Helsingør Castle and Historic City Self-Guided Walking Tour
- 2–2.5 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Get swept up by tales of stone and sea while taking in murals and sculptures on this self-guided audio tour through Helsingør. You’ll stroll the cobbled streets of this medieval town, from the train station along Helsingør Harbor Promenade and through the old shipyards, once the lifeblood of Helsingør, to Kronborg Castle. There, you’ll walk the seaside stone ramparts. But there’s more to this tour than just Kronborg Castle. You’ll also explore the medieval town of Helsingør, a charming tapestry of half-timbered houses and narrow streets. You’ll visit St. Mary’s Church and Priory, with its quiet cloister that’s even older than Kronborg Castle, and have the opportunity to enjoy a coffee on Axeltorv, the town square – or, in summer, a frozen treat at the 100-year-old Brostræde Ice Cream, where our tour ends. Please note: Kronborg Castle is one of the highlights of this tour, and we will tour the outside and offer tips on what to look for if you choose to pay the fee and go inside.
Inclusions
What's included
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
What's not
- Smartphone and headphones (please bring your own)
- Entry fees to museum or attractions mentioned en route
Itinerary
Start at the magnificent Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Stroll along the seaside stone ramparts where Hamlet once saw the ghostly vision of his father. Learn about the real-life Kings and Queens who resided here and explore the castle’s rich Renaissance architecture.
Admire the Svea Column, a notable monument in Helsingør. This column commemorates the historical ties between Denmark and Sweden and adds a touch of historical significance to your tour.
Visit the Culture Yard, a modern cultural complex that includes the innovative M/S Maritime Museum. This underground museum offers a fascinating look at Denmark’s maritime history. Don’t miss the “He” statue, a male counterpart to Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid, located nearby.
Take a leisurely walk along the Helsingør Harbor Promenade. This scenic route provides stunning views of the water and the bustling harbor, highlighting the town’s maritime heritage.
Pass St. Mary's Church and Priory, which boasts a quiet cloister that’s even older than Kronborg Castle. This historic site offers a serene escape and a glimpse into the town’s religious past.
Pass Saint Olaf’s Church, a local cathedral that reflects the riches Helsingør collected from ships passing by Kronborg Castle. The church’s architecture and history are a testament to the town’s economic prosperity in the Middle Ages.
Visit the M/S Maritime Museum, an innovative underground museum that offers a fascinating look at Denmark’s maritime history. Located within the Culture Yard complex, this museum provides an immersive experience through its unique design and engaging exhibits
See the "He" Statue, a male counterpart to Copenhagen’s famous Little Mermaid. Created by artists Elmgreen and Dragset, this statue adds a modern and thought-provoking element to the tour.
Stroll down Gl Færgestræde, a medieval street preserved as it might have looked in the 1700s. The street’s historic charm and the paving stones the size of potatoes offer a unique glimpse into the past.
Pop into the Shipyard Museum, created by former shipyard workers. The museum showcases oral histories, tools, and models of the giant ocean-going ships built in Helsingør. It’s a fascinating tribute to the town’s industrial past.
End your tour with a treat at Brostræde Ice Cream, a 100-year-old establishment known for its delicious frozen desserts. Enjoy your ice cream in Axeltorv, the town square, and reflect on the rich history and culture you’ve just explored.
See the colorful mural depicting “The Middle Ages and the Sound Dues,” which illustrates Helsingør’s history in fun, engaging images. This artwork brings to life the town’s medieval heritage and its role in maritime trade.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
3.5
- 52
- 42
- 30
- 21
- 11
Ratings come from 6 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- We'll start in the plaza outside Helsingør main train station. You should be standing by statues of Hamlet and Ophelia as we begin, looking out at Helsingør Harbour Promenade and Kronborg Castle in the distance.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please bring your own smartphone and headphones
How it compares in Helsingør
- Its from-price is 98% below the median of the 8 experiences we list in Helsingør.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 1 of 8.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Helsingør
Helsingør is a Danish harbour town where the Øresund narrows to four kilometres, home to Kronborg Castle, the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Helsingør, called Elsinore in English, lies 39 km north of Copenhagen at the point where the Øresund strait narrows to about four kilometres, with Helsingborg in Sweden in clear view across the water. Kronborg Castle, a Renaissance fortress on the headland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Elsinore of Hamlet. Its royal apartments, great hall and casemates under the ramparts can be explored, and the play is sometimes staged in its grounds.
Top-ranked sights in Helsingør: The Culture Yard, M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, Helsingør Havn.