Kronborg

About the museum

At the beginning of the 15th century, Eric of Pomerania had the fortress of Krogen built at the narrowest point of the Øresund. It was meant to monitor all shipping between the North Sea and the Baltic: from the 15th century until 1857, passing ships had to pay the Sound Dues here, and the revenue flowed directly into the royal treasury.

Starting in 1574, Frederik II replaced the old fortress with a magnificent Renaissance castle, completed in 1585. Even during construction he had the brick walls clad in costly sandstone from Scania and Gotland and the towers crowned with copper and gilded spires. A great fire destroyed almost the entire interior in 1629 – only the chapel was spared. Christian IV had the castle rebuilt by 1639. In 1658, Kronborg was occupied and plundered by the Swedish king Charles X Gustav and did not return to Denmark until 1660.

Kronborg is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Europe and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. It is world-famous as the model for Elsinore Castle in Shakespeare's "Hamlet"; the play was first performed at Kronborg in 1816. Today the castle belongs to the Nationalmuseet. Visitors can see the royal chambers, the great ballroom with preserved tapestries from Frederik II's royal series, the chapel and castle kitchens, the Cannon Tower with views over the Sound, and the underground casemates with the legendary figure of Holger Danske.

Highlights

• Great Ballroom, according to the castle the largest in northern Europe
• Preserved tapestries from Frederik II's royal series
• Castle chapel that survived the fire of 1629
• Dark casemates with the figure of Holger Danske
• View over the Øresund from the Cannon Tower
• Free 15-minute introductions several times a day

Permanent exhibitions

• Danmarks storhed – Tour through the royal chambers, ballroom, chapel and castle kitchens with stories about feasts, displays of power and fates such as that of Queen Caroline Mathilde.
• Kom i kasematterne – Underground passages of the fortress that once sheltered up to 350 soldiers; the figure of Holger Danske rests here, and bats sleep in the vaults in winter.
• For store og små – Hands-on stations for children throughout the castle – from a four-poster bed to the castle kitchen to a building corner for your own dream castle.

Operated by

Nationalmuseet

Admission & discounts

Day tickets are valid for one year from purchase and are non-refundable. A ticket bought at the castle ticket office can be upgraded to an annual pass on site within 24 hours. Private tours (max. 35 people, plus admission): DKK 2,500 during opening hours, DKK 4,500 outside opening hours; for schools and institutions DKK 900.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle has many stairs and no elevator, so a tour is only partly possible for wheelchair users. Accessible parking spaces in the castle area to the left of the red gate. Detailed accessibility information is available at GodAdgang, and a Danish-language preparation guide for people with autism at AutismGoTo. With a Ledsagerkort, register in advance by email for tours or events.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Green chests of drawers mark hands-on stations: children can fire an air cannon, lie down in the royal four-poster bed, chat with a talking parrot, "cook" in the castle kitchen or build a dream castle with LEGO. Special programs during school holidays. Strollers must stay outside – a baby carrier is recommended.

Getting there & parking

By car from København take the E47 north, travel time about 45–50 minutes. The ticket office is in the yellow house behind the first moat; at the red gate behind the last moat, tickets are also available by card payment.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café Sundtolden next to the museum shop with coffee, panini, snacks and ice cream. Food you bring yourself can be eaten at tables in the old castle kitchens. Coat check free of charge, lockers in the reception area; large backpacks and luggage are not allowed into the castle.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 1,000 guests.

Historic rooms for conferences, corporate events, wedding ceremonies and private celebrations for 25 to 1,000 guests; bookable packages such as Renaissance dinner, team building or ghost evening. Wedding photos by arrangement (castle and courtyard DKK 1,900, ballroom an additional DKK 2,000).

Plan your visit