractions in Helsingør, such as the Maritime Museum or enjoying a meal at local cafes and restaurants.
Visit casemates: Don’t miss the Kronborg casemates during your visit to the castle. These underground chambers served vital military roles, offering insights into Kronborg’s defense strategies and daily life centuries ago. Explore the labyrinthine passages to experience Denmark’s maritime history and appreciate the castle’s formidable fortifications. It’s a must-see for a complete understanding of Kronborg’s historical significance.
Kronborg Castle Rooms
The Chancellery
ben the King was in residence at Kronborg, the country was ruled from this room. From here, i officials of the realm dispatched everything from royal decrees about moving marketplaces and receipts for receiving altarpieces to letters about major political affairs and laws on everything imaginable.
The Library
Kitchens
The King’s Kitchen, the Queen’s Kitchen, the Castle Kitchen and the Smoke Kitchen in which whole oxen were roasted on spits.
In the royal Kitchens of the King and Queen a particularly trusted staff worked with the most extravagant produce. Spices were so expensive that pepper corns were bought by the piece.
At the royal tables a 12 course meal would be served at 10 am and again at 5 pm. To prevent poisoning of the royal family the cooks would taste all the dishes themselves before serving these at the royal tables.
Chapel
Queen’s Chamber
Bedrooms
Royal couples slept apart. This arrangement was particularly practical in cases where an arranged marriage ended up as an unhappy union.
Kronborg Castle
Kronborg Castle’s casemates
The word “casemate” is latin, meaning “home in darkness”. The casemates are situated in the castle’s four protruding fortifications, the so-called bastions.
In 1574-76, the bastions were constructed as a part of the modernization of the medieval castle of Krogen, the end result being the splendid renaissance castle of Kronborg. Although approximately four metres thick, the old encircling wall of Krogen could no longer resist the improved striking power of the 16th century cannons. The new fortifications, on the other hand, would keep the enemy in proper distance from the main castle.
The casemates consist of two separate storeys. The upper storey had a number of practical applications, containing among other things a guard room, a smithery, and the stables. The main purpose of the lower storey was to provide a safe shelter during times of war. Here, soldiers could stay for longer periods of time in case of sieges and bombard-ments. To accomodate this purpose, the lower casemates were equipped with barracks and food storage facilities. It takes little imagination to picture how demanding, physically as well as psychologically, it must have been to be confined for days or even months in the damp and sinister casemates.
How to get to Casemates: You can only access casemates from Castle’s Kitchen.
Take a Guided Tour
Opt for a guided tour to discover hidden stories and lesser-known areas of the castle. Our tour was just 30 minutes long but we learned a lot about the history and Kronborg’s connection with “Hamlet”. You will learn about Danish royalty, military history, and the castle’s role in literature as the setting for Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
Explore the grand halls with Renaissance decorations, the eerie dungeons, and the strategic defenses that made Kronborg a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Overall, a day trip to Kronborg Castle offers a magical journey into Danish history and culture. Whether you’re drawn by its literary fame, architectural beauty, or historical importance, Kronborg promises an enriching experience. This iconic Danish landmark is truly amazing.
