Set at the narrowest point of Øresund sound, Helsingor has been an important port city since the 15th century. Stroll around the cobbled streets of the medieval old town, then stop to admire the half-timbered houses and sun-drenched squares. Excellent museums, trendy restaurants and a world-class cultural centre give Helsingor a contemporary edge.
Things to do in Helsingør
Kronborg Slot towers over the city and features a magnificent Renaissance façade. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was made famous by Shakespeare’s Hamlet and is encircled by moats, bastions and fortifications. Tickets offer behind-the-scenes access to the royal apartments, chapel and underground dungeons.
M/S Museet for Søfart charts the rich maritime heritage of Helsingor. Exhibits cover everything from Dutch colonial exploration to 21st-century shipping. The subterranean museum also features interactive displays where you can plot navigation routes, design nautical tattoos and step into the role of an 18th-century tea merchant.
While Helsingor has an ancient past, the city has also embraced its contemporary side. The glass-walled Culture Yard occupies a former shipbuilding warehouse and hosts concerts, performing arts shows and other cultural events. Within the complex, Spisehuset Café treats you to spectacular views of Kronborg Slot.
From laid-back cafes to chef-driven restaurants, Helsingor offers plenty of dining options. Be sure to sample local Danish dishes such as “smørrebrød” open-faced sandwiches topped with cured salmon, gherkins, smoked eel and crème fraiche. For breakfast enjoy fresh-baked Danish pastries, creamy feta cheese and rye bread with jam. Helsingor also boasts one of the best gelato shops in Denmark.
Getting around Helsingør
Helsingor is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot while local buses are a fast and easy way to explore the city. Trains run between Helsingor and Copenhagen in around one hour. Regular ferries run between Helsingor and Helsingborg in Sweden and Copenhagen Airport is a 45-minute drive south.