Helsingørs Ældste Bindingsværkshus fra 1577
The half-timbered house on Strandgade, dating to 1577, is deemed the city's oldest. It's occupied, only visible from outside, but is along the Old Town route.
Denmark
Helsingør
CityCultureBeachNatureFor Families
Helsingør lies at the Øresund's narrowest point, just four kilometers from Sweden. For centuries, the Crown collected Sound Dues here from every ship passing through.
by Felix Gillen
Helsingør lies at the Øresund's narrowest point, just four kilometers from Sweden. For centuries, the Crown collected Sound Dues here from every ship passing through. Kronborg Castle and the Old Town's merchant houses attest to this.Next to Kronborg, on the old shipyard grounds, is Kulturværftet, with its underground Maritime Museum and a market hall. Between the harbor and train station, Stengade and Strandgade lead through the Old Town with its half-timbered houses, the Carmelite Monastery, and the Cathedral.
Sights in Helsingør
Discover the most important sights and attractions
The mural "The maritime history"
Large mural near the harbour, showcasing the city's maritime history. A short detour on the way to Kronborg.
Kronborg Slot
Frederik II had the Renaissance castle at the Øresund's narrowest point expanded in the 16th century. From here, Denmark collected the Sound Toll for centuries. As "Elsinore," Kronborg is the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet; it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.On display are the royal chambers, the Great Hall, the castle chapel, and the casemates, in which the figure of Holger Danske sits.
St. Mary's Church and Carmelite Monastery
The monastery church belongs to the 15th-century Carmelite Monastery, one of Scandinavia's best-preserved medieval monastic complexes. Inside, vault paintings are preserved, and you can quietly stroll around the cloister.
Museum
M/S Maritime Museum
Opened in 2013, the Maritime Museum is located underground around a 150-meter-long dry dock of the old shipyard, opposite Kronborg, designed by BIG. The exhibitions tell Danish history from the 15th century to the present day from a maritime perspective, with ship models, films, and interactive stations. For children, there is a dedicated play area, plus a café.
Church
Saint Olai Cathedral
The Gothic brick church was completed in 1559 and has been a cathedral since 1961. Inside, a votive ship hangs from the ceiling, as in many Danish coastal churches. Admission is free.
City walks in Helsingør
Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.
Helsingør: From Kronborg to the Old Town
You walk from Kronborg Castle across the Culture Harbour, past the Maritime Museum and the Han figure, to the Carmelite Monastery and St. Olai Cathedral, ending in the Stengade pedestrian zone. Allow approximately two hours.
Stops (6)
Dining & Drinks
Restaurant located in the building of the Royal Privileged Shooting Society on Stengade, right in the pedestrian zone. Cozy rooms, open daily from noon.
Pizzeria with Sicilian operators located slightly outside the city center. Primarily for takeaway, with only a few window seats available inside. Italian groceries are also sold here.
Small fish restaurant in the red wooden houses at the North Harbour behind Kronborg, next door a fish shop with its own smokehouse. Seating is outdoors on wooden benches by the water; the menu revolves around fish and seafood.
Classic Smørrebrød on rye bread in an old half-timbered house with crooked floors and a fireplace. In summer, you sit in the backyard in the sun. Often full at lunchtime, reservations are recommended.
Danish restaurant at Nordhafen beach promenade. Lunch: Smørrebrød; Dinner: Main courses. When sunny, sit outside and enjoy water views.
Food and Drink
Dine in Helsingør either at the redeveloped shipyard site or in the half-timbered streets of the Old Town between Stengade and Sankt Anna Gade.
The Yard's Food Market
The Market Hall in an old shipyard building next to Kronborg has around 15 stalls with fish, sushi, ramen, tacos, burgers and more, plus a bar and long tables for seating. Open daily from 11 AM.
Smørrebrød in the Old Town
Topped rye bread is the classic lunch. In the Old Town's cafés and restaurants, you can get it with herring, fish cakes, or roast beef.
Fiskeboden in Espergærde
A few kilometers south, at Espergærde harbor, the fish shop has been selling fresh fish and take-away fish platters since 2012. Next door is Lugen fish restaurant with water views.
Culture and History
From 1429, Erik of Pomerania levied the Sound Dues, which made Helsingør rich. Frederik II had Kronborg expanded into a Renaissance castle in the 16th century; after a fire in 1629, it was rebuilt under Christian IV. The dues were not abolished until 1857.As Elsinore, Kronborg is the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet; in summer, the play is regularly performed in the castle courtyard. From the Middle Ages, the Carmelite Monastery and St. Olai Cathedral are preserved. The shipyard, which shaped the harbor district until 1983, lives on in Kulturværftet and the Maritime Museum.
On the way in Helsingør
The Coastal Line connects Helsingør with Copenhagen, a journey of approximately 45 minutes. Local trains run to Hillerød and along the North Coast to Hornbæk and Gilleleje. Explore the town center on foot. A bicycle is ideal for the coast south to Espergærde or north to Hornbæk.
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